Monday, December 15, 2008

Ole! Ole Ole Ole!! Brasil, Brasil...


I have a secret desire to be Brazilian. With a culture full of sexy and beautiful things, Brazilians dance samba all night long, drink regularly, speak in gorgeous Portuguese that makes anything sound delightful, and eat everything with black beans, rice and plantains....they know how to live!

After moving to Culver City, I got a taste of my wish by visiting Café Brasil. This Venice Boulevard (near Overland) restaurant has an open-air patio during summer, and plastic cover with heat lamps in winter provide an outdoor seating feel year-round. Three televisions almost always have soccer playing, but you can barely hear it thanks to the festive music. Nighttime candlelight only adds to the mismatched tables and chairs that typically rock back and forth on an unleveled floor. They take no reservations and have no table service. Some of these potential shortcomings shift to adoration the second you take a bite of the food.

Order from the counter and friendly faces will guide you through their simple menu. Try the grilled chicken in Brazilian spices that offer more flavor than heat, savory Brazilian croquettes filled with meat and potatoes, or their traditional feijoada stew, cooked overnight with black beans, pork and beef. They serve no alcohol, but encourage store bought bottles of wine and beer. They'll provide the glasses with no corkage fee.

I can’t get enough of the grilled fish with traditional side orders. It’s one of the healthiest things you could ask for, but I opt out of the plantains for the collard greens and savor every bite of the black bean soup. Most of the menu offers healthy options. Brazilian diets are full of proteins and vegetables, and Café Brasil offers the best of grilled, lean meats, steamed vegetables and their Venice Beach salad is full of the kind of nutrients that a body needs.

On my last visit, another customer asked if I was Brazilian. Looks like I got my wish after all.

Café Brasil
Culver City
10831 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034

Washington Blvd Location:
11736 West Washington Blvd.

www.cafe-brasil.com

$15 per person

Monday, October 13, 2008

Restaurant Pick: Healthy, Delicious and Raw in the OC

Every couple of months or so, an errand takes me into Orange County. It’s a trek, so I break up the drive with a stop at my favorite raw vegan restaurant: the magnificent Au Lac. I make excuses to head there now, because it’s impossible to find food like this anywhere else.

There's an ongoing rumor about Au Lac's Chef Ito, that he hasn’t spoken in 10 years. I can’t confirm this because every time I ask, he smiles and walks away. The staff tells me Ito puts all of his energy into creating the food – which feels like two restaurants in one. With raw selections, and an almost vegan traditional Vietnamese menu, the choices are endless.

If you choose raw, bring your wallet and don't be in a rush. Au Lac provides organic, raw, high quality, meticulously prepared food. It takes a bit of time, so enjoy slowing down and order a beer, or the healthy favorite Kombucha – a Chinese fermented, effervescent tea.

If you’re starving, order from the vegan menu which can arrive on your table within minutes. But if you’re patient and dedicated to raw, try the Raw Hand Roll. It’s a simple mix of avocado, pistachio meat, original sauce and spices wrapped in nori. It sounds overly simple, but it's incredibly memorable.

I always go for the raw Curried Rice. They use a soaked natural rice filled with broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green olives, mushrooms and avocados with just a little bit of heat. You can’t go wrong with the “Taco,” which has crispy cabbage on the outside, a “cream” sauce made of pistachios, and added mushrooms, dill pickles, avocado, red bell pepper and coconut meat. Everyone recommended it, and I’m glad I listened because the combination of these ingredients makes for a hearty, filling, flavorful and healthy take on a Mexican dish.

My buddy insisted I try the Choconut Xtasy (pictured), even though I was stuffed thanks to their massive portions. But I ate the whole thing.


Anyone going to Orange County soon? We can use the carpool lane...


www.aulac.com
16563 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Closed Mondays



Read my 2005 summer-long journey into the raw world.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Restaurant Pick: Orean The Health Express


I'm proud to say that I'm from Pasadena. It's a fantastic city, complete with the Tournament of Roses Parade (I was even a Rose Princess), San Gabriel mountains, the legendary and beautiful Rose Bowl, and a jam-packed, grease-filled restaurant row.

KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, Roscoe's Chicken n Waffles, Carl's Jr and Taco Bell...they're all here in one city block. And nestled right between them is Orean: The Health Express.

Here's what Orean's is: vegetarian, lowfat fast food. AND IT'S TASTY.  It's easy to miss on Lake Avenue. They opened their doors in 1988, and clearly don't have a budget for decor. There's no indoor seating, only three outdoor picnic tables, and hand-written signs.

It's a little ghetto.

But what's fascinating is their menu...how could this run-down looking shack offer some of the most flavorful, inexpensive vegan food in all of LA?   There's not a drop of animal product on the premises, but there's a slew of fresh ingredients.  I've fooled ice cream lovers into trying what they thought was a regular vanilla shake...made entirely of soy and hundreds of calories and fat grams less than the golden arches alternative.   Then there's the favorite Big-O-Chilli Cheese Burger, or my husband's choice: the "Chick-un" Burger.  I've tried most of the menu, including their interesting take on a Mexican favorite called the African Tostada, a corn tortilla with a mix of blackeyed peas, salsa, tahineh, lettuce, tomatoes and soy cheese.  I'm addicted to their Philly Cheese Sandwich with Peppers and Green Onions and the Super Green Drink.  The "steak" has a wonderful finish with melted soy cheese, and the drink works on a hot day.

Let's be real, it's not particularly healthy.  No fast food is.  But when you can cut over 75% of fat (all from vegetable fat), oil and calories from a fast food craving - this can turn into a habit. Everytime I visit my hometown, I stop by and bring home some goodies that get eaten quickly...

It's right on Lake Avenue, just above the 210 Freeway. Here's where you can find out more: http://www.oreanshealthexpress.com/

Orean's Health Express
817 n. Lake Blvd
Pasadena, California
830am - 9pm
Walk-up & Drive-through!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Carb concerns? Not me...

Are you one of the carb obsessed? I don't worry too much about carbs...BUT I believe there are certain ones that are not so good for you. Wheat doesn't work for a number of reasons: with very little nutritional value, the body tends to have a hard time processing it aka "moving" it out. I've been living proof that eliminating it from my diet was one of the best things I could have done for myself. But then that leaves rice...

Which I can't live without! A good bowl of rice is the basis for so many of the dishes I love, and overall...it's a good ingredient. But eating it for every meal packs on the pounds. My wonderful specialists (Dr. Hakim Gochette and Carol White, RN) recommended toasting rice, which adjusts its makeup within your body, (GET THIS) from a carb to a protein.

And the flavor is delicious. It has a toasted flavor to it, and you can prepare it as you would any other rice dish. Take care to cook it for slightly less time than you would regular rice...otherwise, it might be a little mushy. I prepare a few cups worth, then store it in a glass container to be ready for use!

ROASTED RICE
Place any whole grain rice in a dry skillet, and over a medium heat...toast until golden brown. Some kernels may pop, but this is fine. Cool, store and and cook as needed, as you would regular rice.