Restaurant Review: Donut Farm

Donut Farm is a a fairly new restaurant to the Bay. It began as a bakery distributing whole sale vegan donuts to small and large companies. In the past 2 years they opened their doors to the public for weekend brunch. The restaurant resembles a small hole in the wall, hipster, mom and pop joint with 7 cafeteria style tables and an old school waitress counter. The menu offers classic American breakfast vegan style with a hipster twist.

During my Birthday week I decided to celebrate it by visiting all of my favorite vegan friendly restaurants each day, each restaurant with a different friend. I chose to spend Sunday Brunch with my long time friend Jay at Donut Farm in Temescal. Prior to this visit I had visited Donut Farm two other times before. The first time I was extremely impressed the food was amazing, the service great, the price was right, and the company was awesome too. However, the second time around I was sorely disappointed the only thing that remained consistent from the previous time was the awesome company. The food was mediocre, the price was outrageous, and service iffy. So, upon arriving for my Birthday Brunch I had zero expectations; to prevent any post-experience let down.

Jay and I are both health conscious, very particular, and in some ways food snobs. We love great ambiance, attentive and personable service, cleanliness, and most of all fresh and tasty food. Initially, Jay was overwhelmed with the wealth of options on the menu until he finally decided on the fruit and granola bowl and a breakfast burrito. I got the tofu scramble with toast and hash browns; along with a mug of Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate (which was soooo delicious). I enjoyed my meal. It tasted very fresh, it was well portioned, and well seasoned. The service was ok, and the price was decent. Yet, on the other hand Jay wasn't so impressed with his burrito. He said it lacked flavor and creativity thus, his hungry tummy only ate half of the uninspiring burrito. We shared the granola bowl. It came with almond milk, granola, and bananas it was super simple and tasted good. 

 A major highlight of Donut Farm, are Pepples donuts. They have vegan cake donuts and vegan yeast donuts. The cake donuts come in over a dozen of flavors from Matcha Green Tea to Cinnamon Sugar. My favorites are the glazed yeast donuts. After our meal I got a couple cake donuts for my friends and a glazed for myself. They are amazing. They melt in your mouth and will make any woman forget they were watching their weight. I totally forgot to take pics so sorry, I only got a pic of the box which pays no justice to the how awesome the donuts are. Overall, it was a good experience. Jay was glad to try something new and I was glad to get my last free Birthday Meal haha!!! LOL

Traveling Vegan in L.A

My girl, Francessca and I decided to visit Los Angeles, CA for our 3 day weekend off school. As teachers, it's advised to live up every break to the fullest in order to come back refreshed. I really wanted to try to some new vegan food and word on the street is L.A has some of the best vegan spots in Cali, so I was down for the journey. My home-girl on the other hand really wanted to show stop at a few parties- so we combined our two agendas and headed to L.A.

I recently converted my friend to veganism (she dabbled with it in the past), so she was down for some vegan food variety. Our first meal was at her favorite vegan spot Native Foods in West Wood the menu was extensive, the staff was super friendly, and it was an amazing day. 87 degrees in January who could ask for anything better.

 In our dresses, we curvy vegans ordered an appetizer, drinks, and one entree each. We sat outside, in the sun, and for a moment we truly considered relocating to L.A . Taking into account the good food, the cool people, the nice weather, the shopping, and the nightlife.

I was super reluctant to order at Native Foods which has a large selection of vegan comfort food. I feared my body would reject rich vegan junk food, which would be no bueno on vacay. So, I stuck with their Yo Amigo Taco Salad and a lavender lemonade which was amazing.



For our appetizzer we shared polenta bites and vegan super nachos. Between are drinks, the appetizers, and the meal we couldn't finish anything. SOoooo.... we took it all to go.

After a night of tearing up the dance floor our stomachs were grumbling. The next morning we went to Real Food Daily in Santa Monica. We were greeted by the dessert case which was mouthwatering. We nearly lost our minds looking at all the amazing desserts.

