With the way the economy is today, coupons are a relief to a tight budget. That said I went to Red Velvet with my family to have dinner, I presented a coupon which stated ..."excluding veg and vegan SPECIALS." I had stated I was not ordering any of their (daily) specials, I was just ordering off the menu. The owner had stated she had no control over the way "they" write up the coupon (even though she is the owner). The coupon is ONLY for animal products!!! For a place to advertise Veg friendly, not only do they punish vegan eaters, but encourage one to order dead animals!!! I would have had no problem if the coupon stated veg or vegan items excluded, or stated we will take it this time since you are a regular customer, or even sent a red velvet cupcake for the cost of the coupon (cost $10 to get $25 off bill over $50) No effort was made for a loyal customer. We left feeling very disappointed.

We have been eating here since this place opened.

At first, we were thrilled to have the kind of food so readily available to us in other big cities in which we've lived on our side of town; as a vegetarian/vegan couple it certainly seemed to most number of menu offerings in the city!

Unfortunately, despite developing an affinity for certain favorites (the taco salad, pizzettas, certain wraps and the red velvet cake are all extremely tasty), the rest of the menu is fairly uninspired and the grilled panini sandwiches kind of mushy and flavorless. (or I should say, the flavor of the mushy bread overwhelms the ingredients within).

The specials are ridiculously overpriced for what they are, and the prices in general are a bit high considering the scant use of organic ingredients, the overall starchy nature of most everything, and the reliance on commercial soy products for mock meats.....these things are of questionable nutritional value (other than being lower in saturated fats, cholesterol, maybe in calories) because they're highly processed forms of soy......which at that point yields a substance that may taste salty and chewy but is regarded by the body as something akin to plastic.

In a place like L.A., only the cheap quick vegan eateries do that. It allows them to keep prices low and find a middle ground on taste, texture, and presentation. Red Velvet Cafe, however, charges up the wazoo for these things ($15.00 or more for some soy fish on brown rice with some overcooked until shriveled, thin, bland asparagus? Really?).

Nevertheless. For times when we were very busy and didn't want to deal with food prep (sometimes veggie food takes a lot of ingredients!) or when friends and family were in town we happily continued to frequent the place, and spent quite a lot of $$ along the way...especially when ordering the food in bulk for a party! WOW!!!$!$!$!

What has finally killed it for us, no matter how delicious that darn cake is, or how much I long for a turkey wrap that isn't Tofurkey (much as I love and should own stock in that stuff), is the absolutely appalling service!

NOT just when it's busy!

ALL THE TIME!

Starting with the chef/owner. While her husband is gracious and engaging, helpful and affable, she has never once smiled at me in all the times I've been there (what has it been now, nearly 2 years now?), which, as a fellow industry person, loyal customer, and part of what was keeping the lights on, thinks is a pretty poor excuse for manner

Food were completely overpriced for what they offer from appetizer,to entrees, to the dessert. We had an appetizer and was so gross that we could not even finish the one bite. We brought this to the owners attention, not only they were not accomdating, they were rude and refused to take it off the bill and refused to let us order something instead. We went back another time, (to try this place once more) The Entree I had ordered, had a piece of short black hair. The server took the dish back to the kitchen but the owner came to our table and was not apologetic but with such a rude demeaner arguing that it was none of the kitchen staff that the hair belonged to. Everyone at my table was in shock with his response. I had long hair down my waist, obliviously it was not mine. But!! that was not the point. The problem was still not addressed. He refused to take it off the bill and refund my money. He offered a credit "verbally" (That he will take care of it when I come back next time) I left the restaurant, disgusted with their food, with their price (there were 3 of us ladies, lunch $80), and mosttly with their attitude and customer service. That day I went home with an upset stomach. I will never go back and I DO NOT recommend this place AT ALL. Please go to whole foods and you/wallet/stomach will be much happier!!!

My friend an I ate at this location, I am a celiac and had a supposed gluten free sandwich. My friend is a strict vegan due to her egg and dairy allergy. We received poor service, over greasy oily badly presented food. My friend an I were violently ill after eating their food. She had the vegan chicken tacos and I had a Gluten free chicken mushroom melt.
Bad service, horrible food, and the pain that followed I"ll never return to this location.