If you want great vegan food, Los Angeles is a good bet. The city is packed with options, and you know they’re worth trying because many of them have Alicia Silverstone’s nod of approval. The actress—who, of course, played the iconic role of Cher in 1995’s Clueless—is not just passionate about animal rights, sustainability, and wellness, but also, delicious food. Some of her favorite eateries include Crossroads Kitchen, Gracias Madre, and Nic’s on Beverly, but when it comes to plant-based cheese, she’s all about Vromage.
In 2017, she raved about the artisanal dairy-free cheese business on her popular blog The Kind Life. “Vromage is insane,” she wrote. “The Brie Truffle is amazing. Recently, I tasted the gouda with caramelized onions and the manchego with olive oil and rosemary. They are unbelievable!! If you are crazing something cheesy and delicious, get to Vromage! You must get a sandwich and say hello to Youssef for me. He is the best!”
Alicia Silverstone
Youssef Fahouri first opened Vromage in 2014, and it was immediately a hit. And still, a decade after opening, the French-Moroccan chef’s shop on Sunset Boulevard is a favorite among vegans and non-vegans alike. Silverstone remains a loyal customer. In fact, the actor recently sent more than $400 worth of Vromage cheese to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the son of former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of John F. Kennedy, who is currently running as an independent presidential candidate.
Last year, Silverstone announced she had canceled her Democratic Party registration and would now be supporting Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. At the time, she said the politician, who is commonly referred to as RFK, gives her “hope.” “This man gets me excited about the potential for truth and justice,” she wrote on Instagram.
It’s important to note that RFK is a controversial candidate for the presidency, and is known for spreading harmful misinformation, particularly around vaccines and the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Vromage, LA’s favorite dairy-free cheese shop
Fahouri’s cheeses are so popular because, arguably, they rival dairy in every way, from mouthfeel to taste. The chef uses plant-based ingredients (like hemp seeds, cashews, macadamias, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and more, as well as traditional cheese-making methods) to create them.
“[In the US], the vegan chef wants to get the credit, they want to make their own [vegan cheese], but they don’t know how to make it,” Fahouri told Vice back in 2018. “They make hummus! To me, it’s not a cheese. I tell them, ‘Listen, you want a cheese, you need to be patient—you have to ferment it, age it, wait for it.’”
And that’s still how he makes all of his cheeses, from his Veganzola (which, of course, is a plant-based take on the Italian blue cheese gorgonzola) to his Macon Brie.
Right now, if you head to Vromage, you can treat yourself to a Caprese Salad with mozzarella, Organic Mixed Greens with Veganzola dressing, an open-faced sandwich with a cheese of your choice on French sourdough bread, or a Crunch Pizza, served on a crunchy cracker with mixed greens.
Vromage
Silverstone isn’t alone in her love for the shop. LA Magazine has called Vromage “an ooey, gooey, cheese-less wonderland,” while Thrillist said its cheeses were “ride-or-die cheese lover tested and approved.” One LAist writer said that they were “floored” by some of the cheeses, including the brie with truffle and the sharp white cheddar. On Yelp, Vromage also has a 4.8 rating, and reviewers have called its cheeses “delightful,” “excellent,” and “exceptional.”
If you can’t make it to Sunset Boulevard to sample Vromage for yourself, we have good news: you can order the shop’s cheeses from anywhere in the world. As well as the classics from the Los Angeles menu, you can also try cheeses like the crumbly, sweet Goat-Cranberry, Pepperjack, and Basil Feta. Vromage also offers Pâté de Noix gras, a delicious, cruelty-free alternative to the traditional French delicacy foie gras, and Truffle Cream. The latter is made with “the best of Italian and French truffles,” which are imported fresh every season.
While most of Vromage’s cheeses are made with nuts, you can customize your order to be free of certain varieties if needed. Find out more about the popular cheese shop here.
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Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
