I had a vegan friend visiting from out of town, so we chose Tane for an extra special dinner…read moretogether. As an omnivore and sushi lover, I wasn't prepared for one of the tastiest meals I've ever had! Our lovely waiter Flannery recommended the Waimanalo roll, which was bright and refreshing with a fragrant yuzu and basil sauce. It contrasted wonderfully with the fried Wedge roll-- a savory and decadent treat with a texture to die for. The service was excellent and the restaurant itself is beautiful and inviting. Thank you Julia and Flannery for making our evening extra special. We can't wait to come back!

Shizen (sister restaurant to Tane) is my all time favorite vegan restaurant, but I haven't been…read morethere for years since moving away from the Bay. I had no idea Tane Izakaya was in Highland Park- I knew about the Hawaii & Berkeley locations. So of course we had to go! My fiancé and I loved it!!! The food was well prepared and flavorful. The only dish we didn't like was the edamame because the way it was prepared- the shell and inner bean were both chewable unlike other edamame preparations where you bite and get the beans out. Maybe we were eating it wrong, but we kept having to remove the chewed up shell from our mouths after enjoying the bean inside. We got a reservation, highly recommend! We parked on a neighborhood street since we were there early to walk around and get Donut Friend. If you're vegan or curious, within walking distance are so many vegan options from Donut Friend to Magpie's to Maciel's & more!

Authentic flavor. Spicy noodle soup. Calming music playing. Service is fast and attentive.read more

Had an early lunch on a Sunday here…read more The menu is vegetarian, however most dishes can be made vegan except for those like the egg noodles, or egg soup. We order a mix of items and shared. We enjoyed all of them. I was especially happy they had a non-dairy milk for Thai tea - and it was yummy! They served us a surprise dessert of a sweet mung bean soup like dish - that was a nice treat and unexpected.

|[ u n v a r i a b l e l o v e ]| This review was a long…read moretime coming- this is my fav vegan resto! The quality and service is consistently great and I LOVE how delicious everything is. My go to is the Seoul bowl it's so good and perfectly marinated while still being health conscious 5/5. The newer tikka masala has been a fav lately- it's veggie based but the spices and flavor are on point, just as delicious as a non-vegan dish! I think with soy meat it could be even better, I'll see if that's an option next time, but this was 4.5/5. West coast shrimp side is really satisfying and savory. I rly should try more items here but it's hard to deviate from my favs haha. |[ s i p ]| Drinks are also decent but the star for me here is the food. I really look forward to more new food items to come. |[ n o t e s ]| Parking lot is small and kinda hit or miss but it's worth it. :) Ambiance- cute brunch spot while still health conscious.

Delightful and tasty hidden gem on Washington Blvd in Marina del Rey. There are several places in…read morethe area, but Variable stands apart with their flavorful and satisfying vegan menu. While I am not at all vegan, it can be a fantastic change of pace when trying a cuisine that is not at all my regular routine. Happily, Variable has tons of choices, and we loved what we got. I was drawn towards the 'N Seoul Bowl' (Korean spicy plant based pork, house marinated Kimchi, organic edamame, steamed organic spinach, carrot, steamed broccoli, onion , organic shiitake, topped with green onion and sesame seeds and side organic quinoa). So good, a bit spicy, and so many flavors on the plate it was impossible to not only love it, but I could not finish it, either. That goes from all their dishes. They are big, and in our experience, it came out piping hot soon after ordering it. My companion tried the 'Indian Tikka Masala' (homemade Indian curry, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash, potatoes, cabbage, chickpea, micro green, Served with blend wild Jasmin rice and Indian Flat Bread). Tastes so fresh, hearty, with just enough of a kick to it. I look forward to trying some of their other dishes, too. The burger that the table near us ordered looked fantastic. I gotta think that everything here is pretty dang great.

The most delicious food I've had in months. Make sure you take your leftovers home! I had mine for…read morebreakfast and then again for dinner Our waiter was very kind and helpful, we got to meet Yvette herself who was lovely, and I know I'll be dreaming about this meal for a whiiile. Might make my parents come here for my birthday thank you Yvette and team Ordered the vegan combo plus the beef tips. True standout.

A meal with intention, respect to tradition, warmth and refinement and nothing unnecessary or…read moreextraneous!!! I am in love with this restaurant and I can't wait to go back. S/O and I shared the vegan combo and dereq tibs, a pitcher of their infused water, an Ethiopian cream coffee, and a glass of palm tree (their arnold palmer). The food was fantastic. I loved every bite we had, especially the gomen (braised greens), cabbage and carrot, and the kik alicha. The dereq tibs, though? That was AMAZING. Tender beef, sweet stewed onion, the perfect amount of spice from the serranos. I loved that the dish is accompanied by senafich (a spicy, horseradish-y mustard) and mitmita (a DELICIOUS chili powder that I want to put on everything lol). The beverages were delicious, I love an arnold palmer and this one is probably the best i've ever had with their spiced tea. Their coffee was decadent and strong and perfectly balanced. And the banana split! I am not usually one for dessert but I knew I needed to try this and I'm SO glad I did. A symphony of textures and complex flavors. We may or may not have used our fingers to get the last bits from the dish. The place itself is like a little oasis from the hustle and bustle of the strip mall outside. Vibey music, beautiful furniture and decor, and all attention paid to the little details. Can't wait for them to reopen so we can come back!! Parking - strip mall was crowded, but street parking wasn't too bad to find.

