LEAF RESTAURANT... two thumbs side ways

[Conscious Midwife]

Stopped by LEAF Cuisine in LA this weekend,

I think that I had mistakened pics and thoughts of Julianos with the address for LEAF. So when I arrived I was caught of gaurd by the lack of ambience.

On a positive note I purchase a few raw items: KAle Krips, Flax Crackers and Cacao nibs. The prices for these items seemed fair and the taste and texture of the Kale Krisp and Flax Crackers was just what I needed. These items were delicious. I enjoyed the KAle Krisp tonight with mashed avacado and garlic....DIVINE. The Flax Crackers are great alone.

I'll make a desert with the Cacao nibs this weekend.

[misslinda]

Thanks for the review LIfeagift, I just read the other day that Cousens takes a liking to this place..........I dunno maybe they're big on sprouts.......since he loves to eat 'em :rolleyes: :p no but really, I hear it is affordable unlike majority of raw restaurants that are on the pricey side.

:)

[Revvell]

That is one of the things I like about Leaf ~ they are more affordable than many of the raw food joints around ~ AND their desserts are AWEsome. Just not big on their wraps although, I guess many are which is how/why they stay in business.

No ambience really at either location.

Revvell

[Lady Green Jeans]

Where is this place exactly? (LA is pretty big).

Thanks

[Lay-Lay]

kool beans, if I ever make it on that side of the country I know what to check out. Thanks!

[Revvell]

Where is this place exactly? (LA is pretty big).

Thanks

One is in Santa Monica; the other in Sherman Oaks.

[misslinda]

there official website

http://www.leafcuisine.com/locations.html


Ambience? Can someone explain how it didn't have ambience? Is it simple in decor?

[Revvell]

there official website

http://www.leafcuisine.com/locations.html

Ambience? Can someone explain how it didn't have ambience? Is it simple in decor?

Yeah. It's basically a nicely kept raw fast food restaurant IMO.

[PATH301]

Why didn't see this place when I went to L.A.? I love the prices, more like indy's prices. Next time I go out there I'm hitting that place for sure :D

[Pansy]

Hey Path....is there any raw places to eat in IN?

Thanks,

Pansy

[Revvell]

Why didn't see this place when I went to L.A.? I love the prices, more like indy's prices. Next time I go out there I'm hitting that place for sure :D

Blame RT for that. Shoulda taken you up there. Shame on her! :p

[PATH301]

There's this tiny place that's a part of the George town market, they have a mixture of vegan,vegetarin, HFS, stuff. They have a great selection of organic products and small section of fruits and vegatables. it's a cool place to go. I actually meet another,( used to be RAW person, but now she's back to vegetarin), So when I go in there, I tell them not to grill it or stick it in the nuc box. But this place is a good 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes away from me depending on the traffic, it could be more. And right in that same area is where I can pick up some thai coconuts,( the white ones) :D

I have another place that is closer to me about an 30 minute drive. But when I sugested putting in a RAW food bar, The owner says that people here are still into meat and potatos alot and come here for supplements to make them fell better......LOL
It's a pretty big place and I buy alot of my personal hygene stuff from them and some sugars and some salt and flax and such. But just coz they are a HFS, you still have to be careful.
Here's their site:
http://www.naturescupboardsuperstore.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=CBD6F7BA1B824F4F813DDEEFEE0 E82E2

here is the Georgetown market info:
http://www.georgetownmarket.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=5C0MK01CSSNM8M69J1S5L0M76N6 6BP1D

What do you have near you?

[Pansy]

In Columbus..which is an hour away....we have a Whole Foods now! Which does have a great salad bar! Not much around here!

Wouldn't it be cool if we could all fund our monies together and open a cafe!

Yeah! LOL!!!!

Thanks for replying Path!

Pansy

P.S. That colourworks oil web was pretty cool!

[Conscious Midwife]

Ambience ;)

I went to the location nearest the AIRPORT (relatively speaking) off Washington Ave. in what I thought was Inglewood, but I don't know it was just convenient and easy to mapquest from my Hotel.

It was fast food/ counter diner style, with a line. Busy too, which was a good sign.

Snobby old me thought it would be a sit down restaurant with products displayed they way you'd see them in FRESH MARKET( though things aren't really fresh there). I was also anticipating a chef and/or waitress who would describe the cuisine, educate me and sell me on the entree of the day etc...

Being the foody that I am I was actual craving presentation and the experience.

So not to knock LEAF, I just had the wrong visual beforehand.

Now had I thought I was going to a RAW Smoothie King or Subways then I would have been alright.

Again the prices were great and I'm still munching away on the Krisp and Crackers. :)

[misslinda]

Ambience ;)




Now had I thought I was going to a RAW Smoothie King or Subways then I would have been alright.

Again the prices were great and I'm still munching away on the Krisp and Crackers. :)


Gottcha ;) I have to admit, when I saw the pic of the kitchen, I thought the dining area would be furnished with light decor wood--maybe bamboo and lots of white sheer curtains and green plants kind of a zen feel to it ---my assumption was based on the fact that Cousens takes a liking to it :o

[RawTruth]

I like Leaf Cuisine. It fills a certain niche in the raw food restaurant scene in Southern California ... though I can see how you might be disappointed if you were expecting a "foodie" kind of place. The owner, Rod Rotondi, specifically set as his goal to make Leaf Cuisine the McDonald's of raw food -- meaning it is simple, clean, quick, and a menu of items that is the same each time you go. Also, that there will be a number of them conveniently located. I think he's succeeded at that, for sure.

When Leaf went in, it was kind of the antidote for Juliano's Raw -- it's affordable and fast.

I really like that it's all organic - since not all raw restaurant are (yikes!) - and that it appeals to so many non-raw people. It gets the word out!

For a sit-down, being served restaurant, I'd go to Au Lac, Jade Cafe, or Terra Bella, for sure. And I do. But, I'm at Leaf at least once a week as my spiritual center is in Culver City.

Too bad you weren't able to make it to some of the more gourmet places, Life -- I think you would have really like them -- especially Jade or Au lac. Hopefully, you'll be able to plan it for next time!

Blessings to you in this time of reflection.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I liked the "no flame" logo on their front page...cute.

I grew up in that town, would definately visit next time I'm there - last time I went to the Goddess Cafe, it was a bit of a drive through the Beverly Hills area during rush hour to get there.