Free Spirited — Restaurant in Alhambra

I'll start off by immediately saying that this is my new favorite local spot! Just for a little background, I've never been a drinker; I've gotten drunk once in my life and it wasn't for me, so I feel as if Free Spirited gets me! I've had a number of dishes here and they haven't disappointed! Here are a few favorites of mine:

Popcorn: I've had both the Hapa and BBQ popcorn and they are a delicious mix of salty and sweet! Personally, I prefer the Hapa, but you can't go wrong with either.

Guacamole: Fresh and delicious, this may be the best Guac I've ever had. I'm not sure what it is about it, but it tastes so refreshing and perfectly complements the chips.

"Bone Marrow": I've never had real bone marrow before, so I can't compare to the non-vegan version, but I found it very tasty, and I don't usually like mushrooms (which is what the substitute is based on)!

Street Tacos: Very flavorful, one of the best vegan dishes I've ever had (and again, I don't like mushrooms usually)!

Black Garlic Pasta: I just love pasta. So delicious. I've never had Black Garlic before, but now I know I'm a fan!

Roasted Asparagus: Simple, salty, delicious. One of my faves.

Chicken Picatta: I've never had Picatta before, but it turns out it's one of my favorite ways to have chicken! Delicious!

Gravlax: I've never had salmon like this before, but it's very nice. I don't know how to describe it other than tasty and salty!

Dirt Coupe: A nice meal ender, not overly sweet, but great for a treat.

Overall, I am very impressed with all the different flavors and unique culinary experiences offered at Free Spirited! I feel like I'm experiencing something new or originally reworked with each dish I try.

As for drinks, I haven't had as many, but I have really liked what I've had so far:

Quarantine Heart: Definitely my favorite so far. Like a sweet nectar. Tastes classy and fun.

Uppies!!!!: My close second-favorite (maybe tied for first). Super tasty caffeinated drink. Tastes unique from other coffee drinks to me. Even though I love Quarantine Heart, I can see myself getting this one often!

SSR - Might actually be a three-way tie for first. This one has a very nice balance of sweet and spicy, and includes a unique type of boba. I get it with less spice, and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite drinks.

Tough Tide: A nice balanced drink, not too sweet, with a nice tropical flavor. If you're not into the sweeter drinks, this one is a great choice!

Moving on to the lounge itself, I absolutely love the vibe and décor. It feels like a historic establishment with many stories in the walls. I love the old, storied paintings and classy touches around the bar area. The whole seating area just feels so warm and cozy, like a tavern found in a fantasy world. Speaking of fantasy, this is also a very board game-friendly establishment and I can't wait to play some Gloomhaven, Forgotten Waters, Telestrations, and more here! They have a selection of games you can borrow and play as well!

The people working there are also exceptionally welcoming and friendly, looking to provide you with the best experience possible. The owners are around often and you can tell they are putting their heart and soul into this place; it is abundantly clear that this is their dream and they will do anything to make it a success.

Overall, I think this is a wonderful new establishment that I imagine I'll visit often. I have been very impressed with the food, drink, décor, and service and think it's a perfect place for people looking for a non-alcoholic,...

January 01, 2025.

It’s my wife’s birthday today. We’ve been married for less than one year and have been making things happen. She and myself have been repairing the trauma given to us over the coarse of years that we had. Together we heal each other’s inner child and listen to one another intently. She is not my therapist and I am not hers but we feel safe talking to each other like that.

My wife and I enjoy drinking our calories in order to stay slim. They could range from electrolytes to protein shakes and everything in between. However, this also means we were enjoying stiff cocktails and this became a problem in our relationship; the consumption of alcohol and the frequency of it. We were drinking to relax everyday. Perhaps it was the endless cycle of work and poverty. Perhaps it was our friends/family and the battles therein. It had to stop!

So we started spending our cash elsewhere; kombucha, Agua de Kefir, BCAA’s, and sugar free soda. Kombucha and Agua de Kefir is a reliable and delicious replacement for a beer. But a beer and a cocktail are different as some of you might know and we sometimes want something stiff.

My wife and I have successfully abstained from alcohol together! 4 months and enjoying the alcohol free days. That being said, our love for hand-crafted beverages has not ended. As a matter of fact, I would say it has grown many thanks to FREE SPIRITED. Arleo the bartender puts together amazing NON-alcoholic “mocktails.” And his wife Amber serves delicious hearty meals that pair well with Arleo’s beverages. The combination of Amber’s arugula salad and Arleo’s Green Moissanite will send your male partner’s tastebuds on a dance. Or you could order your wife the Uppies!!! paired with the Dirt Coupe for a lovely combination of a chocolate frozen delight and espresso martini! Alcohol free of course.

It’s a small world! Arleo also has experience as a bartender; from what I know he has also prepared hand crafted cocktails at another bar in Whittier.

In the photos you’ll see the “scallops” but don’t be fooled by the name or the ingredients because they are better than you could imagine! They are truly delectable and you will never want them to end.

I support this place because Amber & Arleo are doing favors for people who want to have a bar experience without the downsides of alcohol. No hangovers, no bloating, no drunk driving, life is good.

Thanking God for the culinary expert Amber and the 5 Star...

This is Alhambra’s hidden gem! My wife & I absolutely love this place. It’s honestly one of our favorite spots. They have vegan, gluten free food & they are food allergy conscious. We don’t drink so we were so excited when we discovered this place is not only alcohol free, but provides vegan options for us! There are so many reasons why we love this place. First off, their food is just so fresh & healthy. They do such a great job with their flavors & it’s all made from scratch. Their meals are quality made—far from fast food, so expect a fine dining experience vs. greasy oily finger food. It’s a perfect spot for vegans to hangout with their meat eater friends since they have a lot of variety on their menu. They serve Filipino inspired food & have vegan options for it—which is so rare to find. The ambiance of the place has such a fun vibe & vintage feeling to it. We go to sing karaoke & play board games. Anytime we have friends visiting us, we bring them here because we love the vibe of this place. We love their customer service. They are very thoughtful. Any time we have questions about what drinks to try out, they know exactly what to offer. We come here so often that we ended up celebrating our birthday here & got to reserve the whole place for our friends & family! TOTALLY worth it! You would need to contact the owners ahead of time on their Instagram & coordinate the details. The owners are incredibly kind, giving, & understanding when it came to figuring out the details for our party, so we highly recommend. We became really great friends with the owners. Amber & Arleo run the whole restaurant. They put a lot of love & thought in their menu & it shows. We love this place. Thank you both for creating such a special restaurant in...