Mooi: video review and interview with owner of newish raw, organic restaurant

This post is waaaaay overdue. I've been trying to finish it for months, but better late than never right? Thanks to my amazing post-production intern Rachel, I'm finally able to present it to you. : )

I first visited Mooi (rhymes with boy) in May when I attended their pre-opening party, and frankly I was disappointed because my high expectations weren't met (they were set by QuarryGirl). However, I didn't know if that was simply a result of a poorly planned event, so I contacted the owner and he apologized for my negative experience and invited me back in for the real deal. I am so glad I took him up on the offer, because my first impression was completely off. Turns out, Mooi has incredible raw food.


Mooi is accurate by describing their food as gourmet - it is beautifully presented and I was excited to eat it as soon as the plates touched down on my table. Everything tasted fresh and had original flavors. And as an added bonus the owner said the following about their gluten-free status: "Our entire kitchen is gluten free. I personally have a gluten sensitivity so there will never be anything made with it. I only use grains in one thing and it's gluten free oats in my oatmeal raisin cookies."

I enjoyed:

• plate of 3 nut cheeses (paprika, rosemary, and chipotle) with crackers ~ out of this world! spicy, creamy, very flavorful
• broccoli cashew cheese soup ~ creamy and packed with nutritional yeast, but flavor was a little off and kind of bitter
• tamales with mole sauce ~ outstanding! moist, crunchy, and sweet
• ice cream (peach, pecan, pumpkin) ~ the best raw ice cream I've ever had! fresh, creamy, like "real ice cream"
• cake (w/ hazelnuts & peanuts) ~ very rich and a little too salty

Taste: 9/10

Unique menu & flavors: absolutely!

Organic: yes

Local: whenever available

Healthy: very

Customer service: excellent...but maybe I'm biased because my waitress' name was also Whitney...

Atmosphere: artsy, shabby chic, cozy, romantic/dim lights with candles at night

Location: great part of Echo Park

Parking: street only (meters) with nearby parking lots

Price: very reasonable for raw food

Portion Sizes: medium, but very filling

I look forward to return, especially since I have yet to try their lunch menu and their jackfruit dishes!

Check out the video below for a more detailed review, and an interview with the awesome owner Stephen Hauptfuhr.

1700 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026

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