WORLD GONE GOOD celebrates everyday people making good happen each and every day.
From vegan superstars including New York Times Best-Selling Author, Kathy Freston, to two-time Master Chef competition player, Alejandra Schrader, to animal rescues including the Tennessee Cow Farm, Vintage Pet, and Unity Farm Sanctuary, to badass community organizers John Oberg and Jessica Cruz, this show has plenty of good to spread around.
And with 225 episodes, plus another 30 pieces of bonus content, you’ve got all the good you need ready and waiting.
Steve here: So I was visiting my niece in Philly and I said let’s go into NYC. We hopped on the Amtrak and were whisked right into the city where we walked around and enjoyed our day. I asked her what she wanted for dinner and she was good with anything so I said there’s this vegan Italian place I have wanted to try forever called Coletta and she said let’s go. One of the best food-eating-related-decisions of our lives.
We each started with a glass of white wine and their Olive and Rosemary Bread. Perfect start, perfect landing. We moved on to a glass of red wine and their Puttanesca Meatballs, again, nailed it. For our dinner, we were like, well, we’ve already had some wine and the delicious bread and meatballs, let’s just order something to share. So we got the Spaghetti Carbonara and the Hot Honey Pizza because clearly we have trouble saying no. And in this case, it was a damn good thing:
Spaghetti Carbonara was insane – couldn’t even tell it wasn’t full-on cream-based with pancetta, it’s spot on and amazing. I will say it’s not a giant portion of pasta so if you come hungry (and you don’t have two glasses of wine, bread and meatballs first), get a starter or salad first. Just bein’ honest.
Hot Honey Pizza was next-level-holy-crap-what-is-even-happening-right-now? Warning: don’t be fooled by the words ‘hot’ or ‘honey.’ This pizza is for people (like me) who love food with a kick. And damn does it deliver the kick. Wow. Just wow. So so SO GOOD.
And yes we also got sides of the Truffle Mashed Potatoes and Parsley Garlic Knots because we need our vegetables. Stop judging us. I already told you we have trouble saying no.
FYI – City Root Hospitality offers a collection of premiere vegan restaurants including Coletta, Santir, Anixi, and more. Check the website for more info and locations.
We happened upon this independently-owned cafe while shopping. Relaxed, comfy interior + super nice staff + most of the menu is oat-based = a tasty good time. Not 100% vegan – they do have eggs, cheese, chicken, salmon, etc. – so bring along your omnivore friends and fam. No judgments. Well OK yeah SOME judgments but we were raised right and do it behind your back. Awwwww!
Jim’s Choice: Vegan AND gluten free? Go for the PB&J Bowl with peanut butter, raspberry & chia jam, bananas and the equally delicious and mysterious Oatis topper. And the banana bread is killer.
Steve’s Choice: Blueberry Business pancakes. Full stop. Blueberry & lemon compote, blueberries, toasted almonds and maple syrup. Go crazy and ask for an extra side of peanut butter. You deserve it.
Hugo’s, celebrating their 45th anniversary this year, holds a special place in our hearts because it’s where we had our first date back in 2007. The photo above is of us in 2017, 10 years later, back having our own anniversary dinner at the exact same table.
The menu here features eats for everyone: from omnivores to vegetarians to vegans, Hugo’s has got you covered. They have the best breakfast & brunch menu(s) in LA and a grouping of items are available all day long.
Must Haves:
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH: Pumpkin Pancakes – vegan AND gluten free
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH: Chocolate Chip Pancakes – vegan AND gluten free
LUNCH/DINNER: Reuben Sandwich – spicy good
LUNCH/DINNER: Build Your Own Plate – you can pick your favorites and create your own masterpiece
GET. THE. FRIES. We repeat: GET. THE. FRIES.
Note: They’ve now added Just Eggs brand egg substitute, which is our fave, so you can ask them to sub that in for any egg dishes.
Pro-Tip: Make a reservation and/or get their early. Locals know how great this place is. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you/back us up.
Maybe we’ll have our 20th Anniversary party there? Let us know if you want an invite.
Address: 8401 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood (second location in Studio City)
Welcome to the first positive impact bakery: Baguettes, croissants, cookies, and sandwiches—all the bakery staples are offered in 100% plant-based versions, meaning they’re meat-free, fish-free, butter-free, milk-free, cream-free, and egg-free. Instead, they offer 100% natural plant-based alternatives that are up to 90% less carbon-intensive. Thank you for attending our Ted Talk.
