Swingers - Los Angeles, CA

If you live in LA you've probably been to Swingers or at least heard of! This Diner has two locations, 802 Broadway in Santa Monica, CA (310) 393-9793 and 8020 Beverly Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA (323) 653-5858 both locations are open until very late 3AM Santa Monica and 4AM West Hollywood depending on days.
I used to go to Swingers somewhat frequently during the time when I used to stay up late, since this was a while ago, I hadn't been there in a long time and didn't remember what the menu options where. Recently in LA for a friend's band performance that ended late, feeling hungry I suddenly remembered that I used to make fun of the veggie burger at Swingers. Yeah, before I stopped eating meat, I used to think that if one wanted to eat a burger that it had to be a "real" burger otherwise, what would the point be? Anyway, those times are gone and I don't see veggie burgers as an escape for someone who is craving a "real" burger but doesn't want to eat meat but simply as a sandwich. I never feel like eating burgers anyway.. Oh well, back to Swingers... this is a hip, old school diner. Especially the Santa Monica location that seems younger than the West Hollywood one, they made a diner with traces of the 50's in the decoration as well as a lot of details from the new era! The food is good and as I just recently found out, they have a few good options of vegan and vegeterian meals on their menu. I was very happy to not have to pick items out of the recipe and at the same time eat at a regular restaurant where not only vegans eat. I had the "Vegan Wrap" and it was really good! so good that I want to go back. It was cheap too! I think the vegan wrap costs around $7.00. I'll make sure about the price next time I go back :)

http://www.swingersdiner.com/

802 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA
Tel: (310) 393-9793

8020 Beverly Blvd.
West Hollyood, CA
Tel: (323) 653-5858

Little Dom's - Los Feliz, CA

I heard a lot about this brand new restaurant and was very excited about going there for the first time. This is Dominick's baby, therefore Little Dom's :) How cute! If you haven't been to Dominick's, it is located on Beverly Blvd. in West Hollywood http://www.dominicksrestaurant.com/. I warn you, these are NOT VEGAN FRIENDLY restaurants!!! They are very Italian, everything on their menu has lots of meat and cheese :( That was why I got so sad! I had been to Dominick's before but it was a while ago, before I became vegan so I didn't completely remember what the menu looked like. All I remembered was that I liked the food, thought it was a little over priced and that the restaurant had a very cozy atmosphere and nice decoration. So I really expected Little Dom's to be even better. My mom recommended this new restaurant even suggesting it as a location for my birthday celebration coming up in March. Obviously she knows I am Vegan so, even knowing it was a regular Italian restaurant I thought there would be some meatless, cheeseless options or something I could work out with the chef. Little did I know. No, there was nothing for me to eat and I got very frustrated!!! In the end, I was able to work something out. After much thinking, checking every single option on their very small menu selection and asking if there was anything that could be altered and sadly failing... I came up with pizza! Yeah, no I did not want to order pizza simply because I had just recently started making my own vegan pizzas at home and was very proud of them. I usually don't like to order things I can cook because I get very upset if the restaurant can't make as good or better as I can. Because then, what is the point of eating out?

Anyway, back to the pizza... so I ordered pizza. Their pizza option is a base of dough, tomato sauce, house made mozzarella cheese and basil for, I think $10. Then you add any toppings you like (from the list) for an additional $1 each. I asked for no cheese, obviously! and added mushrooms, arugula and olives (I think), all the OK Vegan items :)

You know what? It was really good!!! The pizza dough is unbelievable! It needed more tomato sauce and I asked for extra olive oil, but that crust... really good!

So, the restaurant is really cute, nice and pleasant. The hostesses and bartenders (we sat at the bar, the restaurant was packed and even getting there at almost 10PM, we still waited for about 30 minutes to be seated. We didn't have reservations) were all very friendly and helpful. It is not a very affordable restaurant and the servings are relatively small but enough (for most people, I would guess). Worth a try if you are looking for a new interesting restaurant in the LA area. Just remember... you'll be stuck with the pizza option, or a salad (they have one option of salad)! Or you can just go for a drink. This is a brand new restaurant, three weeks old maybe? so they might be accepting suggestions for the menu. Maybe I'll make one :)

Little Dom's - 2128 Hillhurst Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 661-0055

Macaroni Grill - Everywhere

For those who don't know this restaurant,
this is a popular chain of Italian restaurants. I wouldn't say this is a very healthy option of places to eat but, it's not a bad option either. Every now and then, I have to admit I crave that substantial type of bread before a meal, like the one they serve at their restaurants. Sometimes I do like to eat at these family style type of restaurants but since I became Vegan I've been having a hard time finding good options of meals at most common restaurants. I've been often going to Macaroni Grill for a while now simply because I live in North Orange County and don't know (or maybe just aren't any) many options of "nice" restaurants around where I live. Very recently I decided to try Macaroni Grill's make your own pasta option and I was very pleased with my creation. I've known about this option in their menu forever but never liked the idea of having to come up with my own meal at a restaurant since I already do it at home.

I didn't know they have a list of items to select, which makes it easier to think of things to ad to your pasta. On this list you can select the type of pasta you want (I chose whole-wheat penne), sauce (I chose the Pesto. Had to return it once I realised they added butter to the olive oil even though it wasn't mentioned on the ingredient list, but they brought me a new one exactly how I ordered), then you can add 3 toppings (I chose sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and mushrooms). It turned out really yumy! And it's only $8.99

Always remember to mention NO CHEESE or ANY DAIRY or EGGS!!!

Here is their "Create Your Own Pasta" order pad http://www.macaronigrill.com/menu/cyoppdf/cyop_printable.pdf

Now if your friends want to go to Macaroni Grill, don't worry thinking there won't be anything for you to eat other than salad :)

http://www.macaronigrill.com/