Established in Beverly Hills, Greenleaf has built authentic, community-based dining experiences throughout Los Angeles and Orange County where neighbors and good food meet. Boasting 6 locations, Greenleaf continues to expand, adding new locations with full bar amenities, catering capabilities and grab-n-go options available for customers wanting to eat healthy while on the run. Greenleaf is fueled by a passion to lead a healthy life, touting “eat well, live well.”

Greenleaf gourmet chopshop just opened its doors on Abbot Kinney and it’s already chopping it up and packing it in! It’s no wonder why. Within the elegant hip decor Greenleaf chefs are dishing up cuisine made of fresh, all-natural, organic and locally farmed ingredients for your herbivores, omnivores and carnivores alike. It’s a hot spot that is super cool for everyone to get into. And you can either get in and get out or take a seat in their gorgeous outdoor patio, bar or cushy corner and stay a while. Either way, Greenleaf is “defying the boundaries of fast-casual dining by offering gourmet meals from a chef-driven menu.”

Not particualarly hungry or in want of a fresh juice or libation to compliment your meal? You’ll be in heaven with their assortments of juices (both fruity and green) and a full bar with an incredibly unique cocktail program, utilizing ingredients like activated charcoal, bee pollen and lavender.

In great hands with Director of Operations, Sarah Turncliff, my press visit was super fun and super tasty. She set me up with her favorites that were vegan friendly. I’ve got to say, I concur with her selection!

She started me off with a series of green drinks, one less sweet than the one before – so that a girl can ease her way into the super green. Each was beautifully mild and balanced. The first one, Pina-kale-ada, has a pulpy texture from the sweet pinapple with an earthy green backdrop. I could drink this all day. The second one, Farm to Face, balances the greens with apple and lemon. Ok, I could drink this lovely combo all day too. And then the third – the goal drink, Garden Greens, still has a sweet polarizing tang of fresh lemon and felt so clean going down. I could drink this all day too and actually probably should! Yum! Yum! And, Yum!

Then, it was time for a cacophony of cocktails. Goodness! I wish I could have shared these puppies. They were all prepared and presented uniquely. They were like fresh juices with a kick! I sampled Joey’s Spicy Paloma that was reminiscent of a garden fresh margarita that gives a quick bite to the tongue with every sip (el jimandor reposado tequila, lime, agave, hellfire bitters & cactus grapefruit soda), Berry Blush which came out like a snow cone in a glass made fancy with the pepper oil on the ice to give a olafactory experience with each sip (bourbon, honey, strawberries, thyme & black pepper oil), a Greenleaf Mule that felt detoxifying with its’ charcoal infused vodka, lime, ginger syrup and ginger ale, and finally my absolute favorite (and, Sarah’s too) – the Fig & Lemon. Oh my! As she said, “It’s like summer in a glass.” The bourbon has a depth, the homemade fig jam and honey gives a sweet, earthy smoothness, and the lemon provides a high note to cleanse the palate and keep you reaching back for more. It’s amazing! I would go back just for this!

But, then the food came! Given I was indulged already and ready to fill my tummy, I couldn’t wait to get my grub on. First, and incredible Antioxidant Orchard salad was given to me, dense with goodness chopped up to perfection. (Scarborough farms baby mixed greens, grapes, celery, walnuts, dried series, apples, blue cheese, mint, red onion, cucumbers & berries with pomegranate whole grain mustard vinaigrette) The Mac & Cheese was a welcomed dish as well. Incredibly vegan, made with cashew nut cheese, it was creamy to satisfaction and perfectly topped with flakes of crusty bread crumbs.

A beautiful platter with Artichoke Spinach Dip with crunchy flatbread chips was hard to stop noshing. So I have to say, I was very thankful to be able to share both appetizers with my awesome new-found friends, Kevin Krakower, a realtor at Teles Properties and Jordan Bruner, a designer at her own firm. We had a blast chatting it up and diving in to all the goodness Greenleaf prepared. The Artichoke Spinach dip is everything you might love about artichoke dip without the mayo mess. As Kevin attested, “Most artichoke dips have so much mayo you have to take a Lipitor to get through it.” This vegan dip will stave off all over the counter prescription compulsions and please the palate at the same time! Interestingly a bit bitter from the spinach, sumptuous from the artichokes and creamy by the preparation, it’s just dang good and pretty to look at too. It’s a great dish to share. And then…wow! A California Vegan Burger made of quinoa showed up. With baby arugula, avocado pesto, tomato, vegan cheese and special Greenleaf garlic aioli, this burger is nothing to shy away from. Rather, it’s one to sink your teeth into and indulge in guilt free!

I can’t wait to go back and partake again! You can too. Check Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop out in their new local on Abbot Kinney or any of their other locations in Beverly Hills, Century City, Costa Mesa, Soco-Costa Mesa, Hollywood and Venice. Bring them to your next event as well. They’ll prepare a spread for you from their event offices in Orange County or Los Angeles.

*All photos by author, Rochelle Robinson