 Although, we were eyeing the dessert case our tummys wanted breakfast. We made our way to our seats and we both ordered The Weekender Platter. Which included pancakes, hash browns, cashew cheese, tempeh bacon, and a tofu scramble. Francessca ordered the same except with french toast and a bagel. Breakfast was ok. The RFD in Pasadena (I visited last year) was a little tastier with better ambiance but the service at the Santa Monica location was stellar.

Fran vegan buttering up

The Weekender with French Toast

Ready to eat

The Weekender with Pancakes

Restaurant Review: Vitality Bowls

So I'm strolling Stoneridge Mall on Thanksgiving. Swarms of people are standing in lines and rushing into stores looking for a deal when my stomach starts to grumble. My light vegan dinner has already been digested from all the shopping cardio. So I look for something decent to put in my body that still meets my dietary needs. I see Mrs. Fields Cookies, McDonalds, See's Candy, Steak Escape, everything I wont and can't eat. Then I see the word vitality and the word bowl after it. Vitality Bowls the sign read. I quickly broke away from my friends- to check out what type of food a place with that name offered.

The menus were laid out to display a variety of Acai bowls. All of which were non-dairy and full of fruit. Some flavors came with honey, granola, broccoli, and soy milk. The menu also included salads, smoothies, sandwhichs, paninis, and other drinks. An acai bowl is staple breakfast meal in Brazil. It gracefully made its way into vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the Bay. I was utterly surprised to see such a healthy and indigenous treat being served in a mall.

The place was filled with groups of young teens all with a spoon in hand and $10 to fork over for a Vitality bowl. I had to order to see if was really as good as the crowd made it seem. For $9.99 I got a large bowl of blended acai berries topped with granola, strawberries, bananas, coconut, and honey. It was very tasty, fresh, light and fulfilling. I was inspired to make another as soon as I returned home.

Although, my taste buds were pleased I can't help but wonder will the commercializing of healthy foods degrade the quality of the product? Will the high demand for these bowls decrease the nutritional value? Are the fruits organic? Is the soy G.M.O free? Is the granola full of sugar?  Ignorance can surely be bliss when one is hungry in a mall and the only healthy option is a Vitality Bowl, but these are questions I still can't help but ask when health foods start becoming trendy.

Restaurant Review: Real Food Daily

As you know, when I visit a place new I'm all about the vegan eats and treats. Before traveling to Pasadena, CA for a friends wedding I made of list potential vegan restaurants to try out. My number one pick was Real Food Daily.

"The Club" Sandwich"

After a satisfying hotel workout a group of us found ourselves hungry for Brunch. We quickly made our way to the patio of Real Food Daily where we splurged on an abundance of vegan breakfast and lunch food. 

Blueberry Pancake Stack

Although, the restaurant was cozy and well decorated inside the Pasadena sun called us outside. We ordered an array of food sharing it family style because it was all too delicious to keep to oneself. The service was quick, efficient, and friendly. Everything we ordered tasted fresh, well seasoned, and unique.

"Sausage Scramble"

When we arrived it took us some time to order because there were so many great options to choose from. We ordered desserts, fresh juices, teas, sodas, wraps, sandwiches, pancakes, and acai bowls. We ate to our stomachs content. Great food. Great people. Great time. 

"Grilled Veggie" Wrap 

Everyone agreed Real Food Daily was the best choice for brunch. It was a great way to begin our Pasadena  trip. 

Susie, Anjalee, Rob, Joy, and  Scott (behind the camera)

Restaurant Review: Pizzanista

I love boobies

 Set in the art district of Los Angeles, California, Pizzanista, is a laid back, cozy, and quaint venue. They offer a variety of creative pizza flavors designed to satisfy meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike. The decor is simple wooden tables and bar stools, while their signature breast cancer support “I love boobies and pizza” shirts adorn the walls. They have a an awesome selection of beverages and customer service is quick and friendly. 

