KREATION ORGANIC
ABBOT KINNEY KAFE & JUICERY

It used to be that “juicing” was a bad thing. A practice ball players and athletes would do in order to get an unfair advantage against their competition. Now juicing is all the rage for people trying to be healthier and get a better advantage for themselves health-wise. Going green now has a whole new meaning and taste. All over town, Kreation Kafe is on a mission to provide healthy and delicious drinks and dishes designed to invigorate the body and mind.

Known for serving “pressed juice,” which has significantly more nourishment and health benefits than traditional juicing methods, Kreation’s juices are made from Farmer’s Market 100% organic fruits and vegetables purchased in Santa Monica. They flood the body’s cells with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that cleanse, heal, and nourish. They say their goal is to provide nourishing, clean fuel for the mind, body, and spirit.

With juicery locations in Beverly Hills (where they have the first ever 24-hour fresh-pressed juice vending machine), El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica, not to mention “juicemobiles” driving all over town, there are also two Kreation Kafe/Juicery locations in Venice and Santa Monica.

Each Kreation has its own unique design elements, but I was really impressed with the open, almost wood cabin look of the Venice shop. Designed by Modman Enterprises, Inc., an award-winning company making a huge splash in the food service retail industry in Los Angeles (also responsible for the design and opening of Go Greek Yogurt in Beverly Hills), the firm is responsible for brokering franchise licensing deals, scouting ideal neighborhoods and storefront locations, taking care of city permits and licenses, and pushing these franchises into fruition with unique, consumer-driven campaigns for its clients.

During a recent visit for Sunday brunch at the Abbot Kinney location in Venice Beach, I found a bevy of healthy and tasty options offering rustic Persian cuisine and modern healthy classics (think organic pancakes with almond milk latte). As servers walked by offering complimentary shots of different juices and smoothies, I had to sample the Balance, which is found on the Premium Detox menu, made with almond, vanilla, dates, and flax seed plant protein. Delicious.

Equally tasty is the Protein Power cold pressed juice made with vanilla, dates, and raw almond. I’m a big dates fan so any concoctions with dates usually will win me over. The Sassy with cayenne, lemon and watermelon is simple and spicy.

More complicated juices include the Unity 12 cold pressed juice with parsley, spinach, kale, celery, cucumber, apple, lemon, carrot, beet, cayenne, and ginger. That’s a lot of ingredients, including “superfoods” that do wonders for the body. Another potent potion is Marjan’s Favorite made with pineapple, aloe vera, cucumber, romaine, parsley, spinach, turmeric, and Chia seeds. Good taste and good for you.

If you’re looking for heartier dining options, you can choose from a variety of dishes, including Irish Steel-Cut Oatmeal, cold and/or hot tapas, beef tenderloin kabob, grilled salmon, to meatloaf. We opted for the Benedict, which is offered with your choice of prosciutto or lox. We went with the lox. The dish also comes with sautéed spinach, two poached eggs, and homemade Hollandaise served on baguette, with a side salad. Served all day, this is a wonderful option.

Now, if you really want to go with a bold brunch, get the Braised Beef Short Rib Sandwich served on a baguette with house dressing, roasted tomato, spinach and red onions. This is a tasty and tantalizing treat. This one is hearty mouthful and a delicious deal for under $15. 

Not really in the mood for dessert, I opted for the sweet and sensational Caffe Shakerato with espresso, milk, ice, slightly sweetened with dark chocolate, and served  shaken. It’s out of this world! Now that will really get your day going.

You can’t really beat weekend brunch along Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach, but the setting inside the woodsy Kreation cabin just helps make it better. Eat well, feel better about yourself, people watch, maybe shop after...it doesn’t get any more California than that.

Kreation Organic Kafe and Juicery is located at 1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice. Call 310-314-7778.

Story by: Jose Martinez

Some photography courtesy of: Kreation Kafe