i am in love with the december specials at hugo’s restaurant, and the best one i’ve tried yet is the south of the border casserole.

a hearty blend of slow-cooked vegetables, spices, and (in my case) tofu, this dish has everything going for it. plus, it’s pretty big, and comes served with a giant mound of brown rice for the mixin’…

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hey everyone! just a quick and straightforward holiday reader review from D, who got his thanksgiving meal at real food daily this year. he breaks it down for us in a simple and entertaining manner. listen up!

Below are my pics and thoughts on this years RFD thanksgiving to go… for your amusement of course.

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i couldn’t even believe it when i went to chili addiction recently and saw they had a new menu item named after ME. the quarrygirl burger combines two of my favorite dishes—the hearty match-based burger and johnny’s insane homemade sauerkraut. of course, i had to order it!

quarrygirl: our fantastic vegan burger topped with homemade sauerkraut. $10

wow! i’m not just saying this because the burger had my name on it, but the quarrygirl was epic!…

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i don’t know what you guys are doing this weekend, but from the looks of this photo, you should cancel your plans and take the spork foods brunch o’clock class.

tempeh bacon stuffed tater tots can be yours

when i saw this photo on the spork foods facebook, it was love at first sight. the spork foods sisters have been holding cooking classes in LA for years, and they have the endorsement of some of our favorite vegan blogs, as well as LAist. i’ve had their food before, and checked out their new weho cooking space, and both are nothing short of incredible.

the menu for the class this sunday is “Harvest Quiche with an Herb Crust, Tempeh Bacon Stuffed Tater Tots, Grilled Asparagus with a Hollandaise Sauce, and Lemon Ginger Scones with a Whipped Maple Cinnamon Butter” aka “I DIE”! it all sounds so freaking good.

check out the spork foods website for info on how to sign up!

okay, so i know this site is largely about eating ridiculously drool worthy and fattening animal-free foods…but in real life, sometimes you just gotta keep it healthy. and as we all know, finding good, nutritious vegan fare in los angeles restaurants can be surprisingly difficult. enter hugo’s. they’ve got something for everyone—health nuts, junk foodies, omnivores and vegans can all find a meal on the menu. i’ve told you all about their vegan version of the double down and their crazy good chili cheese fries, but their lighter stuff is just as tasty.

i hit up hugo’s recently with my omnivorous parents for lunch, and all 3 of us ordered vegan. i find that although hugo’s has tons of meat and dairy options, whenever i take omnis there they end up ordering from the vegan menu as well, because it’s so accessible. there’s no strange fake meats; it’s just downright good food made with fine ingredients. ANYWAYS, i was in the mood for something simple, so i ordered the “create-a-plate”.

create a plate with brown rice, steamed vegetables, soup and pico de gallo. $12.65

hugo’s create-a-plate option is fucking awesome, because you can choose 3, 4, or 5 items from this huge list of vegan offerings, as well as whatever sauce or dressing you want. they’ve got stuff like sauteed leafy greens, black bean cakes, lentils, and tons of other goodies to choose from…not to mention additional protein selections for an added price, such as new american veggie patties and grilled tofu. i ordered my plate with organic brown rice, steamed vegetables, pico de gallo, and the vegan soup of the day (which is always oil-free). in this case, the soup happened to be carrot ginger, and it was fantastic.

i know that everything else on the plate looks pretty basic, but the soup really took it over the edge. so rich and flavorful, but entirely vegan and with no oil? NICE. each component was just so well prepared, and the portions were large. everything mixed together so perfectly.

three salad plate (made vegan): wild rice salad made with scallions, carrots and celery in a sherry dressing. avocado-tomato salad made with sliced red onions in a dill dressing. curry organic grilled tofu made with apples, grapes, currents, hazelnuts in a curry mango dressing. $12.50

my parents opted for the vegan three salad plate, a september special (act fast!), which came with a wild rice mixture, an avocado-tomato salad, and a side of curry tofu mixed with fruits and nuts. i sampled a bit of the tofu, and it was amazing! while i can’t go into detail about this dish because i didn’t try all of it, let’s just say my meat-eating parents devoured it all…as well as some other vegan appetizers that i’ve already blogged about.

