double zero

 

It's not hard to find good pizza in New York (hello Paulie Gee's and Roberta's!). But vegan pizza?! Now that's another story. My best friend is a registered dietician and vegan chef, so whenever she comes to town, we hit up all the vegan hotspots. Double Zero, a plant-based pizzeria from esteemed chef Matthew Kenney, was at the top of our list on her most recent trip, and after indulging in quite a few pies, I'm so glad that it was. The organic, veggie-heavy pies are unique in their seasonal flavor profiles, and are cooked to perfection in a traditional wood-burning oven. From their innovative take on a farro-fennel "sausage" pie, to a classic spicy marinara arrabbiata pizza with shiitake "bacon", to a white pie with roasted corn and baby kale, all the pies I tried could easily stand up to their more standard meat-and-cheese counterparts. As a non-vegan myself, one of my favorite things about Double Zero (other than the deliciously charred yet chewy crust!) was their delicious take on cheese. None of that gross, gummy, non-melty "cheese" you typically think of, but rather freshly made nut-based cheeses like smoked almond ricotta, cashew mozzarella, garlic or herb macadamia ricotta, and chili cashew cheese. They were all super flavorful, and lent a nice textural component to each pie. 

Pizza is not the only thing on the menu, however, and I definitely recommend you try some of their fresh salads or pasta dishes, like the farro bolognese with beet-zucchini spaghetti and mint pesto! Desserts were obviously on the agenda as well, and both the tiramisu and bread pudding were creamy and decadent, as they should be. Feel free to scroll through the slideshows to see more of our delicious meal. Even my extremely omnivorous (read: meat lover) husband was satisfied with this meal, which I consider a great success. I look forward to going back to Double Zero again soon for more tasty, yet healthy plant-based cuisine.

 

gracias madre

 
 

On a recent trip to Los Angeles to visit family and friends, my husband and I got the opportunity to start checking places off my "LA eats" list. Gracias Madre had been on the list for a while, and although neither my husband nor I are vegan, we both thoroughly enjoyed the eats and the environment of this plant-based hot spot! We were joined by my best friend Rachel, and her husband John Luke, and the four of us sat outside in the restaurant's beautiful (and huge!) terrace. Gracias Madre serves cuisine inspired by the kitchens of Mexico, but uses locally sourced, organic ingredients, which makes for some seriously delicious dishes. Bold flavors and seasonally-conscious produce make this fresh take on Mexican food healthier than your average go-to spot, and I promise you won't miss the meat!

We made it in time for the happy hour menu, so we started with margaritas (duh!), nachos, a gordita, and a flauta. The margaritas here are clean, simple, and not super sweet, so thankfully they won't leave you with a headache in the morning. The nachos came with housemade tortilla chips, piled high with fresh toppings like guacamole, salsa verde, and cashew cheese. Our husbands shared the gordita and flauta, which looked tasty, but actually seemed a little small for $6 each. For our entrées, the boys shared a trio of veggie tacos, as well as the enchiladas verde, and from my small sampling, I can give them a definite thumbs up.  Rachel and I chose salads, which were full of fresh, healthy ingredients, and I couldn't resist a side of butternut squash with molé. Yum! As you know I can never pass on dessert, so I peer-pressured the table into ordering two: the peanut butter cup and the fudge brownie (a la mode). Both were super rich and decadent, and the perfect ending to a great meal with even better friends. I can see why Gracias Madre attracts both vegans and meat-eaters, alike. The atmosphere alone is reason enough to visit- whether you hang inside at the lively bar, or go outside to lounge by the fire pit- but the high quality, delicious food ensures you'll be planning a return trip soon.