LOS ANGELES: “I am Awesome”, I unabashedly told the server, who with great sincerity nodded in agreement. “You will love that”, he enthused.
“And I am Humble,” one of my dining friends countered. “I am Vivacious !” our friend chipped in.
But it’s like that at Cafe Gratitude: Even before the food arrives, the process of choosing and ordering from the expansive all vegan menu is a conversation starter.
All the dishes are named for states of gratitude, from the amazing live marinated kale chips with its hempseed ranch dressing, to the refreshing starter cherry tomato soup.
We enjoyed the menu so much we made two visits in a week to this hip LA eatery in Larchmont Boulevard.
The restaurant was overflowing with a buoyant clientele both times, not surprising considering the quality produce (and undoubtedly the love) going in to the food.
We tried the eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce, cashew ricotta, heirloom tomatoes, arugula and basil with a little hemp seed pesto; the curried lentils over brown rice , with sweet corn, potatoes and spinach, drizzled with a spicy mint chutney and sweet tamarind sauce. And the veggie burger with macadamia cheddar was a generous serving at $10. The raw specialities are tempting and we liked the Taco salad with sunflower seed, walnut chorizo, cashew nacho cheese, salsa roja and guacamole. Delicious!
No room for the appealing smoothies, but we were very glad we tried the desserts. The cashew cream cheesecake with almond date crust was sinfully delicious. (Flavor of the day was cappuccino but it varies.) We also chose the chocolate coconut cream pie with a dark chocolate crust and were very satisfied.
We highly recommend – and are supremely grateful for – this divine restaurant.-HEATHER FLETCHER
Cafe Gratitude LA
+1 323.580.6383
639 Larchmont Boulevard
Other locations: Café Gratitude Venice
