Review of Huckleberry

I gave Huckleberry an overall score of 2.3, or 2 stars, based on the following 7 categories: number of visits 1 of 5 price range 2 of 5 family friendly? 2 of 5 % menu vegan 3 of 5 quality of service 1 of 5 quality of food 3 of 5 local mainstay? 2 of 5 Comments: Upon entering Huckleberry, you are confronted by the non-relenting noise that drenches the tiny building. Then, as you make your way over to the counter to order, you are confronted by the waiter darting that way, patron darting this way, waiter darting this way now, and the long pause to let others pass the small passageways that connect the counter to the front door. After ordering, the punishingly long wait, and the expedition over to the sliver on the communal table to wait for your food, you realize that you may be sitting in the most chaotic place in Santa Monica. And, other than the punishing wait, that is the good part. On the bad side of things, the wait staff seems preoccupied with doing their job. …only their job, nothing more. They drop off your food then cower back into the abstract abyss beyond the chaotic event horizon. And don’t dare attempt something like ask for a glass of water while waiting for a table because those beyond the event horizon are not stable. Continuing the bad, you can get a vegan breakfast, but be ready for a painful exchange at the counter when, amongst the omnipresent chaos, it becomes amazingly clear that substituting is frowned upon. Oatmeal was decent but more of a desert than a breakfast. Come to think about it, it was more of an appetizer since I finished breakfast once I got home. There does appear to be a vegan item on the lunch menu, but the response to my related question was skewed and eventually lost in the event horizon. Huckleberry has decent coffee, communal tables, pleasant cafe chaos, and a few sustainable items on the menu. However, amid the long wait for a table, I failed to comprehend the gravitational pull of this place given this short list of positives. Maybe I’m just the wrong type of feeder to understand.

Additional Info
Address: 1014 Wilshire Blvd, 90401
Area: Mid City
Reviewed Meal: Breakfast
Ethnicity: American
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Review of Hummus Bar Express

I gave Hummus Bar Express an overall score of 4.6, or 5 stars, based on the following 7 categories: number of visits 5 of 5 price range 5 of 5 family friendly? 3 of 5 % menu vegan 5 of 5 quality of service 3 of 5 quality of food 5 of 5 local mainstay? 3 of 5 Comments: First Z-Garden and now this; Mediterranean is taking off in Santa Monica, and I love it. Hummus is the ultimate vegan food. And as far as hummus goes, Hummus Bar Express has the right mix. As the name suggests, this place was built on their hummus and for good reason; it’s a great mix, perfectly accented with either tahini or mushrooms, and delicious. However, the hummus may possibly be eclipsed by their laffa bread which is chewy nectar. They have a lot of vegan options, but I honestly can’t get past ordering the hummus to try them. They are in a good spot on The Promenade with a cozy front veranda to people watch as you enjoy your fat tire. Inside, they have high and low tables preceding the counter where you order, take a number, and give them a few chips. And seemingly for the families and larger groups, they have tables in the back under a couple large skylights. Service at the counter has never been the best, but they make up for it at the tables; keeping water flowing and plates cleared. ...and if needed, the laffa filled. Whether you’re vegan or not, if you like hummus, it’s hard to beat Hummus Bar Express. They have awesome food and drinks, a great location, and leave you with a good price tag. It’s the perfect mix.

Additional Info
Address: 1333 3rd St Promenade, 90401
Area: Mid City
Reviewed Meal: Lunch
Ethnicity: Mediterranean
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Review of A Votre Sante