Bee Wali AF is a plant based restaurant that offers a vegan twist on comfort foods in a 1950s…read morereminiscent diner setting. I walked into this retro diner (that felt more like a time warp), feeling all nostalgic from the tables to the chairs to the flooring. I ordered the kebab plate; it arrived with pita, hummus, roasted anaheim pepper, basmati rice, cucumber salad, and two kabobs. I could not wait to make it disappear. I really enjoyed the roasted grape tomatoes as they were bursting with flavor--everything was delightful. We only part to meet again. Next time I have my eyes on the falafel plate, tikka masala, and the curry fries. The cool thing is you do not have to be vegan to enjoy a meal here as they have something for everyone including burgers and fries. Mediterranean, Indian, and American fare are all offered here. Service was great. Plenty of seating inside and a small outdoor seating in the front. Street parking and bathrooms available. If you like what you see, go see what you like! "Until it's your turn keep clapping for others!" Fun facts: Started as a pop up Husband and wife team AF stands for amazing food

I've been wanting to try this food for a good long time but I live 90 minutes away. Today was the…read moreday and I was satisfied in every way! Bee and Wali were just as friendly and kind as their reputation. I admire their hard work and dedication so much, they've built something incredibly special. In other words, a welcoming and comfortable space with food that is OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS!!!! I had the chicken schwarma pita with fries and every single bite was a party, a celebration of what it means to be human with taste buds! Super fresh and visually stunning, secret ingredient is love. I can't wait to come back!

Korean comfort food. As soon as I walked through the door, I felt the warm sense of hospitality. It…read morefelt like you were going to a family friend's house and you knew you were about to enjoy a great meal. In order to do the 'Set Menu With Barley Rice' you need to have at least 2 people to participate. I dined alone so I wasn't able to order that, but I didn't feel like I missed out at all. I believe you get a comparable amount and variety of banchan when you order any of the proteins on the menu. I myself ordered the dried yellow corvina (fish). The order or set came with some barley, delicious tofu soup, and pretty much more banchan than I can eat myself. Just a wonderful meal and experience.

Borit Gogae is a great spot if you're looking for traditional Korean food with a mostly plant-based…read moremenu! The interior is beautiful and very traditional, from the decor down to the tableware. We went for lunch, when parking was free. They offer valet during dinner. Service was also great--our waitresses were very attentive and checked on us often. We ordered the set menu, which came out to around $45 per person with tip. You get SO much food: appetizers, the main course, two types of soup, and dessert. You definitely won't leave hungry! The food is mostly plant-based and pretty mildly seasoned, so keep that in mind if you prefer stronger flavors. Nothing particularly stood out to me this time, so I'm not sure I'd come back specifically for the food, but I'd definitely return when I'm craving lots of veggies and traditional Korean flavors. Overall, I'd recommend it if you enjoy Korean food and want something different from the typical Korean BBQ experience!

We were on our way home and wanted to grab something for lunch. Found Samata Vegan House by luck…read more It is a very cute space. They have all of the basics for a Thai menu. Curries, noodles, soups, etc. We went with fried tofu as the protein option. And got Spicy Eggplant as one dish and Spicy Mongolian as the other. Along with Spicy Dumplings for appetizers and Jasmine rice for the entrees. Oh, and a peanut butter, chocolate vegan cookie. There are a few tables, cute décor and really good music playing. It was quick and easy to order. The lady who took the order was very nice and helpful. But disappeared once the food was ordered. After a bit, she came back out with a heavy bag full of wonderful goodness. We headed home and opened the bag after having to smell it for the 5 minute drive home. The containers held a good amount of food. Enough for a few meals. The potstickers were very good. Had a good amount of flavor and heat. We should have eaten at the restaurant as the dumpling wrapper was starting to fall apart, but that was our fault. Both the Spicy Eggplant and Mongolian dishes were flavorful and well made. Nothing over cooked, they had rich flavor and we would both gladly order again. The rice was cooked properly and was stuffed into the container. And the cookie. I am so in awe of good, vegan cookies. They are so easy to make wrong. This was so good. A great way to wrap up a really good and filling meal.

