Outpost Kitchen

Sometimes the best surprises are found off the beaten path.  That’s the case with one of the latest restaurant discoveries to find their way to the Grow in Wellness list of approved restaurants, Outpost Kitchen.

This Aussie-inspired restaurant is a gem of a find. Their original location is on Monrovia Avenue in Costa Mesa (a second location is underway on Bristol Street, also in Costa Mesa).

This restaurant might be small, but it delivers in a big way.  Outpost Kitchen is passionate about food and where it comes from.  They work with local farms, butchers, bakers and coffee roasters to ensure that everything they serve upholds their passion for living well and providing the best quality meals, without sacrificing taste.

They serve mostly organic, local grown produce that rotates with the seasons. Their eggs come from pastured chickens and their meats come from Electric City Butcher, who provide high quality meats from sustainable farmers and humanely raised animals. Their small space provides an open kitchen for transparency, which also makes it fun to peer into while you eat to watch them make delicious meals from scratch.

And when I say delicious, I mean delicious.  Deciding what to eat could possibly be the most challenging decision of your day. For breakfast, the Aussie Style Scramble hits the spot with a combination of crisp prosciutto, spinach and roasted tomato served with toasted flatbread topped with avocado. Speaking of avocados, the Avocado on Toast is also fantastic and comes with harissa and peppadew pesto and house ricotta alongside a herb salad with grapefruit reduction. Their breakfast smoothies are a perfect side to any of their menu items. 

If lunch is more your thing, then there are just as many mouth-watering options to choose from. Creative combinations like the Eagle & Pig sandwich (balsamic pulled pork, pear relish, charred scallion aioli, watercress and Humboldt Fog), the STH Straddie Taco or Lamb “Gyro”. Vegetarian options include Spaghetti Squash with Meatless Balls, and Carrot Fennel Soup. For you pescatarians, try the Outpost Salmon with its Thai flavors. 

Outpost kitchen also has gluten-free treats. In fact, they have no in-house flour.  All their muffins are gluten free and the few gluten containing pastries they do offer, come from a trusted outside baker. Need some organic coffee to go with your cashew-kiwi muffin? They have that, too.  They use only olive oil and expeller pressed grapeseed oil in their kitchen and when it comes to sweetening, there are no refined sugars, only raw. They have no freezers, so you know freshness is a priority. 

They don’t take reservations, so plan your visit around down times, or plan to wait.  It will be worth it, I promise.

(Review originally posted on Thrive & Dine)  

The Fermentation Farm

One of Grow in Wellness’s favorite farms is The Fermentation Farm. This might be the funniest sounding farm you’ve ever heard of, but don’t let that stop you from checking out this gem of a healthy food find.

Let me back up for a moment and talk about fermented foods before I go any further. Fermented foods are naturally full of probiotics and when we consume probiotic foods, it’s good for our gut, and ultimately, our health. You have probably heard of some fermented foods: sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, traditional yogurts, and miso, to name a few.  Fermented foods are also called traditional foods because they have been around for centuries and are found in a myriad of cultures (think Roman, Indian, Russian, Asian).  The process in which foods are fermented has a lot to do with their health benefit and probiotic balance.

Dr. Yasmine Mason created Fermentation Farm in 2014 with the vision of building a strong community of people who share a passion for handcrafted, traditional foods and drinks. Their nourishing products are made with only the best fresh ingredients. Local. Organic. Densely nutritious. Always.

While it is possible to make your own fermented foods, it is also possible to have someone make them for you and this is where a visit to The Fermentation Farm is worth a stop.  They have handcrafted, fermented foods and drinks from local and organic sources. If fermented veggies are your thing, they have several to choose from (how does garlic sauerkraut sound? How about a fermented chimichurri?). The “Farm” has made-from-scratch bone broth - both to take home and use later, or to simply have a cupful while you are there. If you are a yogurt lover then you don’t want to miss their “zingy coconut yogurt”.  They also sell viili, a live, active mother culture for making zingy yogurt at home.  It’s easier than you think and the end result is absolutely delicious!

The Fermentation Farm also sells a few other kitchen staples, from eggs and bone broth to sprouted flours and nuts. You can buy sourdough culture that fed with organic sprouted wheat flour to make your own sourdough bread at home and if you want to make your own kombucha at home, the Fermentation Farm offers  SCOBY for purchase. This is a membership-based shop and $5 buys you a monthly membership or $25, a lifetime membership.

