“We all need to be nourished,” says John Curren, owner of the new vegetarian, Ayurvedic café in town.
Simple, wholesome, nourishing food is all that’s on the menu here at Nourish. The menu changes every day, depending on what produce looks good and fresh to the chef, Prakash Jagadappa.
They try to choose local, organic and biodynamic ingredients whenever possible, and every dish is made with thought and intention.
That’s the Ayurvedic way. It’s not just about how the food tastes (and it is delicious), but how it makes you feel, as you eat it and even hours after your meal.
If you’re not familiar with Ayurveda, it’s a traditional Hindu system of medicine, and is a sister science to yoga. The principles of Ayurveda encourage a balanced, holistic approach with a combination of diet, herbs, and breathing. The word Ayurveda literally means science of life, and it’s been around for thousands of years.
In Ayurveda, you have a mind-body type, called a dosha. Once you know your dosha, you can focus on foods and practices that will help you keep your dosha in balance.
I learned about Ayurveda in my yoga teacher training at Spectra Yoga, and have been learning more ever since.
So when I heard there was a new Ayurvedic cafe just blocks from my home, I had to go check it out.
“We All Need To Be Nourished,” at Nourish Ayurveda Cafe, Now Open in Costa Mesa.
Photos: Samantha Chagollan
The space is welcoming, clean and beautiful, tucked back in the corner of the shopping center on Baker and Fairview. Starbucks is just a few steps away, but inside Nourish, it’s a whole other world.
There is an inviting sitting space right inside the door, where you can kick off your shoes and climb up on a platform to sit on a cushion and eat your food. Tables line one wall, facing the open-format kitchen, so you can see everything that’s being prepared.
It smells delicious inside, and behind the register there is a wall of enticing teas and herbs.
As you step up to the counter, you’ll see the board featuring today’s vegetables, as well as a stack of menus.
If you’re “eating clean” — or you’re vegan — it’s amazing to gaze down at a menu that’s entirely open to you, as opposed to trying to pick through a regular menu where you maybe have one or two choices you’ll have to customize.
Photo: Samantha Chagollan
The Nourishing Plate is the signature dish, and something John and Prakash recommend you try on your first visit. It’s a beautiful plate that contains all of the tastes, textures, and colors of a balanced vegetarian meal.
“With the Nourishing Plate, you’re getting to try all of the parts of the plant too, from the root, the body and the seed, to the leaves and even the fruit,” says John. “And it has all five tastes you need to feel satisfied with your meal.”
The presentation of the Plate is gorgeous too, like a mini feast. Which is probably why it’s only available to eat inside the café — no to-go orders on this one.
But if you are pressed on time, or just need a simpler meal, I love their Bowl. It’s like a mini Plate. You pick whether you want basmati or brown rice — or whole, ancient-grain flatbread — and two of their three vegetables of the day.
Other favorites are their potato pockets and seasoned fries (so yummy!), the organic chai (perfectly spiced and not too sweet), and the fresh soup of the day.
Breakfast at Nourish is a beautiful way to start the day, with a huge selection of herbal teas, savory breakfast crepes, and freshly made gluten-free, protein-full muffins.
“Some people are here every day,” says John, and I’m not surprised. Every time I eat at Nourish, I feel great. I would love to eat here every day!
Chef Prakash Jagadappa Prepares Ayurvedic Food at Nourish Cafe in Costa Mesa.
Photos: Samantha Chagollan
It helps that the staff is so friendly and helpful too. If you’re not sure where to start, they often offer a taste of what’s fresh that day. Prakash is always nearby, chatting with customers and asking how they’re doing.
Prakash was part of a similar restaurant in Santa Fe, but there is no other restaurant like Nourish here in Southern California. We’re fortunate it landed in Costa Mesa!
“This is my community,” says John, who has lived here with wife Roxanne and their kids for the last few years. “I wanted to share this food with my community.”
“This is not a concept, this is how we live,” says John. “It’s the only food we eat, and the food our families eat too. I hope people will come in and experience it — try sattvic food for themselves.”
Sattva is a Sanskrit word that means pure, vital, or clean. So, a sattvic diet is one that is seasonal and plant-based, featuring meals that are soothing and nourishing. A sattvic diet is meant to help you keep a clear mind and body.
Photo: Samantha Chagollan
In Ayurveda, it’s believed that what you eat becomes you — you are creating your future physical self with every bite you put into your body. That’s why Nourish is so careful about the ingredients they use, and the attention they pay to the food they are creating.
From start to finish, you can tell that Nourish is serving up food that they love — and they want you to love it too. ♥
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Nourish Ayurveda is open from 7 am – 2:30 each day, serving breakfast and lunch. You can see their menu online, or stop by and see them at 1170 Baker Street, Suite G2.
