My Sojourn in Santa Barbara.

Sojourner Cafe

134 E. Canon Perdido Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Phone: (805) 965-7922 | Hours: Open 11-11, Sun. 11-10

www.sojournercafe.com

One sweet day my cousin and I went to Santa Barbara to visit one of her best friends. I have to say that it was one of the most beautiful drives I've taken in California. No it was not blue skies and sunshine but rather a journey through low and thick fog. SO COOL. When we were along the coast it felt like Pirates of the Caribbean. I don't know, I like that kind of stuff. It was eerie, and beautiful.

Anyway, we headed to Sojourner Cafe because they had vegan options and that was going to be best for me. (I love the people in my life for being so considerate and openminded!)

Its a very cute and quaint cafe on a charming street. All organic and A-OK with me. They had a lovely menu that included meals like Chili Tempeh Tacos (Spicy tempeh

blend in warm corn tortillas with rice, black beans and guac), Golden Indian Dhal (Stewed red lentils, vegetables and spices over wild rice with yogurt and chutney), Curry Chicken Salad (Diced chicken breast, yogurt, currants and coconut served with rice over greens and a side of mango chutney).

Vegan options include Jumbo Pasta

Shells (Vegan tofu "ricotta" blend topped with sweet tomato marinara served with steamed veggies and non-dairy garlic toast or the Veggie Stir Fry (Vegetables in special blended soy sauce, jalepenos, ginger, garlic, cilantro and cashews).

I decided to try the Jumbo Pasta Shells!

The portion was perfect. It was kind of funny to me because it was literally two JUMBO shells. Not a cup of over-sized pasta shells as I had imagined. Anyway, it was a light, tasty and refreshing meal. Nothing about it resembled ricotta or any type of cheese but thats okay. The marinara was to my liking because most of the time its too sweet or too this and that. The garlic bread- DELICIOUS! Who knew fake butter could be so yummy.

I opted FOR dessert after my meal. Surprise right? I believe I got a lemon poppy seed buttercream cake served with fresh strawberries. Vegan of course. I ate it all, by myself. Enough said.

Desserts change daily but some include Vegan Stevia Whole Spelt Cherry Cobbler, Vegan Agave Carob Peanut Butter and Seed Orb, Vegan Maple Pumpkin Bar, Coconut Banana Bread Pudding, Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Cheesecake and much much more! The dessert menu has a key informing you of things such as "ND- No dairy, NE- No eggs, NN- No nuts, NW- No wheat, NS- No soy, B- butter, M- Margarine, CO- Canola Oil, BS- Brown sugar, VS- Vegan sugar, H- honey..and MORE! So incredibly helpful.

Also, if you are a fan of teas, they have a wonderful selection along with various coffee/espresso beverages, shakes, smoothies, fresh juices, and sparkling juices and water.

Friendly staff, fairly priced for the most part. Some entrees will be a bit more expensive than others. All in all, I enjoyed my dining experience here and I would definitely have another meal at Sojourner Cafe if ever I am in Santa Barbara again- which I'm sure I will be!

Taste: *****

Selection: *****

Cost: $$

Staff: *****

Service: ****

Dessert: *****

Breakfast at THE SPOT.

I decided to take a stroll down the street one Sunday morning because I was craving their "savory sauce." Last time I got the tofu scramble, this time -it was pretty much the tofu scramble in a burrito...with beans.

I really couldn't believe my eyes when Britney (my darling server) brought out my burrito! It was ginormous. You really do get your moneys worth.

I loved it just as much as the tofu scramble- if not more. The only thing I was craving as well were vegetables for some reason. It would have been cool to have some in the burrito. Anyway, I could only eat half of it along with 2 cups of coffee (with delicious soy milk) and a glass of water.

You bet I boxed that baby up.

I decided to treat myself ..of course...hahaa...got nana's oatmeal chocolate chip cookie (see "It hit THE SPOT.")

$17.99 later I was a happy camper.

It hit THE SPOT.

The Spot

110 Second Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Phone 310-376-2355 | Hours 10am-10pm Daily

www.worldfamousspot.com

We are a natural food restaurant. Most of our menu is available fat free and non-dairy. We always serve organic whole grains, and legumes. We use seasonal organic produce when available. We serve and cook with purified water. Our homemade bread, cornbread and desserts are sweetened with raw agave. Our fat free soups never contain any oils or dairy products!

