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vegan comfort food at cafe flourish
7June 10th, 2009cafe flourish (closed), LA restaurantsone of los angeles’ newest vegan restaurants, cafe flourish, is quickly becoming one of my favorites. i have had the chance to try numerous different dishes at the small mid-wilshire eatery, and never once have i been disappointed. since my first review, i have been back to cafe flourish and i think it’s safe to say the food keeps getting better and better.
french dip, merci: porcini & shitake mushrooms with caramelized onions on french bread with a rich mushroom au jus. $10.25
on a recent visit to cafe flourish, i tried out their french dip which comes with caramelized onions and two types of mushrooms on a thick roll. at first i thought it was bit expensive at $10.25, considering their was no meat substitute in the sandwich, but the price tag was quickly justified when i tasted the delicate and exquisite mushrooms. the caramelized onions were tender and slightly sweet, cooked up just perfectly, and much better than i could make at home. with all the awesome flavors that were goin’ on in this sandwich, it didn’t even need to substitute the beef that you would normally find in a ‘real’ french dip. the hearty sandwich also came with a side salad (not pictured). i went with the quinoa; it’s the only side i’ve ever ordered at cafe flourish, and it’s so damn good i can’t bring myself to try anything else.
smac-n-cheese: gluten-free rice elbow pasta with a creamy cheesy sauce. served with a house salad. $9.95
in addition to all the normal menu items, cafe flourish also has a white board full of specials you can order. so far my favorite dish ever at flourish has been the smac ‘n cheese special, gluten free pasta in a really rich, creamy and spicy melted cheese sauce. this vegan version of macaroni and cheese is so incredible, it gives all the other mac in this town a run for its money. maybe it’s the zesty hot cheese they mix it with, or the fact it gets so perfectly melty with chewy edges. rumor is, cafe flourish will be adding it to the regular menu soon. i’m so relieved, because i never wanna see this special go away.
another special worth trying, and one that would be especially good for the kids, is ‘sausage fest’, flourish’s take on the classic pigs in a blanket. the dish comes with 2 standard yves or smart dog type links wrapped in a thick doughy bread with sauces and condiments. while the hot dogs themselves aren’t anything amazing, the puffy soft blanket is really damn tasty. the soy meat gains a whole new life when slathered in vegan mayo and mustard, all enveloped in the fluffy roll. i loved it. if i had a child, i would order them this. it totally reminded me of being 10 years old.
sausage fest: 2 soy hotdogs wrapped in a blanket with dijon, ketchup, mayo and relish. served with a caesar salad. $6.50
so if you haven’t been to cafe flourish yet, what are you waitin’ for? they haven’t let me down once. i am so glad we have yet another vegan restaurant right in the middle of town. los angeles is gettin’ better all the time.
cafe flourish
Tags: lunch, macaroni & cheese, miracle mile, philly cheesesteak, salad, sandwich, wilshire
5406 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-3932
Mon-Sat. 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
7 responses to “vegan comfort food at cafe flourish” 
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wow. i really want to eat all of that.
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I live less than a mile from this place and I’m addicted.
The smoothies are amazing…expensive, but they’re creamiest, most delicious smoothies I’ve ever tasted.
They had strawberry shortcake-like cupcakes last night…AMAZING!
Love the reuben, the BTLA, the burrito and the mushroom au jus.
Five stars for Cafe Flourish.
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Oh my god, this is on the same street I live on. And only a few miles away. OH GOD YES YES YES. I am so excited!
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wow. i’ve never even had a french dip and i’m not a big fan of mushrooms but i WANT THAT SANDWICH.
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My stomach aches for their mac n cheese. Flourish is so amazing, and conveniently located within lunching distance.
Viva La Flourish!
Emily June 10th, 2009 at 07:36