I gave A Votre Sante an overall score of 4.5, or 4 stars, based on the following 7 categories: number of visits 4 of 5 price range 2 of 5 family friendly? 4 of 5 % menu vegan 4 of 5 quality of service 3 of 5 quality of food 5 of 5 local mainstay? 5 of 5 Comments: Tucked away next to a little candy shop and gas station on San Vicente in Brentwood, A Votre Sante has been dishing up great vegan creations as long as anybody in the area. Though the entire menu isn’t vegan, there’s enough to kick in my rarely seen, “what to have,” paralysis. Their old mainstay dishes tend to be Southwestern or Asian fusion, like Dragontail which mixes black beans and vegies with ginger and hijiki. Since the last expansion, they’ve added a wood oven where they bake pizzas, but be careful because the soy cheese isn’t vegan. One sad thing about finding awesome hole in the wall, hidden restaurants is that others will soon find them. Then inevitably they raise prices, fund expansions, and raise prices again. A Votre Sante was no exception; though the last wall knockdown really opened up the place. The interior has always had a nice upscale cafe vibe with revolving photography and paintings, comfortable but packed in tables, good lighting, and a tiny little outdoor seating strip. Overall, A Votre Sante has many vegan options with some time tested masterpieces. It’s a little hidden and on the outskirts, but well worth the find.

Additional InfoAddress: 13016 San Vicente Blvd, 90049
Area: Outskirts - Brentwood
Reviewed Meal: Lunch, Dinner
Ethnicity: American
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Review of Ivy At The Shore

I gave Ivy At The Shore an overall score of 3.5, or 3 stars, based on the following 7 categories: number of visits 2 of 5 price range 1 of 5 family friendly? 3 of 5 % menu vegan 3 of 5 quality of service 2 of 5 quality of food 5 of 5 local mainstay? 4 of 5 Comments: Na, this place isn’t a flower shop; though I am sure I’m not the only one to make this mistake. After finally clearing that up, we decided to brave the floral jungle and see what’s coming out of the kitchen. The floral jungle itself is separated into a couple large rooms and a narrow outdoor seating area with no view. Picture your parent’s house and the high end party planner bringing in 50 tables (and 500 flower arrangements) for the wedding reception. For vegans, options are limited; one entree, not really listed on the menu. But the vegetable plate is something that you’ll wanna come back for. Very simple with spinach surrounded by carrots, zucchini, asparagus, corn, broccoli, and avocado served with a hot marinara. What makes it something to come back for is that it’s cooked to perfection; flavors kept separate and heat removed before texture removed. Oh, and tell them you want some bread cause they will serve you non-vegan muffins if you’re a Silent Bob. Don’t expect to have the wait staff reading your expressions, looking for the right tell to jump into action. In a naturally ironic twist, this visually relaxing floral paradise is a buzz with waiters hopping from table to kitchen and back, not spending too much time at any one place because the next understaffed and packed in table is requesting some honey for their tea. Again, don’t be a Silent Bob or you will view this as bad service. Deep from the middle of Ivy at the Shore floral jungle, we found that the good food and wine made it easy to tune out the commotion of the staff, colors, flowers, and bourgeois adventurers. And, after a somewhat entertaining wait, we finally found what was coming out of the kitchen, apart from the always in motion wait staff; a single plate of exceptionally tasty, though inordinately expensive, fresh cooked vegetables.

 Additional Info
Address: 1535 Ocean Ave, 90401
Area: Mid City
Reviewed Meal: Lunch
Ethnicity: American
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Review of Z Garden on Wilshire

I gave Z Garden and overall score of 4.5, or 5 stars, based on the following 7 categories: number of visits 4 of 5 price range 4 of 5 family friendly? 4 of 5 % menu vegan 5 of 5 quality of service 4 of 5 quality of food 5 of 5 local mainstay? 2 of 5 Comments: I reviewed Z Garden on Pico and gave it one real strike; they use disposable plates and utensils. I was stoked to find this 2nd location and that they not only fixed the disposable problem, but they have a better spot, place, and vibe. This narrow building at the end of 3rd Street Promenade has the counter to order in the back, seating up front, and a few more tables up the stairs on the indoor balcony. It’s a good layout with comfortable seating and interior. As with the other location, service is solid and they understand and work with vegans. When I asked if the falafels are vegan, they responded, “yes, we don’t use egg,” putting my “don’t understand vegan” fears to rest. It has a family feel and the people they hire, whether they are family or not, are always friendly and helpful. The food is very tasty and they seem to use good ingredients. Most vegan selections like hummus and baba ghannouj are olive oil heavy, so it appeals more to my sense of taste than to my sense of health. For entrees, they have a vegetarian kebab and a vegetarian plate that are both filling and delicious. There’s plenty on the menu and you can’t really go wrong. This 2nd Santa Monica location is a step up from the place on Pico, but that’s not taking away from the Pico restaurant that still has the same good food with its own vibe. I am thankful that they fixed their disposable problem, and gave them an extra star for doing so.