basically, i just want everyone to know that hugo’s is there for you no matter what. you’re a vegan? you want crazy fatty fried foods? you avoid oil at all costs? you’re gluten-free? you only eat organic? HUGO IS YOUR MAN. eat at hugo’s, people! it’s all there.

hugo’s restaurant
8401 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 654-3993
and
12851 Riverside Drive
Studio City, CA 91607
(818) 761-8985

september is a great month by any measure. fall (the best season ever) is upon us; it’s cooling down outside, and pretty leaves are starting to fall off the trees. the crazy summer is fading away, yet the cozy holidays are ahead. this september is particularly awesome though, because it marks the 30th birthday of hugo’s, one of our favorite restaurants. and to commemorate this occasion, they are offering a very unique specials menu which celebrates the food of the past, while looking forward to the food of the future. meaning: there are tons of old school, meat/dairy-heavy dishes, but EVERY ONE THIS MONTH CAN BE VEGANIZED! partaaaaaay!

yesterday i was fortunate enough to try out 7 (yes, SEVEN) of these 10 brand new specials craftily created by chef nabor, and all i can say is…i know i will be a regular customer at hugo’s this month. these dishes need to be eaten several more times, by me, before october comes and they are no longer available.

vegan pasta carbonara: house made pasta cooked with veggie bacon, house-dried smoked mushrooms, scallions, garlic, parsley, chili flakes, white wine and a vegan cream sauce. $13.50

first up i tried the vegan pasta carbonara, an animal-free version of a hugo’s classic. the original comes with prosciutto, bacon, and parmesan cheese—while the new version is loaded with veggie bacon, house-dried smoked mushrooms and a vegan sauce made from sunflower seeds. my oh my, this dish blew me away. chef nabor’s secret recipe of homemade pasta, topped with all the goodness of meaty mushrooms, scallions, parsley and chili flakes was almost too much to handle. anyone who craves a hearty, creamy meal would be pleased by the vegan carbonara. i’m so thankful that hugo’s decided put a cruelty-free spin on this favorite dish. BTW the mushrooms are what make it; they are pure magic, i tell you!

next up, i tried a veganized version of the “caprese potato pancake sandwich,” which came with sliced tofu rather than cheese.

vegan tofu potato pancake sandwich: tofu, sliced heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and Kalamata olive relish between two crispy potato pancakes. $12

i knew i would love this the moment it arrived at the table, and one of the hugo’s peeps quickly explained to me, “this is our vegan version of the double down.” brilliant! instead of being the grossest sandwich known to man, this little beauty took the healthy/vegan route, and was absolutely delicious! it came with two perfectly crispy potato pancakes serving as “bread”, with thick slabs of tofu and in-season heirloom tomatoes in the middle. not to mention fresh basil leaves, and chunky kalamata relish. to die for! and just LOOK at how beautifully crispy the potato cakes were… (i can assure you, they tasted even better!)

by this time i was working up quite the thirst, so i quenched it with the september special basil ginger lemonade.

basil ginger lemondade: fresh agave-sweetened lemonade blended with fresh basil and ginger. $3.25

it was like sweet summertime in a glass, with hints of lemon, basil, and spicy ginger. extra refreshing and packed with a punch, this was one tasty beverage.

onto the rest of the food, starting with the melanzane parmigiana (made vegan!)…

melanzane parmigiana (veganized): layers of deep-fried crispy breaded eggplant, filled with tofu ricotta. topped with mushroom-vegetable bolognese sauce and daiya cheese. served with mashed potatoes and sauteed leafy greens. $13.50

this meal by default comes sprinkled with real cheese but with one quick request to your waiter, you can get it daiya-style. it tastes like a very traditional scrumptious italian dish—layers and layers of rich, deep fried breaded eggplant atop eerily convincing tofu ricotta. it’s got the most amazing and luscious vegetable bolognese sauce as well; why anyone would get this almost entirely vegan dish with a dab of real cheese escapes me! the daiya tastes incredible, so be sure to specify vegan. it also comes with a side of hugo’s signature dairy-free mashed potatoes and sauteed leafy greens. perfection!

