New Year, New Plant-Based

It might be a cliché, but who does not want to start off the New Year eating healthier? Here are a trio of new plant-based, fast-casual, and fun spots that will feel like a “cheat day” while transporting you back to childhood favorite after-school snacks and meals.

It’s been less than a year since actor and comedian Kevin Hart launched Hart House, which serves sustainable, plant-forward fast food in Westchester, but the brand has already expanded to the San Gabriel Valley with a second location in Monrovia.

This new venture came to fruition as part of a lifestyle necessity. “As an actor and comedian, I’m always busy, always on the road,” Hart says. “And I know that so many other people are also busy, and on the road, and I recognized that we all need a healthier, better option. Hart House felt like the natural evolution of my flexitarian lifestyle and my business ecosystem.”

Hart House Monrovia is located on Huntington Drive and features a cheerful and bright interior design by Kai Williamson and Nicollette Santos. “When I got together with my partners, I really wanted to build something just as delicious as the other major players in fast food, but make it plant-based and keep it affordable so that it is accessible to all,” Hart says. “By pricing our sandwiches within the $6 to $8 range, we are showing that more sustainable food options are not out of reach anymore.” Some of those craveable items include burgers, spicy chicken sandwiches, tater tots, and fries.

Nomoo in West Hollywood opened in 2020 but is continually revamping its menu offerings. The plant-based fast-casual franchise got its start offering top-quality meatless burgers with tasty shakes and has recently added cheezy-crunch tacos (inspired by Taco Bell’s popular cheesy gordita) and crispy chick’n kale Caesar salad, plus a new proprietary “beef” patty, non-GMO, gluten-free burger made from pea protein.

Stephanie Morgan’s plant-based Seabirds Kitchen has added weekend brunch, along with a new cocktail and drinks program, on an expansive patio in the Los Feliz location. Look for brunch tacos on flour tortillas with walnut chorizo and a rosemary cheddar “biscuit bomb” with eggy tofu. Seabirds also launched “Pizza Night” by popular demand, with a choice of a red pie with mushroom and artichoke hearts or white pie with broccolini, available Friday–Sunday, 5 p.m. to close.