A Vegan Italian Wine Bar Debuts in West Hollywood This Week

Pura Vita is West Hollywood’s new vegan Italian wine bar by self-taught chef Tara Punzone, who begins serving vegan food and wines this Thursday. Pura Vita isn’t LA’s first vegan Italian joint, but it appears to hold the title of LA’s first vegan wine bar.

Pura Vita’s menu is everything Italian and vegan, with a vegetable antipasti, pastas, vegan tiramisu, and a nut cheese-and-vegetable lasagna. The kitchen keeps organic and local wherever possible. At the bar, options include Italian and local beers, along with vegan wines, as some some wines contain animal products like egg whites or gelatin.

Serafin Martinez holds two titles at Pura Vita: sous chef and partner. Jay Spangler is the third partner, whose former life included producing virtual reality at Downtown’s new Two Bit Circus.

Housed in the former Yoshi’s Sushi joint, Punzone took over the space in June. There’s brick walls, dark colors, and a 30 foot wine bar in the 1,325 square foot space. When open, hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Pura Vita. 8274 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA

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