the last entree i sampled was the “new age” version of hugo’s world-renowned pasta mama…

new age pasta mama: a vegan version of our signature classic represents our move toward plant-based recipes which better supports the health of the planet.: house-made pasta with scrambled organic tofu, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley and Hugo’s seasoning blend $11

the normal pasta mama is served on hugo’s a la carte breakfast menu, and features a mix of fresh pasta, scrambled eggs, garlic, parsley, and parmesan cheese. this new age version is even better, and comes with scrambled tofu, bread crumbs, and the same delicious herbs and spices.

the soft crumbly tofu really does taste eggy (in a non-nasty way), and i was eating this stuff up like crazy. so, so, SOOOOOOOO good. this only re-affirms my belief that hugo’s can successfully veganize ANYTHING, and their best work is always on the specials menu…so be sure to order from that whenever possible.

just as i was reaching a maximum fullness, i was offered a chance to try this month’s “trio of sweet delights”. after all the amazing tastes i described above, i just couldn’t say no. within seconds, chef nabor appeared at my table with an gourmet style dessert platter that was nothing short of stunning.

a trio of vegan sweet delights: a slice of torte Setteveli - Chocolate cake with hazelnut frosting and Frangelico liqueur. Poached pear in Port and sweet Marsala wine. Crispy rice paper basket with sorbet. $10

the trio of sweet delights was all kinds of fancy. this is the type of dessert i’d expect to see on an upper class tasting menu. i mean—torte setteveli, poached pear in port, and sorbet in a crispy rice paper–come on! (beware, you must specify you want this vegan, otherwise the sorbet component will contain animal products.) the best of the 3 desserts, OF COURSE, was the torte. we are talking a homemade mini slice of cake filled with chocolate, topped with hazelnut frosting and frangelico liqueur. i die!

hugo’s has really outdone themselves this month with the specials, and i am so happy that every single one can be veganized. be sure to get over to the restaurant this september and check them out!

hugos’ restaurant
8401 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 654-3993
and
12851 Riverside Drive
Studio City, CA 91607
(818) 761-8985

hi folks, just a quick post to tell you about some fantastic current and upcoming chili addiction menu items that you should all be aware of.

i’ll start with the food that is actually available right now: vegan sorbet! did you even know that chili addiction offered dessert?!? i didn’t until my last visit, and now i am gonna be HOOKED. this stuff is so good, and just perfect for the hot weather. after stuffing myself with various kinds of vegan sausages (more on that later), the chili addiction dudes offered me a sampling of 3 of their sorbet flavors—lemon, lime, and banana. i am usually not a sorbet fan, but this was incredible.

lemon, chocolate covered banana, and lime sorbet

most sorbets i’ve tried in the past have been thick and icy, but not this. it was extra smooth and silky, with an almost milky texture, like real ice cream. i asked what made it so creamy, and johnny (the chef wizard at chili addiction) explained that he has a special contraption that helps the fruit reach that magical texture. not only is it delicious, but it’s relatively guilt-free as well. made from only fruit and sugar, this treat has no excess fat or scary ingredients—just pure, natural goodness.

now, let’s move onto the stuff that isn’t available just yet. very soon, chili addiction is ditching their store bought vegan sausages, and switching to homemade ones using match meat and a variety of herbs and spices. they are still waiting on casing for these sausages before they are available to the public, but i got to sample them and i promise that you guys are in for a treat! here are the flavors you can look forward to (please note i tried these in patty form, but i’m pretty sure they will be shaped sausage style once they hit the menu)…

vegan bratwurst sausage

the bratwurst was amazing. as a burger, i loved it…but i can’t wait to try it as a sausage with some sauerkraut as a topping. as much as i love all the pre-made veggie dogs and sausages on the market, this has got it beat.

vegan cilantro sausage

the cilantro sausage was quite delicious as well. i myself am a coriander lover, so this was right up my street.

