The world is a crazy place and mother nature is not happy momma. It seems that at every turn a natural disaster is pounding down upon us, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, freak snow storms, and fires have ravaged all parts of the world this past year. As hurricane Irma barreled towards my new home It hurt my heart to leave all that I was becoming used to but it seemed the safe thing to do so I hopped a plane and headed to Los Angeles to visit my sister.

Los Angeles is a different beast all together, its bright sun and funky culture surrounds you on all sides. By far the most amazing part of LA is its food scene, especially if you are a veggie for there are endless options from casual to upscale to farmers market chic. Corners are dotted with Whole Foods and Nice Cream shops and every restaurant spouts the words healthy and fresh. So although negative circumstances brought me here I still felt that finding a restaurant that epitomized the words healthy, fresh, and divine was necessary.

Enter a veggie lovers dream, Matthew Kenney's Plant Food + Wine in Venice, CA. Located at 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd this intimate gem has a sophisticated air to it that matches its gorgeously plated completely plant based menu. The unique flavor combinations highlight the diversity of plant based eating as well as remind you that vegetarian food can be upscale as well. A note, if you get the chance sit in the back garden! We didn't realize they had one until after we had eaten but it would definitely be worth it to be surrounded by twinkling lights while dinning on this delicious fare

My sister and I both decided to go for the 6 course tasting menu so that we could taste a wide variety of selections. Not only was each dish beautiful but the tasting menu was also reasonably priced and you will definitely not leave hungry!

The tasting course continually changes so you may not experience the same one in which we did. We kicked off the meal with slightly spicy Kimchi Dumplings wrapped in spinach with ginger foam and beet drizzle. These delightful morsels were definitely delicious. From there we moved on to Hearts of Palm Ceviche which had the sweetest kumquats dotted throughout and the perfect amount of crunchy texture from the hearts of palm. We then had the Green Herb Tacos, the Roan Mills Polenta with Almond Ricotta and perfectly blistered tomatoes and the Kelp Noodle Cacio e Pepe. The tacos were filled with meaty barbacoa mushrooms and a touch of peptita cream while the kelp noodles had a salty creamy texture topped with these amazing crispy salt cured olives. This dish was definitely one of my favorite as the textures and flavors were completely different from all of the other dishes. I do have to say that none of the dishes were bland in any way, instead they all help the perfect amount of spices and flavors.

The meal ended on a sweet note with Coconut Cream Pie that was absolutely perfect and silky. Overall, this was a great meal for a girl who loves delicious and beautiful food. The Matthew Kenney empire has a few other restaurants dotted throughout the world, one being in Miami. They also offer culinary courses online and on site. I was so excited to take a course in Miami but much to my disappointment they have stopped offering them there.

I love dining in establishments that have dedicated their mission to plant based eating and would definitely recommend Food Plant + Wine as a top contender in the veggie scene especially as it approaches it in a modern way that highlights culinary expertise and visual appeal. That being said, there were 2 small items that threw off the vibe of this adorable little eatery. The food and decor are definitely sophisticated and California casual, there was a nice bistro vibe with servers wearing long grey bistro aprons and white button down shirts however, the hostess was dressed in street clothes that were extremely casual and did not mesh with the ambiance and oddly enough The Royal Tenenbaums was being projected onto one wall of the restaurant. Both of those things seemed a bit out of place but the food definitely overshadowed those two small flaws. So if you are in town stop by and enjoy innovative plant based dining!

With the surge of vegetarian and vegetarian friendly restaurants over the last few years the options for plant based eaters have increased tenfold. However, even with this explosion of health minded eating we often find ourselves bombarded with the usual sandwiches, veggie burgers, and pasta dishes. I can't tell you for how many years I made due eating pasta primavera and eggplant parm every time I went out for dinner. It became a mission to find innovative veggie fare in every city I traveled to (check out my other adventure posts for some great restaurant options across the US). That mission continues today and I am always on the lookout for exciting, delicious and unique restaurants that provide great options for us veggies.

Ethnic food often holds the answer to my boring vegetarian food woes for many cultures elevate plant based eating either for religious or cultural reasons.

Recently, my best friend moved to West Palm Beach, both him and his girlfriend are adventurous eaters and are always looking for some delicious food options. As we discussed where we would go for dinner he expressed his frustration with his current findings, sure he had dined at some good places but he was having trouble finding those gems that are often hidden by huge chain restaurant budgets which ensure that every search lands them at the top of the list. So I did a quick vegetarian restaurant internet search of the area and came up with a big list of innovative, often small scale restaurants that are vegetarian friendly so your meat eating friends will be happy as well.

We decided to try this delightful Ethiopian Restaurant, Queen of Sheeba on Sapodilla Ave in West Palm Beach. Most people when thinking of the Sub Saharan African country of Ethiopia do not immediately think - man, they must have great food! Oh but they do, the flavor profiles are influences by years of trade with the Middle East, Asia and the Mediterranean in order to create interesting and flavorful stews, sauces, and spice mixes. Traditionally, the majority of Ethiopians are Orthodox Christians, thus they abstain from meat and dairy on Wednesdays and Fridays creating an amazing array of vegetarian and vegan options that focus on lentils, split peas, chickpeas, greens, and flax seed stews. Ethiopian food is great for those of us practicing an alkaline lifestyle for Injera, a staple spongy flatbread used to sop up all these awesome meat free stews, is made of teff, an alkaline grain. Ethiopian food is also fun to eat as it is a social experience for everyone eats with their hands around a shared plate.

The restaurant itself was a delightful little spot of sunshine in an otherwise rough neighborhood. Perfectly renovated with Ethiopian artifacts, comfortable antique chairs, and lots of light, the delightful owners not only make but serve you dinner. Do not be scared away by its surroundings, for the food and atmosphere at the Queen of Sheeba is top notch. My friends and I dined on a number of great dishes, starting with Sambusa and then a vegetarian plate of Misir Wot (red lentils), Ater Kik Alicha Wot (split peas), Shiro Wot (chickpeas) and Telba Fitfit (flaxseeds) to share while they ordered two meat dishes as well. The injera was tangy and delicious as was the honey wine which strong tangy fermented flavor complimented the food perfectly. Overall, it was a great meal, shared with great friends.

Los Angeles: Gorgeous Veggie Food at Plant Food + Wine

West Palm Beach: Ethiopian Food at Queen of Sheeba