CAFE GRATITUDE IN DTLA’S ARTS DISTRICT SERVES UP DELICIOUS 100% ORGANIC VEGAN MEALS

We finally made it to the new Café Gratitude restaurant in the One Santa Fe complex in DTLA’s Arts District. Café Gratitude prides itself on serving 100% organic plant-based foods, so this place is a vegetarian and vegan’s dream come true. The restaurant itself is warm and welcoming. When you arrive you have your choice of seating at the bar, booth or table. We were seated in the middle of the restaurant surrounded my bright sunny windows. The service started out slow, but when the server finally made it to our table he was very friendly. We started by splitting the “Fulfilled” salad ($12). It was a great blend of mixed greens, carrots, beets, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts, avocado, teriyaki almonds and a flax cracker. It arrived with their fig balsamic dressing on the side. This salad was very fresh and clean tasting.

For our main course, my husband ordered the “Mucho” Mexican Bowl ($15). It was black beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, nopales, salsa verde, cashew nacho cheese, toasted pepitas, romaine with your choice of sprouted probiotic brown rice or quinoa. He chose the quinoa, and the pico de gallo on the side. We both loved this dish. It was delicious.

I ordered the “Awesome” Eggplant Parmesan Panini ($14). It was a herb-cornmeal crusted eggplant, marinara sauce, cashew ricotta, tomatoes, brazil nut parmesan, arugula and basil on grilled panini bread served with a side mixed green salad. Delicious.

We also ordered the “Refreshed” house made lemonade ($5), a perfect combination of fresh lemon juice, agave and sparkling water, and the “Refreshed” Shrub Soda ($5). The menu described the shrub soda as a fruit and vinegar maturation. Huh? Sounded interesting so I ordered it. I liked it. It was quite refreshing.

Neither my husband or I are vegetarian or vegan, but we are glad we gave this place a try. Once you eat at Café Gratitude you understand why people go out of their way to go to organic restaurants and markets. There really is a difference in the flavors of the food. Am I ready to go vegetarian or vegan? Don’t get crazy, but I will happily to go Café Gratitude again soon.