Café Gratitude
The food strikes a nice balance between flavor and health and pleases all different palates.
The question du jour at most restaurants is “can I take your order?”
At Café Gratitude, the question is “what are you grateful for today?” Respond with “I am Thriving” and try the cooked soup of the day or try “I am Whole” and sample their signature macrobiotic bowl brimming with braised squash, adzuki beans, sea vegetables, sautéed greens, housemade kim chee, black sesame gomasio, garlic-tahini sauce, teriyaki almonds, sunflower sprouts and sprouted probiotic rice or quinoa.
The food strikes a nice balance between flavor and health and pleases all different palates.
At Café Gratitude, if you answer “I am Beautiful,” no one will think you’re vain – instead, a gluten-free muffin will arrive at your table. Glance around and you may notice that your fellow diners are smiling, in great physical shape and have glowing skin.
This isn’t a coincidence. All of the food at Café Gratitude is organic, vegan and much of it is raw, gluten-free and often sprouted and “living.” It’s also 100% “made with love.”
The food strikes a nice balance between flavor and health and pleases all different palates.
Get “Inspired” with a butternut squash risotto, feel “Ecstatic” with their appropriately-named roasted map-miso Brussels sprouts or remain “Humble” with an Indian curry bowl.
The café certainly isn’t short on superlatives, but most descriptions are accurate.
Think: a “Fantastic” raw cashew crêpe with fresh fruit, coconut yogurt, maple syrup and pecans, an “Outstanding” sprouted oatmeal bowl or a “Dazzling” twist on a traditional Caesar salad, this time with brazil nut parmesan, avocado and oil-free cashew Caesar dressing.
Sip on wine, beer or coffee, or try a “Vibrant” matcha latte, a “Strong” protein maca malt or an “Incredible” green superfood smoothie.
Whatever you do, make sure to save room for one of the world-famous desserts like a “Perfect” pecan pie, an “Adoring” tiramisu or grab a “Mighty” superfood energy bar for the road.
While its menu may be a plant-based eater’s dream, Café Gratitude isn’t all about the food.
The restaurant aims to serve up a hearty portion of health and sustainability for both their local communities and the planet.
The restaurants support local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally-friendly products.
Café Gratitude boasts locations in L.A., Venice, Santa Cruz, Berkeley and has even expanded to Kansas City. Two more restaurants will open in Downtown L.A. and San Diego in 2015.
Be sure to pop in for a visit to Café Gratitude while in town – you’ll certainly be grateful you did.
Try their recipe shared with Beauty and Well Being: Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a Maple Miso Glaze.
Note: The Café Gratitude team has also opened “Gracias Madre,” a South American-themed all organic and plant-based restaurant. Try this too!
Rebecca Leffler is a Paris-based writer and journalist who, after a career as the French correspondent for The Hollywood Reporter and as a film critic on Canal+, traded red carpets for green smoothies. She’s written five books about healthy lifestyle from Paris to NYC and beyond, including Très Green, Très Clean, Très Chic: Eat (and Live!) the New French way with plant-based, gluten-free recipes for every season, and most recently Le Nouveau Manuel de la Cuisine Végétale. Rebecca has pioneered the “vegolution” in Paris, where she continues to organize events focusing on healthy eating, yoga and la vie en rose… And green! You can keep up with Rebecca on Instagram!