The Choosy Foodie: Los Angeles - Issue #9
Free-From Day-Trip Destinations, Plant-Based Openings, & Season 2 of "The Bear"
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Hi all,
With summer officially starting soon, the family & friend weekend trips are definitely rounding the corner. I thought this would be a good time to give you a few free-from suggestions for nearby hot-spots:
Big Bear
CAFÉ CRÊPE 🥞is a walk up/drive through serving up exactly what it sounds like! They have vegan & gluten-free options such as a crepes made from buckwheat!
THE RED DOT VEGETARIAN KITCHEN🔴is a fully vegetarian, traditional sit-down restaurant. The menu has ample gluten-free options and some vegan options. With both Indian and classic American dishes on the menu, it looks like a spot the whole family will enjoy!
Santa Barbra
LILAC PATISSERIE 🍮is a dedicated gluten-free bakery and café in Santa Barbra proper… Need I say more? I would just click the hyperlink ;)
LILY’S TAQUERIA 🌮is another spot to check out if you’re in the mood for some authentic, gluten-free tacos. It’s close by in Goleta.
Palm Springs
PERFECT PINT🍧is a a traditional ice cream shop but with some truly unique, glute-free flavors.
SHOP(PE)🍦at the Arrive Hotel has vegan options with gluten-free cones. (I figured I’d stick to ice cream for summer in Palm Springs ;))
With that, let’s get back to LA…
WHAT'S COOKING LOS ANGELES?!
1) Love.Life - Located at the Ivy Station complex in Culver City, this new, 100% plant-based restaurant is now open! Brought to you by the former Whole Foods CEO, this spot has got lots of SF, NF, & GF options available on the menu. (photo below from Love.Life website).
2) Planta Cocina- Another plant-based hit, this American and Canadian chain just recently opened up in Marina Del Rey. Check out Eater’s photos & details of the new spot! (photo below from Planta Cocina website).
What Else is Simmering…
(restaurant news)- I know there’s plant-based sushi pictured above but the LA Times recently declared Plant Sushi Yoko🍥(a private chef service) some of the best vegan sushi around town. If you’re looking for regular sushi, check out Eater’s 19 essential sushi restaurants🍣.
(restaurant news)- Tea lovers rejoice!! The Rose Garden Tea Room🫖at The Huntington has reopened after a 3-year closure.
(bakery news)- I’m sure you’ve heard the news, but Breadblok (our beloved bakery) has sadly closed 🍞😭. If you haven’t heard the news, I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you!
(product)- Speaking of tea… these tea strips🍵get rid of the tea bag concept altogether. (this is a “why didn’t I think of that” moment…)
(product)- These elegant lollipops🍭are free from gluten, soy, artificial dyes and/or GMOs.
(product)- Ever tried creamed honey?🍯This one from family-run, Peace River Honey has a distinctive white hue and is also certified organic and non-GMO.
(product)- A new plant-based sour gummy🍬candy is on it’s way to your mouth! Inspired by international flavors & with only 3g of sugar per bag, I would give these babies a whirl!
(food news)- There’s a new vegetable in town called the zucchiolo: a cross between a zucchini & cucumber! 🥒I figured it was important you know ;)
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
(video)- The season 2 trailer of “The Bear”🐻🌭 (pictured above) is here! If you haven’t seen the first one, I highly recommend it. Season 2 will be on Hulu starting June 22nd!
(video)- Real Food Media released a recording of it’s highly attended livestream on the layered and continued problem with pesticides🪳🧪.
(article)- Loving this explainer on what “triple washed”, “fresh”, and other salad green labels really mean🥬.
(article)- An experimental skin patch is easing peanut allergy🥜🚫symptoms in toddlers. (Can I get one for dairy, thanks…)
(service)- Apparently, libraries in other countries have cafes and wine bars🍷! America, get your s*** together!
(article)- I guess you have to literally eat your own knee cartilage👀to get views on social media these days…
meme by @body.art
Closing Thoughts…
As always, feel free to hit reply and shoot me an email or DM on Twitter. I’d love to hear your feedback on how I can improve this newsletter to better suit our free-from community.
I’ll be in your inbox next month!
Hugs,
Noam
🙆🏻♀️ website: noamleead.carrd.co
📖 book editor: Happier Being by Dr. Tal Leead
**If you’re reading this newsletter and haven’t subscribed yet, please do and support my work. It’s free! You’ll get future issues sent to your inbox once a month!**
The Choosy Foodie: Los Angeles - Issue #9
I wish I could go to Lilac Patisserie! It looks amazing! I also can't wait for season two of The Bear! I hope it comes to the UK soon!