These are my food adventures on our latest trip to San Jose and Los Angeles…

1. Stacks

The first thing I researched before leaving for San Jose was a gluten-free breakfast restaurant and I’m so glad I found Stacks. It has been around for a long time and I noticed they had a whole separate gluten-free menu with a Belgian waffle section.

Now that’s a win!

The restaurant is very homey. American style and everyone was extremely friendly.

I, of course, had the gluten-free Belgian strawberry waffle. It wasn’t dairy-free so it was made with butter but I had to try it!!

It was so delicious, so fluffy and buttery. I didn’t have the whipped cream on the top but it was still one of the best waffles I’ve had!

If you are in San Jose… Stacks for breakfast is a must!

2. Mendocino farms

I’m so glad I stumbled upon this spot while walking around Santana Row in San Jose.

They are known for their meat and sandwiches. The vibe in the restaurant is very chill but upscale. There is a beautiful tree in the middle of the restaurant that really sets the tone and the decor reminded me of Europe!

You order at the counter and then they bring you your food. I ended up getting a salad. It was huge! Packed with lots of greens and tossed with quinoa puffs, corn, cherry tomatoes, and avocado. I added shaved chicken to the top and it was really really good! Definitely a unique salad I haven’t had before that was tasty!

3. True Food Kitchen

The next day I explored Palo Alto. Mostly because I wanted to go to the store Everlane which was in the Stanford Shopping Center. I ended up getting the cauliflower polenta with chicken on top and a tulsi tea with lemon and ginger. This meal was so warming, it was exactly what I needed on a cooler day. I don’t think I’ve ever had polenta before and this was really tasty. I believe it was made with cauliflower and cashew butter. The whole dish was unique, something I would never make at home and a nice change from eating salads. The vibe of the restaurant was very lively and fun. There were lots of colors and a huge open kitchen right in the restaurant.

4. Tocaya Organics  

We stumbled upon this place while near Hollywood boulevard. It looked so cute we had to check the menu. Turns out there were a bunch of healthy options. This ended up being one of the best places we ate at. Tocayo is like a healthy Mexican restaurant. The bowls are packed with nutrient-dense ingredients that are fresh and the chicken was extremely tasty and flavourful. This place will not disappoint if you are looking for healthy options in LA.