Whole Life Times: solar HARVEST

March 2006 | Tastebuds

solar HARVEST

Food for New Beginnings

by Gina Salvati

In traditional Maori culture, the delicate koru spiral represents new beginnings, growth and harmony. This nurturing symbol of tranquility and peace—the organic power of nature—aptly describes the ambiance of solar HARVEST, the environmentally friendly, health-conscious Beverly Hills eatery that uses the symbol for its logo.
Solar HARVEST owner and executive chef Elissa Meadow first came across the koru on a trip to New Zealand. When she started her restaurant in late summer 2005, she chose the koru’s symbolic principles as its guiding philosophy, serving fresh, organic, well-balanced food.

Formerly an investment banker in New York City, the 27-year-old Meadow realized the importance of maintaining health and proper nutrition in the midst of a stressful urban environment. While working toward her MBA, she was mentored by Leslie McEachern, owner of New York’s legendary vegan restaurant, Angelica Kitchen. She became committed to a lifestyle of healthful eating and channeled her passion into creating solar HARVEST.

The restaurant’s inviting decor showcases renewable and recycled tabletops and counters. Three large canvases by a local artist splash bright orange flowers and rolling green hills across the walls. This sunny oasis offered a peaceful and subdued atmosphere in which to spend Superbowl Sunday.

Chef Meadow recommended my companion and I begin with the solar HARVEST salad ($8)—Portobello mushrooms and crisp hearts of palm with a peppy, white balsamic vinaigrette. We moved on to light and zesty sides of Baba Ghanoush, Lentil Salad and Quinoa Tabbouleh (reasonably-priced at $3 each) all served with pita, all uniquely impressive.

Solar HARVEST’s seasonal menus boast various vegetarian specialties, but I was in the mood for a burger. The house Veggie Burger ($8) made of quinoa, black beans, spinach and walnuts served on a crisp cabbage leaf and topped with a flavorfully sweet corn coulis made my palate rejoice—it’s a light and intriguing change from the standard, heavy soy-protein veggie-burger. Other vegetarian offerings include Macro Plate with beans ($9) and Tofu Scramble with vegetables ($7).

My carnivorous companion enjoyed a Signature HARVEST Burger ($12) consisting of bison mixed with blueberries. Why the berries? “For the anti-oxidant healthy effect,” explained Meadow. My adventurous friend had tried various bison burgers in the past and found this one to be far less gamey.

But don’t get too hung-up on burgers—the restaurant’s daily ethnic specials, including Latin American Mondays with Fish Tacos ($10), and Indian Wednesdays featuring Eggplant Bhartha ($6), are not to be missed.
To conclude our lovely lunch, we sampled luscious homemade chocolate chunk cookies served warm from the oven, and wheat-free chocolate cake, chock full of walnuts.

With an easy-to-decipher color-coded menu based on individual nutritional needs and “Sack It To Me” bagged lunches to-go, solar HARVEST proves that it is possible to enjoy a healthy breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner, no matter your hectic schedule. “Our personalized meals help diners enjoy a delicious variety of foods to stay healthy,” says the obviously fit Meadow. “And to save time in such a fast-paced culture.”

solar HARVEST, 242 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. M-F 7am–9pm; Sat-Sun 9am–9pm. 310.77.SOLAR, solarharvestfood.com. Featuring all-natural and minimally processed foods including local organic and pesticide-free produce and hormone-, steroid- and antibiotic-free meat and poultry. Organic and biodynamic wine and beer available.

Gina Salvati is a freelance writer/editor/producer living in Los Angeles.

This establishment has been closed.

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