And as I was saying earlier, it is possible to make your own fermented foods and the Fermentation Farm can help you with that. Each month they offer classes on how to make your own kombucha, zingy yogurt, bone broth or fermented vegetables and most include a take home sample. Check out their class calendar for more details.

If you don’t already incorporate fermented foods into your eating, we hope you’ll give them a try. The Fermentation Farm is a great place to start.  And if you already benefit from fermented foods as a part of your regular routine, we hope that you’ll add the Fermentation Farm as a resource for some of the best quality, flavor-filled fermented foods for you and your family.

(Review originally posted on Thrive & Dine )

Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens

While most restaurants are eagerly anticipated to a certain degree, I don’t think there has been one that has come close in recent years to the popular restaurant at Roger’s Gardens called Farmhouse.

This rustic, open-air restaurant is the latest creation by Chef Rich Mead of Sage fame.  Chef Mead has a loyal following from his days of cooking up delicious meals at Sage in a tiny neighborhood shopping center in Newport Beach, but I would have to guess that even the most loyal of followers had no idea the Farmhouse would be such a big hit.

It’s more than the rustic, upscale, farmhouse design that combines unfinished wood and simple chandeliers against the greenery of Roger’s Gardens that makes this restaurant a pleasure to dine in. This is a “sustainable field-to-fork dining experience”. The food is what really makes it a wonderful place, especially if you seek fresh, organic, locally produced and procured foods prepared with creativity for each season’s bounty.  At Farmhouse “everything we do has a story behind it”, like the salmon from Skuna Bay, PEI (Prince Edward Island) mussels and grass fed beef from Brandt Farms, where every aspect of beef production is under their direction.

The real highlight, though, is the vegetables. Twice a week Chef Rich heads to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market where they select the best produce they can find from farmers that they have built a relationship with. It's 100% organic produce, with a large part of it coming from award winning Weiser Family Farms. If you don’t believe you can taste the difference in a vegetable that is locally and organically grown, then let the creations of the Farmhouse change your mind.

I’ve been to Farmhouse many times and so I have been able to try several items on the menu.  All of the items I tried were delicious. The freshness of the ingredients is evident not only by the beautiful colors on your plate, but also in every bite you take.  In some cases, like the Chopped Grilled Vegetable Salad and The Farmhouse Vegetable Plate, you get the best of the season’s vegetables, cooked to perfection and accentuated by additions of flavors from pomegranates, or freshly made pesto.  The Panko Crusted Icelandic Cod is mouth-watering delicious and comes with Asian vegetables. The Herb Roast Jidori Chicken is a healthy version of comfort food and the Roasted Carrots with Burrata changed my mind on how good carrots can taste.  For all of you salmon lovers out there, the Grilled Pomegranate Glazed Salmon Salad on the lunch menu is a must–try. I have yet to find something on the menu I didn’t like.

They have a good selection of wines and beer and offer some creative signature cocktails.  I liked the Dark Ages, a mix of amaro, carpano antica and bourbon.  Every now and again I save room for dessert and if that’s how you roll, then the Vanilla Bean Pot de Crème (with lemon thyme shortbread) is worth the splurge.

The menu will change throughout the year to stay current with serving the freshest produce of each season. Plan ahead (you’ll need a reservation) to visit the Farmhouse and go hungry… there are lots of delicious items waiting for you. 

(Review originally posted on 2/2/17)

Le Pain Quotidien Review →

Le Pain Quotidian, which is based in Brussels, is reminiscent of a bright and open European café, with a friendly, warm feel. Their seasonal menus are organic and sustainable and always fresh daily (no freezing) with an abundance of vegan and gluten-free choices. The fresh salmon is wild, tuna is pole caught, and they offer free-range, organic chicken and eggs. I've had the opportunity to taste breakfast, lunch and dinner and I’m very impressed with the menu variety and great flavors.

With an in-house artisan bakery you are guaranteed wonderful fresh breads and beautiful pastries. Their restaurant name translates from French to be “daily bread”. For all you "bread lovers", they only use organic stoned-ground flour with just four ingredients: flour, starter, water and salt. If you have a desire to learn their delicious and nutritious bread-making and pastry-making secrets, baking classes are regularly available. You can check out the Mommy and Me baking classes as well.

They recently started serving a nutty gluten-free bread that's the best I’ve ever had, super moist, full of flavor…its addictive! The chia seed muffins, made with coco powder, organic flour, yogurt, banana and vanilla extract are really yummy as well.

