Hey guys… this is just a quick note to let you know this site is going on hiatus for a while. No long drawn out essays this time around, just an announcement that I’m taking some time off to work on other exciting stuff. I’ve got a very groovy vegan food related project in the works that I think you’ll all really dig once it’s finished. Check back soon or stay subscribed to my RSS feed for the news once everything is ready to go. As always, thanks for your support!

Last week was my dads 65th birthday so my mom and I decided to do something a little different. Being as he’s an old perv, my mom suggested we get him one of those naughty exotic cakes. Those are usually pretty tacky though, plus if I was going to be a part of this I wanted whatever we got him to be vegan so that I could partake in the fun too. A light bulb went off in my head as I realized that I’ve got access to one of the most creative vegan bakers in town, and a plan to have Miss Alix of Vegan Bake Sale make something cute & delicious was born.

My dad has been and always will be a boob man (I know, TMI). What better way to celebrate 65 years of his favorite pastime than with vegan boobie cupcakes??? I ran this idea past Alix who was super excited to accept the challenge. Knowing just how crafty this lady is I basically let her have free rein to come up with whatever she thought would work best… as the big day approached I could hardly wait to see what she’d come up with.

They turned out better than we could have ever expected… so damn cute! We surprised my dad at his office by showing up with 5 dozen of these ample beauties, and you can’t imagine how funny it was to watch the entire staff gathered around my dads desk, stuffing giant boob cakes into their faces! My dad was blushing and that made the entire adventure worthwhile.

Take a peek at some real food porn…

My dads favorite flavor combo has always been cinnamon apple, so Alix was able to concoct a most delicious cinnamon apple filling for him, we’re talking fresh chunks of real spiced apples in there. This, combined with the perfectly moist cake and luscious gobs of frosting came together to make not only a big boob lovers but also a cupcake lovers dreams come true.

Everyone who tried one of these (that’s 60 people!) was raving about how tasty (and adorable) they were, and none of them ever suspected that the cupcakes were vegan until they were told. Score!

All told, we had so much fun embarrassing the hell out of my dad (don’t worry, he loved it!), and it was also fun to impress upon so many people the concept of vegan desserts being far from boring. A lot of the folks who work there only eat kosher, so they were extra excited to be able to join in on the non-dairy awesomeness.

Three cheers for my dad! Three cheers for boobies everywhere, edible or otherwise!

Check out the brand spanking new Vegan Bake Sale website at: www.theveganbakesale.com – while these boobies aren’t on her regular menu (yet), Alix has also been known to make other fun stuff like brain shaped cupcakes and ghost cookies… yum, play with your food!

Cowboys & Indians brings an interesting fusion to the table, combining Indian food with Mexican food. Sounds kinda weird and like it might not work, but it most certainly does. This place has been around for a while with their flagship location conveniently connected to The El Rey theater on Wilshire Blvd., and the owner is the same guy who started Electric Lotus (another tasty Indian restaurant). The spot on Wilshire is tiny and almost more like a snack bar connected to the theater, a great place to get a quick bite before seeing a show, while the new place on Sunset smack dab in the middle of Silver Lake’s hipster district is more of a sit-down restaurant where you can chill out and enjoy a full meal.

I got to check out the new Cowboys & Indians last week with my homegirls-who-lunch crew, the lovely Miss Sara T. and the equally luscious Miss DoubleD. and we all really enjoyed the experience. One of the first things that caught my attention before even entering the restaurant was their sidewalk sign:

As I mentioned on my Twitter at the time, I love it when places that aren’t vegan tell you right on the menu what is (note the Tofu Bhujiya). It’s the little things that count. This is apparently quite a popular sentiment considering how often it’s now been retweeted, and repeated. While I didn’t get to try their tasty sounding vegan breakfast options as shown on the sign (we’d already missed the 3pm cut-off time), most all of the options at Cowboys & Indians also have a vegan version, and the staff seemed to be very vegan friendly, offering up information on ingredients when they knew the answer, and going back into the kitchen to ask questions about stuff they weren’t sure about. Here’s the basic stuff vegans will want to know: all the curries are vegan, made with coconut milk. The tortillas are vegan. The regular naan breads are not vegan but the whole wheat naan is.

We started our meal with a few shared appetizers.

First we tried the Vegan Samosas. These were MASSIVE! Due to the angle of the picture, the true size of this monster is not being done justice, it’s about the size of both my fists held together… huge! One would definitely be enough for two people, it’s the largest samosa I’ve ever seen before.

It’s not just big, it’s also delicious. Stuffed with peas, potatoes, Indian spices and I don’t know what else, it’s a darn good samosa and practically a meal unto itself. Going with the whole Indian/Mexican theme of things, we were also given a selection of not only the expected Indian chutneys (tamarind and mint), but also Mexican salsas (tomatillo and traditional red sauce) to go with our samosas. It’s definitely a unique twist but the disparate flavors all really do go well together.

