So Cal Veganista

So Cal Veganista turned 3 today!

Harvest Pizza – buckwheat sweet potato crust, house marinara, kale, kabocha squash, sweet potato, pickled onion, vegan cheese

Vegan Bliss Pancakes:  Signature house-made vegan pancakes with coconut & almond milks, vanilla, and banana. Topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries. Served with Slopeside maple syrup. Enjoyed this vibrant, retro restaurant serving a seasonal menu with creative breakfast & lunch fare. Busy place for good reason. 

Everybody loves sweet and tangy orange “chicken”

Hot Bowl Teriyaki - chick and spring roll with teriyaki

Vegan Chopped Kale: Local organic kale, heriloom carrots, purple cabbage, roasted pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries, tossed in olive oil, garlic and fresh lemon juice.

The Lab Anti-Mall in Orange County has delicious handcrafted brioche doughnuts. I had the Raspberry Pistachio and it was fantastic! The glaze! Yum! Heart shapes are perfect for self love and Valentine’s Day!

We found so many great vegan restaurants in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Along with the tacos, the agua fresca (a ginger turmeric lemonade) is so refreshing and delicious on what was a very warm day. 

Toasted vegan brioche bun. A delicious mess!

House of Queen Sheba in Sacramento. So much fun using injera bread in lieu of utensils.

Vegan Lunch at Yard House Did you know that Yard House has an entire menu featuring Gardein vegan meat products and a plant-based Beyond Burger with vegan Follow Your Heart cheese? Beyond Burger: vegan mozzarella, crushed avocado, arugula, onion, tomato, pickles, served with a side salad tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. Gardein Grilled Chicken & Avocado Sandwich: lettuce, tomato, brioche bun, fries

Super Green Goddess Salad: black lentils, chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes, raw carrots, spicy broccoli, shredded cabbage, raw beets, roasted almonds, baby spinach, shredded kale, substitute pesto vinaigrette dressing. They will toss your salad but I like to keep my ingredients separate. It looks pretty for photos!

Black and white shake (secret menu). Way better than In-N-Out! 🍔

Korean Noodle Bowl:  sweet potato glass noodle, pickled shiitake, organic spinach, carrot, bean sprout, toasted sesame

This quaint, popular, local shop is a great find in Carpinteria. I also recommend the avocado toast with fresh tomatoes and Jupiter smoothie bowl. This down-to-earth hub is right next to the largest known Torrey Pine in existence (a historical landmark). 

“Bowl of Soul”:  Roasted sweet potato, black beans, quinoa, grilled corn, sautéed kale, polenta cake and a gluten-free mac ‘n ‘cheese’ ball tossed in spicy buffalo sauce w/ spicy pickled cabbage, garlic aioli and a side of gravy.

Dinner at a quaint fine-dining restaurant located only a few minutes from the beach in Downtown Ventura.