Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Restaurant
Jane and I really love Ethiopian food. We first encountered it way back when we were dating. As much as we love it, we don't really get much of it. "Little Ethiopia" is a 20 minute drive from our home. (Like everything else in Los Angeles, regardless of how long it will actually take you to get there, your destination is always only 20 minutes away.) Which means it's only a weekend option for us.
Over the years, we've frequented a few of the restaurants in "Little Ethiopia," but we'd never noticed a 100% vegan restaurant. When we were omnivores, that would have never registered.
Anyway, Jane's been craving Ethiopian, so Sunday afternoon I googled vegan Ethiopian. Rahel Ethiopian is listed as the only 100% vegan Ethiopian restaurant in all of LA. Off we went. It was wonderful. The cuisine is made up of spicy vegetable dishes (meat dishes too, but not at Rahel), mostly in a thick stew format called wat. The wat is served atop injera, a large flatbread made out of fermented teff flour. Traditionally, Ethiopians eat with their right hands and use pieces of injera to pick up bites of entrées and side dishes. No utensils are used, which can make for an entertaining meal if you're the slightest bit clumsy. It's probably not your best choice for a first date, but as a long married couple, it can be a fun excursion!
We shared the Hudade Special Combo for two. And it was was excellent. The plate looked beautiful. There were two little piles of each of the items in the special, which makes sharing easy. We have no idea which was which, but they all tasted good. Something resembled tuna salad, and there was a tomato salad, which was a little awkward to pick up with the inerja, but mostly they were spicy, hearty stews. By the end of the meal, we were completely stuffed and were each wearing a little bit of our meal.
The service is slow, but friendly. Our time in the restaurant with no appetizers or dessert was over 75 minutes. So don't go if you're pressed for time. Otherwise... we can't recommend it highly enough. Jane's trying to get me to go back next weekend!
They're open 11am -11 pm every day. 1047 South Fairfax. 323-937-8401.
If you don't live around here, but do have access to this cuisine, we recommend you give it a try! And if you don't know where to find Ethiopian cuisine, we've got a few Restaurant Review sites on our Resources page which can be modified to search for type of cuisine. Go, try something new!
Native Foods
Jane's mom is here for a visit, so we took a quick trip down to Palm Desert (a resort town in the California desert) this weekend. The weather was excellent there. (Unfortunately, it was in the 90's here this weekend too, so we could have just stayed home!) But we enjoyed the usual tourist treats: swimming at the hotel pool, gambling at one of the Indian casinos, and we visited the Living Desert, a zoo and arboretum.
Jane and I haven't made up our minds how we feel about zoos. On one hand, most of the zoos we've frequented in the last decade or so have been involved in significant animal conservation, and the animal habitats are carefully designed. On the other hand, it's not the animals native habitat, and the aviaries are particularly troubling to us. But this is fodder for another post. So back to Palm Desert...
As vegans, we know that eating on the road can often be challenging. We've learned to 
Native Foods close to the hotel we were staying at. We'd heard lots of great things about Native Foods, but aren't close to any of their locations. So we knew we would be stopping there on this trip.
We loved it! Our meals were fantastic. Jane and her mom shared the Baja Surf Tacos. They were quite tasty. The black beans were a little bland, but were much improved with the home-made hot sauce (warning: it's HOT).
I ordered the Portobello Sausage Burger. The sausage was sliced seitan. It was one of the best vegan burgers I've ever had. The service was good, friendly and solicitous. The prices were right and the food was delicious. It's not fine dining, but the restaurant has a nice ambiance and outdoor eating.
We didn't have any dessert or additional sides. Jane later regretted that as she'd split a lunch with her mom and our dinner at the casino left a lot to be desired, especially from the vegan perspective!
The rest of our meals on this trip were unremarkable. Thankfully, the hotel room had a mini fridge so we were able to stock up on some vegan snacks. But we really could have used a Starbuck's Vegan Brownie, or some other vegan dessert!!!
The Veggie Grill
Last night we picked up Jane's mom at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport). She's visiting with us for a little over a week. En route home, we figured we'd stop for a quick bite to eat. You know, they just don't feed you on the airlines any longer, at least not on domestic flights.
I had been poking around the internet and found an interesting sounding restaurant, The Veggie Grill, near the airport. So off we went. Wow! This place is FANTASTIC! It's primarily a soup/salad/sandwich type of place. You walk in, look at the menu on the wall, walk up to the counter to place your order and they call your number when your food is ready. So, you know it's not haute cuisine. But let me tell you how really great it is...