Customer service 10/10 Food 10/10…read moreDrinks 10/10 Legendary Diamond in the rough Awesome place to grab some good grub

Pura Vita deserves to be a destination -- not because it's a vegan restaurant but because the…read moreingredients are quality, the food delicious, the menu is creative. My husband has type 1 diabetes so we very rarely eat at Italian ristorantes. Chef Tara has helped us rediscover a new world of flavor without negative impacts on my husband's blood sugar and cholesterol. (Thanks for the variety of non-dairy cheeses!!) Tip for first-timers: go when you can have the brunch or the lunch menu. Then you'll have so many options that you'll have to return! Round 1 Polpettine (meatballs) are made from lentils and texture similar to the real ones; lovely marinara sauce and ground macadamia nut instead of parmesan. Complement this with the citrus notes that highlight the sauteed swiss chard with earthy Italian butter / gigante beans. Round 2 The same beans are in the Greek goddess salad: rich with tomatoes, kalamata olives, and fresh red onions. This was a visually stunning and paired well with the Sicilian almond 'tuna' melt. The tuna is by far the most imaginative. Again, Chef Tara and the back of the house nailed the texture and I loved the hints of crunchy celery. The capers injected tiny bursts of salt and tartness. The only moderation I'd consider is slightly crisping / toasting the sandwich bread -- but the tuna melt sando is great as it is. Pura Vida is a diamond in the rough especially because the storefront is pretty discreet. I sure wish that we lived closer. We'll be back for special occasions in our life!

From the outside on the street level, it doesn't look like much is happening here but wait until…read moreyou have the food..... Really great food. Everything is vegan and there were a lot of options you can make gluten free. We rave about this place often. Even our waiter was really nice and helpful. Good vibes all around. Though it is on the pricier side, it's so worth it. Also very decent wine selection *mwah*

I visited Cafe Gratitude for lunch during Dine LA Week and thought the $25 deal was a great value…read more You get to choose two dishes, both in full-size portions, plus a drink. I ended up getting so full that I took my second dish home! I absolutely loved the coconut drink, "I Am Chill." They were also happy to customize it with less ice, which I really appreciated. The "I Am Next Level" bowl was delicious, healthy, and very satisfying. My second dish, the "I Am Beaming" Pesto Alfredo Pasta, was a little too creamy for my taste, but it was still enjoyable. It was fairly noisy during lunch on Friday, and the service was decent but could have been a little more attentive. There were a few moments when I found myself wondering when the waiter would come back to my table. Overall, a great Dine LA value with delicious, healthy food and some creative drink options. I'd definitely come back to try more dishes!

This is one of my favorite plant-based brunch spots here in the LA area. I have dined here many…read moretimes throughout the years at both this location in Larchmont and the other one in Venice. The ambiance is always a cool, calm, and chill vibe. I tend to come around the time they open on the weekends, and it's especially quiet, and I enjoy eating out in the outdoor area. Smoothies are delicious and they offer so many customizable options. On this visit, I had the savory version of "I Am Hospitable." This waffle is cooked to perfection and it has the perfect amount of crispiness and fluffiness. The oyster mushroom is exceptionally well-cooked with a great crunch without it being too oily. Everything here is always seasoned appropriately. Customer service here goes above and beyond, and I believe (Candace?) saw us on our last visit. She was so warm and engaging, plus she gave some really great suggestions. I wish other restaurants had people like this. On every visit, no matter who seats us, we receive the same warm welcome and friendly service that makes us feel great the rest of the day

Amazing food. Never disappointed. Love the sustainable packaging on most items. I will continue to…read morebuy their food. Me and my 3 kids LOVE it!!!!

Twelve years ago, I fell in love with Au Lac and wrote a glowing review. Living on LA's Westside, I…read morerarely make it to Downtown, so today was my first visit back since then. I can't believe it's been 12 years--and I'm so happy to say it was every bit as incredible as I remembered. My friend and I came for lunch. I ordered the vegetable pho, and she had the curry rice. Both dishes were absolutely delicious--fresh, flavorful, comforting, and beautifully prepared. Honestly, I wish we had more time because we had another appointment downtown. I would have loved to try more dishes and definitely dessert! Our server was wonderful--friendly, attentive, and incredibly professional. He checked on us at just the right moments without ever feeling intrusive. The service was as impressive as the food. The restaurant has such a warm, relaxing atmosphere. I especially loved the beautiful ceramic water cups with bird designs--they were so unique and charming. Even the water tasted wonderful! I'm thrilled that Au Lac is still thriving after all these years. If anything, the food tasted even better than I remembered. I certainly won't wait another 12 years before coming back. In fact, I was so impressed that I convinced my husband to come with me next Saturday for dinner! I've tried many vegan restaurants over the years, and Au Lac remains my absolute favorite. My favorite on the Westside is Variable Café, but if you're willing to drive a little farther, Au Lac is on another level. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. Whether you're vegan or not, this place is truly outstanding. Five stars without hesitation!