CRU Vegan Cuisine

raw vegan organic can be yummy. this is a place where it is. more

I was in awe while dining at Cru - I couldn't believe how great my meal was. Every bite delighted my mouth. Cru is a restaurant I highly recommend whenever anyone asks me where they should eat in Silver Lake. I had a lot of food at Cru, both raw and cooked. However, it was the raw food that really blew me away, because some of it tasted cooked. The cooked food was great too. They are now serving Sunday brunch, which I'll definitely have to make a trip to try. I loved the atmosphere - small, cozy, but beautiful. The service was also great - my waitress was very sweet and attentive. For more details on my experience at Cru, please watch my video review. Since I can't post the link in here, please Google: Eco-Vegan Gal Cru. It will show up as ""Cru: Eco-Vegan Gal review"" Pros: both raw and cooked food Cons: parking more

This used to be my favorite restaurant. I agree with other reviewer, the staff is really great here. Very friendly. But the kitchen itself is so inconsistent now that it's just too undependable to frequent. Each of the last 4 times I've been I ordered my favorites and each time the ingredients and flavors were different or lacking. One or two vegetables or other ingredient missing. Don't know what the problem is, but when you put something on a menu you have to make it with, more or less, the the same ingredients, spices and dressings or use an equal substitute. I realize that with organic local produce there will be substitutes from time to time. But not all the time. AND it should be a substitute not just an omission. Bottom line, I just feel like I never know what I'm going to get as they're always out of a lot of the ingredients that make this food so special in the first place. It's pricey, but when it's good it is so worth it. Unfortunately, when it's not, it is way too much money for mediocre vegan. Pros: Wonderful staff - very friendly and accommodating Cons: Very inconsistent. more

The food is pretty amazing, especially for someone new to vegetarian/vegan/raw food. Very flavorful, textured, and satisfying. Started with the herbed cashew cheese & fig pate that came with some pomegranate and a flatbread-like cracker. The cheese had the texture of rondele spread, but herby and flavorful. The fig tasted very naturally sweet rather than sugared up. It was a great combination. Then we had the pumpkin seed walnut chorizo wrap and sweet potato curry. It's amazing how satisfying all of this was even though there was no meat. You never feel like there's anything missing. I can't wait to go back. Pros: The food! Cons: street parking only. more

I had lunch here yesterday, and as a meat eater, I was extremely surprised at how much I liked the food. It seems to be very delicately prepared. The atmosphere is low key and ""cafe"" like, not too pretentious. Most main entrees are around $15, and if you are really hungry, I would recommend getting an appetizer as well because the portions are not too generous. Overall I was very satisfied with the dishes and service. The staff is incredibly nice. Pros: great service, very healthy food Cons: prices were out of my budget more

I live on the westside so I don't venture to Silverlake too much, but boy am I glad I did on Wednesday night. I went with a group of 9 and everyone at my table ordered something different. The food was both beautiful and delicious. Our table looked like artwork. We all got out our cameras. Seriously. I recommend the yellow thai curry, the seaweed salad, and the kale salad. And then came the desserts!!! Rich, yummy vegan chocolate cake, mint ""ice cream"" and a gooey brownie. Rachel Carr is a vegan culinary genius. \r \r I will definitely be going back. Hopefully soon. Pros: reasonably priced more

Being a newcomer to veganism, this was not the best place to eat. I liked the staff - they were super nice. The food all seemed to have just too much something in it and was just blah. Maybe my palet is just not that sophisticated, but it was really just ok. more

When it comes to food, I'm fairly adventurous, but extremely traditional: it's all about cooked meat (except sushi) cooked vegetables, sauces, etc. So, to say I was skeptical when a friend asked to meet her there for lunch is understating things quite a bit. I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the meal. Everything was delicious! I especially loved the dishes made with nut cheese, vegetables and mushrooms in various states of preparation (in this case meaning seasoning and slicing).\r \r I recommend it to everyone I know, and go back as often as I can. Pros: Amazing food, friendly service, cute place. Cons: Parking can be tough - welcome to LA more

This is one of my favorite restaurants in LA. The atmosphere is chill and cozy, the service accommodating, and the food totally delicious. You have to be pretty creative to turn raw food into a restaurant meal. The food is clearly made with love--super fresh ingredients and interesting flavors. And my husband and I always leave here quite full. We usually split an appetizer, each have an entree and split dessert. If you are a vegetarian or have any interest in veg/raw cuisine, give this place a try. more

I think I have eaten at every raw restaurant in L.A. Cru is one of the most charming and tasty of them, but I found the prices and portions to be uneven. The plates are visually stunning in the fashion of a fancy French restaurant and the flavors are subtle, but full. My main complaint is that as a vegetarian, I need to eat just a little more to feel satisfied. It works to put a tiny piece of meat on a plate surrounded by some dapple of sauce, but when it's vegetables, one feels starved in about 10 minutes with those portions. I spent $47.00 (for two tip included) and had to go home and eat later. I'm not a pig, but these meals, as tasty as they are just don't satisfy the way that the ones at Leaf, another raw place do (for much less money Pros: Great food intimate atmosphere Cons: Portions are rediculous more

I was in Silver Lake in business and the wheather got bad, so I went into Cru for a coffee. Have you ever had healthy coffee? It tastes just as good or better than a great cup of regular coffee. I asked for a tasty suggestion and the chef said I should try their chocolate cake. I'm not a vegan so I hesitated, but after a brief description of how it's made and how good it is for you, I figured I might as well satisfy my craving and not feel guilty about breaking my New Year's resolution. When she brought it to the table accompanied by a delicious scoop of chocolate ice cream, it smelled and looked sooo delicious! It tasted even better! and healthy for me as well?! SoI decided to become a dessert-vegan. I can eat delicious cake and chocolate ice cream and feel great! THIS IS A MUST TRY IF YOU'RE EVER IN SILVER LAKE!!! Pros: DESSERT Cons: not having time to try other dishes, but will go back for more!!!! more

For a saturday lunch, we stopped at Flore Vegan only to realize that they are closed from 1-3. We went down the street to Cru and had a great experience. All dishes served at this establishment are raw and the two dishes we tried were delicious. The greek kafta was similar to falafel and was served with a tasty tzatzki sauce. Their miso ravioli was very satisfying, and the cashew cheese tasted a lot like ricotta. Try the ginger peach iced tea - very refreshing!\r more

This place is the best raw restaurant. The service is super friendly and everything on the menu is delicious. Pros: Everything! service, food, atmosphere Cons: nothing more