It's so good that Jane's mom, who is not vegan, couldn't believe she wasn't eating chicken. We all shared our sandwiches. She had the Chickin' Marinara, I had the V-Burger, and Jane ordered the Island Getaway.
(Please excuse the poor quality photographs, we left our camera at home, so these images were taken using my phone.)
The Chickin’ Marinara Jane’s mom ordered actually reminded us of the chicken parmigiana we used to eat once upon a time when we lived in New York. (OK, we know it probably wouldn’t stand up next to the real thing, but we don’t eat the real thing any longer, and this was a more than reasonable facsimile!) The standard side is a side of cole slaw, which Jane’s mom said was good, but not remarkable (we neglected to ask if this was vegan, so we assumed they used real mayonnaise and passed on it).
Jane's Island Getaway sandwich was perhaps the least tasty of the three, but don't let that stop you from ordering it -- it was also delicious. It consists of coconut-milk battered tempeh with a glazed pineapple topping. Yum. Instead of the cole slaw, Jane ordered the steaming kale. As I mentioned previously, the three of us shared everything. I don't think Jane's mom really cared for the Kale that much. But she loved the pineapple topping.
I opted for the V-Burger to which I added a grilled portobello mushroom. And, instead of cole slaw, I opted for the sweetheart (sweet potato) fries. I would happily eat the burger again, but I don’t think the mushroom added anything to this meal. The sweetheart fries, were yummy, as expected.
The Chickin’ Marinara was really the winner though. It was tender and crispy and the marinara and peppers were just right. Jane’s mom heads out on an early flight and she and I joked around about hanging out at the airport when she leaves, long enough so that we can stop by Veggie Grill for lunch.
They have a location in Irvine, CA and this one in El Segundo, CA. If you’re in the area and aren’t looking for a sit down dinner with ambiance, this place is really worth checking out! They’re open from 11am to 10pm every day.
For additional restaurant reviews see our Vegan Resources page.
Cinnamon Revisited
A few weeks ago we finally got around to visiting Cinnamon in Highland Park (suburb of Los Angeles). We really loved it, as you can see from our review. We actually resisted the temptation of going back there sooner because we didn't want to "burn out."
So, after waiting a sufficient amount of time, we went back for lunch today. Sorry we've got no photos to share, we forgot the camera. Anyway, we had the Jumping Shrimp Cocktail as a starter, and just like last time, we thought it was excellent. (Make sure to add the fresh lime they provide!)
For our entrees, I ordered the Chicken Mole with black beans, brown rice and corn tortillas. Jane, who hates mole, thought this was the best mole she'd ever had, unfortunately, I didn't agree. I found the cinnamon to be overwhelming to the point where it ruined the dish for me. The faux-chicken was really good. It had an excellent texture to it, far less chewy than most. It is only featured in this recipe, so next time, I'm going to ask for it in some other sauce.
Jane ordered the special. Although we live in Los Angeles, we don't speak any Spanish, so neither one of us knows exactly what she ordered, but it was something with cactus. And it too, left a lot to be desired, which is too bad since we loved it so much last time.
In some sense the service was better than last time as we were given refills on our beverages and chips much more frequently. But we also had trouble communicating with our servers, and were handed the check while Jane was still in the middle of her dinner.
We will certainly go back again, but without the sense of anticipation we had this time.
Cinnamon Vegetarian Restaurant – A New Favorite!
Jane and I tried a new (to us) restaurant tonight, Cinnamon in Highland Park which is a suburb of Los Angeles. We'd stumbled across reviews of this place a few months ago. After perusing the menu online, we decided we'd try it, but for one reason or another we hadn't gotten around to it until today. Wow. They basically cater to vegans. There are a few items on the menu that have egg or milk, but almost everything is or can be made vegan!
We arrived at Cinnamon a little before 5pm tonight, and were immediately told to choose a table of our liking. We sat down and looked over the menu. Then one of the chefs came over to take our order. We told her this was our first visit and asked what she recommended. She offered to bring us a sample of the various "meats" so we could try them and then make a more informed decision. The sampler, which was on the house, was a small plate of chorizo, wheat meat, and shrimp. We each took a bite and then looked at each other, hopeful expressions on our faces.
