Give me your vegans, the men eeee yearning to dine free…. and go to a restaurant where they can eat EVERYTHING on the menu? Really? Really?
That’s Native Foods. ‘Chef Marian’ (it’s a brand and a person) and crew attended a pre-opening launch…. we call that a ‘soft‘ opening…. tonight in Encinitas.
I’ll introduce you to the food, along with the staff. They are equally good.
First…..
Here’s the Ensalada Azteca Salad…. that’s what I ordered. Why?
Because it’s one of 10 or so items on the menu that is gluten free. Choices for Gluten Free Dining? You betcha! Even Gluten Free Ale and Vegan Wine.
But we’ll get back to that in just a sec…
We’ve got bigger fish to fry!
To continue: And then, there’s my waiter…. Dylan. Funny but we were eating with Dylan tonight… so 2 (count ’em) TWO Dylans? What to do? I’m so confused! lol
Named after Bob Dylan or Dylan Thomas? Concensious. Bob Dylan. And amazed that many newborns today are being named Dylan again! I did not know that! Thanks Dylan… and Dylan..
It’s like My Big Fat Greek Wedding: ‘There’s Nick and Nickie, and my brothers son Nicholas, and Nick, Nick, Nick…” lol
Well, we’ll never get to the food and wine, if I dwell on this stuff, right?
Back on wine: They say the Vegan Vines brand will be in shortly. I hope so. What they are serving right now is different from any wine I’ve ever had. Pinot Noir with a kick anyone? lol Well perhaps it works with the food. Who’s to say?
I guess we have to remember the wine is vegan too… so it’s in the process of being perfected like so many things are that first come on the scene. But many leading authorities say that Vegan Wine should not taste different from regular wine.
And what makes a wine vegan?
According to Frommers, “Many wines are made using animal-derived ingredients to assist in the processing of the wine.
The most common animal ingredients used in wine making are isinglass (a very pure form of gelatine from sturgeon fish bladders), gelatine (extract from boiled cow’s or pig’s hooves and sinews), egg whites (or albumin) and caseins (a protein from milk). Very occasionally blood has been used as an additive – “sangre de toro” means “bulls blood” – but rarely literally any more. This ingredient was declared illegal for use in European wines in the aftermath of the outbreak of BSE (mad cow disease)”.
Now doesn’t that make you feel good….. (sarcasm dooo leee noted).
HOW ABOUT A VEGAN WINE GUIDE, CHEF MARIAN?
Ok. Hold onto your pants. Here it is: Vegan Wine Guide.
Ok. Now, back to the review: Then there’s the girls at the front registers, and Chef Kendall Huff… with all that spunk and stuff.
She is a real kick in the pants, along with Holiday, our promotions person and hostess with the most ‘ess’ tonight! Flew in from Chicago to kick off this location. Way cool! They were both having a blast!
I usually go into restaurants and give some ez breezy feedback, to help make their menus healthier, (and usually get paid for it) but in this case, they’ve done their job.
Our chef welcomed my limited feedback (slivered onions and roasted garlic would be nice additions) but she also explained that with the amount of that product needing to be used daily, it has to be streamlined, and those items just aren’t in the ‘cue’.
But can you, I ask, can you just imagine ordering a half a roasted garlic head? And then being able to eat that or add that to flavor what you’re eating? And think about the health benefits! I want to ask YOU…. when’s the last time you were able to order roasted garlic and entire head, or half head at a restaurant? DID I HEAR YOU SAY NEVER? And would that not give them an edge over the competition?
Hey! Where there’s a will, there’s a way. (I think their Manager’s name is Chris, not Will). lol
I will say, from the head on down, this is a finely tuned machine. It’s nice to have fun at a restaurant. Nice to see, that no matter what, no one is stressing….. they’re all doing whatever they can… because it’s all about YOU and YOUR health. Way cool guys. High fives all around!
And now for my final picture…. that I worked in Photoshop to protect the identity of our famous eater…
This, my friends is their bacon cheeseburger. Can you see that he can barely fit it into his mouth? Just like a regular bacon cheeseburger? And not a slice of bacon, not a piece of beef on the entire plate. Can you say VEGAN? Pretty cool, huh? This anonymous eater just loved, Loved, LOVED his meal. And yes. He’s a Vegan! So he really, Really, REALLY appreciates good food that fits his standards.
So Vegans for sure, will be flocking to this new restaurant in the Trader Joe’s Mall. They actually have a gazillion locations nationwide. And I also understand there’s a Vegan Cult Following. How cool is that?
I first bumped into this chain in Westwood…. one of their Los Angeles locations. Both my daughter and I were addicted from the first bite.
It’s actually a ‘fast food’ format. So you go up to the counter, order, and servers bring the food to you. YOU’VE GOTTA GO CHEF MARIAN. IT’S LATE NOW, AND WE WANT TO GO TO BED.
But wait! I didn’t even tell you about the lavender Lemonade, the Watermelon Fresca,the Boogie Bar or Carrot Cream Cheese Cupcake!
GO TO BED.
Well…. alright. I’ll go. But I’ll be back soon! You can count on it!
GOODNIGHT CHEF MARIAN.
Goodnight my fellow foodies.
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian
mm@chefmarian.com