ELF CAFÉ

Los Angeles might be over-saturated with vegetarian and health food restaurants, but Elf Café in Echo Park, serves delicious vegetarian food that is unlike anything else in the entire city.

This tiny Middle-Eastern/Mediterranean influenced restaurant turns out heaping plates of delectable rich flavors from their small, open kitchen. Favorites include Phyllo Tomato Tarts, Moroccan Vegetable Tagines, braised Portobello mushrooms, and one of the house favorites, a Chickpea Crepe filled with spinach, cheese and topped with chevre butter.

Don’t miss their dreamy desserts made fresh daily by local pastry chef Stephen Hauptfuhr. Tarte Tartin topped with pistachios and heavy cream, or the incredibly rich and decadent chocolate mousse made with coconut, avocados and raw cacao.

2135 W. Sunset Blvd      (213) 484-6829

M CAFÉ DE CHAYA

M Café de Chaya changes what is normally thought of as macrobiotic cuisine. Corporate executive chef, Shigefumi Tachibe has created a mouth-watering menu that Angelenos have been dreaming about, representing their healthy California lifestyle.

Relax in the European setting, and enjoy a balanced, nutritious, and creative cuisine prepared fresh daily. The dishes exclude any traces of refined sugars, eggs, dairy, meat or poultry. Lunch is the time to see and be seen, where young, beautiful and health conscious locals chow down favorites such as the popular Kale with spicy peanut dressing, Seafood Sushi platters, and The Big Macro Burger— a wholegrain brown rice & vegetable burger, with soy mozzarella. The wraps and salads are nothing short of heavenly.

Babycakes, non-gluten cupcakes, complete the guilt-free gastronomical power lunch with a smile.

7119 Melrose Avenue     (323) 525-0588