One of the more popular items is the avocado toast with organic soft boiled eggs (optional) and topped with fresh cherry tomatoes, herbs and a side of fresh spring greens. Additionally the grilled chicken cobb salad, quinoa cake or the great variety of tartines like the grilled chicken tartine with smoked mozzarella cheese are all amazingly good.

There are two very cool reclaimed wood communal tables centered in the restaurant for fun connecting with others. If you’re a dog lover or enjoy eating al fresco, there's a dog friendly outdoor patio with a lovely view out to the Pacific Ocean. 

(Review originally posted 7/28/16)

True Seasons Organic Kitchen

At Grow in Wellness we get excited when we find a restaurant that has made the commitment to serve all organic food and also tastes delicious.   We read about True Seasons restaurant’s commitment to 100% organic, locally sourced with sustainability in mind so we went to Anaheim to check it out.

Most of the seating is at the wrap-around bar with burners at each place for ordering the hot pot (which is also known as shabu-shabu). We started with an appetizer, the garlic spicy edamame with truffle oil.  Wow, it was delicious.  For the main course we decided to try a hot pot since that is what they are known for.  All the broths are made in-house and are gluten-free.  We ordered two different hot pots (one with spicy miso broth and one regular miso broth) both with chicken and farm fresh vegetables.  The hot pots are served with organic, brown rice along with two dipping sauces - pomegranate acai and sesame sauce.  The vegetables came out like they were just picked them from a garden, they were beautiful and fresh.  

In addition to the hot pots the restaurant also serves wraps, bowls, salads, smoothies and gelato, popsicles and shaved ice.  The restaurant even has a special machine to make organic, cold-pressed sugar-cane juice, something the owner remembers from her own childhood.

Chef and owner Saifon Plewtog, takes farm to table to the next level.  She goes to the organic farms where she personally knows the farmer and picks out the best in-season vegetables to use for her restaurant.  All produce is 100% organic, the seafood is wild-caught, and there are grass-fed beef cuts. True Seasons can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions from vegan, gluten-free and other allergies, while still providing high-quality and healthy meat options.  

We had the opportunity to speak with Saifon.  She is incredibly humble and passionate, even felt called from God to serve non-GMO, pesticide-free, healthy food.  She understands that food is healing and our bodies depend on what we put in them.  She says she “would never serve anything that she wouldn’t eat herself.”  Her love of sharing the value of healthy, organic food is a big part of her community outreach.  

Saifon started the Free Pantry, a non-profit soup kitchen that provides organic food to low-income families and the elderly.  They have a free farmers market once a month in Costa Mesa. Along with free, organic produce, visitors can receive prayer, or a listening ear with lots of love. Kids are encouraged to participate in biblically themed arts and crafts while their parents go through the market.  

You feel good eating in her restaurant knowing you are supporting her charitable efforts while you eat a delicious meal.  It is inspiring to see a chef passionate about the quality of food being served to the patrons as well as making this food available for the underprivileged, the food God meant for “all” of us to thrive on.  

(Review originally posted on 1/26/17)

Active Culture Natural Foods Cafe

Active Culture, Natural Foods Café and Yogurt, is a family owned restaurant with two locations in South Orange County - Laguna Beach, and San Clemente.  Active Culture believes you can live healthier and happier by putting better food into your body, which is their mission statement on their welcome board.  They embrace their community of beach goes, yogis, outdoor enthusiasts, families, and on-the-go people, with a relaxing environment that offers simple, organic food that tastes great.  

This is an informal, order at the counter establishment.  Menu items include breakfast and lunch bowls, bagels, (including a sprouted bagel option), salads, wraps,  soup, smoothies and shakes.  When you first walk in, you feel like you are in a frozen yogurt shop. They have a self-serve frozen yogurt bar with many of the typical sugar-laden toppings.  However, the food they serve is really delicious and organic.  Even the frozen yogurt is certified organic.  (Just a note, not all the yogurt flavors are organic so be sure to ask which flavors are not.)  

The bowls are a favorite menu item.  They have several to choose from, but the wholesome bowl is my favorite, a blend of organic ingredients including black and red beans, cheddar cheese, cabbage and their famous vegan OG sauce. The OG stands for organic goodness, made with olive oil, lemon and a secret spice blend.  

