Avant Garden Bistro (CLOSED)

The whimsical, forest-like patio area and exquisite wine-based cocktails might lure in curious passerby, but this NYC vegan import’s delicious plant-based fare are what make this Melrose Boulevard hideaway worth a visit. Sizable toasts piled high with roasted beets and hummus, crispy hen of the woods mushrooms and produce-driven housemade pastas take center stage at Avant Garden Bistro, the product of Death & Company co-founder Ravi DeRossi’s all-vegan Overthrow Hospitality. Though the Moulin Rouge-esque interiors feel somewhat fussy and baroque, the standouts on the menu more than easily hold a candle to other upscale vegan restaurants around town like Crossroads and Gracias Madre—making Avant Garden Bistro a must-visit for L.A. vegans and anyone looking for a charming, plant-based meal out on the town. Limited street parking.