Kerstin Kühn: On veganism and LA's top vegan restaurants

This month, Los Angeles-based food writer Kerstin Kühn wonders why veganism is still frowned upon by so many chefs and takes a look at LA’s top vegan restaurants and their signature dishes. One of the strangest things I have had to get used to living in Los Angeles is people’s unusual eating habits. Almost everyone here is on a different diet: gluten-free; meat-free; dairy-free, paleo or raw food only. It’s exhausting to keep up with everyone’s dietary restrictions and when I recently invited some new friends over for dinner, I instantly regretted that decision when they told me they were vegans. I actually panicked. “We must cancel or suggest we eat out instead,” I shrieked. “What the hell can I cook that is vegan?” “Ask one of your chef friends,” my husband calmly replied. But when I took to Facebook asking my “chef friends” to please help with recipe ideas, these were some of their responses: “Lights off and be very, very quiet if the doorbell goes.” “Choose your friends more carefully.” “Run!” While the comments obviously made me laugh, they also made me realise that veganism is still something many meat eaters and clearly a lot of chefs frown upon. And I think those beefy opinions are largely unfair. Firstly, as annoying as it can be at times, let’s not judge people based on their eating habits. If everyone ate a little less meat, I’m confident this world would be a better place. Secondly, as chefs, who cook for a living, surely you guys should have a few ideas for meat-free dishes up your sleeves? It’s 2016, people – embrace different types of cuisines, including plant-based cooking. A plate is not just a plate of food if it has meat on it! I understand that living in Southern California, I am exceptionally lucky to have access to some of the most incredible fresh produce in the world. With vegetables that are so fresh, vibrant and full of flavour, it’s easy to cook an amazing dish without meat. But in an effort to inspire meat eaters and chefs elsewhere in the world to try to cook and eat a bit more vegan food once in a while, here’s a little round up of some of Los Angeles’ best vegan restaurants and their top dishes. LA’s TOP VEGAN DISHES: Plant Food and Wine This Venice Beach restaurant is the new flagship from celebrity chef and James Beard Award nominee Matthew Kenney. The ethos is serving upscale vegan cuisine showcasing local produce alongside organic and biodynamic wines. There’s no tofu here, just the best seasonal fruit and vegetables the chefs can find. Top dish: Cacio e Pepe This is a vegan take on the Roman pasta dish, consisting of raw zucchini and spicy greens tossed in a sauce made from sunflower cream with lashings of black pepper and lemon, and topped with sprouts and a black olive crumb. It’s light and fresh, peppery and creamy and nobody needs dairy when it is served like this. Crossroads New York Times bestselling author and chef Tal Ronnen is the go-to chef for LA’s most famous