We also did a three-way on an order of Masala Fries. These are basically regular french fries that have been spiced up with some curry powder and salt, and served with a side of masala sauce for dipping. Again, I’d have to say this was another perfect combo. Curry really does make most things better and french fries are no exception. The masala sauce is excellent and would probably make even the most mediocre foods taste extraordinary.

I had a hard time deciding what to get as everything there sounds awesome, but I finally settled on the Tofu Spinach Naanwich for my main entree. It’s basically an Indian version of a tostada but with naan bread instead of a tortilla, topped with basmati instead of spanish rice, tofu curry instead of beans & meat, along with all the fixin’s, such as more of their yummy chutney, fresh cilantro, and what looks a heck of a lot like shredded cheese. Turns out the cheesy looking stuff ain’t cheesy at all, it’s actually what Cowboys & Indians refers to as “pea strips”, aka crispy chickpea noodles, aka “sev”. They don’t have a very strong flavor but do add a nice little crunch to each bite, and the visual illusion of it being real cheese is pretty strong.

Miss DoubleD. like many of us is sensitive to soy, so instead of the tofu naanwich she got the spinach version, which is similar though served with a saag (spinach) curry instead of tofu. I like that even though this place doesn’t have a huge menu, there are options for just about every type of eater to mix and match from.

I also got to try the Tandoori Taco: “soft shell corn tortillas topped with lettuce, tomato, cilantro, grilled onion chutney, tamarind chutney, mint chutney and garnished with pea strips”. This taco was also very tasty, though quite similar to the naanwich. I liked the flavors on both though I think when I go back I’ll stick with the larger and heartier naanwich, mostly because I’m not a huge fan of corn tortillas. That’s just a personal preference though and there was nothing wrong with the taco… it was quite good and for $2.50 a pop, you really can’t go wrong. You can also get any of these delights wrapped up like a burrito for the full Indo-Mex effect.

Here’s a look at the Tofu Tikka Masala. This one came from the original Cowboys & Indians on Wilshire, hence the paper plate. When you order this at the new restaurant on Sunset I’m pretty sure it won’t come on disposable tableware. The masala sauce was rich and thick with the comforting flavors of tomato, silky coconut and subtle but hot spices. I was at the El Rey to see a concert which was about to start (you can actually hear the bands from inside the food stand) but I couldn’t stop eating until I ate up every last drop of this curry… it was so good that missing a song or two wasn’t as important as getting in my remaining bites of tofu. Yeah, I’ve got my priorities.

There are some pretty mixed reviews about Cowboys & Indians on Yelp, ranging from people talking like it’s the best place on earth to people who gave it one star reviews and dissed everything from the food to the staff to the incense. I can only speak for myself and perhaps for my dining companions in letting you know that we enjoyed everything we ate and that the staff was friendly and attentive (both locations). I’m not going to blow this place out of proportion and tell you it’s the best Indian or Mexican food you’ll ever eat, because it’s not. But for what it is… a somewhat genius take on ethnic street food fusion, I’d say they’re doing a swell job of tantalizing taste buds and taking care of their customers. They’ve gone out of their way to make their offerings vegan friendly which is a huge plus in my book. The even bigger plus is that it’s all delicious. Now I just need to work on waking up early enough next time so that I don’t miss out on their tempting breakfast. Stay tuned…

Cowboys & Indians
2815 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(213) 483-7778
www.cowboysandturbans.com

also at:

5515 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 936-7070

What’s in a name? When I first heard about Sky’s Gourmet Tacos I thought to myself, “just how gourmet can a taco possibly be”?, and then, “Do I even want a gourmet taco?”. Well, after eating a bunch of their food, Sky’s has turned me from a Doubting Thomas into a true believer with their unique and generous specialties.

Gourmet food is not something I’m terribly interested in. I’m much more of a farmers market stall & food truck kinda gal than I am the “spend $80 to eat small portions with three different forks” type. Don’t let the word “gourmet” in Sky’s name put you off though, this place is neither hoity toity nor overly expensive, they certainly don’t skimp on portion sizes and they don’t give a crap if you make a mess and eat with your hands.

Located on Pico between Fairfax & LaBrea, Sky’s Tacos is tiny little restaurant that you may have even driven past without knowing about the delicious vegan bounty awaiting you on the inside. While Sky’s does serve a full menu of meat & cheese items, they’ve got an equally substantial vegetarian menu just begging for you to have veganized.

This gorgeous hunk of food is the Veggie Quesadilla ordered all vegan. It comes with their own vegan meat, beans and a giant heap of vegan cheese (Follow Your Heart) inside and out. Basically what you’re looking at are two tortillas that have been stuff to overflow with grilled vegetables and cheese, then layered on top with a massive amount of beans and their amazing fake meat, then piled high with even more cheese.

