You're listening to the Food Heels podcast.

Warning, side effects of this podcast may include increased health and vitality, thoughts of living longer,

developing a more positive outlook on life, an increase in sexual activity, feelings of joy,

cravings for kale and kiel and kinaw, and a spike in Tinder matches.

In rare cases, people have experienced a strong desire to put down the Ben and Jerry's, get off the couch, and take a walk outside. If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your Facebook friends immediately. She's the owner of Pura Vita, one of my absolute favorite, actually my favorite. Rewind. It is my favorite restaurant in L.A. Pura Vita. She's also author of the brand new book, Vigana Italiana. Please welcome Chef Tara Ponzoni to the show. I know I butcher the name Ponzoni, but you have to stand for it. You didn't. It's good. It's good. It's true. I've heard old. I've been to Italy twice. I should know by now. I've heard so many pronunciations. That was excellent. Okay, good. I'm really proud of myself. But, well, welcome back to Food Heels. I'm so glad to have you. Thank you. I'm so happy to be back so many years later. Thank goodness. We're still doing it. I know. It was 2019 and somehow we both survived. So grateful for that.

Me too.

Having a vegan restaurant survive, COVID is a miracle. I'm so happy. I remember when Nick's

closed, a couple other ones closed and I was so sad.

Yeah, it's been a difficult time in Los Angeles. I mean, probably everywhere in the

States, but, you know, LA's really taken a hit, I think, because it wasn't just COVID. It was also

the strikes really, really almost hurt worse than COVID because we're not really

bouncing back from them yet. Yeah, you're right. There's so much going on. Not to mention the fires. I mean, we're not really bouncing back from them yet. Yeah, you're right.

There's so much going on. Not to mention the fires. I mean, we're just, we're in trouble over here. I know. The city is like always on fire one way or another, basically. It absolutely is. But yet we're still thriving. And yet I left during COVID. And then here I am am I came back because I just can't get enough

because they don't have the vegan cuisine anywhere else I lived like they have in L.A.

We're so spoiled. We are but I'm so grateful and the reason we met is because I was obsessed

with your restaurant. I was posting about you. My friend JJ, also a podcast host, saw me posting about it. She

was like, it's vegan, Italian, and mostly gluten-free, I have to go. And so it was her idea.

Thank goodness to interview you. So you were on both of our shows in 2019. And it was episode

282 of Food Heels, Food Heels Nation. So go back and listen.

But we had such a great time.

And I will talk about your food and your restaurants all day.

But we're also here to celebrate your brand new book.

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