Nestled between hip art galleries and coffee shops is a 13,500 square foot vegan paradise in downtown Los Angeles called The Springs. This vegan café and juice bar* meets yoga studio and state-of-the-art spa would make any West-sider brave the 10. The holistically assembled desert oasis theme reminds one a bit of the oh-so-cool Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.
Every dish is so elegantly prepared and served, boasting the freshest plant-based ingredients that would delight even a carnivore’s palate. Each course I tried impressed upon the other with artful presentation, pairing perfectly with crafted cocktails of the finest ingredients that tickled the taste buds.
The time and attention that goes into each dish is exemplified by the Raw Cheese Plate, decorated with a grainy mustard and delicately spiced crackers that were carefully dehydrated for 3 days. The Mushroom Ceviche has the most delightful textures with a hint of lime. The Curried Cauliflower Samosas are so spectacular that you may need two orders of them.
If there is one thing above all that should be tried, it is the Spaghetti Alla Carbonara. Perfectly soaked kelp and zucchini noodles adorned with black pepper cream, smoked coconut bacon, peas, asparagus, mint, a perfectly shaped coconut yolk and black olive oil all come together in divine harmony.
The salads come in large bowls, allowing one to share or just revel in one giant flavorful gift of nature. Chef Michael Falso mastered the vegan Caesar salad, adorned with Parmesan and using a combination of pine nuts and pure raw alchemy, along with fresh capers, that offer a burst of flavor in every bite. The Nacho Salad is the panacea for those craving south of the border flavors that are lacking in the LA vegan scene.
One delightful surprise after another, the finale was raw truffles coated in a tangy, sweet, freeze-dried raspberry powder. I was amazed by the sweet pea ice cream with strawberries decorated with pea shoots.
For those without the time for a whole food experience, the juice and smoothie menu will vortex you in. The S’more (banana, cacao powder, cacao nibs, maca, cinnamon, vanilla powder, thai chili, maple syrup) or The Horchata (almonds, filtered water, oats, dates, cinnamon, vanilla, pink salt) are examples of the inventive possibilities.
The Springs is on the top of my list of vegan restaurants. The passion and care that owners Jared Stein and Kimberly Helm have poured into this paradise for the health-conscious is so greatly appreciated and welcomed. I don’t make it downtown often, with the Westside being the mecca of vegan and raw vegan restaurants. It wasn’t hearing a dozen or so vegan Westsiders say how much they loved The Springs that got me there. It was the expression on their faces when they said it. Now that I have had a taste of The Springs, my trips downtown will definitely be more frequent.
*read more about their occasional use of honey here
About the author: Tricia Eastman is a pioneer in the age of the “spiritual makeover” with a mission to inspire others to live healthier lives in every way. Eastman incorporates alternative healing modalities along with medicinal foods into her programs and events. As recognized leader in the health industry, Eastman has consulted the top destination spas to develop treatments and lifestyle programs, bringing 10 years of combined work co-creating with conscious brands.
Eastman truly embodies LOHAS in all aspects of her life and passionately supports the movement, especially in her writing. Eastman’s work has been published in over 12 major publications such as Happycow.com, Elephant Journal, ehow, and about.com.
To learn more about her work, please visit www.lovejuju.com
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