To Live and Eat in L.A.

At Hugo’s restaurant you can get this massive vegetarian club sandwich with grilled tofu and fake bacon. There’s a yummy topping on there too, I think it’s a mix of guacamole and veganaise. Their seasoned french fries are to die for, not an indulgence I’ll often allow… yet displayed here shamelessly for one and all to see (and covet).

This is the vegan Bánh mì (veggie-sandwich) at Vinh Loi Tofu. The traditional Vietnamese version is usually made with chicken, egg or pork but the yummy rendition at Vinh Loi uses all vegan fake meat (I think this is their mock-ham) and the classic vegetable stuffings of carrot, daikon and lots of cilantro.

You might be able to spy the green chilis poking out near the edges there… those little buggers were so damn spicy, WOW! Too spicy hot for my delicate palate I tell ya (and I’m not very delicate at all). I had to pick them out after the first unwitting bite because it was just too much… my lips and tongue were burning long after I’d finished eating. Order it without the chili unless you are a hardcore heat lover (they will ask you when you order if you want ‘em or not). Don’t let my warnings scare you off from trying this though… it’s delicious.

This was my first visit to “Native Foods” an organic vegetarian – vegan restaurant. The food here was amazing! This was at their location in Costa Mesa.

Seen here is the “Thai Sticks” sauteed and grilled tempeh satay with peanut sauce.

This was the tempeh Reuben sandwich. Perfectly seasoned, delicious saurkraut, yummy sauce, loads of veggies, served on an organic wheat and sprouted brown rice ciabatta roll with a very tasty slaw side salad. This was so good I almost ordered another one.

My friend ordered the “Iron Yam” salad. Steamed yam on salad greens dressed with balsamic vinaigrette, topped with steamed veggies, tofu & caramelized onions. He said it was fantastic. Who could resist a giant phallic tower of tofu for lunch?

This was their vegan carrot cake with “dream cheese” frosting, whatever that means. It was simply to die for. I’m willing to bet a non-vegan wouldn’t know the difference if they weren’t told… it was moist, fluffy, sweet and delicious, rivaling any regular recipe for carrot cake that I’ve ever had.