If you have a sweet tooth and want something cold but can’t eat dairy, then you have come to the right place.  The shakes are not made with ice cream, but instead made with their frozen coconut base, which is vegan, gluten-free and soy-free.  The moonlight mint shake’s fresh mint perfectly complements the dark chocolate and frozen coconut base and it is amazing!

Another popular menu item is the Naked Coconut Shake. It’s fantastic. It is like you are drinking “nothin’ but coconut” because, really, their coconut base is the star of this one.

The San Clemente location has more of a restaurant feel than the Laguna Beach location, with better seating and a nicer ambiance.  San Clemente also offers a few extra menu such as organic fresh juices, egg dishes and lentil burgers.   Both locations have options for vegans and gluten-free folks as well, which is clearly marked on the menu.  It is a mostly vegetarian restaurant.  They have a wonderful kids menu with several healthy items to choose from.  

Active Culture is environmentally friendly and they work toward reducing their carbon footprint.  From the utensils to plates, you can be assured it’s all 100% biodegradable and BPA free. Support for local vendors who share their values of keeping things organic and sustainable is part of their philosophy, too. 

Just a heads up, parking can be a challenge especially in the Laguna Beach location.  Be patient though, it’s worth it.  

(Review originally posted 6/15/16)

Sejuiced Organic Juice Bar

Grow in Wellness is always on a mission to find a great local Juice Bar because most places suffer from a lack of organic ingredients.  Well, along came Sejuiced Superfood Juice Bar to our local Corona Del Mar community.  Once I met founder/owner Kelly Meeker, and learned that Sejuiced strives for all organic as much as possible, I immediately became a regular customer and big fan.  They offer super healthy, all organic, cold pressed juices, smoothies, salads and more.  

After speaking with Kelly, I completely understood her passion to do the right thing in providing the best superfood smoothies and cold pressed juices to her customers. I feel confident that her careful sourcing of organic, raw foods and ingredients is both unique and commendable.  They also provide all glass bottles for their juices and other various products, not only for environmental reasons, but also for our health.  Almost 95% of the Juice Bar competitors use BPA free plastic bottles for their cold pressed juices. It’s also great to know that Sejuiced pays their customers to return the glass containers for recycling.

Another secret about Sejuiced. . .  while most places just offer the same packaged bars that you can find anywhere, they have "raised the bar" with the most amazing healthy treats they call “naughty desserts”. They’re all made in-house with 100% raw ingredients and use only natural sugars such as dates, honey, dried coconut, cacao, agave or stevia.  These are indulgent desserts that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating and yes, they’re actually good for you. 

(review originally posted 12/8/16)

Urth Caffe Review

In 2015, in a famous, historical location in Laguna Beach, Urth Caffe made its Orange County debut.  Already a popular, well established restaurant in Los Angeles, this cafe, with roots as an organic coffee and tea spot, quickly grew in popularity in the place once known simply as The Cottage. 

Certified organic, sustainably grown coffee is the basis for Urth Caffe’s existence, but they have grown into a great destination for all-day dining.  Breakfast offers everything from oatmeal to omelettes, including some not-so-healthy options like pasties and waffles. Willpower may need to be used if you have a weakness for sweets. Salads are a lunchtime favorite, but sandwiches, panini and a few pizzas are also on the menu. On our lunchtime visit we had a few salads and the quiche. The Urth’s Farmer’s salad had shaved fennel, artichoke hearts, red onions and tomatoes with radishes, pecans and spinach tossed in a peppercorn dressing.  A grilled chicken breast was added on top.  The hearty fruit and nut bread on the side was a great compliment to the flavors of the salad.  The Urth Salad takes a Mediterranean approach and combines feta, Kalamata olives, hearts of palm, garbanzo beans and pine nuts in a tangy vinaigrette. And finally, the bacon and leek quiche with a side salad was a great way to make a breakfast staple into a hearty lunch. 

Urth Caffe puts together menu items that keep health in mind and are crowd pleasers,too. Their salad greens are organic and when organic vegetables are not available, they purchase locally grown produce.  The fish is wild caught.  They have a wonderful selection of pastries and baked goods that are made with natural sugars and are baked fresh daily. With several locations to choose from, the newest addition in Orange has a great historical vibe to the architecture… worth a visit for sure.

(review originally posted 3/24/17)

La Sirena Grill

In California, there are hundreds of Mexican food restaurants ranging from the very small and authentic establishments to large chains, with everything in between.  Californians love their Mexican food, and so do we here at Grow in Wellness. 

