New Gourmet Vegan Restaurant Opening In LA! Introducing: Seed Bistro!!!

I am thrilled to pass on some great news I've had to keep to myself for months: there's a new high-end vegan restaurant opening in Los Angeles by the owners of Seed Kitchen in Venice Beach. Introducing: Seed Bistro!!! This has been Chef Eric's dream for years and I am so happy he finally made it come true. Seed Kitchen has been one of my favorite vegan restaurants and I have been fortunate to work with them on many projects - check out some of the cooking videos below, which are great examples of what you might see on the Bistro menu. 

Here's a blurb about the exciting announcement from Seed's Facebook:

Seed Kitchen is proud to announce a new restaurant, Seed Bistro, located in West LA near Brentwood, with easy access from the 405 Freeway. At Seed Bistro you will enjoy a full service dining experience, lunch and dinner. Chef Eric Lechasseur and Sanae Suzuki have created exciting new organic vegan macrobiotic food, elegantly presented, with your health and enjoyment in mind. The menu includes starters, small plates, entrees, course menus and sublime desserts, organic vegan sake, beer and wines. Some wines are sold exclusively to Seed bistro.

The restaurant is projected to open in the new moon toward the end of August to the beginning of September.

They haven't shared any other details about the menu, but it will be more upscale than the Kitchen's cafe style menu. And they have confirmed that there will be gluten-free items.

Of course this happens right as I move out of Los Angeles, but I am going to try to visit for the grand opening. Make sure to add this to your to do list as well!

Videos I've made with Chef Eric:

• Foie Gras
• Crab Cakes
• Coconut Macaroons

Believe it or not: vegan foie gras

Vegans are always searching for exciting new meals and products, and some of us love faux meat and dairy alternatives because we like the flavors and texture. My personal favorite is Daiya "cheese" - this company has made my life so much more delicious and easy. When I ate soy and gluten I was in love with Gardein, and I'll allow it as a treat now and then. But I am most thrilled when I come across rare vegan foods, and I recently tried something truly unique.

Seed Kitchen - new Seitan Sirloin Burger!

I should call this post, Ode to Seed Kitchen...

Just when I thought Seed Kitchen couldn't get any better - it did. The master chef that is Eric Lechasseur invented a new burger called the Seitan Sirloin, and it may well be my favorite item on the menu, which gives me another reason to call this restaurant my #1 in Los Angeles.

The home-made seitan is topped with carmelized onions in balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, and vegan blue cheese, and the combination of such different flavors - spicy, sweet, and sour - is unreal. It's topped with a sunflower seed bun, which adds a little bit of crunch to it. This burger has a very unique flavor, and is so authentic that it left my non-vegan friend scratching her head and wondering how it was vegan.

Check out this cute video my friend Christy Morgan made:

And there's another new addition to Seed: a few nights ago I got a sneak peak of Eric's new mini cupcakes - so glad he brought the cupcakes back! I love the bite-size; in fact I find them so much easier to eat that way (the old cupcakes were a little awkward to eat because they were so big). And their popularity is evident already - they were almost gone when I got to the restaurant tonight!

Tonight I finished off my meal with some other desserts: a chocolate truffle and a chocolate mousse with gold flakes. The truffle is solid on the outside and creamy in the inside, with a great dark chocolate taste. The mousse is delectable - perfectly smooth and certainly satisfied my chocolate craving.

Giveaways: Dinner at Seed Kitchen, and copy of "Love, Sanae"

Winners: Jennifer and Archie

You should know by now that I love Seed Kitchen, And since I love you too I want to give you an opportunity to discover why Seed is so amazing!

Therefore, I'm offering two giveaways:

1. The first is in honor of Sanae Suzuki, a woman that I discover to be more amazing each time I speak with her. She has lived an incredible life and shares her journey of love and healing in her recent book "Love, Sanae", which is also a vegan macrobiotic cookbook. I'm sure that when you read this you will also fall in love with Sanae. (check out her upcoming events here)
2. I also love Eric Lechasseur, Sanae's husband and the masterful mind behind Seed Kitchen's fantastic food. I continue to stand by my statement that they have the best vegan burgers I've ever had, especially the new Seitan Sirloin Burger (check out my review here). Here's an opportunity to try their food: enter to win dinner for two at the restaurant in Venice.

