Cafe Gratitude — Restaurant in Los Angeles

If you're the kind of person who often scours menus, wondering what items on them will suit your special diet (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc…) then you'll be delighted at Café Gratitude, where every single thing is vegan, and in an unusual turn of events, they have to specifically labeled on the menu what ISN’T gluten-free.

Throw in free underground parking in the middle of Los Angeles and you have the recipe for the place that you should probably go and eat.

I've been doing a handful of their locations all over Southern California and I've noticed their menu changes seasonally. For example at another location I had a southern-style plate which no longer is on the menu. I was looking forward to eating it, but I am always impressed by a restaurant that changes their menu with the seasons, essentially offering you a new and fresh experience every time you go.

This time around, I had the Elated. (quick sidenote to mention that you have the potential to have a spiritual experience while ordering as you have the option of expressing who you are by the title of the food you choose for example, you don't just say “I'll have The elated”, you say "I am elated" and the server will know exactly what you mean and affirm your choice. Honestly sometimes I'm not really into that vibe and just want to order food and not have a forced spiritual intervention, and they don’t force it on you…but just be prepared for it if it’s not your vibe. The Elated was tempe enchiladas served under a mole sauce. This was super good and such a great treat to have a vegetarian mole sauce.

Our table also shared the coconut-based calamari appetizer. These are deep-fried and really tasty as well with a good and unique sauce. I've never had real calamari as I've been a vegetarian for so long, but this didn't taste like I was just eating flavored coconut. I really liked it.

Our 10-year-old was a bit hesitant about the whole menu as he still has a pretty simple powered, but he did love the smoky spicy but are not squash soup that he ordered.

I have the rose sangria to drink with my meal. It was delicious with grapefruit, rose wine, sage and agave. It was refreshing and not too sweet and very lovely.

We were there for a birthday celebration so it was unfortunate that they were out of most of their cake desserts, but we did have the raw “Almond Joy” bar which was good.

My wife, the birthday girl herself, enjoyed the ball and everything that she ate. In the end everyone was happy we had plenty of things to choose from and we loved the free parking. We’ll...

Cafe Gratitude is not only the best vegan food on this side of LA, but some of the best food in general on this side of LA. Absolutely worth the stop. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted to pleasant smiles and a welcoming vibe. The staff members out on the floor stop momentarily to provide a pleasant greeting, giving a welcoming vibe that flows into the rest of your dining experience. One of the highlights of the interior seating is a long bench seat with several large throw pillows. This accommodates seating for four tables with group tables on either end and single tables in the middle. This feels very on brand and helps push the home-y, comfort feelings that you experience as you dive into the menu and the food. There are also other seating options inside, as well as an outdoor shaded patio, and smaller tables along the exterior of building by the main door. The menu is vast, with so many options to choose from throughout the day. The theme feels like comfort food sans the guilt, with options like French toast, omelettes, and breakfast burritos on their breakfast menu (served til 1pm), and items like pesto pasta, crunch wraps, and so much more on their regular menu. Each item is titled with a cute, short affirmation, which I loved. They had amazing lattes and their homemade hot chocolate is to die for. My partner and I returned three times in the week we stayed in LA, not for lack of options. But because every time we scrolled through the list of places to go, none of them topped our experiences at Cafe Gratitude.

Everything about the restaurant feels like it's meant to promote conversation and to get back to what it means to go out to eat. So often, we go out and feel rushed through our meals. We sit down, and in minutes we're being given food and pushed out the door with the check. At Cafe Gratitude, it didn't feel that way at all. The waiters took their time (not in a negative way), the food takes time to prepare, no one is hovering over your shoulder, and when you take someone - it feels like you have the time to enjoy the company and talk and relax while you wait an appropriate amount of time for things to progress. With that being said, this is not the place for someone who is looking to get in and get out (though they do offer takeout). Cafe Gratitude is for people looking to unwind during a meal, to take their time to enjoy the space and the company that comes with going out to eat, and to take in the environment and...

This review is a journey. Please join me.

I was down. I was discouraged. I was not myself.

In need of some vegetarian fare that would nourish my body and uplift my soul. I my googled “vegetarian food that nourishes my body and uplifts my soul.” And cafe gratitude popped up. So I grabbed my card like key of my eco conscious electric vehicle and braved the traffic of Los Angeles to begin my veggie-centric soul quenching dining experience.

Upon arrival I was seated in a beautiful shaded Al fresco environment. I scanned the crowd and it felt approachable, it was like the erewhon crew had a baby with Trader Joe’s shoppers. I liked it.

Then my waiter, a strapping young man, who most likely plays does light commercial work as his true career came to my table and asked me what I was grateful for.

In my state of despair I could not conjure an answer and he graciously said. “My friend, life can be tough but we at cafe gratitude are here to lift you up when you are down.”

I said. “Thanks”

He said. “Would you like to start your order?”

I said. “Why don’t you pick me some things you love and let’s go from there.”

And pick things i love he did.

It started with the I AM DELECTABLE.

A beautifully spiced corn rib with a nice cooling sauce. I grabbed this planty rib and nawed on the cobs and the flavor bomb started to take me on a transcendent journey.

Next I had the YO SOY FUERTE. A Veggie forward boogie Crunchwrap and after I sank into that I felt stronger. I felt like my soul building its soulful muscle and spotting me through my fight with despair.

I then finished my meal with an I AM CLEANSED. And I felt both my palate and my inner spirit being washed cleaned and renewed.

After going on this culinary journey my waiter said.

“Mi Amigo (that’s Spanish for my friend) how was the meal?”

I said. “I AM TRANSFORMED. I AM GRATEFUL.”

We then engaged in a teary eyed embrace and went our separate ways.

Suffice it to say I AM BLESSED. I AM GRATEFUL. I AM CHANGED. Because of my meal at...