Lyfe Kitchen (LV's LA)

When some of us think of healthy eating, we imagine rabbit food. A carrot here, a piece of celery there, boring iceberg lettuce everywhere, but there are some eating establishments that make eating healthy exciting, delicious and colorful. Lyfe Kitchen is one of those places. I am known to eat my fair share of scrumptious junk food, but I enjoy eating healthy foods that actually taste good. The roasted salmon on the photo above is one of many delicious dishes I have enjoyed on my many visits to Lyfe Kitchen.

Many of the dishes available are great for sharing so It is always a good idea to come here with a lunch companion so that you can try more items on the menu.

Eat good, feel good, do good. Yes! I will

This cute display of fresh herbs reinforces the restaurants light, modern and airy decor

Perfect spot to grab a healthy meal that will be good to you and good for you

These delicious roasted artichokes with lemon Aioli are a great starter

The corn chowder is among the most delicious I have every had an is another great way to start your meal

This Kale Caesar is healthy, fresh and flavorful and you can add chicken to make it more filling. Who knew that a  heaping mound of romaine, baby kale, cherry tomatoes and broccoli could be so good. Go ahead, eat your veggies...it's good for you

The Barbecue chicken flatbread with one of the many tasty salads, makes a delicious and satisfying meal. The grilled chicken, sweet corn, caramelized onion, cilantro and barbecue sauce will definitely tickle your taste buds

The farmers market salad has that perfect mix of sweet and savory with arugula, blackberries, pickled onions, spiced pecans, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette and yes, it does taste as good as it looks. Who can resist the sweet burst of fresh blackberries, the crunch of pecans and goat cheese. Absolutely perfection.

The fish tacos is one of my favorite dishes to order at Lyfe. The fresh fish,, Chayote slaw, avocado, cilantro, Chipotle ailoi and fresh salsa make these extra special.

The roasted  brussel sprouts with squash and cranberries is a dish that is so tasty that I have to have it no matter what I order.

I highly recommend the lyfe waters, which are fruit infused drinks like the one pictured above. This drink is a hibiscus tea infused with beet, apple, lemon and ginger. The perfect complement to a meal full of fresh and colorful veggies. Be sure to try the equally delicious ginger pomegranate lemonade.

The vibe is casual with ample seating indoors and outdoors. The prices are moderately higher than what you would pay at a fast food restaurant, but your body will thank you for it. Eat healthy and enjoy Lyfe:-)

 

Lyfe Kitchen

9540 Washington Blvd

Culver City, CA 90230

310-507-7955

Cafe Laurent (LV's LA)

Have you ever passed by a place all the time and then just out of curiosity tried it? Cafe Laurent is a cute little French Bistro in Culver City. I have passed it numerous times and one day after an appointment I spontaneously stopped to try it. After weeks of clean eating, holiday detoxing and drinking green smoothies for breakfast every day, I felt like I earned a decadent meal. 

I was not with my usual companions, but the server was very attentive and the intimate atmosphere made dining alone relaxing and pleasurable. This restaurant is only open during breakfast and lunch hours, so be sure to get there before 3:00.

There is a great selection of pastries, sandwiches and entrees, but the quiche and potatoes are noteworthy.  My meal started with a fresh baked loaf of bread and a delicious olive tapenade, that was way more delicious than it looked.

 Lots of great items to choose from

This was a delicious way to start lunch. The fresh crusty bread and Tapenade laced with kalamata olives, a hint of capers and olive oil, made me feel like I was in the Mediterranean.

The quiche is accompanied with a salad of mixed greens and delicious potatoes au gratin that were creamy and flavorful. My quiche was nice and fluffy with generous pieces of ham and lots of cheese. Cheese makes it better, right?  The salad greens were very fresh and tossed in a light balsamic vinegar dressing.

The atmosphere is calm and relaxing with additional seating on the outdoor patio.

I could not turn down the Creme Brulee. It has always been one of my favorite desserts and the burnt sugar topping was nice and crunchy with a mound of creaminess underneath.

The Creme Brulee had a nice flavor, but was eggier than I prefer.  The custard part of Creme Brulee should be smooth and velvety, not overly curdled and eggy. Some of the other items I saw coming out of the kitchen looked tasty and the dishes I tried were solid and I could taste the freshness of the ingredients, but as much as I love Creme Brulee this one was a miss for me due to the heavy egg texture. With such good service and so many other items that were delicious, I will let the eggy Creme Brulee slide. The food here is a great value and it is nice to have a neighborhood French bistro.

This is a nice spot to enjoy breakfast or brunch and they have live entertainment on the weekends, which is always a plus in my book. The relaxed ambiance is also perfect if you have children and want to enjoy a nice restaurant that is welcoming to families and still has a great atmosphere.

Cafe Laurent
4243 Overland Ave
Culver City, CA
310-558-8622