ORA — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Omg! Delicious!!! Nothing, but great things to say. The 'Vegan Breakfast Bowl' and 'Double Bean Chili w/ White Rice' was off the mf chain!! Omg! I had these items for a very late breakfast, so brunch and everything was amazing. The bowl did have soggy lettuce and soft potatoes, but I honestly didn't mind. I ordered delivery through GrubHub, so it makes sense that the food is a lil soggy. Food was still hot and soo dam good. The orange sauce mixed in with the food was a great touch as well. A good sauce can go along way with a great meal. I absolutely loved it! I had some for my brunch, then later today for dinner.

Chili beans could have had some seasoning to it, it was dry in that department, but the bean sauce and white rice made up for it. Delicious! I had some for brunch and the rest later for dinner with some purple and blue takis.

Absolutely delicious restaurant, would definitely be back. I'm disappointed that I didn't get my 'Ginger Carrot loaf', but I got a refund, so that's good. I'll order it again next time and hopefully I get it then.

Edit: 2/24/2021

2/5 stars

Wasn't for me. The 'Cauliflower Wings' weren't as seasoned as I assumed they would be. The inside was very fresh and only the outside has seasoning. I didn't even taste the lemon pepper rub, only pepper. Wings aren't something I would get again. Too fresh and not seasoned enough for my liking. I didn't care for the Kale either, but the ranch was yummy. But, not yummy enough to sugarcoat my distaste for the Cauliflower Wings.

The 'Vegan Ginger Carrot Mini Loaf' was very good!! I hate ginger, but anything Carrort Cake is a delight. I was too lazy to warm it up in my toaster oven, but the loaf was still very good, best part of my order!!

Even though the 'Cauliflower Wings' wasn't my cup of tea and I only enjoyed the dessert, I'll be back one more time for their Vegan Soul Bowl :)

Edit: 2/26/2021

3/5 stars

The Soul Bowl is a beautiful sight to see. You got the Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, BBQ "chicken", and White Rice. I love Greens, very good vegetable, but I wasn't feeling it during this platter. It wasn't disgusting, just wasn't rocking with my tastebuds. Mac and Cheese is gross, not something I appreciate. I don't like Mac and Cheese periodt, so I didn't expect to like the vegan version, hahaha. But, the BBQ "chicken" hhhmmmm! That was my favorite part. It deadass tasted like BBQ chicken and combined with the White Rice was very delicious. You can never go wrong with chicken and rice.

Overall, the contents in the bowl weren't my favorite, but I didn't hate it. BBQ "chicken" and White Rice absolutely smacks while the Mac and Cheese and Collard Greens weren't something I enjoyed.

June 28, 2021 ---------------------------------

3/5 stars

The Vegan Breakfast Bowl didn't taste the best compared to the first time I had it. Can't really describe it besides that it was alright this time around. The bowl tasted pretty much the same, but didn't have that hot pizzaz as before. The avocado was an add-on, but tasted better without it. Now I know, but I still ate half of the bowl, nevertheless.

The desserts are an ABSOLUTE DISAPPOINTMENT! The Carrot Cake Loaf looks like it has been sitting out/under a lamp for a whilleeee. It didn't have the best taste. The white icing which I'm guessing is supposed to be "cheesecake" icing was terrible, and texture is forgettable.

The Mixed Berry Bar is honestly whatever. I had two bites and all I was really getting from the flavors were invisible and berries, hahaa. There's a lot of berries in the bar, hence the name.

And lastly, the Pecan Blondie Bar had potential, but it got too oily for my liking. After breaking the bar in half and consuming it that way, the bar started tasted oily and greasy. And the frosting on top was definitely not fresh, it was flat.

The only thing that was my favorite out of this whole meal is the...

I don’t live in LA so as an entrepreneur I look for places to hold meetings and work. The food is delicious here and the price point is a bit high but it’s vegan so I get it.

This place is cute with a great outside big picture window view. So I drove from Carson to come today just for a delicious coffee cake and smoothie. I even invited someone else and they ate too. Stayed for maybe an hour.

As my battery began to die on my laptop and unfortunately my cell too. I needed to plug in. The plugs are limited. The plugs I used before in the nooks were now unavailable! I’m desperate to get some juice soon to keep the project flow. OK so Im trying to find a plug so I find the one upfront. I was the only one sitting there so I plugged used both to try to get some work in. I was the only one sitting there. As the lady before me was using two outlets since before I arrived. Hadn’t planned to use both long. Just enough to get back up and going. A non paying person came in and asked me to use it and I simply pointed him to the other one in the corner. He went over and plugged in. No problem. Then who appeared to be the owner /manager asked me to use one. I expressed I’d move if someone needed it. At this point it was said that I could use it for 30mins more minutes. While two other ladies have been plugged in since before I arrived. I was confused. As a former coffee shop owner in Texas. I’ve never had issue with customers sit all day. They plug in!! It’s one of the coffee shop features. Most people work remote and will drink coffee and snack all day. But I guess in LA it’s different. So in short. It may not matter but I won’t be back. Not even for the great coffee cakes. Not being petty, just choosing to not support since electricity is such a huge issue with this ever busy coffee space. I’d hate to be the cause for any issues. It’s was fun while it lasted. 15 cents per outlet per day! Yea I looked it up because I looked it up for my own shop so it wouldn’t cause me to have someone experience what I did today over less than 15cents . Oh and I was told that all electrical outlets will be UNAVAILABLE soon! ...

It’s disappointing for me to say this because I’ve supported Hot and Cool Cafe since before its transition, but my recent experience left me deeply unsettled. The owner’s attitude was unnecessarily harsh, and it revealed something larger about how some Black-owned spaces operate. Every Black owned business is not necessarily for the community. Some exist within the community but are not of it. They welcome our dollars, but not always our presence or our humanity.

I was there working quietly for some time, having already spent over fifty dollars that day. Without reason, the owner approached me and said, “Let someone else sit there.” There was no one else waiting. The tone and timing felt deliberate, as if my comfort in that space was somehow an inconvenience. As a Black woman who has consistently supported this establishment, the encounter felt dismissive and disrespectful. What makes it more frustrating is that they removed the outlets, knowing that many people come here not only to eat or drink but to work, create, and connect. The decision feels symbolic of a larger issue, a shift away from community-building toward mere commerce. It reflects a misunderstanding of what true community means. It’s not just about existing in a Black space, it’s about creating one that nurtures, welcomes, and supports.

Leimert Park once carried a spirit of unity, creativity, and authenticity. Now, many of the newer shops are overpriced, with quality that doesn’t match the cost, and an energy that feels disconnected from the roots that made this area special. Experiences like this are reminders that not every space that markets itself as “for us” truly represents us. Real community requires more than presence; it requires care, intention, and respect. No, I will no longer be supporting Ora, and I will not be advising other people to do so. Many of my business partners, associates, and friends have supported them through me, as Leimert is my...