Did I mention I LOVE COFFEE???!

Random? Well, I really really REALLY love coffee.  Pure, black, straight-up, no sugar, no milk, nada, just the good strong black italian stuff. yum.

So I was at the Americana in Glendale today and found this adorable, authentic espresso set for sale at the cafe (Deluca's Italian Deli) that we had lunch. FYI, Deluca's has great food as well, and good vegetarian (some prepared vegan foods from the deli case) options.  Check out the menu here: http://delucasdeli.com/menu.html (I ordered the combo salad option: Capponata, Insalata di Farro, and a Wild Rice Salad with Marcona Almonds)

Anyways, I had to make me some espresso AS SOON AS I stepped foot into the house, and I did... So how was it?

Well, I love coffee, the stronger the better, so I felt the espresso fell a little flat in terms of strength and depth of flavor.  It was still good and enjoyable, but I think I'm gonna head out and get me some fresh Italian espresso beans and grind them up myself, to get the best espresso experience!

Either way, this machine is adorable, easy-to-use, and gave me an old-school, European feeling that I loved.... So...very glad I got it and plan to use it DAILY :)

BABYCAKES - DTLA

YUM! YUM! YUMMMMM!!!

Chocolate Dipped Mini Donut, Brownie, Red Velvet Cupcake

BASICALLY, if you haven't been here yet, GET YOUR BUTT HERE ASAP! IT'S AWESOME!  (although, I must admit, the red velvet cupcake wasn't moist at all.  The frosting kinda made up for it...) Usually, EVERYTHING IS BOMB, but def give the WAFFLES, BROWNIES, AND DONUTS A SHOT....YUM ATTACK CENTRAL!!!!

Mendocino Farms - Downtown LA

I'm tired so I'm going to get straight to the point: THIS PLACE IS CUTE. ADORABLE. CROWDED. AND IT HAS PRETTY DARN GOOD FOOD. 

This was on my "food bucket list" and I'm glad I was able to make it out for lunch. I ordered the "My Vegan Trip Through India" and it was HEFTY.  I could only eat half of it but it was pretty good, a little heavy (if I had to make any criticism) but good nonetheless.

This place offers 2 VEGAN SANDWICH OPTIONS and it also had 2 prepared salad options that were both PHENOMENAL! One black eyed pea salad and one spinach salad.   I was also informed that they usually offer 1 VEGAN SOUP, although they didn't have one today :(

The food is GOOD and definitely worth a shot.  Next time I go I will be trying the mexican style sandwich and maybe some vegan chili and I'll let yall know how that goes...

Figueroa Produce Market - Highland Park

I was in downtown LA today for some work/school stuff and decided that it would be the perfect time to make that long-overdue trip out to Figueroa Produce in the Highland Park area of LA.  So, it's FAR, really FAR, and it's tucked into this tiny little store in a huge shopping center.

After I finally found it and went in, I saw what a cute, charming little local market this actually was.  I made my rounds through the aisles: fresh produce, lots of vegan/vegetarian options, the famous match meats, jackfruit, non-cheese cheeses, cupcakes, breads, etc.  But I gotta be honest here, as EXCITED as I was to go there and get a vegan sub sandwich and the oh-so-famous jackfruit tamales, I couldn't get around the strong RAW BEEF smell permeating the store.  It really ruined my appetite and the experience for me, unfortunately...

They carry Dr. Cow, Teese, Daiya, and a few more...

Either way, I did pick up some stuff from the store (and enjoyed meeting the very nice owners of the place): 

I had tried both of these at the Natural Food Expo & was DYING to get my hand on some since!

SCOOPS Westide - Vegan Ice Cream

Scoops has opened up their second location on the westside near Culver City: 3400 Overland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034.  Here's their twitter: http://www.twitter.com/scoopswestside.


They make fresh batches of ice cream daily with weird/fun concoctions and they usually offer 2 non-dairy varieties as well!  Yesterday's were Non-Dairy Blueberry Pomegranate and Non-Dairy Coffee Hazelnut.  Honestly, BOTH WERE MAGNIFICENT! UNREAL! DELICIOUS! ARE YOU SURE THIS STUFF'S REALLY VEGAN?????

1 scoop is two flavors. Your first "scoop" is essentially two scoops.

I asked myself that couple times whilst stuffing my face with the good stuff.  And, yes, to our surprise and joy, IT IS 100% VEGAN!


So, go get you some and let me know how awesome it truly is :)

NEW Fresh Corn Grill - West Hollywood!

Fresh Corn Grill has been a favorite among Westsiders for the past few years since it opened in Westwood and now, to many people's (including myself's) excitement, they have opened their second location here in my neck of the woods: WEST HOLLYWOOD! Fresh Corn Grill boasts an awesome, clean, fresh American-style menu stocked with pizza, pasta (gluten-free option), salads, bowls, soups, veggie side dishes, ....

The food tastes great, and as a vegetarian you have MANY OPTIONS.  Here's a looksie at the menu:

VEGAN Options: BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP, FRESH CORN GRILL SALAD,  FRESH CORN TOSTADA SALAD (no cheese), GREEK SALAD (no cheese), GREEN SALAD, ALL SIDE DISHES, FRESH CORN VEGETABLE BOWL WITH TOFU, GRILLED VEGETABLE PASTA (GLUTEN FREE OPTION)

Went there yesterday and ordered some vegan stuff for myself, while my non-vegan fam ordered non-vegan, which they seemed to love (Sundried Tomato Pizza, Grilled Chicken Tacos, Grilled Chicken Sandwich).  Here are some pics:

Butternut Squash Soup

Fresh Corn Grill Salad

The soup was a bit too sweet for my taste, but still good enough to eat.  The salad WAS BOMB! Yummy, charred, smokey vegetables in a crisp salad with DELICIOUS DRESSING.... VERY GOOD! Also, my sister's side order of cabbage salad WAS DELISH! Cabbage with Grilled corn and basil...Great Combo!

All in all, great place for omnivores and herbivores...Definite Recommendation!