My Fantastic Dinner at Cafe Gratitude in Los Angeles

Whenever I visit San Francisco, the very first place I go to eat is Cafe Gratitude in the Mission district. It is one of my all-time favorite organic restaurants and the food is always spectacular.

For those who are not familiar with Cafe Gratitude, it is an amazing restaurant that started in San Francisco and has gained an iconic reputation within the organic and raw food community. It has since grown to several locations in the Bay Area and very recently opened its first outpost in Los Angeles.

While the phenomenal food (mostly raw but there are cooked items as well) is certainly one of the main draws, it is the approach and philosophy of Cafe Gratitude that makes it so unique.

As the restaurant’s name says, everything is centered around gratitude. All of the plates have the saying “What are you grateful for?” painted on them, the company practices business through its Sacred Commerce approach, and each item on the menu is named “I am (adjective here).” — I am Adventurous, I am Thriving, I am Pure, etc…

The wait staff embodies this attitude and the energy at Cafe Gratitude is different than any other restaurant I’ve ever been to. People just enjoy being there, myself included. Bursting laughter and smiles are omnipresent, and I almost always leave there having made new friends.

So during my recent trip to Expo West, checking out Cafe Gratitude’s newest Los Angeles outpost with my friends was a must. Here is what we had.

I AM FULFILLED

This salad had mixed greens, carrots, beets, tomatoes, sprouts, avocado and teriyaki almonds.

I AM MAGICAL

This was a veggie burger on a multi-grain bun served with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and mustard sauce.

I AM WHOLE

This salad came with sea vegetables and kale, local brown rice, house- made kim chee and sprouts with tahini-garlic sauce and teriyaki almonds.

I AM ETERNALLY YOUTHFUL

Vanilla bean milkshake

I AM CHERISHED

A strawberry meringue pie with a rich cashew filling on a crunchy nut crust.

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Needless to say, I had a fantastic time at Cafe Gratitude Los Angeles, ate amazing food and cannot wait to go back. The place rocks and the owners just plain “get it”.

I am hopeful that they open up real soon in NYC.