A new raw food restaurant in Los Angeles called Leaf just opened its doors. Leaf serves raw vegan, organic, kosher cuisine and has two locations, one in L.A. just off the 405 freeway, and one in Sherman Oaks, CA. The founder is Rod Rotondi, who has a background in Italian and French cuisine, and previously worked at Juliano's Raw restaurant in Santa Monica. The menu looks great; wish it was closer to me.

Rod's story…

Growing up in an Italian-American family, Rod Rotondi, founder of Leaf Cuisine, learned to cook as a child, learned table service and Italian cuisine in Rome at the American Ambassador's Residence (his grandfather), took French cooking courses in Paris as a teenager (where his family lived), and worked in restaurants to pay his way through college and graduate school. Through 15 years of world travels (including working for the United Nations), he picked up culinary lessons from around the globe.

In 1996, Rod discovered raw and living foods and first introduced them in his restaurant in Egypt. Upon returning to the U.S., he opened "Rod's Wrap and Juice Bar" in Marblehead, Massachusetts and won the "Best of Show" and the "Best Theme" awards at the prestigious Marblehead Culinary Arts Festival. But California was calling, and Rod moved out to Los Angeles where well known raw foods chef Juliano hired him to set up, manage and chef at his new restaurant, "Juliano's Raw" in Santa Monica.

In 2004 Rod created Leaf Cuisine in order to offer "truly clean, delicious and affordable food in a convenient and relaxed format."