One of the reasons I moved from San Jose to Los Angeles was to be closer to my best friend, MJ. When I moved back from Italy, San Jose just wasn't doing it for me anymore. We had been spending so much time and money just traveling back and forth to be with each other, it just seemed to be the logical choice. At first, we saw each other all the time, and we even worked together for a spell. Life happened (jobs, boys, moving), and we found ourselves on opposite ends of the city, which in LA terms meant that we were at least an hour apart (in light traffic).
An hour apart?!?!
MJ lives in Los Feliz, near Silver Lake which is home to one of my favorite vegan restaurants in the city, Flore. I never mind making the trek to see MJ, especially when I know Flore is going to be involved. On Saturdays and Sundays, they have a wonderful brunch menu, and back when I lived over there, Samantha (my canine companion) and I were regulars over there on Sunday mornings. Their Florito Burrito and Chicken & Waffles are musts for serious brunchers. Their smoothies are all amazing, and I've also enjoyed the Eastsider Tacos and the Tempeh Meatloaf Burger. Their potato salad is the best side dish on the menu. The best thing, in my opinion, is their Tempeh Reuben. Their homemade tempeh bacon layered with saurkraut, 1000 island dressing and both cashew AND tofu cheeses makes their Reuben the best in town. Since I was making the trek across town, I was looking forward to this being my reward.
I live near the coast, where it is still somewhat cool during the day. As I drove across town, windows down, music playing, I could feel it getting warmer and warmer. By the time I got to Silver Lake, it was sweltering. I got there first and got a table for us, and by the time MJ arrived, I was drenched in sweat. My clothes were sticking to my body, my hair was frizzy, and my face had a not-so-lovely glow. As we perused the menu together, it became evident that this was not heavy-duty sandwich weather. We needed salads.
MJ ordered my favorite salad- the Avocado & Seitan Salad. Flore does not skimp on the seitan or the avocado in this salad, and I can tell you from experience, every bite is filled with fresh, creamy avocado and big chunks of seitan.
Since MJ was ordering that salad, I decided to branch out and try something somewhat new, the Tempeh Tu-No Salad. I say "somewhat" because the Tempeh Tun-No Melt is my 2nd favorite sandwich on the menu, so the idea of a big scoop of their perfect Tu-No salad, made from their wonderful tempeh, sounded perfect for this scorching hot day.
Flore does have a great selection of vegan desserts, and I've tasted several of their cupcakes. This day, however, it was too hot for cupcakes (a statement I never imagined myself ever saying).
It was so good to see MJ- she's the type of friend who feels more like family than the dear friend that she is. MJ and I had a great time catching up and laughing together and our salads were the perfect accompaniment to such a good time. If you are vegan (or not) and are in LA (or not), you need to experience Flore at least once in your life. It will be great if you're by yourself, but even better if shared with good friends.
All Photos taken on the phone of Kristy Turner
© Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Michelle
I want to Flore badly....hence im even farther! Your hair is short, who knew ...love the waves!
keepinitkind
Thank you! My hair is actually much longer now- these are old pics (but some of my favorites). 🙂
Flore is totally worth the trip, but I totally understand- who has the time to drive over an hour just to visit a restaurant?
Michelle
Well me..lol a few times a year... have you done the urban food crawl yet? My hubby said that was my birthday present ...now they have 3 different ones!
keepinitkind
I haven't done the Urban Food Crawl, but just today I noticed they added a Santa Monica one. I just might give that one a whirl!
Michelle
Yeah Santa Monica has border grill used to be one of my favorite restaurants, til I went Vegan now I go to her other one Street but am thinking about it. The first one gives away goody baggies too
keepinitkind
Do you think you will go? If you go, I'll try to go too. I love me some vegan swag bags! 🙂
Cadry
I wondered about the cute, short hair right away! I see Michelle had the same question!
keepinitkind
Ha! Yes- It was short for several years, back when I had more patience for styling my hair. 🙂
Richgail @AstigVegan
Aww you two are so cute! And that place sounds amazing. I've always been skeptical of tempeh, never had a time when it tasted good so I'm quite impressed that they have not just 1 but 2 good tempeh dishes. Plus those veggies look so fresh and colorful!
keepinitkind
Thank you! Flore really knows how to do tempeh right!
Richa@HobbyandMore
I am in love with those sprouts.. no kidding, you phone takes amazing pictures:)
keepinitkind
The sprouts on those salads are so amazing! And sometimes my phone is on top of her game. 😉
Cadry
I miss Flore so much! We lived in Burbank, and so it was a short ten minute drive to get there. It was a regular weekend lunch spot. Who knows? Maybe I saw you there with Samantha! They didn't have the chicken and waffles when I used to go there or even the reuben. I'd like to try those!
Their portobello tacos are amazing, but my favorite thing to get was the basmati brown rice bowl with baked tofu. It's a bowlful of yum with avocado, sprouts, and crispy kale. I always asked them to add a side of sauerkraut, and it went together marvelously. I so miss having a casual all-vegan place like this with healthy but delicious standards. Homesick... 🙁
keepinitkind
We probably were there at the same time at some point. We went so often that the waitress knew Sam by name! West LA does not have anything nearly as great as Flore, so I miss it frequently too.
It sounds like I'm going to be making another trek out there soon- I need to try that bowl! And sauerkraut sounds like a great pairing (I love sauerkraut on anything, well, almost anything)! 🙂
Somer
You and MJ are so stinking adorable! I love that you can see how much you love each other and how close your friendship is from a couple of photos! Oh and those salads look pretty amazing too!
keepinitkind
Haha! Thank you! We've been through quite a bit together- I love her to pieces! 🙂
Heather
What a great lunch date; long lasting friendships are one of a kind, you are one lucky girl- I think you have convinced me to travel to LA just so I can enjoy Flore, this gem looks amazing!
keepinitkind
So my plot to lure you to LA is working! Wonderful! P.S. I'll be going to Flore with you, FYI. 😉
eliza
Oh how I miss Flore since moving from LA. Love your blog! Pics are adorable!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Eliza! I'm sure Flore misses you too! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Bex @ Vegan Sparkles
hehe, you and MJ are so cute! 🙂 And thank you so much for the awesome food review! We don't have tempeh bacon in Australia and I'm super keen to try it. I'll be in LA in November and have marked Flore as a must-do! mmmmmm, can't wait!
keepinitkind
Thank you! And oh my gosh- you're going to be here in November?!?! I think I need to take you to Flore myself! 🙂