Healthy Eats before you stuff your Turkey!
We are officially in the swing of holiday gorge season, but wouldn’t it be nice to spend the next few days trimming your bird instead of stuffing your turkey?
I’ve got 3 BRAND NEW fast-casual, healthy, and cheap eats for you right here!
Harvest Bar
Following the success of their first restaurant in Sherman Oaks, plant-based superfood cafe Harvest Bar has opened a brand new location on the westside in Playa Vista.
Now I’m certainly not a vegan, but after a conversation with Aric Haut, CEO & Founder of Harvest Bar and just one bite of their homemade jackfruit, I’m beginning to rethink the capabilities of my foodie discipline!
What to expect
Delicious superfood bowls and smoothies based in organic ingredients like açaí, quinoa, and kale with no fat, sugar, or dairy! Harvest Bar has expanded past the much beloved açaí bowl to include savory and breakfast bowls, overnight oats, and specialty coffee. Expect to pay $12 or less per item while receiving hand-crafted eats that have taken hours to perfect.
What to get
Start with a classic Signature Bowl based in their Harvest Blend açaí and topped with granola, banana, strawberries, and your choice of fruit ($9.50).
Looking for a savory item? They have four hot bowls to choose from with the favorite being the Cuban, made with organic quinoa, brown rice, black beans, avocado, mango salsa, and homemade jackfruit carnitas that will have you asking “how can this be vegan ($10.95)?!”
If you really want to be surprised ordered their Italian Zoodles in a truffle alfredo or creamy pesto sauce. These are zucchini noodles with sautéed broccoli, tomato, and vegan parmesan. The combination of the nutty sauce with the broccoli makes it IMPOSSIBLE to stop eating($10.95)!
Lastly if you’re looking to be completely restored and want room for a signature smoothie order the Mediterranean, made with organic quinoa, brown rice, wild arugula, tomatoes, dill, and homemade tahini sauce ($10.95).
What makes this place so special
- They have created 5 signature blends of açaí using a specially manufactured gelato machine that has perfected the consistency of fresh açaí straight from Brazil versus the frozen slushee we’ve all been forced to think is the real thing. All with no cream or sugar.
- They serve amazing brews like Organic Butter Coffee blended with organic coconut oil and grass fed butter, and a Cold Brew that’s acidity free after a slow 8-10 overnight drip process.
- The calorie count is between 200 and 425 on their savory bowls and they taste BANANAS!
- FREE PARKING. I mean how amazing is that on Lincoln Blvd?
Harvest Bar
8601 Lincoln Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Kai Poké
Next on the fresh list is Kai Poké, located in the El Camino Shopping Center in Woodland Hills. The menu, curated by Executive Chef Huntley, is simple and offers a choice of 8 signature fish bowls as well as the choice to build your own.
What to expect
All of the fish is fresh and sustainably caught, while their sauces are unique to them and made in house. The beverage list includes only the most refreshing items like cucumber lemonade or iced tea, and you can finish it all off with a Coolhaus ice cream sandwich for dessert. Bowls come in two sizes and prices range from $8 to $14 dollars. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available.
What to get
The best place to start is with a Kai signature bowl topped with house made kai sauce, tuna, avocado, and furikaki. I also chose to add Tobiko and edamame to mine from their list of 14 additional toppings and went with the white rice base ($9.95). Brown rice, kale salad, forbidden rice, and a nacho style mashup are also available. While you may be tempted to get the large size, the density of the meal makes the small what you can (and should) be eating.
Not in the mood for raw fish? Try their Soy Glazed Cod bowl instead; served with soy glaze, shishito peppers, pickled ginger, and red onion ($10.95). This dish is absolutely perfect for little ones and has finally solved the parent poké problem!
What makes this place so special
- This is the FIRST AND ONLY poké restaurant to serve a cooked option!
- The prices are lower than most poké purveyors but without sacrificing the quality, service, or decor.
- Their trendsetting continues with the Forbidden Rice made with coconut oil that I predict will be one of the must-have foods in your pantry for 2018.
Kai Poké
23349B Mulholland Drive
Woodland Hills CA 91364
Halo Top Scoop Shop
Replace the golden arches with golden rings at lunchtime with the first-ever Halo Top Scoop Shop on the Westfield Topanga dining terrace, from ice cream brand, Halo Top Creamery.
What to expect
Along with the signature low-calorie, low-sugar, and high-protein scoops, they also now offer a low-calorie soft serve along with Halo Top tacos and ice cream sandwiches. The menu is easy to navigate for a beginner and prices range from $4-$10 depending on how pleasurable you make your ride 🙂
What to get
With 6 different soft serve, 8 different ice-cream flavors, and 21 toppings, the sky’s the limit! I recommend ditching the cup for one of their specialty puffle cones ($+2) or tacos ($6.95) and then going to town with a one scoop multiple toppings combo. It’s still considered healthy right 🙂
What makes this place so special
- I generally avoid “diet” ice-cream, but this was one tasty soft serve, and I could hardly tell the difference!
- All flavors are 100 calories and under for a 4 oz serving
- Everything is made to order, including their signature puffle cone
Halo Top Scoop Shop
Westfield Topanga
6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Canoga Park, CA 91303
