What would make an already spectacular meal at one of your favorite places to be even more special?  When you are sharing it with wonderful, kind, compassionate, funny, loving, and aware people around you.  This was my latest experience at Pura Vida with a group of friends from Power To The Veg, Christina, Jessica, George, and Keito.  It was one of those gatherings when the moments slipped by effortlessly and everyone was encouraged by the sharing of life around the table.  A table that was full of amazing vegan food prepared by the incomparable Chef Mayra and her staff.

I had emailed Chef Mayra a couple of days prior at let her know that I would be coming in to join with the group and was entering my last week of my month-long raw eating adventure and I wanted to know if she would make me up something raw and wonderful.  The wonderful actually goes without saying at Pura Vida.  I have yet to have anything but an amazing dining experience in the dozens of times that I have been there.  What Chef Mayra presented to me was not only beautiful in presentation, but was also the most delicious meal that I have enjoyed in my month of raw vegan eating.

She called it a Caribbean Dream Plate.  Instead of rice she used small pieces of cauliflower mixed with finely diced vegetables in a citrus and chile dressing that was fantastic.  It was topped with a fresh flower and sweet potato ringlets and sliced fruit.  There was also four slices of zucchini covered with an incredible “seafood” spread with nori, dehydrated poblano chiles, herbs, and more.  I won’t give away all of her secrets. It just rocked my vegan-loving world.  Chef Mayra never ceases to amaze me and once again I left grateful for good friends and heavenly vegan food at Pura Vida.

Pura Vida Bakery & Bystro

1236 Western Ave.

Las Vegas, NV. 89102

(702)431-2883

www.puravidavegas.com

Hours:  Mon-Wed, Fri   7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

            Dark Thursday

            Sat-Sun           9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.