vegan chipotle sausage

next up was the chipotle sausage, the perfect blend of match and hot spices. i loved this thing so much; and it was served with a fantastic side of homemade salsa. i didn’t even know chili addiction carried salsa, but i am gonna ask for this as a side from now on.

honestly, this can hold its own with the freshest of stuff from real mexican restaurants. it’s that damn good. and the sausage ruled too.

vegan italian sausage

then came the vegan italian sausage, and it took everything to a whole new level. this baby was all loaded up with seasoning and fennel, the closest thing i’ve tasted to proper meat ball since going vegan. i really wanna try this in some pasta, or maybe atop a bowl of chili mac.

vegan breakfast sausage

lastly, we tried the new vegan breakfast sausage…and i’m not gonna lie, this was my favorite one. decades ago when i was a wee meat-eating quarrygirl, i remember visiting my aunt in tennessee, and every morning she’d cook up batch after batch of her “extra special” sausage. of course it was all full of animals and gross stuff, but i really loved it at the time. suffice to say, one bite of this creation, and i was transported to those childhood memories in the deep south. authentic-tasting beyond belief. i can’t wait to see what chili addiction decides to do with this, but i sure hope it’s some kind of breakfast sandwich.

sorry to tease you all with these mouthwatering sausages that aren’t available yet, but look out for them at chili addiction soon! the sorbet is on the menu now, though. so go and eat that up with all of the other amazing dishes chili addiction has to offer!

chili addiction
408 N. La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 203-1793
closed mondays!
lunch 12pm-3pm
dinner 5:30pm-9pm
(sundays they close at 7pm)

want delicious gourmet vegan food at affordable prices? if so, you are gonna love the new meatless monday specials at tender greens. the restaurant started the initiative this week, and from now on every monday, in addition to their regular menu, they will offer seasonal vegetarian and vegan dishes with an emphasis on whole foods (no processed ingredients or fake meats).

we have been fans of tender greens for quite awhile; their salads are fresh and made with the finest ingredients, and their “happy vegan” plate is one of the best meals in town. so when we heard that they’d be offering new vegan items each week, we were beyond excited. we dined at the west hollywood location on monday, and were absolutely thrilled with our dinner. tender greens really took it to the next level with this one.

homemade vegan pasta with chili roasted heirloom tomatoes, toasted garlic, basil, arugula, and lemon vinaigrette. $10.50

we started with the pasta special, which normally comes topped with parmesan, but was easily veganized. the chef came to our table specifically to describe the dish: homemade noodles made with 00 flour, chili roasted heirloom tomatoes, toasted garlic, basil, arugula and lemon vinaigrette. this meal was amazing…i couldn’t get enough of the little heirloom tomatoes that were so delicate they basically melted in my mouth. pure excellence from the thick noodles, to the light sauce, the flavorful bits of garlic, and the fresh greens.

grilled oyster mushrooms, black barley, baby heirloom squash, rainbow chard. $10.50

next, we tried the special of grilled oyster mushrooms, black barley, baby heirloom squash, and rainbow chard. this is one of the best dishes i’ve had in a while, truly spectacular. the flavor combos going on here were insane, and the chewy meaty mushrooms were mind blowing. all the vegetables were grilled to perfection, and tasted great all mixed up with the barley. i am so used to eating salads at tender greens, i had no idea they were capable of this kind of food! it’s so high quality, like the stuff you’d find at a fancy restaurant, but for just over ten bucks.

another thing tender greens has going for it seven days a week, not just on mondays, is a good selection craft beer. they switch it up regularly, and always have something good on tap whether it’s from the local eagle rock brewery, deschutes in portland, or ballast point in san diego. oh, and they are all available by the pitcher. glug glug!

it’s safe to say i am a huge fan of meatless mondays at tender greens, and i hope they keep it going strong at all their los angeles locations indefinitely. seriously, get over there and check it out as soon as you can. if your food is even half as good as the stuff i ate, you will love it. my tip would be to check out tender greens’ twitter page each monday, and see what they are serving at each of the locations. that way, you can be sure to get a special that’s to your liking. also, always confirm that what you are ordering is vegan, and doesn’t come with any superfluous cheese or anything.

