This article is the first in a series on San Diego experiences. From dining to adventure sports and stellar stays, if it’s time for a break from the City of Angeles, San Diego is just a short drive away.
Los Angeles diners may have grown accustomed to enjoying gratitude: Cafe Gratitude has several outposts in the LA area including Larchmont and Venice, not to mention upscale vegan Mexican cuisine at the elegant Gracias Madre. Now San Diego’s trendy Little Italy area has it’s own Gratitude, a sleek, bright, modern space with a glassed-in kitchen, white tile, retro lighting, and of course, cool vegan fare, served in style.
Above, Cafe Gratitude’s take on soul food, with a health-conscious twist. “Resolved” features Louisiana red beans and dirty rice, seared blackened tempeh, smashed maple garnet yams, Cajun spiced collards, barbecue sauce and a gluten-free jalapeno biscuit. Beautifully spiced and by far lighter than traditional soul food preparation, it’s a robust and satisfying dish.
Below, a simple but incredibly flavorful dish, and honestly among my favorites on the menu: “Comforted.” Simple doesn’t mean dull. Just taste the organic roasted garnet yams, rosemary, potatoes and delicious dipping sauces: spicy cashew nacho cheese or coconut mint chutney. The mint is not to be missed.
Beverages here are another of my favorite parts of any gratitude experience, and on a sunny afternoon in San Diego, these were especially appreciated. Yes, there are quality beers and wines, but we went with the supremely refreshing “Elevated”: rose water lemonade with agave, sparkling water, and a drop of beet juice; and the house-made ginger kombucha, “Gutsy.”
The salads are unsurprisingly pretty terrific, too. I had the autumn grain salad, “Gracious.” This large and crisp garden dish features shredded radicchio, sun-dried tomato pistachio pesto, roasted butternut squash, olives, crumbled cashew feta, garbanzo beans, capers, sweet garlic almonds, brazil nut parmesan, golden balsamic reduction, and quinoa.
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We did save room for another splendid beverage: we split a mint chip shake for dessert, which is a must. “Cool” is made with cashew coconut ice cream, almond milk, mint, vitamineral green powder, cacao nibs, and vanilla bean. Even though you’re dining in Little Italy, you’ll be ever so glad you choose it over a cannoli, promise.
San Diego’s Cafe Gratitude is located at 1980 Kettner Blvd., a few blocks from the sea and in the heart of Little Italy.