Top Three Raw Foods Restaurants in Southern California

Everyone likes a night out at a great restaurant every now and then. But for some of us, the list of options hasn't always been that expansive.

Meat eaters have always had a wealth of choices; the world is, literally, their oyster. For vegetarians, the range of possible venues for that evening of food and conversation has tended to be slimmer. If you're a vegan, your options have historically been even more restricted. But the group with the least latitude when it comes to picking an eatery has always been vegan raw foodists - those of us who prefer our vittles free of animal products, and uncooked for maximum enzymatic and nutritional value.

Thankfully, the picture is changing, at least in major metropolitan centers. New York raw foodists will never go hungry, since the city is home to fine raw food restaurants like Quintessence. In Southern California, there's a decent and ever-growing array of raw food restaurants to choose from.

It makes sense that raw foods would enjoy popularity here; SoCal is, in many ways, the home of the raw foods movement. Many of its most notable figures are headquartered here, and the movement's health-consciousness and attention to the environment gels perfectly with the green, keep-fit Southern California lifestyle.

So, raw foodists in Southern California have more options than ever before. But which are the best options? Here are three SoCal restaurants guaranteed to make your tastebuds smile with their top-notch, healthful cuisine.

Leaf Cuisine
This cheerful eatery has locations in both West Los Angeles and Sherman Oaks. Raw food cuisine can tend to be prohibitively expensive. Not so at Leaf, where the food is affordable enough to enjoy every day. Entrees range from $5.50 to about $10, and the fare is light yet filling. My favorite item is the Caesar Salad; it's not listed on the menu, but you'll find it on the restaurant's chalkboard posted as a "special." Leaf's take on this dish puts all others to shame. Crispy lettuce and croutons (made mostly from dehydrated buckwheat) are drenched in a decadent dressing. Delicious. The desserts are amazing as well; try the carrot cake, a sweet, fluffy treat that simply melts in your mouth. It's also worth noting that the ambience at Leaf is pleasant. The restaurant boasts a clean, modern decor.

Jade Cafe
Located in Silverlake, Jade was founded by Lesa Carlsen, a chef with a long, storied history in raw foods. Entrees range from $12 to 416. My recommendation is the Cheese Topped Flat Bread, a large flat bread dripping with pesto, seed cheese, carmelized red onions, red peppers, jalapenos and cilantro. For dessert, don't miss the Chocolate Lava Cake, a rich fudge cake topped with raspberry sauce and whipped cream. Jade is contained in small quarters, but it's a strikingly elegant space. If you're looking for someplace to take that special someone on a date, look no further.

Au Lac
This restaurant is located in Fountain Valley, next to Huntington Beach. Yes, it's a bit of a haul for those of us who live in Los Angeles, but trust me, it's more than worth it. Au Lac offers both cooked vegan and raw food fare; the raw food side is run by Chef Ito, whose culinary creations are nothing short of brilliant. Virtually everything on this menu is a masterpiece both to behold and devour. Things can get pricey, with entrees ranging from almost $13 to $21.95, but for food of this caliber, those prices are a bargain. My favorite dish is the De La Mamma, an exotic-looking juxtaposition of avocado, broccoli and coconut meat, covered in a tasty secret sauce. Desserts are outstanding. And don't leave without trying one of the smoothies. The Jackfruit Smoothie and Durianaddict are the best.
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Leaf Cuisine,11938 W. Washington Blvd, West L.A., 310-390-6005 and 14318 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, 818,907-8779, www.leafcuisine.com

Jade Cafe, 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, L.A., 323-667-1551

Au Lac, 16563 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, 714-418-0658, www.aulac.com.