Master Weekend

My mom got into town late Wednesday night, so on Thursday we spent the day shopping, lunching, and shopping some more.

 

We have both been to True Food Kitchen before. 

 

I started with The Natural which is one of the most insanely non-alcoholic delicious beverages.  Ever.  It’s ginger, agave, and soda.  Mmmm…

My mom got a lemonade.

For our mains, we each got our own salad and then split the TLT.

 

I’ve gotten  the kale salad (with my same tweaks – no parmesan, add baked tofu) every time I’ve gone to True Food Kitchen, but it’s so good, it’s impossible to pass up. 

My mom got the Strawberry Chopped Salad, which has snap peas, fennel, goat cheese, walnuts, and a balsamic vinaigrette.

 

Fortunately, my mom brought her appetite to lunch too, so she was willing to go splitsies on a sammie (in addition to our salads).  I’ve been eyeing Andy’s Favorite “TLT” every single time I go to True Food Kitchen, but somehow I always wuss out and order something else.  No more!  I finally ordered it and I’m so glad I did because it skyrocketed to my favorite dish instantly.

 

As you can see, the sandwich is no small dish.  It’s almost impossible to eat without breaking the bread or unhinging your jaw.  So unless you’re a snake, it’s something to enjoy messily. 

I had vegan mayo and avocado on my cheeks and wrists and I totally didn’t mind.  The tempeh was smoky and crispy, and it came with the option of a side salad or sweet potato hash.  Obviously we chose the hash. 

After lunch we walked back home and lazed around til Kyle got back.  He was in DC for a presentation.  While he was gone I sneakily bought his graduation present (he checks our bank account rather frequently, so I knew timing was of the essence in buying this).

He’s now entirely apple-ified.

We played around on it, had some snacks, and eventually set out for dinner.  The Misfit was packed and we didn’t feel like waiting an hour, so we headed a block over to Tender Greens.

  

I finally ordered something different from the Happy Vegan (I order this every single time because the menu is very confusing). 

This time I got the Thai Shrimp salad without shrimp.  It has little gem and Thai basil greens, peanuts, green papaya, citrus, coriander, and a chile lime vinaigrette. 

And here’s what I learned about the TG menu.  You can sub any meat for grilled veggies instead.  So my salad had all the above, minus the shrimp, plus carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, broccolini, mushrooms, and whatever other roasted veggies were fresh that day. 

 

Since I didn’t know about the veg for meat substitution option at the time of ordering, I got a side plate of grilled carrots and yukpn gold potatoes too.  Too much food!!!

On Friday, we breakfast-ed at home and then walked to Venice for lunch.

 

We went to Seed Bistro, a favorite of mine.

I got a gingerberry Kombucha to drink and the Asian Kale salad (with seitan added) to eat.

 

This is what I got last time, so I knew exactly what I was getting.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dish.  From the steamed kale to the roasted almonds and miso-sesame dressing, everything about it screams Elise.

 

My mom got the southwest burger (which my sister has tried before too).  It has a bean and grain patty with lettuce, vegan soy cheese, guacamole, and an ancho chili spread.

 

She actually finished 99% of it!

 

Kyle ordered a repeat too, because he couldn’t stop raving about it after the last time.  The seitan sirloin burger has caramelized onions, a seitan “steak”, soy “bleu cheese”, greens, and a dijon spread. 

After lunch we took the bus back home because we were short on time.  My mom ironed Kyle’s gown (which was really confusing and creepy looking) and then we showered and got ready to go in lightning speed.

 

My master.

I parked in the hospital lot, which was a bit of a walk to get to the business school side of campus, but saved us some dollar bills and mega traffic.

The ceremony wasn’t as long painful as I expected.  Kyle’s name was one of the first called, too, so I could zone out afterwards.  And did I mention he’s now got his MASTERS?!  So proud.

By the end of the whole thing I was hungry and ready for dinner.

 

We went to Kay ‘n Dave’s in Culver City.  It’s a Mexican place that’s been on my hit lit for a long time because they have tons of vegan options. 

We started with guacamole and chips.  For my entree I ordered a vegan cheese quesadilla with spinach and bell peppers. 

This was actually a combination of things on the menu (which is huge by the way), but the servers are SO nice and friendly and willing to accommodate you in any way.

 

A quesadilla may sound simple, but it. was. fantastic.

Why?  Because it had melty, ooey, gooey Daiya cheeeeeese!!!!

Everyone else’s food looked awesome too.  My dad got the spicy black bean soup and combo plate.  Kyle got the designer burrito.  And my mom got two enchiladas, one chicken, one Portobello mushroom (below).

 

Honestly, I can’t say enough great things about this place.  The whole meal was perfect from beginning to end. 

 

Since there’s a location in Brentwood too, I’ll be heading there way more often.

My parents spent the night at our place and we all went to an early breakfast the next morning at LPQ, another hippie fave. 

 

The breakfast menu at Le Pain Quotidien is so plentiful, it’s hard to decide what to order.  In the end I went with the organic steel cut oats with bananas and maple syrup.

Mom: steel cut oats with berries and brown sugar
Dad: avocado and tomato omelet
Kyle: mushroom and goat cheese omelet

 

I love these jams and spreads!  I added the noir (dark chocolate) to my oats.

 

After breakfast, we hit the road and headed south to Kyle’s parents’ house.

 

Grad partyyyy!!! 

Just a nice relaxing afternoon with family and friends.  There’s nothing that says summer more than a casual backyard BBQ.  And oh my gosh was there ever food!

Apps: Ratatouille & bread, salted nuts, chips & Sabra roasted pinenut hummus.

 

Lunch: vegan grain salads, fresh fruit, BBQ chicken skewers (and gardein for me), and more

Quinoa and black bean salad

Corn slaw

Wild rice, red quinoa & edamame salad

Orzo, apple & dried cranberry salad

Mexi bean, corn & avocado salad

Watermelon, cantaloupe, & pineapple (grilled gardein strips under the foil)

Build your own salad station

I had a bit of everything, and then went back for seconds and thirds, but the real pigging out began a few hours later.  After the party died down, I went back for multiple courses.  I definitely had to roll myself to bed.  But I’m getting ahead of myself. 

Dessert: two pavlova (one vegan, one dairy-ified)

Kyle’s mom and sister made these and it was my first time trying the meringue-based dessert (I’d never even heard of it before Saturday).

 

As a lemon meringue pie lover, I thought it was so so good!  The bottom layer is baked meringue, and then it’s filled with lemon curd and berries. 

Mmmm…  Despite being totally stuffed, I had seconds a mere hour later.

And then I went back to the entrees.  And then again. 

I think it’s safe to say I ate well this weekend.

 

The next morning wasn’t quite as lazy as I would have liked.  Kyle lied to me and told me it was 8:30 when it was actually 7:30.

We celebrated Father’s Day and the girls’ birthdays with a nice family brunch.

 

Fresh fruit, hashed browns, and a fried egg. 

 

Present time!!  Ferrah turned 4 a week ago and B is turning 3 in a few weeks, so we went full on Mattel with our gifts.

  

It was love at first fairy Barbie sighting.

 

The opening continued…

   

These are professionals.

I played with them for a bit, but I ended up undressing and redressing them more than anything else. 

 

And then, as if they weren’t amped up enough off from their gift opening, we decided to add sugar to the mix.

 

Red Velvet CUPCAKES!!

Git it girl.

Despite appearances, you should know, I’m seriously editing the quantity of photos I post…but it’s really hard because my nieces are the cutest little princesses.

 

And now, unfortunately, we are back home…

 

Who’s ready to get back to the real world?  Not I. 🙁