We ordered the Jumping Shrimp Cocktail as our appetizer. The mock-shrimp probably wouldn't hold up as shrimp if you've had the real thing in the recent past, but we haven't had shrimp in over seven months and were very pleased with the texture and taste. And it was a welcome change from the typical mock-meat proteins we've been having. The base of the cocktail (gazpacho?) was light and fresh and absolutely delicious. It tasted of summer. We will definitely order that again.
Even though we weren't all that hungry we decided on two entrees. Leftovers always make for a good lunch the next day!
I ordered the Soy Chorizo with Potatoes. It comes with rice and a salad, but I was offered beans if I wanted those instead of the salad. Since Jane's meal came with beans, we figured one of us should have the salad. That's pretty much one of our commandments. We always have salad with dinner. The Soy Chorizo was very tasty, with just the right amount of heat. The salad was unremarkable, but it was fresh. And I had corn tortillas which tasted freshly made to me (but the chef said they were purchased).
Jane ordered the Carnitas, with brown rice and black bean, and whole wheat tortillas. My first thought was "how bland." But she didn't feel like having the typical spicy Mexican dish we often order. As we ate a bit more, I revised my opinion. This dish was also something to be had again. Jane made herself little burritos.
After we were done with our meal, our server also brought us a hot beverage called Canelazo, which is cinnamon based, and resembles tea. Jane was told that it is also a bit of an aphrodisiac when rubbed into the skin with some crushed rose petals and honey. OK, Valentines Day is coming up, but that's a topic for a different blog. We passed on the raw vegan desserts, which are baked off-premises. Next time!
This unassuming little place may rapidly become one of our favorite vegan haunts. Although it has a very basic look to it, it's impeccably clean, and the chef who assisted us was knowledgeable, friendly, and very helpful. As an added bonus, they also offer free Wi-Fi. Wow, a restaurant with an entire menu to choose from, not just one or two entrees. Hallelujah!
New Special: Tofu Burgers at Bean Sprouts
Jane and I were out doing our usual errand-run, it's Saturday after all. And somewhere in the middle of all our errands we realized we weren't going to be home anytime soon. Time for lunch. We were very close to a vegetarian restaurant we like to frequent anyway, so there was no question as to where we would go: Bean Sprouts, in Arcadia, California. (No link, because they don't have a website.)
The restaurant is located in a community which is primarily Asian, and the specials are usually written in Chinese? We usually don't even bother to ask what they are as we have a number of favorites on the menu: I like the Sweet and Sour Sauce with Soy Fish on Rice and the Curry Rice. Jane has a hard time ordering anything but the Dan-Dan Rice. Sometimes she'll get the Miso Soup too. And we could both wax poetic about the Pan-Fried Radish Patties and Rainbow Rolls (just make sure to ask for vegan mayonnaise).
So when we arrived for lunch and saw they had a Tofu Burger on the specials list we were conflicted. Should we order our tried and true regulars, or should we have the Tofu Burger replete with fries? The fries won out.
The burger wasn't bad, but it came with a slice of cheese. Of course we removed that, but the cheese was still, in essence, "consumed" as Bean Sprouts reduced their inventory by two slices of cheese. We mentioned that to the waiter and he earnestly wanted our opinion on how the burger could be improved, if at all. In all honesty, we couldn't really come up with suggestions, but I don't think either one of us would order it again. There are far better options at Bean Sprouts.
They're located at 103 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91006.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday through Friday Lunch 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dinner 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Closed Tuesday
Saturday Night – Date Night at Fatty’s
This isn't my first post on Fatty's Restaurant, and it certainly won't be my last. Jane and I LOVE this vegetarian restaurant in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles.
We often go out to dinner on Saturday nights, it's our unofficial "date night." So tonight, even though it's pouring out, we decided to brave the elements and head over to Fatty's again. They don't have a huge vegan selection, but you're not limited to one entree, and it's really nice not to have to try and create a meal, as we usually have to do when we go out.
Tonight we tried the Roasted Vegetable Salad with tofu (photo above). The vegetables were cooked to perfection, and the balsamic glaze was delicious. I don't know that we'd bother ordering the tofu again; there was an additional charge ($2 or $4, I don't remember) and we only had 3 small cubes of tofu! But the salad was very tasty, and the presentation was beautiful.
