(Update October 20, 2008): Sadly I’ve been informed by a reliable source that Karma Cafe has closed. I haven’t seen it with my own eyes but considering that their website looks to be officially dead I’m leaning towards this being true. Bummer. Well, feel free to read on to see what you missed!
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I thought I should leave you with something pretty to look at over the weekend. Feast yer peepers on this beauty…. ladies and germs, I present to you The Money Munch at Karma Cafe in Hollywood.
The ingenious and deceptively simple Monkey Munch consists of strawberries, bananas, almond butter and 100% pure maple syrup on hazelnut-raisin bread. Sure you could make this at home, but do you ever? I happened to be there on a day that they were out of the hazelnut-raisin bread, a slight bummer at first because that sounded so good, but they did have a multigrain flax bread instead which was quite nice, and perfectly toasted. The combination of all the delicious ripe fruit, nutty & thick almond spread and near sickly sweet and dark maple syrup was nothing short of ambrosial… I’m talking food of the gods territory here. Such a simple concept, and yet, an exact science involving equal meaures of breakfast and dessert. Those gorgeous orange slices were the proverbial icing on the cake.
I was alerted to the presence of the Monkey Munch by Ruby Red Vegan in her blog post, “California Does it Better Sometimes“. She had made the amazing discovery while researching vegan places to eat for her visit to Los Angeles. She picked up some great ideas from my humble blog here, so how cool is it that I got turned on to something yummy that’s been here in L.A under my nose this whole time, by someone who doesn’t even live here?
Karma Cafe is a good sized coffee house in the heart of Hollywood at Selma & Cahuenga, otherwise known as the western end of where the Hollywood Farmers Market takes place every Sunday. Ruby Red Vegan also mentions on her blog that Karma Cafe is featured on the MTV show “The Hills”. Sounds awful, right? That part worried me more than a little but thankfully the place didn’t seem very MTV at all. Funky art on the walls and funky freaks on the couches… I felt right at home. I watched all types come and go while I sat at my table and lingered on each delectable bite of my sandwich, while simultaneously rocking along with Janis and her Bobby Mcgee who were blaring from the speakers. If you visit Karma Cafe you’re likely to witness anything from aging tie-dyed Jerry Garcia types that may or may not be homeless, to crusty punks with cell phones on laptops, to clean-cut business folk enjoying a cappuccino on the couch. The adorable tattooed kids behind the counter were super friendly, and excitedly pointed out all of the menu options available to me when I told them I was vegan. More of the menu is vegetarian than not, and most items can be easily made vegan sans cheese. There’s an intriguing sounding artichoke sandwich I’d like to try next time I visit.
Parking in Hollywood is for losers, you know this already, so don’t set yourself up for a big pile of the suck and just take the Metro if you’re anywhere near it (if you’re not, then my condolences). Get off at the Vine station and you’re just a nice Hollywood Blvd. stroll away.
The Karma Cafe website appears to have died a sudden death, so again I’ll pass the buck over to Yelp, where the reviews are always amusing, and should always be taking with a grain of salt, much like mine.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/karma-coffeehouse-los-angeles
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I NEED that Monkey Much dish - holy yum.
I have been waiting and waiting for your post on Karma since you said you went there! You really must have had a big backlog of reviews to write!
Oh my gosh, your picture of that sandwich makes me crave it all over again. You’re right — it is such a simple combination, but so amazing. You weren’t missing too much by getting another kind of bread, either — their bread is just so large and delicious-looking that you’re probably lucky with whatever kind you get to try! And you’re lucky that you are an LA-er and can realistically go back anytime you want. :)
Nice review. It’s good to know about another vegan option in that area. Thanks dude!
wow, i used to go to karma ALL the time because i went to school right up the street. funny thing is, i never even ate there…just went for the great coffee. because you guys enjoyed it so much, i think i may have to revisit it! i definitely love the atmosphere, looks like they have great food as well.
there used to be this homeless but presentable cowboy dude who hung around there and cut peoples’ hair outside for $10. did you catch a glimpse of him? he was amazing.
I remember Ruby Red’s review of this sandwich and thought it sounded delicious. Thanks for confirming it! I really should try making this at home, although it probably wouldn’t be quite the same.
hmm… maybe i’ll give it karma a shot for a quick lunch when im bored. it wont be tomorrow morning because i’ll be dining on a plate of deliciousness from the soulveg folks. mmmm
ruby red vegan: You’re right, I am very lucky to have the Monkey Munch at my nearby disposal! I can’t thank you enough for making this very important discovery… the vegetarians and berry & banana lovers of Los Angeles thank you :)
quarrygirl: Nope, I did not encounter the Haircutting Dude. I did however this weekend on a return visit encounter Tripping on Acid with Face Painted Blue Sitting on the Sidewalk Dude (let’s call him ‘Mr. Trippy Blue Face’ for short). This place sure does attract all kinds, god love ‘em.
Everyone Else: Thank you, and your welcome. And enjoy!
i think this place closed down. :(
karma is gone indeed