Cafe Gratitude Venice
| Address: | 512 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291, USA |
| Phone: | +1 424-231-8000 |
| Site: | cafegratitude.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
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Food Shutterbug
Been to Cafe Gratitude in Venice numerous times. Had the "I am Worthy" juice drink with freshly juiced apple, celery, kale, beet and ginger juice. Instead of using a juicer which breaks up and mashes, Cafe Gratitude uses a special juice press which doesnt break up the heat-sensitive vitamins and anti-oxidants (unlike most juicer machines). Of the savory dishes, I like the ”I AM ELATED" raw enchiladas. During my 1st visit, the raw enchiladas were filled with spicy corn, mango and came with red pepper sunflower seed pate, raw cacao mole, and cashew queso fresco on live spinach flax tortillas served with Mexican coleslaw. For another visit, the raw enchilada was filled with seasoned raw mushrooms instead of the corn and mango filling. Still raw yumminess. I went to Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco a lot (before they eventually closed) and I do miss a few things which they dont seem to offer on a regular basis such as "I am Bliss" raw chocolate hazelnut mousse torte (the richness comes from raw hazelnut milk, coconut butter and raw cacao and cashew -- a godsend for someone like me whos lactose intolerant). KUDOS to Cafe Gratitude for offering the raw Flaxseed chips and Buckwheat crackers -- best Ive ever come across in either a restaurant or a natural foods store. PRICING IS VERY REASONABLE considering the ultra freshness of ingredients and labor intensive preparation. Kitchen preparation and execution isnt that far off from "regular" dining establishments; and they pay attention to visual details when it comes to plating. Also, this restaurant doesnt adhere to the "no-substitutions policy"-- theyre pretty humble and want to make the customer happy. One time, I ordered the I AM LOCAL winter greens salad with roasted beets, maple toasted walnuts, diced apple and red onion tossed in a fig balsamic vinaigrette. At my request, they served the cashew mozzarella on the vegan flaxseed crackers instead of wheat bread crostini (Im allergic to wheat and gluten). Some raw vegan purists complain that Cafe Gratitude isnt real raw vegan because they offer cooked items as well, but Id rather take Cafe Gratitudes moderate approach unlike another place where they insisted I start my meal with dessert first. RAW DESSERTS - Be sure to try their RAW CHEESECAKES, PIES and TIRAMISU. Im lactose intolerant and I had just about given up on ever having a creamy dessert without stomach upset (even Lactaid enzymes dont help me). After having Cafe Gratitudes raw desserts, I actually dont miss dairy desserts. If you want to gild the lily, go A LA MODE with their CASHEW COCONUT VANILLA ICE CREAM when you try their cakes and pies. Tip for those with sensitive ears: Sit in outside patio area because its hella noisy in the restaurant.
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Jenelle Bossett
I am thankful that after an intense workout, Café Gratitude was there to nurture my body with some tasty and creative vegan delights. If you havent had vegan food this place is perfect to ease you in with a menu so diverse and familiar that you are sure to find something enjoyable. They serve an impressive breakfast menu along with lunch so whatever you are craving they have! I went during Dine LA Restaurant week and decided to go with the prix fixe meal for $20. Their regular menu was just as tempting! For my first course I had the black bean tostada. It was amazing! The black beans were perfectly seasoned and it had mushrooms that were reminiscent of steak (cut into chunks and seasoned). The vegan sour cream and avocado were excellent additions as well. Really good starter! For the second course I choose the Eggplant Panini. It’s a warm Panini served with a mixed green salad. I didn’t really care for the mixed greens but the eggplant was tasty. It was a warm sandwich, flavorful and filling. The bread was incredibly soft and really added a nice texture to the meal. For dessert we had some chocolate/coconut/almond balls. Basically an Almond Joy. The coconut was nice and flaky, the chocolate was rich and the raw almond in the middle provided a real crunch. Overall great vegan food that will fill you but in a good way! PS: There is a parking structure off 5th that has free parking (first 90 mins I believe with validation) but there’s also plenty of residential parking off Sunset.
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Bruce Cannon
Maybe a bit noisy, and maybe the gratitude gimmick and cloying wait staff is a tiny bit embarrassing, but if you can stand the attitude, the food is exceptionally good. And Im a person who has been vegetarian my whole life, and am not easily impressed. Vegan quiche: heavy tofu, nasty soy cheese, like we have come to expect? Not a chance: just delicious light fluffy savory garbanzo flour and veggies baked in its own little skillet. Mmmm. Breakfast burrito was subtle, surprising, and just not at all like a veg breakfast wrap youd get elsewhere. And the cold brewed coffee is good...
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anthony porter
As a whole I Love Cafe Gratitude!!! However the customer service at the location on venice is terrible!!! 4 out of 4 times Ive walked in the location I have never been greeted much less acknowledged. The greeter at the front door has continued there conversation with their fellow employee everytime. Its weird to me since there is always a different greeter. What type of training do they have? Once I stir down at the bar not one person that walks by me says "have you been helped" or someone will be with you in a second"...well eventually they do! Smh at this location!
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Kevin Shen
A classic, and a must for the vegan diet. If you can put up with the somewhat gimmick of naming their dishes "states of being" and the low price-to-fullness ratio of their food, you can try some interesting flavors out. My favorite so far is a dish called "whole" -- comes with a nice pickled raddish, and interesting combo of kelp, yams, and other accents. Nice location thats fairly close to the beach! (once you factor in the fact that itll be hard to park closer to the beach, but not a bit further inland where Cafe Gratitude is).
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Mitra Rafati
Did go to this place with family sat outside. It was kind of windy so the umbrella fell on one of our guest. Nobody cared to come and ask if shes ok. I had to go and find a manager and tell her what happened she told me she got notified but of course I guess it was not that important fir her to come and check on our guest. After I brought her to our table she didnt even ask if this poor lady was ok. The pancake was burned too and she said shes sorry about the pancake but not about the umbrella incident.
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Eldad Alfi
This is my favorite vegan cafe in Los Angeles! The food is so well thought out. What I like is that their food is all fresh and natural ingredients and everything is made in house, they dont have soy protein meat alternatives like some cheap vegan places, its just great food the way it should be. Even if you eat meat you will love this place, because the food isnt trying to be meat, its just great the way it is.
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Chel Rial
I was introduced to Cafe Gratitude a year ago and fell in love with the whole idea of the restaurant. The food is 100% deliciously plant based, the environment is very positive and relaxing, as well as friendly wait staff. I have been frequenting Cafe Gratitude for a year, because of these factors and the consistent satisfaction! I would recommend the stop! Below picture, Vegan blueberry glazed doughnut.
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Michelle Valente
A unique and beautifully decorated restaurant with great healthy vegetarian/vegan/raw food and fresh juices! The food lives up to all the great reviews you have ever seen and the lattes are more incredible than youd think they are since theyre more known for their food than anything else. Perfect place for any meal. The service is always great and I love there is a question of the day that is asked.