tender greens, nice work. thanks so much for embracing the meatless monday movement. here’s to hoping other LA restaurants follow your lead!

tender greens
8759 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 358-1919
and
6290 West Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 382-0380
and
9523 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 842-8300

okay, so i know i have raved, and raved, and raved about the burgers, sausages, and fried delicacies from chili addiction…but lately i am straight up obsessed with their bowl of chili mac. this thing is SO FREAKING GOOD, it makes me wanna re-write the vegan bucket list just so i can add it.

chili mac: any of our delicious chili varieties as a topping on a bowl of elbow macaroni. $8

the chili mac is simple: you pick any of the restaurant’s amazing chilies to top off a hearty bowl of elbow macaroni. there are usually 2 vegan options to choose from, and lately i can’t get enough the 3 bean euphoria…a mix of garbanzo, pinto, and black beans. if you are craving meatiness, chili addiction also always has an amazing option containing match (the most convincing vegan meat EVER).

i know a serving of chili spooned onto a bowl of noodles may sound like something you can make at home, but i can assure you that it isn’t. chili addiction puts so much time and effort into each of their chilies, i swear it’s like nothing you’ve ever eaten. this stuff tastes like it has been cooking for days, with unique flavors and spices buried deep in every bite. i can’t even describe how good this chili is, you just need to go experience it for yourself.

as if the bowl alone isn’t awesome enough, chili addiction also has a self serve condiment bar with limitless jalapenos, onions, and cilantro. you seriously gotta try this meal out—i’m drooling just thinking about it.

chili addiction
408 N. La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 203-1793
lunch 12pm-3pm
dinner 5:30pm-9pm

it’s a brand new month, which means a brand new specials menu at hugo’s restaurant! july specials start today at the studio city location, and tomorrow in west hollywood…and let me tell you, vegans are in for a real treat with this month’s offerings.

first up, the soul food plate IS BACK! this crazy delicious dish was on the june menu, and it was so popular that hugo’s decided to extend its run. if you didn’t get to try it last month, now is your chance! this plate is so insane, it needs to be seen from every angle to be believed…

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have you been to the los angeles based meetup vegan drinks yet? if not, you are missing out. the latest one was held at the new spork foods space, and it was a blast.

vegan drinks occurs once a month, and it’s basically just a gathering of LA vegans who want to hang out, socialize, and have a good time. it was started almost 2 years ago by lex and kristin, and has grown from a handful of friends at a local bar to a full on community with over 800 members. the spork foods vegan drinks was one of the funnest ones i’ve ever been to, partly because it was a private event. the spork sisters opened up their AWESOME brand new location, and for $15 we were able to enjoy home brewed sangria and an assortment of fabulous tapas.

there were delicious cashew cheese stuffed dates…

cashew cheese stuffed dates

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hugo’s restaurant is definitely one of our favorite places to dine in LA. in addition to their rotating monthly specials, which always include a slew of mouth-watering meatless options, they are constantly adding new vegan fare to their regular menu…and now even have a vegan-friendly kid’s menu as well!

let’s start off with the kid’s menu. hugo’s went from having no vegan options at all for youngins, to now having several…and if you have little ones, you’ve gotta check it out. vegan dishes range from comfort foods like daiya quesadillas and burgers and fries, to more healthy options like grilled tofu with vegetables and pasta with broccoli. just be sure you specify that you want it made vegan, because a lot of these meals are vegetarian by default.

lil green casserole: sautéed broccolini, spinach, asparagus, zucchini, with garlic and fresh herbs in a tomato basil pesto sauce. topped with a veggie patty crumble, melted vegan cheese. $8.10

i stopped by hugo’s earlier this week, and they were kind enough to let me try one of the kid’s entrees. i went with the lil green casserole—a mini version of the very green casserole, the restaurant’s most popular dish. the lil green comes packed with all kinds of good stuff including broccolini, spinach, asparagus, and zucchini…all topped off with hugo’s amazing veggie patty and a light sprinkle of daiya cheese. the casserole is absolutely delicious, and pretty big for a child-size portion. it costs just over $8, which is more than 5 bucks less than the adult size, and a great value. if i had a kid, i would order this for them all the time—man, it’s so scrumptious!

