Evan L.'s Profile

I have not yet hired Chris as a "green" consultant or myself or my clients, but I plan to.

I've spoke with him over the phone, seen him on Discovery Home's "Greenovate" and I attended a "Green" housing seminar he did in Aliso Viejo in December of 2007 and was more than impressed with all of it.

I'm all about doing whatever is most practical and makes the most sense for the given situation.  Chris Prelitz did an excellent job of reminding us of what it was like before cheap energy came onto the scene 50 years ago and how we need to re-learn what man has developed over the ages.

He's the best sustainable building consultant I've met or heard of and worth every penny to those who hire him.

I never got a chance to try and trip up the gentleman who's taken a vow of silence.  I hear it's been over five years.  Running a restaurant and not speaking by choice sounds crazy, but man is it working.

The place looks great.  i especially liked what appeared to be recycled glass tables.

Two serious menus.  One vegetarian and one raw vegan.

I had the Risotto that was recommended to me by our waitress and was more than pleased with it.  MUCH more than I could eat in one sitting.

I didn't realize that by eating raw food, your body requires less food overall.  "I can't believe I'm already SO full", I'd say.  Even with the leftovers... it happened again.  The surprise of eating less and feeling even more full.

Disappointment...  Then redemption...

The mission statement is excellent.  Glad I can support a business like this and can't wait to see more like it grow.

I was terribly disappointed with this place the first time I sampled it.  The sandwich was difficult to eat and wasn't very exciting in my mouth either.   My hopes were a bit high, I suppose.  However, I gave it another go found myself trying not to woof down my Baja Salad during a little lunch meeting.  It was beautiful to look at and really hit the spot.

I like this place as a knife and fork setting much more than the sandwich shop that it's trying to be.

Organic wine and beer is always a nice treat for me as well.

The owner of the place really set the mood for me as I walked in.  Friendly and constantly bragging about how he's 4th generation vegan with a massive smile on his face.   I can't wait to see the look on his face next time I go there and jokingly tell him that a 5th generation vegan just open up a restaurant down the street.

The place is small and doesn't say "The Wheel of Life" in big letters on the outside of the store so watch for that.

I went with one of the more popular dishes that was recommended to me by the staff and it was delicious.

Prices and food better then I expected.

The only thing that through me off was the Nazi hypnotizing light in the back of the restaurant.  Throughout the entire meal I couldn't look away from it and found myself raising my right arm to the sky.  So... I suggest that you don't sit facing the evil light fixture towards the back of the room.

My only complaint is that they don't except credit card.  I feel like a caveman with his bag of clubs their sometimes because of it.  It was also the cause of some embarrassment when I forgot the ridiculous, cash only , policy with a friend of mine.  Oh and they could also improve the chipping range.

I enjoy the location of the course in that it's easy to get to.  The airplanes add a little flavor to the place and the course is definitely worth the price of admission.

Sunday brunch and the Thursday night wine tasting and happy hour tapas make this place for me.  Sunday brunch includes champaign and is served in three courses.  Wine tasting is done up real nice with a place mat describing your flight (sample of wines) and the staff usually does an excellent job telling you about the wine.  Service is also excellent.

I wouldn't change a thing in this place.  The low ceiling, dim lighting, the menu is a cart, live music, bartenders wear long sleeve white collared shirts with black vests and the place is downstairs.  It's not often that we Orange Countians... Orange Countites... Orange Count..ians.. HAVE the opportunity to descend down a flight of stairs into such an interesting environment for a meal or drink.  Seeing Phil Shane perform there is something every human should experience before they kick the bucket.

I'm all for social responsibility in business and especially when it comes to the things I'm putting in my body.  However, I'd didn't think too much of what I ate as far as flavor is concerned.  Nor did the 2 people I was with.   The "Greek Gyro" was my pick for the day and boy was it a mistake.  Couldn't believe how bland it was.  NO seasoning of any sort.  Just some vegetables thrown in a bowl with tofu and the blandest hummus sauce dumped on top.  If you're going to call it a specific name like "Greek Gyro", I'd like your version to resemble it in at least some fashion.  It was a bowl and tasted nothing like anything Greek i've eaten before.  My fellow dinners thought it was pretty meager too.  Great concept, but they need some help with there recipes.

Becky has the eye of a photographer.  Besides understanding the proper way to use a camera and lighting, She does an excellent job instructing her clients so that they receive the best results possible.  Whether it's for a wedding or professional pictures like I used her for, I highly recommend that you try and enlist her services!

Ed is indeed... The wine master.  Not that I actually know a lot of wine masters or have any experience in qualifying wine masters.  Never the less, I'm sure he's the master of the wine.

Anyways, every time I visit the reserve, I walk out with something delicious at a VERY competitive price.

The reserve is unique in that, they select the wines that they like the most.  Opposed to sticking with what their broker or however the wine bar biz regularly works.

The reserve offers all sorts of beverages so if you don't like wine... or alcohol, you can still enjoy yourself.  Plenty of cheese plates and goodies to pair with your wines.  Lot's of great restaurants within seconds walking distance to visit before or after you enjoy yourself at the Reserve.

There are often wine classes and special events to check out.