3 years ago
Though it of course has its shortcomings (an absur...
Though it of course has its shortcomings (an absurdly small and difficult-to-maneuver parking garage, incomparably steep prices there's hardly a kombucha here for under $5), Erewhon does provide a really excellent shop. They've got a better and more concise selection than the nearby Whole Foods (which seems to be their only local competitor), offering an abundance of small-scale local and specialty imported goods, as well as the best prepared foods we've had from a store of its kind, a good healthy produce section, and, as silly as it may sound, impeccably kept bulk bins.
More so than anywhere comparable, Erewhon definitely seems to cater more towards the vegan community, even specifically the raw vegan community. While this is an appreciated and fantastic resource for those that fall into this dietary category, it's a pity they don't more thoroughly accommodate folks eating similarly particular diets that include meat and dairy (Weston-Price, Primal, etc). Other than Organic Pastures, there isn't much in terms of raw milk cheeses, and the majority of their meat isn't pasture-raised or grass-fed, let alone anything resembling 'fresh'.
Even aside from food, Erewhon's dedication to sustainable practices is clearly visible, having put in place a bottle deposit system for their house-made drinks, choosing to use biodegradable ware, and not offering paper or plastic bags, but rather very well-made (and good-looking) reusable bags for a fee, or nothing at all.
If you can manage to swallow the cost, the quality of stock here more than makes up for it. There are certainly cheaper ways to go for good food in LA, but for many products Erewhon is the only option, and their prepared foods can be a godsend if you're in a pinch or tied to the area for an afternoon.
*Note: We've since retried the raw vegan pad thai and they've seriously upped their game. Amazing.