Now on to the choices of eats – which are plentiful – and so damn good. We went there three times. That is how damn good we are talking. Berets off to Rodolphe Landemaine and the entire team for making deliciousness happen.
Jim’s Choice: They have this pistachio pie but it’s kind of more like a cheesecake – it’s hard to describe it other than to say GET IT.
Steve’s Choice: The plant-based chick-in on a crunch baguette – amazing. They also have all these different focaccias with all these different topics – the one with black olives was tops.
You have not fully British-ed until you’ve afternoon-ed tea-ed (these are words, per me/us). And one of our favorite places for high (or low depending on your day) tea time is Roseate House, right by Hyde Park/Kensington Park. The space feels like you’ve stepped back in time, the staff is lovely and attentive, and the vegan afternoon tea is as good as it gets. They also have standard omnivore afternoon tea for your friends who may opt for it instead. Feel free to judge them though. You have our permission. That’s a joke. Or is it…??
Pro-tip: Ask for To-Go boxes. Especially for the desserts. You’ll be so full from the scones & jam and finger sandwiches, don’t push it.
Address: 3 Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park Gardens (close to Paddington Station)
It’s all about the vibe and Satellite SB owner, Drew Cuddy, nailed it. Having spent every summer in college living with winemakers in Italy, he’s brought the riviera feel to America’s Riviera town, Santa Barbara, California. If you’re in need of a late afternoon snack and a perfect glass of wine to go with it, look no further.
Jim’s Choice: This is our pal Kathy’s go-to place. In fact, it’s where we first met her, so we have Satellite to thank for our friendship. The focaccia bread with marinated garlic in olive oil is my absolute favorite thing on the menu.
Steve’s Choice: The Yoga Pants Salad is an explosion of flavors (yes, plural). It’s crisp, fresh and delicious and all veggie-goodness. If Santa Barbara were to be described by taste, it’s this salad (don’t make this creepy).
Pro-tip: Grab a seat outside and people watch. You’ll definitely get a show.
What do you do after you tour a royal castle? You go directly down the street and get yourself a donut. Or two. OK, fine, we got three. Don’t judge us.
Rodeo Doughnuts offers multpile vegan options, along with non-vegan ones. And they all taste as good as they look. Need a quick sugar fix? Embrace your inner Homer Simpson and get you to the Rodeo. You can walk those calories off in no time.
Put on your stretchy pants. You know the ones. The ones you wear around January 2nd. You know what we’re talking about. Because you must, must, MUST go here and eat everything on the menu. Chef Tara Punzone deserves an Oscar for Best Vegan Italian. That’s not a category this year? Make. It. One. Brunch, lunch, dinner, it doesn’t matter: Mange, mange, MANGE at Pura Vita.
Jim’s Choice: Pizza is my life. The pizza here is life-altering. And the garlic parm potato wedges, too, soooo good. Get a pizza and put the garlic parm potato wedges on top of it. Life is short. Do it.
Steve’s Choice: Start with the mushroom lentil meat(free)balls – smoky and the sauce is spot on perfect. Then don’t waste time asking what everyone else is having at your table and/or questioning your server what they recommend, just order the Carbonara. ORDER. THE. CARBONARA. Then send me your hand-written thank you when you finish. You’re welcome.
Address: 8274 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood
Parking: Can be tricky as Santa Monica Blvd spots fill up fast. Try a side street but mind the times and signs so you don’t get a ticket. Or just Uber it over.
When we told friends and fam we were taking our first trip to Paris, the first thing they said was, “Awesome! Have a great time!” And the second statement from almost everyone was, “I feel bad for you, you’re gonna have a tough time finding anything to eat.” Fear not, France has come along way, baby (or as they say: bebe), with restaurants like Le Potager de Charlotte leading the way. Two brothers, two locations (Le Potager du Marais), endless flavors of deliciousness.
Jim’s Choice: I love a plate of roasted seasonal veggies that’s not weighed down by a heavy sauce. So I opted for the Roasted Eggplant which had a splash of white pepper humus, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onions, a roasted pistachio sesame cream & ginger dressing, with a hit of fresh herbs atop. My favorite meal in Paris.
Steve’s Choice: If there’s a carb involved, I am eating it. The Rigatoni with Bell Pepper Cream made with gluten-free pasta, grilled bell pepper cream, peppers, tomatoes, olives, pine nuts and covered in arugula. This dish is surprisingly lighter than it sounds and my mouth is watering thinking about how good it was.
Address: 21 Rue Rennequin, 75017, Paris
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: So make your plans before you go or as soon as you arrive. Bar seating is sometimes available.
Do You Have Anything Vegan? 