74 VegNews HOLIDAYS 2019
Richard Bowie is the senior editor at
VegNews and will never look at chocolate cake
the same way again after trying Pura Vita’s.beer, and hard kombucha round out the
menu of libations, while hot tea, coffee,
imported mineral water, and a lip-
smacking mint lemonade are available
for non-drinkers.
Sweet endings
To round out the evening, dessert is
mandatory. Dense and custardy, the
vegan gelato comes in flavors like
cinnamon vanilla, salted caramel, and
Piedmont hazelnut. Get any scoop as
an Affogato—“drowned” in a freshly
pulled shot of espresso. The light-as-
air Tiramisu—with its layers of vanilla
bean-infused cashew mascarpone,
cocoa, and more espresso—is the most
authentic vegan replica outside of Italy.
But the crown jewel of the dolci menu
is the Chocolate Fudge Cake. Even the
most ardent dessert-lovers will be hard-
pressed to remember the last time they
tasted chocolate so pure and intense.
Thick swirls of fudgy frosting and a zippy
raspberry coulis take the experience
over the edge. How did the most perfect
slice of vegan chocolate cake come to
find a home on Pura Vita’s menu, and
who is the star baker responsible?
Punzone crosses her arms, shrugs, and
says with a smile, “I gotta guy.”
A Friday night at Pura Vita is revelrous
and romantic. It’s full of warm smiles,
exceptional service, and even better
food. And luckily, it doesn’t have to end
there. Weekend brunch service sees
diners pour in for Punzone’s spin on
breakfast, including the Queen Cornetto
(a “very New York” sandwich of shiitake
bacon, tofu egg, and cashew mozzarella
on a buttery croissant) and the
Nutella Pancakes, filled with melted,
housemade chocolate-hazelnut spread
and topped with juicy strawberries.
And those still left craving more
of Punzone’s culinary deftness are
about to get their wish. Early 2020
will see the birth of Pizzeria Pura Vita,
an entirely separate pizza venture
opening next door that will serve
Neapolitan-style pizza, cannoli, and
other Italian comfort dishes. It’s a
dream Punzone has held close to
her heart, but couldn’t fully realize
with the space constraints of Pura
Vita. But after pulling off a successful
crowdfunding campaign (more than
$18,000 came rolling in the first few
days—a testament, she says, to her
customers’ loyalty), the wheels are
in motion to create what is sure to
be some of the best vegan pizza
Los Angeles has ever seen.
Pura Vita is greater than the sum
of its parts. As soon as you walk in,
you’re transported to an intimate
New York City wine bar. As soon as
you’re greeted, you’re reminded of
the warmth of coming back home.
And as soon as you take your first bite,
you instantly feel all the passion and
care that goes into Italian cooking. All
together, and it’s clear this is more
than just a meal. This is pure love.^Chocolate
Fudge Cake