So, what sets La Sirena Grill apart from the other Mexican restaurants out there?   La Sirena brands themselves, as “the mex-eco eatery.”   They use quality ingredients from local, organic farms and use sustainable practices.  Their motto is “to preserve the planet, minimize waste, and maximize sustainability while serving outstanding food.”  They serve grass-fed beef, organic free-range chicken, all natural pork, sustainable seafood and wild caught salmon. They also use organic greens, organic eggs and even organic milk for the horchata.  

La Sirena Grill uses only trans-fat free oil and does not use lard in making their beans.  The restaurant’s effort for sustainability goes beyond the menu with earth-friendly to-go packaging and their menus are printed on 100% recycled paper with soy-based ink. 

 It’s a casual, “order at the counter” restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere.  The restaurant uses reclaimed wood in the dining room and there is bench seating outside.  The South Laguna Beach location has about 20 craft beers on tap and most are from local breweries, which are changed daily.  

This is all wonderful, but how does the food taste?  The food is very good.  A favorite item is the blackened wild salmon salad.  Made with organic mixed greens, avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, papaya salsa and roasted bell peppers with lime-cilantro dressing.  The delicious papaya salsa adds a slight sweetness and cools down the spice of the blackened salmon.  The avocado lime salad is another very popular dish made with a variety of vegetables, crispy onions and your choice of protein.  

They have traditional Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, taquitos, burritos, tacos, fajitas and tortas.  They also have a nice variety at the salsa bar including mild to spicy salsa and fresh cilantro, onions, lime wedges and the spicy jalapeno carrots.

All the vegetarian items on the menu can be made vegan.  The pinto and black beans are cooked slow and seasoned, without using lard.  Dishes are made with pure vegetable stock instead of beef or chicken.  

The freshness and quality of each dish is evident in every bite, which is the ultimate in “fresh-Mex.” There are four locations, two in Laguna Beach, one in Irvine and one in El Segundo.  It is definitely a healthy option worth trying for all you Mexican food lovers out there.  

(review originally posted 11/30/16)

Tru Bru Organic Coffee Roasters

For most of us, mornings and coffee go hand-in-hand.  It seems that we cannot wake up properly without our morning brew to give us that nudge we need to start our day.  

 We pride ourselves on choosing healthy and organic foods, but have we considered our coffee? Coffee is the third most pesticide sprayed, agricultural crop in the world behind cotton and tobacco. Tru Bru Coffee’s owner, Suely, is passionate about health and having an earth conscious approach to life and business.  She wants to provide her patrons with the “truest” form of coffee as well as organic, wholesome food, fresh pastries and beverages.  This health conscious, coffee lover’s coffee shop is in Orange across from Santiago Canyon College. With free wifi and a cozy setting, it is a popular spot for students and business people.

Suely grew up in Sao Paolo, Brazil where coffee is part of the culture. She understands that good-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans make the very best tasting coffee to drink. That is what she wants her patrons to experience.  The beans are sourced from only the highest quality organic coffee beans from around the world and roasted in small batches. “The coffee bean is a perishable food and a few days after being roasted starts to lose some of its flavor, aroma, health benefits and the qualities that are unique to it” says Suely. The exact freshness is often debated, but the general consensus is that 7-10 days after roasting, the coffee starts to lose its freshness. 

All café items are non-GMO and organic.  They serve organic 2% milk, almond, coconut-almond and hemp milk.  They do not serve soymilk. The breakfast menu includes a breakfast burrito, breakfast sandwich, avocado toast, breakfast scramble and oatmeal.  Lunch items include organic salads and sandwiches and a daily soup. 

 They carry the same commitment to quality in their bakery.  Their dessert and pastries are baked fresh on site everyday using only the finest ingredients.  The owner strives to have Tru Bru Coffee be a reflection of the wholesome, organic, nutritious way of life she lives and enjoys. Her vision is reflected in everything, from high quality coffee to healthy food, that Tru Bru Cafe offers.  

(review originally posted 12/28/16)

Mendocino Farms Review

One of the best things to happen to the healthy, casual restaurant scene in Orange County lately is the addition of L.A.'s popular Mendocino Farms. My first taste of this awesome sandwich and salad shop was while visiting my oldest, who attended college near the Marina Del Rey location. It is more than just a trendy place for college kids to grab a sandwich or salad; it is a great place to dine on fresh ingredients with awesome flavors.

It's an “order first, sit down, have your food delivered to you” kind of place. Concrete floors and rustic wood planking add charm to the atmosphere, right down to the “Eat Happy” Sign. 

