I have to say my visit to Southern California was great. The schedule for this trip, my first summer LA in 30 years, was less hectic than usual. The weather was hot, but no hotter than home, and the lack of a long to-do list gave me an adventure or two .
Went to a part of town near one of the movie studios that can be found in this entertainment city. On the recommendation of a friend, we strolled into the recommended restaurant.
I have to say my visit to Southern California was great. The schedule for this trip, my first summer LA in 30 years, was less hectic than usual. The weather was hot, but no hotter than home, and the lack of a long to-do list gave me an adventure or two .
Went to a part of town near one of the movie studios that can be found in this entertainment city. On the recommendation of a friend, we strolled into the recommended restaurant.
It was easy to know that I was no longer in Kansas; Not only was every person there, employees and customers, younger and slimmer than my companion and I, but every woman seemed to have come from the pages of Vogue magazine, while all the men from Esquire seem to have strolled.
I took this as a viewing opportunity, although I was amazed that people who are into fashion really wear so many items that were somehow unattractive, obviously uncomfortable, and undoubtedly expensive.
But the real fascination was the menu. We not only ate vegetarian, but also vegan.
Veganism means not consuming animal products. Therefore, avoid meat, eggs, dairy products and other foods that come from animals. The vegetarian can happily eat cheese and yogurt. Vegans don’t.
Our first dish, which was beguilingly called a “gift”, was summery bruschetta heirloom tomatoes, basil and hemp pesto, cashew mozzarella, rocket and gold balsamic vinegar reduction and grilled gluten-free artisanal baguette. Who would have thought that you could make mozzarella from cashew nuts? Vegans did it.
The meal continued with a small plate of “blooming”: braised asparagus arancine, arborio rice, cashew mozzarella, gremolata, basil-hemp-pesto-oil and arugula. I’m not sure what of this stuff is, but it’s pretty tasty when combined.
We ended with a healthy portion of “celebrating” consisting of a spring roll with cabbage, daikon, wakame, avocado, pickled vegetables and a sesame wasabi dip sauce. As my companion noted, we ate vegetables wrapped in vegetables and washed them down with large glasses “healthy”, a juice made from kale, celery, cucumber and lemon with a little ginger and lemon.
The short happy hour menus included “fellowship”, “brilliant”, “and” honorable. And on lunch / dinner I noted the choices “dynamic”, “gracious”, “lively”, “liberated”, “determined”, “great” and “magical” to name a few. Maybe one day we will return for this one.
I asked our young waiter, who looked much like the love child of Zac Ephron and George Clooney, if they were “peeling” or “complacent”. To his credit, the doe-eyed young man welcomed my gentle ribs in a good mood. It should never be said that vegans have no sense of humor.
As we walked out of the restaurant, it felt good to have a healthy meal and get up close and personal with a previously unknown Saskatoon culture. That was part of my answer to the question our waiter asked while serving: What are you thankful for today?
Two and a half hours later, another part of the answer became apparent. Hungry again we were near a favorite restaurant with more ribs that we ate with relish.
The taste of LA made for a delicious trip.
Pat Grimes, a former South Bay resident, writes from Ypsilanti, Michigan. He can be reached at [email protected]
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