This thing is outstanding. Their vegan meat is unbelievably good… so unbelievable and good in fact that I had to go back up to the counter to ask and make doubly sure that they didn’t give me real meat. They had not, and the staff at Sky’s seems to be pretty up on their game about understanding picky vegans, right down to their separate grill. No, this deliciously seasoned meat was 100% vegan and 100% delicious. Those who enjoy vegan meat that tastes as realistic as possible will LOVE this Mexican-spiced stuff that’s been grilled to perfection. Those who don’t like fake meat will want to avoid it because it will freak you out. Feel free to give me yours, I’ll eat. Ask for a side of their mild or hot salsas as well as some vegan sour cream and you’ll be all set.

Nachos are another cheesy delight that for vegans a good rendition is hard to come by. While I do like some of the other vegan nachos in town that do a pretty decent job, I long for nachos that taste just like the real thing, and not like a cashew nut. This is another specialty that Sky’s really delivers on, and their nacho platter is not only delicious but large enough to feed two or three people. The tortilla chips came covered in a ridiculous amount of beans and more of that amazing fake meat, vegan cheese and a giant dollop of yummy guacamole, with some fresh chopped tomatoes and cilantro on the side.

Here’s a close up of the meaty bits just so you can see they’re not messing around. I don’t know what product they use to make this stuff but they have it down to an art form. There is no reason to miss meat when alternatives this incredible exist in the world… I challenge any meat eater to try this and tell the difference. If they were to say they could tell it’s not meat, I’d say they’re probably big fat liars.

Here’s one more indulgent shot with the toppings. My nacho prayers have been answered.

Now onto the tacos as, after all, that’s what this place is named for. This is one of their fancier tacos, made with sweet potatoes, sliced almonds and wild rice. Oh man, what a combo… so good! You can see there’s giant chunks of grilled garlic, and that along with their fantastic seasonings make this a taco to remember. I absolutely love sweet potatoes and particularly appreciate their unconventional and unexpected appearance in the form of a taco. They can also make you a burrito stuffed with this same filling, and I do intend to try that next time. While everything I’ve tried as Sky’s has been super, I highly recommend this particular taco above all else. I’ve never had anything like it anywhere and it’s the sort of thing I will happily drive all the way across the city in traffic for when the craving hits.

This next taco is their grilled potato version, with beans, shredded cabbage and large slabs of nicely seasoned potatoes, topped with their spicy green sauce. This too was a seriously tasty taco. The potatoes were a little bit plain but the hot salsa flavored things up and give it some pizazz. I remain however forever spoiled by the sweet potato tacos, so this white potato version didn’t do as much for me in comparision.

They’ve got a ton of other options for you to try as well, most all of which can be made vegan for you with no hassle. They’ve got daily specials that will be on display in house, as well as a lot more stuff that’s not on their online menu. It’s exciting to go in there just to find out what rad stuff they’ve got on hand on any given day. They even have a nice selection of refreshing beverages such as Sorrel, a sweet & tart hibiscus concoction, as well as homemade lemonade which you can even get as a half & half combo with iced tea as shown way up at the top.

I can’t recommend Sky’s Gourmet Tacos enough, I’ve fallen in love with this little hole in the wall… if you appreciate good, hearty Mexican food as much as I do, you will to.

Sky’s Gourmet Tacos
5408 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90019
(323) 932-6253
www.skysgourmettacos.com

Papa George’s Hy Mart Deli has been a North Hollywood staple of tastiness next to the giant golf shop on Lankershim for over 20 years. Due to skyrocketing rent and a landlord that has apparently been a dick to them for the past two decades, the little family run shop has moved into a new location. Locals need not fret though as the move was into a more spacious spot just across the street. Now they’re right on the other (west) side of Lankershim, directly behind the H. Salt Fish & Chips shop.

A true mom & pop operation, Hy Mart offers a wide variety of Mediterranean style sandwiches and wraps. It’s not an all vegetarian place so expect to witness people chowing down on stuff like roast beef, turkey and gyros, however what makes Hy Mart stand out for the rest of us are their delicious vegetarian and easily veganizable specialties.

Their yummy falafel is made fresh daily and they even make their stuffed grape leaves from scratch (my latest addiction). They’ve got a number of different vegetarian wraps and platters, and most of these are set to come with labni yogurt or feta cheese, but if you are so inclined you can ask them to leave those off and what you’re left with are some pretty fantastic vegan options.

I always get the same thing but the “Shahkloot Special” is so far from boring that the repetition never gets old. Lavash bread wrapped around tabouleh, olives, cucumber, mint, basil, avocado, hummus, falafel, tomato, pickles, tahina, lettuce and pepperchinis (no feta, no onions, extra spicy is the way I order it). It’s always huge and always delicious.

Hy Mart is one of my favorite places in the valley to get a satisfying and cheap lunch. The family who runs this deli is super cool, so I’m happy to see they’ve pulled off their migration into a nicer, more spacious shop and I wish them much success in their new location.

Hy Mart (look for the “Sandwiches” sign)
4795 Vineland Ave #C
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 506-7264