We also shared the Cadillac Pizza. The base "sauce" is pesto. The topping was comprised of bite sized pieces of broccoli, zucchini, roasted onions, tomatoes, mushrooms and pine nuts. I'm not sure what the seeds were, sesame... or perhaps chia? Next time I'll make sure to ask.
The pizza was delicious. We got the larger size and brought a few slices home. They'll make for a nice snack tomorrow.
Reprieve
I was driving home tonight and the ubiquitous Los Angeles traffic only served to increase my desire to pass on the dreaded lentil loaf leftovers awaiting me at the end of my journey. Sometimes I think Jane has ESP (extra-sensory perception). I walked in the door and there were no clanging noises indicating that dinner was being prepared. No dishes were on the counter. The salad bowl was nowhere to be seen. And then I heard Jane holler down the hall... "Where do you want to go for dinner? " A sweeter sound was never heard. -- OK, I'm really exaggerating there, but I wasn't looking forward to dinner, so the idea of escaping that fate was very appealing.
But I guess you can't escape your destiny, and I was destined to have an unappetizing dinner tonight. Jane and I decided to try a vegan Chinese restaurant in Alhambra called Vege House. The prices were reasonable, cheap even. Each entree comes with your choice of sweet and sour soup or porridge, and bao (a very doughy roll). It certainly sounded like a deal. The staff was very friendly, although they spoke very little English, so we didn't get much help selecting our meal. We ordered a sweet and sour dish with fried and sauteed lotus shoots, and a spicy wheat gluten dish, but I have no idea what they were called. The soup was OK. Jane tried the porridge which was awful. Think gooey oatmeal. The sweet and sour lotus shoots were much better than the wheat gluten. Neither meal was good enough to entice us to return, and we didn't bring home our leftovers (that's saying something!!!). But at least it wasn't the lentil loaf!
FYI: I wouldn't typically write such a negative review after only one visit to a restaurant, however, Jane is unwell and in the bathroom at the moment, and my stomach is starting to complain. Maybe we should have had the lentil loaf after all.
We’re Back — And Eating Indian Food Again!
First, let me apologize to anyone who has missed our blogging since Thursday. We have been having DSL issues and I am now at my public library using their free wireless. It's certainly not the most convenient way of getting things out there, but it works, and it's better than trying to steal bandwidth from your neighbors! (That is, if any of them are still reckless enough to use an insecure wireless connection.) Anyway, back to the topic at hand!
Last week I ventured out and had Indian food for lunch, and was successful enough to find a few vegan dishes. So last night Jane and I decided to try our favorite Indian Restaurant again. We haven't been since we've become vegans. Our rationale for avoiding this restaurant is that it is home to one of our absolute most favorite dish: Chicken Tikka Masala, an obvious vegan no-no, prepared in a tomato cream sauce which is spectacular.
After 5+ months of being vegan, we figured we might be beyond pining for the Chicken Tikka Masala and wouldn't have any trouble passing it over. Thankfully, that proved to be correct.
We also asked our server for help in selecting items that were compatible with a vegan diet. He suggested the Channa Masala, which is garbanzo beans prepared in an onion and tomato sauce. This sounded similar to something Jane makes with okra, so we decided to try that. Our waiter also suggested the Bengan ka Salan, which is a sauteed eggplant dish prepared in a coconut-tamarind sauce. OUT OF THIS WORLD! We enjoyed it so much that we didn't even miss the Tikka Masala, and may have found our new favorite dish.
Of course, we skipped the naan, and did verify with this restaurant that it is indeed made with egg and milk. But Jane has scoped out a recipe for vegan naan on the internet and will be giving it a whirl some tine early next year. She's got enough on her plate with all the family / holiday things going on now. (You can read that as: I got "that" look for even daring to ask when she'd be baking the naan.)
Fudgey – The Dessert
No, it's not related to Fudgey the Whale (a Carvel ice cream cake in the shape of a whale, for those of you who haven't heard of Fudgey the Whale).
Fudgey is "a bundt chocolate layered cake with a dark chocolate, coconut and pecan frosting... and it's vegan." It claims to serve two, but as a dessert, it can easily serve four, or one, depending on how hungry you are and your love of chocolate.
So far, this is the ONLY baked vegan dessert we've tried that's truly worth eating. We've had other things that are passable, but this one tastes great. Our only complaint, there could be a bit more soft-chocolate filling.
Fudgey can be found at Fatty's restaurant in Eagle Rock.