Additional Info
Address: 313 Wilshire Blvd, 90401
Area: Wilshire
Reviewed Meal: Lunch
Ethnicity: Mediterranean
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Review of Creation Grill

I gave Creation Grill an overall score of 3.4, or 3 stars, based on the following 7 categories: number of visits 1 of 5 price range 3 of 5 family friendly? 3 of 5 % menu vegan 4 of 5 quality of service 4 of 5 quality of food 3 of 5 local mainstay? 2 of 5 Comments: As we walked past Creation Grill heading to Native Foods Cafe, both my wife and I looked at each other and voiced, “I’ve heard good things about this place.” So, we skipped Native Foods for the day and gave it a try. Part of the pull is the design and décor. Though the large windows on 2 sides is the main draw, the cleanliness and hip but casual theme helped pull us in. There are a few tables outside, but the inside has a lot of sunlit seating at comfortable, though slightly packed in, tables. We didn’t have to wait long with our number on our table; and the service behind the counter and at our table was relaxed and friendly. No complaints, but no mad props either. “Another Middle Eastern restaurant that has good vegan options” was my thought that was pwned. The pita is crunchy, the humus is blah, and the other things, the same. The food itself was not bad, but less than anticipated. And like the food, the vegan options are less than anticipated. Creation grill has a good spot, nice place, and decent staff; just lacking on the food side of the house. Next time we will keep walking to Native Foods Cafe. And if we are feelin’ Middle Eastern, we’ll head over to Z Garden.

Additional Info
Address: 2901 Ocean Park Blvd, 90405
Area: Sunset Park
Reviewed Meal: Lunch
Ethnicity: Mediterranean
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Native Foods Cafe

I gave Native Foods Café an overall score of 4.6, or 5 stars, based on the following 7 categories: number of visits 4 of 5 price range 3 of 5 family friendly? 4 of 5 % menu vegan 5 of 5 quality of service 4 of 5 quality of food 5 of 5 local mainstay? 3 of 5 Comments: For me, it started in Westwood with a hole in the wall restaurant amongst traffic and parking pandemonium. That restaurant, now super-sized though still small, is still there. However, they found a great location for another one on Ocean Park in Santa Monica that has less traffic and easy parking. With a large patio area, it’s easy to determine where to eat. That is until you enter and realize that the inside eating area has its own charm. It’s well laid out with the order and take a number counter to the right and the chillax eating area to the left. They have their own eco-friendly style that’s fresh and clean. And like the Westwood location, the service still has that small shop, on an eco-mission vibe. The food is a diverse and tasty. They have everything from a faux sausage burger to Asian style macro bowls to non-traditional salads. And unlike potential competitors like Veggie Grill, the tastes are very diverse. And bonus, you can wash it down with organic beer or wine. Native Foods Café has a good vibe, good food, and is helping spread the vegan boon. So bike, walk, bus, or if you’re into that type of thing, drive over to Ocean Park, past the other tempting restaurants in the same area, to Native Foods Café. You’ll be happy you did.

Additional Info
Address: 2901 Ocean Park Blvd, 90405
Area: Sunset Park
Reviewed Meal: Lunch
Ethnicity: American
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