It took me 3 hours to decide on what to order from Real Food Daily.
It’s hard! There are raw dishes that bring me to an infant-like drool state, as well as comfort meals that make me feel all warm and cozy inside. Gah! What to choose??
In the end I went with the BBQ tofu chop salad, with “seasonal vegetables, barbeque tofu, shredded cashew cheese, romaine, and ranch dressing”, which I bulked up with some pricey extras, including blackened tempeh and avocado.
To be honest, the salad wasn’t overly thrilling. I wasn’t expecting the “seasonal” veggies to be peas, carrots, corn and celery. The best part of the salad was the ranch dressing. It was stellar! I used every last drop and wiped the inside clean with my finger, too.
And in the interest of giving a proper review, I have to say, I’m annoyed that the addition of such a wimpy amount of avocado ran my bill up by $1.95 (it was barely present in more than two bites). Also, the blackened tempeh cost me an extra $2.75 (but I’m glad I got it because it was the best part of the salad!).
Like I mentioned before, the veggies weren’t my first choice, but at least they tasted good. Aesthetically, though, they were chopped in such a way that they reminded me of a frozen peas & carrots medley.
I did like that there was butternut squash, but it was diced into tiny bites, barely steamed, and kinda lacking in flavor. I wish the squash had been cooked more (maybe roasted?), because it was a bit al dente for my taste.
The shredded cashew cheese and ranch dressing made up for the rest of the subpar ingredients, though, and I’m glad that both recipes are in the cookbook.
As for the other part of my dinner…
There was nada subpar about the corn grain bread. It was similar to the cornbread I got at Angelica Kitchen’s – dense and chewy, but not quite as sweet. A perfect side for the salad.
It also came with (or maybe Kyle bought for me?) two spreads – including tahini miso and carrot cumin. Both were excellent, but I preferred the carrot cumin. It was really balanced in flavors and was awesome on the bread and by itself, whereas the miso tahini was a bit strong for my taste buds. It was good with the cornbread, but in small amounts at a time (and I don’t think I would enjoy it solo).
Kyle also surprised me with a gingerbread cookie. Mmmm…the boy knows how to treat a girl foodie right. I was really full though, so I saved it for the next day (I had it for breakfast).
Anyway, as for Kyle’s dinner…
He got The Triple Decker Club which comes with seitan, tempeh bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, vegenaise, on sourdough bread.
I’ve had this before, so I know exactly how good it is. He’s obviously a fan too, considering he’s gotten it the past two times he has been to RFD.
On the side he got brown rice with peanut sauce. He gave both passing grades.
And in case you were wondering, he didn’t wait to eat dinner with me (I get home late on work days, so this is completely understandable), but he did take these photos on my camera before he dug in. Such a blogger’s husband!
For the record, I would still consider RFD in my top five LA restaurants…so don’t let my super picky salad preferences deter you from trying out their delicious vegan food.
I’m drooling. But sad about the avocado…
All of your eats looks delicious! The carrot cumin spread sounds pretty awesome. 🙂
Haha, sometimes I’ll find food pictures on my camera that my husband has taken while I’m not home too.
carrot cumin + corn bread? oh myyyyy. Can i find this in nyc??
OH YUM. I just had my morning smoothie and I’m already starving for lunch after those pictures!
I really want to try to make tempeh so maybe I’ll get off my booty this weekend and make an attempt since it looks delish on your salad!
Haha that’s so sweet of him to not only get dinner, but remember to take pictures!!!
BBQ + Ranch make such a good combo! 🙂 Bummer that the salad was disappointing!
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The cornbread sounds awesome! Bummer about the salad. I bet of the squash was roasted it would have been stellar.
I dont think i could decide either. Too many yummy looking options.
SO many restaurants give you like a forth of an avocado when you pay extra for it. I want the whole thing!
RFD is really hit or miss for me…and since it’s disappointed my husband one too many times, there’s no point in me going without him!
I’m obsessed with ginger as of late – that cookies looks to die for!
kyle felt the same way after our first visit, but since then hes gotten only good things…it took a while to get him to go back with me though. he was too spoiled by the exceptional vegan dining in nyc…so now his standards for plant based meals is sky high.
sorry laura – only two locations (both in so cal)
That vegan triple decker club sandwich is the bomb.com. Mm those seitan bits with the vegenaise and avocado?! Yum.
Need to get my RFD and club sandwich fix next time I’m in LA! You’ll have to come with…no sub-par salads for us 🙂
yes! when are you visiting next??
no idea! maybe i’ll be able to drive up over winter break while i’m back home in sd 🙂 i’ll definitely keep you posted though!