Molina and I needed FOOD one gloomy morning in this beautiful place called Hermosa Beach. We decided to walk down the street to get some type of "brunch." She checked out Tammies menu (Since this is a vegan blog- we won't discuss what Molina got......hahah) and I decided to check out The Spot's menu...I ordered the:

TOFU SCRAMBLE:

Tofu and mixed vegetables scrambled together with savory sauce. Served with brown rice and fresh fruit! (Vegan)

Oh, and while I was sitting at the counter waiting for my food- I just couldn't resist buying myself a treat. I mean there was an entire tray sitting right in front of me...so I had to....I really wasn't sure what to expect. After about 20 solid minutes (they were very busy and backed up with to-go orders) of waiting for my to-go order, tofu heaven arrived. I walked home very very veerrrry quickly because I was so hungry. I dug right in and then with just a few bites left I realized....I forgot to take a picture to post!! Good news is it means that the food was delicious. The savory sauce was tasty and light... not greasy or heavy. I liked it because it did not over power the natural flavors of the vegetables, tofu and rice but rather complimented them. Thats nice to me because it's really a more delightful eating experience to taste the actual food rather than the concoctions and shiz that people drench their food in. Doesn't this sound like I know what I'm talking about. The portion size was generous but I liked it so much I could have kept eating. I also added some sriracha hot sauce because I mean, thats what asians do.

Lets just say I started and couldn't stop and will go back for more. Its very similar to an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Yumm yum yum.

The Spot is a very small, cute and cozy place. There is semi-outside seating in the back with sort of a secret garden type feel...if that makes any sense. The two employees that helped me out were so friendly. They have a great menu but it has more mexican dishes such as burritos, enchiladas..a lot of beans and rice. Maybe 2 dollars more expensive than The Veggie Grill but it is worth it. For those of you with gluten issues- this is a great place for you as well.

Taste: *****

Selection: ***

Cost: $$

Staff: *****

Service: ****

Dessert: *****

50% vegan morning.

For breakfast I had a plate of food. Very vegan.

Oh yes, and also a side of bacon. Not so vegan.

Yummy in my tummy.

The Veggie Grill (Plaze El Segundo)

720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

Phone 310-535-0025 | hours 11am to 10pm

www.veggiegrill.com

Vegan Carrot Cake from The Veggie Grill (El Segundo)

Today Amber and I commenced "Vegan Monday." At first I wanted to go to The Green Temple in Redondo Beach but I guess they are closed Mondays?! After viewing their menu, I decided on Stuff I Eat in Inglewood. Picked Amber up from work and to the hood we headed. 15 minutes later we pull up and guess what- they are closed. What is up with vegan restaurants being closed on Mondays? We decided to head back towards home and just eat at The Veggie Grill in El Segundo. Good thing it wasn't a bad drive at all.

I guess everything happens for a reason because The Veggie Grill was scrumptious. We walked in to a more than life sized menu on the wall. We ordered and paid at the counter and took our numbers to our seats on the patio. The food came out in about 10 minutes which was crazy fast but it did not taste like fast food one bit. Everything was fresh and delicious. I tried the Grillin Chicken Sandwich (with avacado, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cilantro pesto, and chipotle ranch on a wheat roll) with a side of Chili (you have a choice of red cabbage slow or chili). Amber tried the Baja Fiesta Salad (romaine, papaya, avocado, roasted corn salsa, quinoa, cucumber, cilantro, tortilla strips and ginger-papaya vinaigrette). My fake chicken was freakishly similar to real chicken. The look, taste and texture was very appealing. I forgot I wasn't eating real meat!

After our dinner we got dessert- OF COURSE :) Options are carrot cake, chocolate pudding or chocolate chip cookies. The both of us thought we'd go for the cake. Let me tell you- it was amazing. Tasted like a traditional carrot cake. I swear! You know how most "healthy" foods are just a smidge different...wasn't the case with this carrot cake. I am queen of desserts so trust me when I say it was amazing!

All in all it was a great first vegan restaurant experience. Decent portions and decent prices. Friendly staff. Clean and organized restaurant. If a non-vegan can enjoy it, I believe its a pretty sweet place.

Taste: *****

Selection: ****

Cost: $

Staff: *****

Service: *****

Dessert: *****