Vegan Pizza

After a short Pasadena visit my friend (shot out Scott) and I shared a vegan pizza and some garlic knots before we headed back to Norcal. The pizza was amazingly delicious. The thick doughy crust melted in my mouth as the homemade marinara captured a traditional Italian spice with each bite. The Daiya cheese evenly smothered the pie kicking it up two extra  knotches. It was soooo good. 

Scott and I (as soda)

We washed it down with soda pop. I had the bubble up, while Scott had the the Creme Soda. Yum!!! I had a great time here and will return upon my next SOCal visit. Check them out!

Restaurant Review: Gracias Madre

 

 Delicious, spicy, flavorful, and vegan are just a few of the words to best describe the food at Gracias Madre Restaurant. Nestled in the belly of San Francisco’s Mission District, the sister company of Cafe Gratitude houses tasty traditional favorites like enchiladas, tacos, and even horchata with a vegan twist.

As you enter you are welcomed by a larger than life size glass mosaic of Mother Teresa outstretching her arms. The outside seating, seats large parties and echos warmth and laughter. Inside, the restaurant is set up family style with large chairs and long tables designed to seat multiple parties. 

I arrived a few minutes earlier than my friend, so I sat at the bar and defrosted with a warm cup of spicy vegan Mexican hot chocolate. When my friend arrived we sat at one the large tables, we reviewed the menu and quickly made a decision. We both wanted the tacos; good thing Gracias Madre offered a variety to choose from. 

I chose the kale, butternut squash, and plantain tacos. While my friend ordered the mushrooms, plantain, and cauliflower tacos. When our food arrived our plate looked beautiful. A colorful arrangement of three tacos, surrounded by black beans, with a cashew cheese garnish sat before us. It smelled delicious and the taste was beyond words. Our table became dead quiet as we focused on the flavors that enveloped our mouth. We cleaned our plates and although,  satiated we didn’t want to pass on dessert. We ordered the warm apple cobbler a la mode. The vanilla vegan ice cream was amazing yet the cobbler left more to be desired. 

Please, believe I will return again and again for the great service, the delicious tacos, the vegan drinks and for a great time.





If your in the area pop your head and hunger into Gracias Madre and share your thoughts, located at 2211 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110, 415.683.1346 you wont be sorry. 

Restaruant Review: Souley Vegan

Vegan soul food sounds like an oxymoron to some but at restaurant Souley Vegan its a way of life. Here soul food is re-imagined and recreated from its infamous fatty, salty, and artery clogging history to a vibrant, healthy, and flavorful modern meal.

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Oakland, CA, Souley Vegan mirrors the restaurants of the south with its picnic style tables, chalkboard menu, and self serve water as family photos and Blues artist adorn the walls. An in-house DJ entertains a jam packed room full of hungry people from meat eaters to die hard vegans. This is a great place for large groups, an informal date, or family meal.

Nothing like Blues Greats for Wall Decor

I always order the everything plate which is a reasonable $20 and can be shared between two people. This plate offers all of my favorites: mac and cheese, bbq tofu, lentils, potato salad, yams, cornbread, tofu catfish, black eyed peas, and greens (for extra $5 I add fried okra and red beans and rice). After my meal I’m usually too stuffed for a dessert but they do offer various vegan treats that seem appetizing.

$20 Everything Plate

Add $5 fried okra and red beans and rice

During my last visit I brought two of my meat eating besties. One ordered a three item combo meal for about $10. It included the juicy bbq tofu, creamy mac and cheese, and the tender sweet yams. This meal went far above her expectations. 

Three item combo plate

If three items is too much, something smaller like the gumbo may do. The gumbo is a mryiad of well seasoned veggies atop steaming rice. The presentation is beautiful and will have you coming back for more. 

Vegan Gumbo

 My friends came in as non-believers and left knowing that vegan soul food is tasty and there is, in fact life after meat. A long, healthy, and active life that is.










 If your ever find yourself hungry in downtown Oakland with only $10 to spend check out Souley Vegan and report back on your experience. Souley Vegan is located at 301 Broadway Oakland, CA 94607.