We can all agree that Akasha is a crunchy Westside fever dream of a restaurant, all recycled this and sustainably raised that, dark woods guaranteed not to have even the address of the rainforest on their BlackBerries and a very nice bowl of steamed quinoa with tofu that could make Dr. Andrew Weil shed happy, happy tears. If owner Akasha Richmond were still Michael Jackson's personal chef, the singer, like Jack Palance, probably would be doing one-armed push-ups at awards ceremonies. But when people talk about Akasha, it tends to be for its supernally crunchy onion rings, or its antioxidant-rich cocktails, or its Niman Ranch pork chop with cheddar grits, which, you know — not bad. Although you are practically handed a certificate of authenticity with your Rutiz Farms beet salad, or your Coleman Farms radishes, if you'd rather have a burger, grilled albacore with shisito peppers, Cuban roast chicken with black beans or a plate of short ribs instead of a pizza with Weiser Farms eggplant, Richmond makes sure that you are happy, too. Have a salty chocolate peanut bar for dessert. Because if you get the hemp gelato, I'm afraid you're on your own. 9543 Culver Blvd., Culver City. (310) 845-1700, akasharestaurant.com. Lunch, Mon.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; dinner, Mon.-Sat., 5:30-11 p.m. Full bar. Garage parking. All major CC. California/health/vegetarian.

99 Essential L.A. Restaurants 2011:

Jonathan Gold's Introduction
Anne Fishbein's Photos
The Google Map

The List:

A-Frame
Akasha
Alcazar
Angeli Caffe
Angelini Osteria
Animal
Antojitos Carmen
Attari
Babita
Bludso's
Border Grill
Bottega Louie
Bulgarini Gelato
Cacao
Campanile
Casa Bianca
Chang's Garden
Chego
Chichén Itzá
Chung King
Church & State
Ciro's
Comme Ça
Cut
Dae Bok
Din Tai Fung
Drago Centro
El Huarache Azteca
El Parian
Elvirita's
Euro Pane Bakery
Eva
Fab Hot Dogs
Father's Office
Fig
Gjelina
Golden Deli
Golden State
Good Girl Dinette
The Gorbals
Guelaguetza
Guisados
Huckleberry
Hungry Cat
Ink.
Jar
Jitlada
Kiriko
Kobawoo
La Casita Mexicana
Langer's
Larkin's
Lazy Ox Canteen
Le Comptoir
Little Dom's
Lou
Lucques
LudoBites
Lukshon
Mantee
Marouch
Mayura
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Mezze
Mo-Chica
Mother Dough
Mozza
Musso & Frank Grill
Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa
Newport Tan Cang Seafood Restaurant
The Nickel
Night + Market
Oinkster
101 Noodle Express
Palate Food + Wine
Park's Barbecue
Picca
Playa
Pollos a la Brasa
Providence
Ray's
Red Medicine
Rivera
Rustic Canyon
Salt's Cure
Sapp Coffee Shop
Sea Harbour
Son of a Gun
Sotto
Spago
Spice Table
Street
Tacos Baja Ensenada
Tasting Kitchen
Terroni
Tsujita L.A.
Vincenti
Waterloo & City

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