I don’t think the raw food diet’s for me.

By that I mean: I love raw foods. Today I had an apple and a plum — plus kimchi, which I think is technically raw. All lovely — but I’m of the opinion that kimchi goes nicely with rice. The cooked kind.

Which is to say that during dinner at Leaf Cuisinein Culver City with Erin a week or so ago, I found there really a limit to the amount of raw kale I can handle in one sitting.

My Bombay Burrito Wrap — “lentil croquettes topped w/ coconut-curry sauce, mixed greens, tomatoes & sprouts” — came thickly swaddled in kale, and though I really relished the first few bites, I really, really started missing the tortilla ’bout half way through. In fact, I couldn’t finish the burrito even though I was still hungry.

This may be why strict raw food people often look frightfully thin –

I did, however, enjoy Leaf’s Chocolate Milk Smoothie — a concoction of cacao, carob, banana, dates, nut milk and coconut milk — perhaps because I don’t cook “regular” smoothies either.

I guess I’m a little suspicious of raw food when it’s obsessively diced, fermented, and heated to exactly 102 degrees or whatever it is, all to resemble and taste more like — cooked food. This seems sort of the antithesis of actual raw food, which to me is akin to a simple, juicy nectarine.

Of course, Leaf’s stuff is nothing like your average twinkie, so saying Leaf’s food seems oddly processed, I realize, is a highly relative point. I mean, the fresh, tough kale leaves were definitely not processed.

I’d thought Leaf was a sit-down restaurant, but discovered it’s an order at the counter, take a number to the table deal — except instead of plastic numbers, you get a plastic fruit — green (sour?) grapes in my case. I also mistakenly thought Leaf would have wine, which prolly added to my disappointment. Wine’s raw, right?

Still — Leaf’s sunny green space is certainly inviting, and the food’s fresh and organic. I’ve adjusted my expectations and may still stop by now and then for a choco-smoothie or a nice traditional green salad.

And despite raw food diet skeptics like me, Leaf seems to be doing well. A steady stream of people came through the door while I was there. A branch in West Hollywood also opened up recently — and a third branch serves raw enthusiasts in Sherman Oaks.

Leaf Cuisine. Culver City: 11938 W. Washington Blvd. 310.390.6005. Hollywood: 8365 Santa Monica Blvd. 323.301.4982. Sherman Oaks: 14318 Ventura Blvd. 818.907.8779.

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