Breakfast (and dessert) at Seed Kitchen

During a recent trip to Seed Kitchen in Venice I noticed some new items in the dessert section. When I asked Eric what they were he told me they were the new breakfast items: scones and muffins. I got the raisin-flax seed scone and the raspberry-chocolate muffin: YUM!

The scone...well, it tasted like a scone, and it had great flavor. The muffin was out of this world - great flavor and texture (a little moist). Even though I ate them at closing, they still tasted very fresh. Eric said they haven't been selling very well because no one knows about them - so get yourself down to Seed and try them! Seed opens at 10am everyday.

Also, while I was there I tried the new and improved vanilla soft serve - AMAZING! The vanilla flavor is really intense and the texture is just right. The only downside is that it melts really fast, but it still tastes delicious as a drink! ; )

Seed Kitchen - 2 nights in a row

I had the pleasure of going to Seed Kitchen twice in a row this week with friends. On Wednesday I went with my favorites: Blackened Tempeh Burger with Sauerkraut and the Pommes Frites. However on Thursday I finally decided to try something a little different: the Mediterranean Burger, and it was great of course. Now I've had all the burgers and they're all so delicious it's always hard to choose. Instead of the fries last night, I went with my favorite green tea cupcake - yuuummmm.

My buddy Eric (the owner) was very excited about a great article about the restaurant in the L.A. Times - check it out.

Seed is my favorite vegan restaurant in town...maybe even my favorite vegan restaurant ever. = )

I love the vibe, the staff, the owners, and the food is so delicious. I always meet great people in there - my recent favorite is Jay the Venice Meat Eater, who eats at Seed to be healthy (Seed attracts a large amount of non-vegetarians)

Seed Kitchen: vegan restaurant (Los Angeles)

I passed by a new vegan/organic/macrobiotic restaurant called Seed Kitchen in Venice and I'm eager to try it out (when I'm done eating Raw). 

UPDATE: I went to Seed today (and temporarily broke my Raw diet!) and it was delicious! Even my non-vegan friend thought so. We both had paninis: I the italian soysage, and her the soyzzarella, tomato and basil. I resisted the dessert, but it all looked great. They even have soft serve! Can't wait to try the cupcakes.

Eco-Vegan Daily Download: Easy Health Food, Home Solutions, & Inspirations

Here's a new post concept I'm trying on for size: a download from my brain into yours. I have so many eco-vegan thoughts swarming through my mind all day and not enough time to write long posts on each topics, so why not give you a quick summary in hopes you'll be inspired? It's kinda like a journal of what I read, researched, ate, and want to do in the future. Since I'm testing this idea out, let me know what you think in the comment section - do you benefit from reading this?

New dessert at Seed Kitchen: Venice, CA

I went to Seed for the first time in weeks (traveling and the Master Cleanse have kept me away). I got my favorites: Southwest burger and Pomme Frites. I also tried Eric's new Tiramisu and it was fabulous. Not only is it vegan, but it's gluten-free as well. It reminded me of the cupcakes there, but less dense and with equal parts of frosting. It's a perfect size too, especially since all the meals there are very filling.

And don't forget they have vegan soft serve too!

Sweet Corn soup at Seed Kitchen

This week's soup at Seed is Sweet Corn and it is out of this world
amazing! Highly recommend you go get some.

Seed Kitchen: another great meal (Los Angeles)

Today marked my third time at Seed, and it was delicious once again. 

I got the Indian Chickpea Curry, the Barley Iced Tea, and Madonna's Coconut Mousse. Then Chef Eric caught me salivating over the cupcakes, so he gave me one - how sweet!

The second time I went there I got the Southwest Burger (amazing) and a Chocolate Cupcake (incredible). I also had a Vignette Wine Country Soda, which was very tasty.

Cooking with Eric Lechasseur

As a result of being one of Seed Kitchen's best customers I've come to know the chef and owners very well: Eric Lechassuer and Sanae Suzuki. Recently they asked me to help them with cooking videos, and they came out very well.

Eco-Vegan Halloween videos

I don't know about you, but I had a very busy weekend celebrating Halloween!

On Friday night I went to a great vegan costume party catered by the lovely Christy Morgan, on Saturday morning I helped clean the block around Seed Kitchen, and on Saturday night I went to the Stray Cat Alliance party, which was a blast.