Mendocino Farms partners with regional farms to keep The Mendocino Farms menu full of seasonally fresh ingredients. They use artisan breads for their sandwiches and their chicken comes exclusively from free-range providers Pitman Farms and Petaluma Poultry.  Their pork and turkey are antibiotic free and humanely raised. They have vegan and vegetarian options and they offer gluten free bread. Drake Family Farms supplies their dairy related items. They use organic produce whenever possible. These key components not only support a healthy body, they support local farms and a movement toward conscientious eating.

The menu has a variety of choices with creations that reflect the foods of faraway places (how about a Thai Spring Salad, Samosa Dosa or Pork Belly Bahn Mi?) as well as more familiar favorites that have been creatively upgraded with great ingredients: the Sophisticated Chicken & Prosciutto Salad adds market roasted vegetables and fresh mozzarella and their version of a BLT involves carved balsamic-glazed steak and roasted tomatoes on pretzel bread.  There is a weekly Chef’s Pick and they rotate a portion of their menu seasonally to take advantage of each growing season.

 Hungry yet? Head to the Farm and let us know what your favorites are!

(review originally posted 6/15/16)

Seabirds Kitchen Review

Some of the most delicious things I’ve eaten were from menu descriptions that didn’t tell the whole story. Spend some time at Seabirds Kitchen and you’ll know what I am talking about. 

The menu offerings are created from organic, plant based and seasonal ingredients that include a wide variety of flavors and, whether you decide to eat lunch or weekend brunch, nearly everything will make your taste buds happy.  They use organic ingredients as often as possible; always local, in season, fruits and vegetables, too.  They skip the inflammatory oils and instead use rice bran oil and filtered lemon water for cooking and steaming. 

Let’s talk taste! The Old Town Grilled Cheese is so delicious, it’s hard to believe that it’s dairy free. The perfect blend of cashew “gruyere”, basil avocado sauce and “provolone” grilled between two slices of sourdough, it gives a whole new meaning to comfort food.

The Burnt Brussels Sprouts are roasted with garlic, lime and dijon and their organic broccolini has its own flavorful twist with the addition of pickled peanuts.  The Butternut Enchiladas are tasty as is the Sourdough Flatbread which is simply topped with squash blossoms, garlic chili oil and maldon salt.  BUT, the show stopper (as far as I’m concerned) is the Beer Battered Avo Taco. I first tasted these from the Seabirds Food Truck and fell in love at first bite. These beer battered, fried avocados with lime, cabbage and creamy Seabirds sauce are my favorite menu item and one of their most popular as well.

Seabirds also offers fresh kombucha that is locally made and on tap (this is also on the menu with ice cream as the Cha Cha float and in the Cha Cha Mosa with a splash of prosecco) and they have craft beers, too. 

If you already like vegan food, you won’t be disappointed in what Seabirds has to offer, and if you are not yet a believer that recipes made without animal products can be delicious and satisfying, then go out on a limb and give Seabirds Kitchen a try. The hardest part will be trying to decide which menu item you like best. 

Locations: South Coast Plaza (Crystal Court), the LAB in Costa Mesa and Long Beach.

(review originally posted 8/11/16)

Taco Maria Review

To be a resident of Southern California is also to be a connoisseur of Mexican food.  Well, that may not exactly be the case, but just travel to other places and you’ll quickly realize that Southern California has some of the best Mexican food restaurants that anyone could ask for.  It’s not hard to find a greasy taco or an overstuffed, lard infused burrito, they are plentiful, but getting your “fix” of Mexican food that tastes delicious and is healthy, too, is a little trickier.

This find already has a loyal following and quite a reputation for fresh, mouth watering dishes that elevate Mexican food to a whole new level. We’re talking about Taco Maria, located in the OC Mix at SoCo Collection on Hyland St. in Costa Mesa.

Having dined there for both lunch and dinner they are two very different experiences, yet each delivers a meal that will keep you coming back for more. Michelin-starred chef Carlos Salgado opened Taco Maria in 2013 with the goal of honoring his family’s culture through Mexican inspired cuisine. He’s esteemed by some of the best culinary minds in both California and Mexico. They use ingredients and flavors that come from using the best quality produce available and recipes that combine a blend of Mexican and American influences. They use produce from local farms and humanely raised meat and fish from sustainable fishing practices. The heirloom hominy and masa are made in house from organic, heirloom corn.

