428407 Mon Aug 06 09:43:32 -0700 2007 16 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2817739 My mom is coming to visit me this weekend and I’d like to take her to somewhere special to eat. On Friday, we’re going to head to LACMA and probably eat dinner in the general area afterwards. The thing is that she was a huge foodie, but has almost completely stopped eating out because of dietary restrictions b/c of kidney disease. Are there any places around LACMA (doesn’t need to be very close since I have a car and am willing to drive around) that cater to low sodium, low protein diets? If not, what GOOD restaurant has a good selection of such items or will take a special request from a diner on such restrictions? Mon Aug 06 09:43:32 -0700 2007 21477 mstinawu 1 2817846 You might want to try a vegetarian or vegan place. These are a few places in the area: A Votre Sante 13016 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood, CA 90049 Phone: 310-451-1813 Hours: Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m.to 9:00 p.m. Leaf Cuisine (Raw Vegan Kosher) 11938 West Washington Blvd,, Culver City, CA 90066 Phone: 310-390-6005 FAX: 310-390-5720 Hours: Daily 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. e-mail: info@leafcuisine.com Website: http://www.leafcuisine.com Truly A Vegan Restaurant (Vegan) 5907 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028 Phone: 323-466-7533 FAX: 323-466-7958 Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11:00 1.m. to 11:00 p.m. M Café de Chaya (Macrobiotic and Vegan Friendly) 7119 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046 Phone: 323-525-0588 FAX: 323-535-0310 Hours: Daily 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Website: http://mcafedechaya.com/ Tierra Café (Vegetarian and Vegan) 818 Wilshire Blvd., #D, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: 213-629-1402 Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday Euphoria loves RAWvolution (Raw Vegan 2301 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405 Phone 310-392-9501 Hours: Daily 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Website: http://www.rawvolution.com Real Food Daily (Vegan Kosher) 514 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Phone: 310-451-7544 Hours: 11:30 a.m.to 10:00 p.m. daily Website: http://www.realfood.com Real Food Daily (Vegan Kosher) 414 North La Cienega, West Hollywood, CA 90048 Phone: 310-289-9910 Hours: 11:30 a.m.to 11:00 p.m. daily Website: http://www.realfood.com Native Foods 1110 1/2 Gayley Ave., Westwood, CA 90024 Phone: 310-209-1055 Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Website: http://www.nativefoods.com Mon Aug 06 10:07:15 -0700 2007 2817739 11201 Diana 2 2818765 Wow~ That is a huge list, but we don't need to be restricted to vegetarian as I'm taking her to a Chinese vegetarian restaurant the next day in the San Gabriel Valley. But from that list.. Do you have any favorites? Mon Aug 06 13:42:23 -0700 2007 2817846 21477 mstinawu 3 2820829 I like M Cafe De Chaya, and Native Foods. Actualy, the original Chayas might be a good option. Google them, too. I LOVE ethiopian, but it is too salty for your mom. Tue Aug 07 07:07:06 -0700 2007 2818765 11201 Diana 3 2824167 fwiw, meat and poultry not only pack a protein punch, but they are high in phosphorus (also not good for those with kidney disease), so i WOULD consider sticking to vegetarian places for meals with your mom. if the vegetarian restaurant you will be going to is HAPPY FAMILY, be sure to ask them to reduce the salt/soy sauce that they use. Tue Aug 07 22:20:17 -0700 2007 2818765 11935 westsidegal 2 2824153 i second all your recommendations EXCEPT leaf. every single one of the others is a winner. Tue Aug 07 22:13:55 -0700 2007 2817846 11935 westsidegal 2 2825441 I haven't been too too many American vegan/vegetarian restaurants, but I have been to 'The Green Temple' here in the South Bay and 'Inn of the Seventh Ray' up in Topanga. I thought 'The Green Temple' was pretty bad though I might just be a meat eater, but my vegetarian friend who I took there agreed. How would you say Inn of the Seventh Ray compares to those places? I've been there once but I didn't try any of their vegan dishes--I thought it was quite good though it's also quite a drive away from LACMA. Wed Aug 08 10:18:04 -0700 2007 2817846 21477 mstinawu 3 2825905 I like the Inn of the Seventh Ray. I find the food very good, and the outdoor dining is one of the prettiest places to eat. Not everyone likes the food, though. It's a lot more expensive than the places I listed, and a bit of a drive, but a good special occasion place. I like the SUnday Brunch. Wed Aug 08 12:03:38 -0700 2007 2825441 11201 Diana 1 2817880 We have the same issues w/ my dad, and fnd that almost any restaurant is okay if you order correctly. Stick to a place where your mom can get salad and veggies with her protein main course, and you should be all right. You'll want to avoid most Asian foods, since so much of the cuisine involves soy sauce and/or MSG, and Italian might be a problem, since tomato sauce is so high in sodium. If you have to watch potassium, bear in mind that potatoes, beans, and nuts are very high in potassium, and should also be avoided. Mon Aug 06 10:16:26 -0700 2007 2817739 10203 CynD 1 2818273 If your mom is a "foodie" and would really like to enjoy an evening of "dining" without being reminded that she is being restricted, try calling ahead when you make your reservarion and ask if they would be happy to accommodate your health restrictions...at these places, they most likely WILL: GRACE 7360 Beverly Boulevard LA, CA 90036 323-934-4400 Hattfields also on Beverly Hungry Cat Sunset/Vine Complex 323-462-2155 AOC Mon Aug 06 11:48:43 -0700 2007 2817739 93485 tatertotsrock 2 2820341 I second Grace. Of the above list, I like A Votre Sante, but a completely different experience. Another "nice" restaurant nice for parents is Campanile. Very casual as well would be Hugo's. Mon Aug 06 23:46:41 -0700 2007 2818273 15572 Emme 3 2821090 I have to disagree with the Grace recommendation. I feel that the chef uses a very heavy hand with salt. Tue Aug 07 08:05:40 -0700 2007 2820341 67720 maudies5 4 2822436 That's interesting, as I've never had that experience. Regardless, a phone call ahead to any of the finer restaurants should result in a willing chef and wonderful evening. Tue Aug 07 12:49:35 -0700 2007 2821090 15572 Emme 4 2822437 When I look at their online menu, all of the entrees also featured some sort of meat as their main item of attraction on their dish. If I asked them to accommodate, they'd just remove the meat and what would I be left w/?! Garnish and some sauteed veggies?! =P Tue Aug 07 12:49:54 -0700 2007 2821090 21477 mstinawu 5 2822485 My ex was a vegetarian, and when I took him for his birthday, they accommodated with a veggie tasting menu! So... take from that what you will! However, garnish might be cheaper :-) Tue Aug 07 13:02:37 -0700 2007 2822437 15572 Emme 5 2823229 Hello again, Actually, the chef is amazing with rare grains, veggies, and soups that can eat like a meal...back in the day when he was at BOXER, I could have been a vegetarian because some of his most amazing dishes didn't even include meat, butter, or animal stock....luckily, I love to eat anything that lands on my plate and I'm active enough to not feel guitly about it. Give GRACE a try, I think you'll really enjoy it. Tue Aug 07 16:10:01 -0700 2007 2822437 93485 tatertotsrock 4 2823212 Maudies5, Hello, Actually if you call ahead, and let them know you have a guest w/restrictions, they are very good about taking care of their guests, letting you know about what can and cannot be altered an what would be good choices depending upon the needs. Tue Aug 07 16:06:43 -0700 2007 2821090 93485 tatertotsrock