Check out the videos below to learn about Seed's monthly cleanup and Stray Cat Alliance.

Vegan Halloween candy

Looking for yummy vegan treats for yourself or the neighbors this Halloween? Here are some brands to try out:

• Sjaak's has vegan chocolates, and some with Halloween packaging. If you're in Los Angeles you can get them from the Santa Monica CoOp, and Whole Foods might have them too. The dark chocolate peanut butter is AMAZING!
• Valentino Chocolatier in The OC has delicious gourmet chocolates, and you can order from their website too.
• Go Max Go makes vegan bars that mimic popular non-vegan varieties.
• Endangered Species Dark Chocolate treats are easy to find, especially in Whole Foods.
• Sweet and Sara has ghost marshmallows and other yummy treats. You can order them online, or you might find them in some Whole Foods.

Here's a longer list of vegan Halloween candy, some of which I haven't tried.

And here's a website full of organic, vegan, and/or allergen-free candy.

If you're wondering what name brands are vegan, check out PETA's list - you'll be surprised what is on there, but beware, most of them are full of sugar and chemicals.

Looking to be eco-friendly on Halloween? Come to Seed Kitchen's cleanup Saturday morning at 10:30am!

Green holiday gift ideas

Why am I already writing about gifts for the holidays, you ask? Well, they're only about 2 months away, so you better start planning! Besides, I've got a few on my mind that you should consider, and this list is going to grow throughout the season.

• The Conscious Cook: cookbook by Tal Ronnen. Check out my rave review here. Love this book!
• Handkerchiefs from Hank & Cheef: I am in love with mine! They are a great eco alternative to tissues, and they have really cute and modern designs. These would make great little gifts or stocking stuffers.
• Tea from Indonique: They have delicious, loose leaf tea. Maybe pair this gift with a mug and tea strainer, or a tea pot. My favorite flavors? Ginger Peach Orange Flavored Green and Honey Bush Herbal.
• Bamboo Utensils from To-Go Ware: I am obsessed with mine and I use them on almost a daily basis. I get so many compliments on them because they're very handy, eco-friendly, and cool looking!
• Glass Straws from GlassDharma. I love these straws - great for all sorts of drinks (they even have some for boba tea!)
• Body Products from small companies like Strawberry Hedgehog. Local, handmade, and vegan.
• Body Products from LUSH. You probably already know about LUSH, but they have a ton of vegan products and they're very sustainable. Plus they're very colorful and fun.
• Neti pot: everyone should have one. Whether or not you have sinus issues or allergies, a neti pot is very soothing, and great when you have any sort of congestion.
• TOMS shoes: I got a pair of vegan wrap boots for Christmas last year and I'm wearing them today. I get endless compliments on them and they are very comfortable. Wouldn't mind another pair as a gift...
• Accessories from Elvis & Kresse: they sell products made out of old firehouses! Most of them are vegan, and can make them leather free upon request.
• Cooking classes: find a local chef and gift their classes. There are plenty in Los Angeles, but I recommend Christy Morgan, Seed Kitchen, and Spork Foods.

Here's a great green gift guide: Green with Glamour

Cru: My new favorite vegan restaurant!

A few weeks ago I went to Cru for the first time and had an incredible feast there, thus deciding it's my new favorite vegan restaurant! This is a bold statement to make, since I love a lot of places. I can at least say Cru is my favorite on the east side of Los Angeles (so I can still say Seed Kitchen is my favorite on the Westside). Of course I love Real Food Daily and Golden Mean and Flore and Madeleine's Bistro...so many choices! Well, let's just saw Cru is #1 on my top 5 (or 10) list. ; )

Here's my review:

Get Bathing Suit Ready & Eco-Veganize Your Summer!

like my beauty pageant pose? ; )

Summer is just 6 days away (June 21st), so it's time sit back and unwind - eco-vegan style! Here's a video with tips on how to keep it green and healthy, and get yourself ready for bathing suit season (yikes!):

Seed Kitchen - new brunch menu!

Vegan Road Trip

Join me as I follow my friend Bill's Vegan Road Trip via YouTube. Here are his 1st 2 videos. Wish I was with him for the journey!

Seed Kitchen

Veggie Grill

Video Recipe: Faux Foie Gras from seed kitchen

Check out this video that I shot and edited, featuring Eric Lechasseur's amazing vegan foie gras