In an age of celebrity mixologists, it’s daunting to host a party with cocktails beyond gin and tonics or rum punch. But it can be done, and more easily than you’d think. It’s even possible to be eco-friendly and serve delicious drinks; there’s nothing to fear when you use these tips. Read more
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Spring cleaning isn’t all about tidying up cupboards and donating old clothes. At M Cafè, a popular European-style eatery serving macrobiotic cuisine, the hearty comfort foods of winter have been shed for a new detoxifying spring menu. Developed by Consulting Chef Lee Gross — Gwyneth Paltrow’s former personal chef and a driving force behind the launch of M Cafè (read our interview with him here) — the seasonal swap emphasizes whole grains, vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts, making it easy for diners to do a little spring cleaning on their own body. Read more
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Los Angeles may not be known for its walkability, but that didn’t stop Jen Bardekoff and Sheri Wheeler (shown on right) from taking their love of vegan cuisine to the streets. Since August of last year, Urban Food Crawl has been thriving as LA’s only vegan food tour, introducing tourists and locals to vegan-friendly fare. The weekend tours cost $65/person and feature appetizers, main dishes and desserts at six restaurants over four hours, and are take place in downtown LA and Silverlake.
Bardekoff and Wheeler also curate unique culinary events, like a beer and dessert pairing; their second annual vegan cupcake competition takes place this fall. They chatted with Clean Plates about LA’s vegan scene and their one-of-a-kind crawl. Read more
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What: Post & Beam’s Community Gardening Club launch
Where: Post & Beam Restaurant, 3767 Santa Rosalia Drive, Baldwin Hills
When: Saturday, May 5, 10:30am-1pm, with more dates to follow
How Much: $25/person includes an electronic handout to view on an iPad or print out. $30/person includes a paper copy of the handout at class.
If you’ve got a penchant for produce, this weekend’s coming burst of sunshine will likely energize you to get cracking on a summer garden. For many Angelenos, those dreams might be stifled by uncertainty about where to start, or a past with a less-than-green-thumb; why not brush up on your gardening skills with chef Govind Armstrong (pictured above) and his team at Post & Beam? Read more
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Long before vegan food even piqued mainstream curiosity, chef Ann Gentry was blazing a plant-based trail with her novel approach to fresh, seasonal, animal-free food. As the founder of Clean Plates-approved Real Food Daily, Los Angeles’ iconic, organic, vegan restaurant, today she’s a household name in the dialogue about sustainable, plant-based cooking and dining. (Read our review of Real Food Daily.)
Gentry opened Real Food Daily in Santa Monica in 1993, a West Hollywood location five years later, and has tirelessly championed the personal and planetary benefits of a vegan diet ever since. In between publishing cookbooks — most recently Vegan Family Meals — running her restaurants and lecturing, she took time to chat with Clean Plates about her vegan conversion and the importance of sustainable farming practices. Read more
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It’s never too late to go back to school – especially when the classroom is a kitchen. Whether you’re looking to brush up on your knife skills or learn a new healthy dish, a cooking class is the perfect excuse to restock your pantry and spice up your recipe arsenal. From gluten-free Indian feasts to grilled vegetable salads, here are a list of some unique classes to try this April and into May. Read more
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The farm-to-table movement has expanded in LA and across the country in the past few years, which is great for our palates and the planet. Here are a few of our favorite Clean Plates-approved eateries that stand out in their dedication to preserving Mother Earth — from on-site gardens to composting kitchens, these restaurants give her the respect she deserves.
Huckleberry
Amazing brunch, worth the wait | 1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
Not only is Zoe Nathan a world-class pastry chef, she and husband Josh Loeb take an acute interest in preserving the planet: Huckleberry’s garden grows strawberries, blueberries, chives, and other herbs for the mouth-watering pastries. When they can’t source from their parking lot patch, the two shop at the Santa Monica Farmers Market. There’s an abundance of vegetarian items on the menu and a good selection of vegan soups as well. Good luck steering clear of her beautiful buttery pastries! Read our full review.
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