Sept. 8, 2013<\/p>\n
People who live in Venice always say that they don\u2019t travel North of Lincoln Blvd. It\u2019s not that they are snobs, they just have their own little microcosm, or slice of paradise on Abbot Kinney Blvd. This is the land of lovely, the land of all things beautiful and fashionable.<\/p>\n
So much has changed. My dear cousin Lydia used to live on Palm in the heart of Venice, Abbot Kinney. She has since moved to Oakland, CA. When she lived in Venice I would keep my bike at her house and bicycle around the neighborhood on my way to the beach. Back then it had a hipster vibe, but was missing some urban touches.<\/p>\n
I walked around the neighborhood before my tasting and noticed so many upscale retail stores and restaurants; I was astonished about how this area has gone uber cool and upscale. During my stroll I noticed the one thing that the street needed was a spacious, swanky new place to eat. Feed body and soul is all that and more. It is casual and health conscious with all the requisite menu items needed for a special dining experience.<\/p>\n
My server Ashley, came from a music background, and added just the right touch of knowledge and social graces. She knew her stuff and also made you feel like you were eating in her living room. Along with manager Blue \u2018s further guidance\u2026let\u2019s just say I knew I was in the lap of luxury. Keeping me company in my huge booth, she selected the wines that completely enhanced my meal.<\/p>\n
DeeAnna, who is the owner, originated the concept of a passionate lifestyle with integrity of ingredients, which drives this restaurant. DeeAnna Staats and the Feed team are pioneering a unique and contemporary concept for the food-service industry: forging relationships through food, conversations, and social responsibility.<\/p>\n
Feed\u2019s mission is based on quality ingredients, simple preparation, a comfortable atmosphere, and a service experience that supports the principles of a modern and clean lifestyle. They care about the health of their guests, their local community, and the global community as a whole. Feed Body & Soul is about eating well, feeling good, and doing good.<\/p>\n
Chef Dickson\u2019s thoughtful menu features only natural, organic, and sustainable ingredients that are seasonally sourced for availability from local markets. All dishes are carefully composed with minimal oil and no refined sugars or flours to offer diners a delicious, yet nourishing meal. Feed\u2019s all-organic beverage program, curated by Los Angeles cocktail guru Marcos Tello, features natural mixers and farmers\u2019 market fresh ingredients. The restaurant also serves a succinct list of local, organic wines and beers, as well as all-natural sodas and juices.<\/p>\n
They are going to be switching their cooking technology to Sous Vide, which means cooked under pressure, in vacuum-sealed bags. This is one big reason to come here and eat! Sous-vide (\/su\u02d0\u02c8vi\u02d0d\/; French for “under vacuum”) is a method of cooking food sealed in airtight plastic bags in a water bath for longer than normal cooking times\u201472 hours in some cases\u2014at an accurately regulated temperature much lower than normally used for cooking, typically around 55 \u00b0C (131 \u00b0F) to 60 \u00b0C (140 \u00b0F) for meats and higher for vegetables. The intention is to cook the item evenly, and not overcook the outside while still keeping the inside at the same “doneness”, which makes the food juicier.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what I tried:
\nFarmers Market Soups, Salads, Spreads:<\/p>\n