If you are adventurous and like a full dining experience, then go to Taco Maria for dinner.  It’s a splurge, but the prix-fixe menu of four courses (with or without wine pairing) is worth it.  The menu changes seasonally and each dish served highlights the season’s bounty. 

If you are looking for a little more casual dining experience, then the a la carte menu available at lunch is recommended.  We started with the Betebeles a combination of beets, fennel, jalapeno, citrus, cucumber and avocado and the Quesadilla de Camaron which combines Mexican white shrimp with squash blossoms and Oaxaca cheese.  Both were delicious. We ordered a variety of tacos: the Jardineros (shiitake mushroom and potato), Mole de Pollo with the ancho-almond mole and the Pescado Frito, a whole new way to enjoy fish in a taco. The tortillas are made with an heirloom blue corn that Salgado brings up from Atlacomulco, Mexico...wonderful! Not your typical lists of ingredients, but the flavor combinations were fantastic. No matter which one we tried, each bite made us want another.  

The restaurant gets crowded at lunchtime, so go early or plan to wait. You won’t want to miss a chance to try all the wonderful flavors of Taco Maria.  Not just another Southern California Mexican restaurant… this one’s a step above. 

(review originally posted 7/13/17)

Thrive Juice Lab

When it comes to juicing, Thrive Juice Lab is the real “real thing”. “Real” meaning they use organic vegetables and fruit and then cold-press (no heat to destroy vitamins) to extract the juice and retain all the vital nutrients.  Vegetable juice is a liquid vitamin and it beats soda and sugar-laden coffee drinks any day.  Drinking green juice is a better idea, but If you want an optimal juicing experience, drinking juice for the health benefits, it should be 100% organic and freshly cold-pressed. 

Many juice companies are using the HPP (high-pressure pasteurization) process, which kills bacteria and allows for a longer shelf life, but the downfall is that it reduces the active enzymes, antioxidants and vitamins to the juice.  Because vegetable juice and smoothies are so popular now, many large corporations have jumped on the bandwagon including Coca Cola and Pepsi. Coca Cola owns the brand Odwalla juice and PepsiCo owns Naked juice and also has recently acquired the probiotic drink KeVita. These larger companies use the HPP method for a more shelf stable product.  Your best bet is finding a juice bar that does it right,  like Thrive Juice Lab, located in Newport Beach and Laguna Niguel. 

Thrive Juice Lab is a casual, all organic, juice and wellness café. Their menu features juices, smoothies, wellness shots, bowls and salads.  Organic coffee and loose leaf tea are offered as well.  Feel like it’s time to do a cleanse?  They offer that service, too. Everything they carry is organic and gluten-free. Their menu items and cleanses are specially created with the help of raw food chefs and certified nutritionists.  

The salads, wellness shots and juices are made fresh daily and can be found in their open refrigerator section.  Kombucha and various other items, including “healthy” desserts, can also be found there.  Smoothies and bowls are made to order with either sprouted almond milk or coconut milk. They do offer a curbside delivery service if you call in your order 5-10 minutes ahead.   They offer many superfood boosters you can add to your smoothie. 

Thrive Juice Lab is proud to be a “farm to cup” establishment and takes pride in serving high quality products.  When you drink one of their juices, you feel the healing power of the pure and simple ingredients.  Your cells drink up the green elixir of vitamins, minerals and enzymes immediately. I love their Green Wonder smoothie, which has spinach, kale, banana, apple, lemon and sprouted almond milk. It helps me feel nourished and ready to take on the day.  How about you?  Have you noticed a boost in energy by adding green juice to your diet?

(review originally posted 4/7/17)

Urban Plates Review

Do you already know about Urban Plates? With Orange County locations in Brea, Irvine, the Tustin Marketplace, and Aliso Viejo, Urban Plates is a great place to eat a healthy meal that looks and tastes like it was made at home.  It may even taste better than homemade if you are a bad cook (wink-wink).

Urban Plates has a mission to bring ingredients with a purpose, sustainably sourced proteins and made from scratch cooking, to a restaurant environment.  You can dine on the same healthy choices you would cook at home without all the clean up. 

Urban Plates (UP) selects proteins that come from sustainable sources: grass fed beef, Jidori chicken and wild-farmed fish and salmon. Some of their main entrees go beyond a simply cooked protein but still keep to “cooked like home” creations, like with the Turkey Meatloaf, Red Curry Chicken Braise and the Roasted Root Vegetable Braise.