i’m pretty sure the kid’s menu is for kids only…but if you are an adult craving this dish, you can order the larger version. you should try the green casserole if you haven’t already, it’s the most popular dish for a reason!

next up in exciting hugo’s news, they’ve added some killer vegan and gluten-free pancakes to their breakfast menu. they’ve been specials in the past, but now you can get these cruelty-free pancakes everyday. and they are so tasty! they normally come in a huge portion size with 3 pancakes for $10.65, but if you are feeling less hungry or you want to sample more flavors, you can get individual cakes for just $3.50. the single cake option isn’t listed on the menu, but now you are in the know, so just ask your server.

roasted pineapple-coconut pancake: vegan, gluten-free pancake infused with roasted sweet pineapple, toasted coconut, and ground almonds. topped with sliced bananas, toasted slivered almonds, and coconut. coconut agave syrup. $3.50

first we have the roasted pineapple-coconut pancake (pictured above), which is fantastic. it’s made with a blend of toasted coconut, pineapple, and ground almonds…and it’s so fluffy you just won’t believe it. next is the almond energy pancake (pictured below), made of almonds, seeds, quinoa, coconut, puffed rice, and fruit. there is so much going on in this pancake, and the flavor combinations are completely insane. lemme just say, i am thrilled that both of these wonderful pancakes are now regulars on the hugo’s menu.

almond energy pancake: a vegan, gluten-free pancake prepared with almonds, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, shredded coconut, cashew nuts, sunflower seeds, puffed rice, dried cherries, and cranberries garnished with fresh berries. spiced agave syrup. $3.50

i love the fact that hugo’s continues to cater more and more to vegans as the years go by. from carrying vegan cheese, to having a clearly labeled menu…and now to offering vegan options for children, and amazing animal-free pancakes. hugo’s pretty much rules.

hugo’s restaurant
8401 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 654-3993
and
12851 Riverside Drive
Studio City, CA 91607
(818) 761-8985

hey everyone! this is a HUGE day, because the famed goldberg sisters of spork foods have officially relocated to their new space. the popular cooking class and catering duo have called silverlake their home up until recently…now, however they are operating out of a very roomy commercial space in weho, and of course we were there to check out their brand new new digs.

the official “opening party” was tonight, and it went a little something like this:

food and drinks galore!

nonstop snacks and alcohol! you name it, they probably had it. appetizers, drinks, music, it was the right vibe from the get-go.

a good crowd, very important.

the sporks party also had a good crowd. i showed up shortly after the starting time, and left a couple hours later…the whole while i kept running into lovely people who were excited about this new vegan addition to LA. by the time i left, a bouncer was getting serious about not letting newbies in! the place was PACKED…

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remember those match vegan burgers we raved about recently?! well they are finally available at chili addiction as of TODAY! i can’t stress to you enough, these really are the HEARTIEST and MOST REALISTIC veggie burgs i’ve ever tasted. not just that, but they’ve also started making a new “texas style chili” with pinto beans and match beef as well as a vegan sorbet with fresh strawberries! GO GET IT.

chili addiction
408 N. La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 203-1793
lunch 12pm-3pm
dinner 5:30pm-9pm

update 2/11: we’ve heard that millions of milkshakes no longer offers vegan shakes. 🙁 they now have some kind of milk alternative shake, but it isn’t vegan. sad, sad, sad.

FINALLY, millions of milkshakes in weho has legitimate vegan milkshakes, and they are INSANELY DELICIOUS!!!!!!

vegan milkshake with temptation ice cream by chicago soy dairy and oreo cookies.

as of this week, millions has started serving up completely animal-free shakes made with none other than chicago soy dairy’s incredible temptation ice cream. i stopped in recently for a vegan chocolate/oreo cookie shake, and my mind was officially blown. i was drinking this shit up like daniel plainview, and you could not stop me. it was thick, rich, sugary, and creamy as can be—absolutely heavenly.

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