Many people who decide to become vegetarians or vegans may have trouble finding a pleasant restaurant to satisfy their cravings. This is because they probably never thought to find a small and eclectic place hidden behind an overlooked building in the depths of Redondo Beach called The Green Temple. Surprisingly enough, The Green Temple has been serving fabulous vegetarian cuisine since 2007. But some people may go their whole life never dining there because they did not even know it exists. Being on a dairy and gluten free diet myself definitely makes it hard to dine out, so after doing some research I was relieved to finally stumble upon a restaurant that could accommodate my needs.
Take 1 of my experience at The Green Temple was a bit rough. A friend of mine and I were delighted when were able to spot the sign indicating we had reached our destination. In order to enter the restaurant, we strolled under a beautiful trellis archway with exotic green vines twisting around it. Everything was going smoothly until we walked into the restaurant. There was no one there to greet us or seat us. There was small counter but there was no one attending it. Honestly, I thought we had walked into the take-out section of the restaurant because the room was so small. I did a back track outside to see if there was someone on the patio who could help us but I had no luck. Finally I was able to catch a glimpse of an employee behind the counter and asked her kindly where we should sit. She nicely told us to sit down anywhere and then busily left to attend to other matters. I looked around for a place for us to sit and noticed the interesting configuration of the seating. Tiny mosaic tables and chairs were squeezed together with a red bench leaning against a large window overlooking the patio. It was not until we sat down that I was able to take in the treasures this place had to offer. More than anything it definitely had a funky character. The pillows behind me were intricately stitched with designs that brought back the culture of ancient India. Dimly lit candles and fancy cushions suddenly turned small and tiny into quaint and cozy. It was all in the details that made this place great. A rustic plate hung on the wall, different colored scarves streamed down from the lights, and the drinks menus were held up by a mini Buddha hands on every table. As I at this point kind of expected, it took a while for a server to come and even longer for us to get our food. Overall, it seemed be a much more lengthy process than was necessary, but I was in no rush, and by the looks of the people around me, they were in no rush either. The relaxing atmosphere sent the message that this was definitely not a place where you eat and get out of there fast. Being adventurous, I decided to go for the Broccoli Pine nut Casserole. It put a spin on your average bland baked potato by adding melted soy cheese, topped with a thick layer of dark green broccoli mush, and sprinkled with simple roasted pine nuts. On the side, were some crisply cooked green beans alongside seasoned black turtle beans. Green Temple style black turtle beans put your boring old black beans to shame by letting you know that smaller beans are better. As I lick my lips I notice a slight hint of cumin… yum. Melted soy just simply does not live up to the cheese expectations, because this fake cheese is plain and flavorless. It looks like nasty baby barf topped with green gunk. By far, it is the broccoli mush that ruins the dish. Pine nuts should stick to spending their time ground up in pesto and away from the top of a casserole. But as I look around me, I realize that it is the atmosphere, not the food that makes this place so great. It reminds me of family leftover night. Microwaved Chinese take-out that was good yesterday has nothing to do with the laughs and smiles on everyone’s face, and everything to do with the cheesy jokes my dad tells and the extraordinary feeling of togetherness we all feel. More, more, and more waiting follows the end of our meal, as we wait for the check. We have definitely had more than our fair share of waiting than is necessary.
Take 2 of my experience at the one and only Green Temple made me go WOW! I was beginning to feel like a regular so I decided to branch out and sit outside on the patio. Strolling out onto the patio, I am greeted by a giant Buddha statue. And as I take a seat at a welcomingly warm table, I am starting to feel holy. I can hear the trickling of the tranquil and serene fountain in the middle of the patio. Several heated lamps are strategically placed throughout making the brisk, chilly night air fade into a wonderful, summer night in the middle of winter. I glance down at the menu and decide to try something new, because maybe green just is not my color. Thankfully, The Green Temple menu spells variety all over it. Even Mexican can go vegan! I gravitate toward the enchiladas and surprisingly our waiter takes our orders promptly. Traditional enchiladas are soft corn tortillas stuffed with tender chicken, gooey cheese, or chunky beef, slathered with enchilada sauce, and topped with dreamy, melted cheese. For those who are vegan, or dairy free like myself, we must say no to this delectable dish. All of that changes when this Mexican favorite is transformed and The Green Temple eliminates this obstacle. Inside an organic, soft corn tortilla, lays freshly cooked vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes, mixed together with satisfying tempeh. Originating in Indonesia, Tempeh is a soy-based excellent protein source that can be diced into white cubes and added to enrich these enchiladas. Tangy, ripe tomatoes are then used to cover the enchiladas, like the way a silk blanket would cover a newborn miracle. Chunky soy mozzarella cheese tops it off, adding a tasteless flavor, neither pleasant nor foul. Rich black turtle beans and a hearty brown rice complement the dish, like smacking the jelly onto a peanut butter sandwich. We are then brought an assortment of exotic hot teas, which only add to the relaxing ambiance. Once through with our meals, our waiter does not rush us as we comfortably chat, enjoying the gorgeous evening. For the most part, the portions are reasonable, but I do end up taking a small to-go box with leftovers. Finally we get up, and I begin to explore the depths of the scenery. There are multiple Buddhas staring at me, and decorative different colored scarves hang from the wall. When I peer into the window from outside, I see that the happy faces of customers within match those of the perfectly pleased people outside.
The differences between take 1 and take 2 represent the inconsistency of the restaurant, but I believe that it will be the welcoming atmosphere that will slowly continue to attract customers to The Green Temple. Those who are vegan or vegetarian will be thankful for this fascinating new find, and those who do not have dietary restrictions will appreciate its quirky hidden treasures.
The Green Temple Hours:
Sunday 9am-12pm for Breakfast, 12pm-4pm, & 5pm-9pm
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 11am-4pm, 5pm-9pm
Wednesday 11am-4pm, 5pm-9pm
Thursday 11am-4pm, 5pm-9pm
Friday 11am-4pm, 5pm-10pm
Saturday 11am-4pm, 5pm-10pm
