Restaurant Review: Real Food Daily (Santa Monica, CA)

We ate at Real Food Daily! This was a treat, and it'd be difficult to top this dining experience with the fresh, organic, gourmet vegan food -- combined with an attentive waitstaff in an upbeat, contemporary environment. This is the high water mark for vegan eateries. There are two locations to choose from, and we ate at the one in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica
514 Santa Monica Blvd.
(310) 451-7544)

West Hollywood
414 N. La Cienega Blvd.
(310) 289-9910




I started off with a cup of the soup of the day, which was 'Asparagus Cilantro' $3.50 The soup was perfectly seasoned and creamy. I wouldn't have minded a piece of bread or cracker, but in the end, I was perfectly content.








Art ordered 'The Club' which is a double-decker sandwich with lightly breaded seitan served on toasted sourdough bread with tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato and vegenaise $10.95 Art ordered his with a side of kale. This is the most popular sandwich at the restaurant, for good reason. Art gave me a bite, and it was a the most delicious sandwich ever. This is what I'm getting next time...




'Mexicali Chop Salad' Shredded romaine, pinto beans, corn, cucumber, celery, roasted red pepper, red onion, tomato and avocado tossed in a lime-cilantro dressing topped with baked tortilla strips $10.95 --- For an extra $2.50 I added blackened tempeh to mine. This salad was fresh, crunchy, flavorful, packed with goodies, and a very satisfying main course.




'Berry Chocolate Cake' $5.75 was recommended by our waiter as "The best dessert in the house" and I believe him. This cake was perfectly moist and the frosting melted in our mouths. Pure perfection. Art generously let me have the raspberry, which I included in the last bite. When you go to Real Food Daily, save room for dessert.

Check out these vegan cooking tips from Ann Gentry, a vegan food visionary & leader.

Double chocolate layer cake

from The Real Food Daily cookbook (pg. 220) is the cake I chose this year. Art was going to make it, but when he looked at the recipe, he said, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather make this yourself? I'll occupy the girls." He knows me so well! This was one of the richest cakes either of us have eaten, and the frosting is perfectly creamy, and oh so chocolate-y. There was some extra fuss that went into this recipe, and well worth it! A nasturium from my herb barrel & fresh raspberries add some color. Thanks for your birthday & Mother's Day wishes! <3

Real Food

A new cookbook! It was only $16 on Amazon, and I got free shipping -- a big savings compared to the $27 they wanted at the restaurant that day...
Without a store run, I made 'Corn and black bean salad' (pg.107) I had everything except whole-grain mustard & red bell pepper. So, I added 1/2 tsp. mustard seed along with dijon, and a 'cado left from 5 May. The ingredients are basic, the dressing is fab! What are your favorites from this cookbook?