Fresh on Sunset Food Review
By Valerie Wilson of Trusted Travel Girl
Dining meat-free or reducing your meat-footprint often means a lot of green juices and kale salads, especially in Los Angeles. Not here at Fresh on Sunset. The menu at Fresh boasts a multitude of plant-based and meat-free choices such as poutine, buffalo “chicken” wraps, loaded nachos, and even housemade grain burgers with tempeh “bacon.”
The Fresh brand was founded in Toronto in 1999 as a premier source of delicious, plant-based food. Fresh offers raw, organic cold-pressed juices, craft cocktails, and food made daily from fresh, whole ingredients. After 20 years in Toronto, they’ve launched an LA outpost on Sunset Boulevard.
From the moment you walk in the door, you realize that Fresh is so much more than a restaurant. It’s a feeling. From the bright and airy space to the green decor and bright menus, walking into Fresh on Sunset provides an instant mood-lift.
If you’re looking to start with drinks, I recommend “the Crown.” A favorite drink of Angeleno actress turned Royal, Megan Markle when she was filming “Suits” in Toronto. This cucumber-based cocktail comes in a carefully garnished glass, complete with a cucumber spiral inside the glass. This light libation is sure to brighten your day!
Before diving into the meat-free dishes, it should be noted that I tend to opt for meat-free options most of the time. I typically avoid meat “alternatives” that are trying to be something they are not. I tend to choose a kale salad over a meat-free version of a meat-based dish. However, the meat-free options at Fresh on Sunset are exactly what impressed me so much!
If you’re looking for a hearty sharable dish that’s worthy of Monday night football, look no further than the nachos. Rather than a soy-based meat alternative you might usually find in vegan nachos, the Sunset version features a mushroom and artichoke “chorizo” topped with creamy cashew queso. I didn’t miss real meat or cheese one bit; I think I actually prefer this over the real thing!
The Buffalo Wrap boasts a delicious crispy chicken alternative; tofu coated in the restaurant’s magic tofu coating. As someone who isn’t a fan of tofu as a meat alternative, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious this wrap is.
The burgers and wraps come with a choice of fries or a side salad, or you can upgrade to an item on the sides menu. I’m a sucker for poutine, so I decided to give the vegan version a try. The plant-based poutine was my favorite item on the menu at Fresh on Sunset. Start with golden brown fries seasoned to perfection, then add a hearty mushroom gravy topped with vegan cheese curds, and you won’t miss a thing from the traditional meat and dairy-based poutine.
Besides the botanical chic decor, incredible food, and lovely staff, something that really stands out to me is the thorough ingredient list for every dish. Many of my friends have food allergies, so it’s nice to see a comprehensive list of ingredients readily available.
Not only did I enjoy all of the delicious eats, but I really noticed how great I felt after eating at Fresh on Sunset. Rather than feeling gross and bogged down with meat and cheese, I felt satisfied but healthy. I didn’t miss the meat at all, and I definitely didn’t miss the overstuffed sluggish feeling I often have after a big meal.
