An LA’s The Place Top Pick for 2011!
True Food Kitchen has opened in Santa Monica and was an immediate smash. People cannot get enough of this new innovative, health-conscious, beautiful eatery, developed in partnership with Dr. Andrew Weil, best-selling author and 30-year pioneer in developing, applying, and teaching others about the principles of integrative medicine. According to Larry King, Weil is “America’s Doctor”. Dr. Weil combines a Harvard education and a lifetime of practicing integrative medicine to provide a unique approach to health care which encompasses body, mind, and spirit.
Dr. Weil joined forces with the Fox Restaurant Concept’s True Food Kitchen. The entire menu is centered on the principals of Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid. Everything on the menu is organic, natural, sustainable and delicious!
According to Dr. Weil: “Following an anti-inflammatory diet can help counteract the chronic inflammation that is a root cause of many serious diseases, including those that become more frequent as people age. It is a way of selecting and preparing foods based on science that can help people achieve and maintain optimum health over their lifetime.
True Food Kitchen’s menu, under the helm of Chef Michael Stebner, utilizes in-season and local products primarily, and create healthy cuisine that is both delicious and nutritious. Chef Stebner takes inspiration from the Mediterranean to Asia, therefore the menu reflects an international array of options.
“Those with dietary restrictions often have limited choices when eating out. True Food Kitchen offers a wide variety of dishes to satisfy those with specific food intolerances as well as those simply looking for a flavorful meal they can feel good about eating,” said Chef Michael Stebner.
High-quality grains, vegetables, wild-caught fish, certified Angus natural beef, and free-range chicken are featured, and a variety of dishes are offered as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free, and menu notations easily identify these choices.
Menu selections for lunch include:
Tuscan Kale Salad, Lemon, Parmesan & Bread Crumb; Organic Tomato & Roasted Vegetable Pizza; Turkey Burger, Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato & Avocado on Flax Seed Bun; Wild Ahi Sliders, Radish, Avocado, Cucumber, & Wasabi Aioli on Sesame Brioche; Steak Tacos, Avocado, Cotija Cheese, Anasazi Bean and Tomatillo Salsa. Lunch selections range from $6-17.
For dinner, the courses are a bit more substantial but still in Dr. Weil’s spirit of wholesome food:
Spaghetti Squash Casserole, Fresh Mozzarella, Organic Tomato & Zucchini; Sashimi Tuna Salad with Avocado, Cucumber, Edamame & Ginger; Teriyaki Brown Rice Bowl, Asian Vegetable, Sesame, Avocado, choice of Tofu, Chicken, Shrimp; Pan Seared Halibut, Snap Peas, Asparagus, Purple Potato & Umami. Prices range from $6-25.
Most people see Sunday Brunch as a ‘cheat’ day from their diet to splurge, but at True Food Kitchen, you won’t have to feel guilt about this brunch. During Saturday and Sunday brunch, many lunch dishes are offered, in addition to breakfast items, including: Antioxidant Muffin, Cranberry & Olivello Glaze; Tofu Scramble Wrap, Soy Chorizo, Pasilla, and Anasazi Bean; Breakfast Burrito, Egg, Turkey Bacon, Provolone, Anasazi Bean & Salsa; Market Vegetable Scramble, Sweet Potato Hash, Onion & Two Eggs. Brunch options are priced from $3-17.
A vast array of wines are available.
Wines are offered based on each wineries’ commitment to organic, biodynamic and/or sustainable farming practices. Specialty beer and sake are also available. House-made cocktails feature fresh-squeezed juices, herbs, and organic spirits.
Delicious elixers.
Non-alcoholic beverages like fresh juices and elixirs are also available.
The location has determined the design and menu selections of True Food Kitchen. Just because it’s a health-oriented restaurant doesn’t mean there isn’t a full bar complete with exotic cocktails for the cocktail-culture of Los Angeles.
The 6,500-sq. ft. True Food Kitchen at Santa Monica Place was designed by Sam Fox and Judi Testani of Testani Design Group.
In keeping with Dr. Weil’s healthy living philosophy, Green is the theme of the restaurant in its environmentally-friendly architecture, its living wall of herbs and plants gracing the entryway and the décor’s color palette of lemon-twist yellow and apple green. Some of the many materials selected for the restaurant that are environmentally friendly, include high-efficiency kitchen equipment, low-voltage LED lighting, low-VOC paint, reclaimed wood floors, compostable takeout containers and a Natura Water Purification Unit used to create still and carbonated bottled water in-house.
Because of its being located in sunny Southern California, lots of windows let in natural light and an immense 1,000-sq. ft. heated patio surrounded in greenery is available to take in the ocean breeze.
The Santa Monica location is Fox Restaurant Concepts fourth True Food Kitchen. The first was opened in Phoenix in 2008. The restaurant recently expanded the concept to Newport Beach, CA and Scottsdale, AZ.
Very popular already!
Launched in 1998, Fox Restaurant Concepts is the parent company of 13 unique concepts located in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, and Texas: The Arrogant Butcher (Phoenix); Blanco Tacos + Tequila (Scottsdale, Tucson); Bloom (Denver, Scottsdale); Culinary Dropout (Scottsdale); The Greene House (Scottsdale); Modern Steak (Scottsdale); Montana Avenue (Tucson); NoRTH (Denver, Kansas, Scottsdale, Austin, Tucson); Olive & Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace (Scottsdale); Sauce (Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson); True Food Kitchen (Newport Beach, Phoenix; Scottsdale); Wildflower (Tucson); and Zinburger (Phoenix, Tucson). The concepts range from upscale casual and fast casual to mixed food service and retail operations. Fox Restaurant Concepts are all unique and fresh in cuisine, style, service and design and are dedicated to offering the highest quality food, with exceptional service in a stylish and comfortable atmosphere.
True Food Kitchen is open seven days a week. Reservations are available for parties of 8 or more, with take-out service as well. Underground and valet parking available.
True Food Kitchen
Santa Monica Place,
395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 172
Santa Monica, CA 90401.
310.593.8300
www.truefoodkitchen.com
For more information, view Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid or visit Dr. Weil’s website www.DrWeil.com.
Watch for my Q and A with Dr. Andrew Weil coming here on LATP soon!
