BY CHLOE.
AWARD-WINNING VEGAN EATS COMES TO SILVER LAKE

I have to admit that writing a food blog does have its perks as you get to try all kinds of different food, from live shrimp to raw cuisine to even a smorgasbord off meats during a recent burger restaurant opening. Recently I had the pleasure of checking out the new by CHLOE., a vegan fast casual hot-spot new to Los Angeles that is bringing 100% vegan, plant-based cuisine to the heart of Silver Lake.

The brainchild of founders Samantha Wasser and Chef Chloe Coscarelli, by CHLOE, at least in Los Angeles, has teamed up with 365 by Whole Foods and by CHLOE. will be the first “Friend of 365” offering a full by CHLOE. restaurant inside the new store location on Glendale Boulevard.

Chef Chloe is a lifelong vegetarian, and vegan for ten years, and is an award-winning chef and best-selling cookbook author. She first earned national attention after winning the Food Network’s reality-competition series “Cupcake Wars” as the first vegan chef to win a culinary competition on national television. In 2014, Chloe partnered with Samantha Wasser and her ESquared Hospitality to bring healthy and satisfying vegan and plant-based dishes to the masses with the launch of by CHLOE.

During our recent visit to the flagship L.A. location, we braved the chaotic parking lot where spots can be rare and priceless commodities at peak times. Step inside by CHLOE. and you’ll be taken by its charm and welcoming spirit.

While I always welcoming eating vegan fare, especially when it’s not all soy-based products and instead uses real ingredients as Chef Chloe does, the one thing I’ve never been satisfied with is mac ‘n cheese. Vegan cuisine has never been able to replicate mac n’ cheese, at least not to my liking, but props to Chef Chloe who has managed to serve me the first mac n’ cheese dish that thoroughly satisfied me. Using sweet potato-cashew cheese sauce, shitake bacon and almond parm, her delightful and rich dish set a great tone for the rest of the meal.

The Quinoa Taco salad is another solid choice made with spicy seitan chorizo, black beans, sweet corn, avocado, tomato, tortilla strips, créma and agave-lime vinaigrette. Let me tell you, this is big salad that is filling and satisfying.

Other hearty standouts include the Pesto Meatball sandwich made with Italian meatballs (portobello and veggie), marinara, sweet peppers, basil pesto, cashew mozz, almond parm on a potato sub roll. This one is a winner. And not to be outdone, The Guac Burger made with black bean-quinoa, sweet potato patty, corn salsa, onion, guacamole, tortilla strips, chipotle aioli on a whole grain bun gets the job done too.

Great sides dishes include the fabulous Kale Artichoke Dip and the air baked French fries, especially the sweet potato ones. I’m not the biggest kale or artichoke fan but the dip was extremely tasty and we couldn’t help but grub on every last drop.

Because Chef Chloe made a name for herself after winning “Cupcake Wars”, I couldn’t wait to feast on desserts but I have to say the winning cupcake was a little disappointing. It made me ask, did she win a vegan cupcake war? The answer to that is no. But the other desserts, including the “Hostess” vegan cupcake and the chocolate + espresso cookies were out of this world good.

I love the use of fresh and actual ingredients on all the menu items, especially the use of sweet potato instead of soy. That impresses me.

“Our menu features locally-sourced ingredients in their most natural form to create inspired dishes, made 100% by us daily,” Chef says. “We are passionate about feeding our customers hearty, nourishing meals made from whole ingredients that can have a positive impact on their overall mind, body and health. At by CHLOE., our goal is simple —to redefine what it means to eat well.”

And the proof is in the pudding or in this case cupcakes, mac n’ cheese and a whole slew of other fine vegan delights.

by Chloe. is located at 2520 Glendale Blvd in Silver Lake. Open daily Mon-Fri from 11am to 10pm; Sat & Sun from 10am.

Story by Jose Martinez

Photography Courtesy: by Chloe.