Vegetarians will smile here since UP offers an abundance of satisfying vegetable dishes, many which are organic.  You can load your plate with a variety of delicious sides like their harissa cauliflower and zucchini, roasted Brussels sprouts, miso mushroom sweet potato sauté or roasted rosemary potatoes from their hot sides. Or choose from cold sides that include beet and goat cheese salad, sweet potato-kale quinoa, and kelp noodles with tamari and ginger.  Hot main dishes include vegetarian curry, roasted portobello mushroom and roasted root vegetable braise.  They also offer vegetarian soups.  

UP offers a “Family Meals for 4” where you get a main course, two large sides and grilled rustic bread wrapped up and ready for take out (or delivery when available). If you plan right, you can trick your family and pretend you made dinner.

The “plates” part of their menu is the best choice for a meal that feels like home.  You choose your protein, two sides and the option of a chargrilled slice of rustic bread. They have a dozen salads, several sandwiches and a few comfort food items to choose from as well.  If you are vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or dairy free, the menu is labeled for easy selection.  Paleo eaters will be happy here, too.

The options at this casual dining place provide something for everyone, kids included. And the options aren’t boring, in fact, they may be more flavorful that what you would cook at home: like a kimchee aioli that can top your chicken or grass fed beef with a house-made chimichurri.  

The menu will change seasonally based on what the head chef finds when visiting their purveyors. They pass the test when it comes to oils, using only olive oil, extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil… right down to their salad dressings, which they make themselves.

One of the wonderful surprises about Urban Plates is their efforts to actively support the communities where they do business.  They support local schools, children’s hospitals, youth outreach programs and food and agriculture based programs through an application on their site.

Have you already eaten at Urban Plates? Plan to go soon? Either way, we want to hear what you like best from Urban Plates…. And it will give us an idea of what to try on our next visit.

(review originally posted June 2017)

True Food Kitchen Review

If you know anything about True Food Kitchen and healthy eating, you would probably think this review would be easy to write. In a way it is, but there are so many good things about this, my first love of healthy restaurants, that squeezing it all into a reasonable amount of space is quite the challenge.

Dr. Andrew Weil and restaurateur Sam Fox set out in 2008 to bring delicious, truly healthy ingredients to the public in a restaurant setting that celebrates more than what is on the plate. True Food Kitchen goes beyond flavorful recipes made from “True”, local, organic ingredients and provides diners with food and an environment that cares for our planet as well. Now with 14 locations, one which we are lucky enough to have in Orange County in Newport Beach. Each location uses locally sourced products and all follow Dr. Weil’s principles of the Anti Inflammatory Diet (make into hyperlink). They have vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options that even meat and cheese eaters would like.

The seasonal menu has been recently updated with new choices and reworked favorites. The portions are reasonable, so even after a few starters there is room for a main course. Seasonal pizzas showcase everything from wild mushroom and roasted asparagus to house-made chicken sausage. Gluten free crusts are available. There are unique sandwich inventions: the TLT (tempeh, lettuce, tomato) and the Inside Out Quinoa Burger, which uses quinoa patties as a bun and is filled with hummus tzatzki and other fresh goodies. For you meat lovers, they also offer a grass-fed beef burger (yay!). They have creative entrees such as Sustainable Seabass that has a delicious umami sauce and one of my favorites, a Spaghetti Squash Casserole. But the newest update to the menu is the Bowls section where you can find Panang Curry, Teriyaki Quinoa, and my newest favorite, the Ancient Grains bowl (a mix of miso glazed sweet potatoes, charred onion, snow peas, grilled portabello, avocado and hemp seeds). So maybe by now you’re feeling a little full, but don’t pass on the dessert! It’s as close to guilt-free as you can get and again, the seasons make an appearance here. Fall brings a twist on pumpkin pie with their squash pie topped with coconut cream and the flourless chocolate cake is always a fan favorite. Before I send you off to go find your own True Food Kitchen favorites, I have to add that it’s also a great place for drinks. House infused, organic alcohols with seasonal creations such as the Thai Grapefruit Martini and a Citrus Skinny Margarita are delicious. They have craft beers and organic wines, too.

The menu provides so many great choices you’ll find yourself wanting to come back for a second visit long before the first one is over. Or maybe you’ll like it so much you want to eat at ALL their locations? That sounds like a great “bucket list” item. True Food Kitchen… “Honest food that tastes really good”.

(review originally posted 10/22/16)