Veggie Fun

CD Young’s Spirit Elephant restaurant wants to make plant-based dishes approachable for all.

CD Young wasn’t always vegan, but the life-long animal lover found herself transitioning to a plant-based diet 10 years ago. It took her a year, she says, to fully give up meat.

She wanted to share her passion with more people, so in late 2019, she opened Spirit Elephant in Winnetka, Illinois, on Chicago’s North Shore. The restaurant, of course, focuses exclusively on vegan fare, from seasonal, vegetable-forward dishes to plant-based versions of burgers, scallops, and calamari.

Young recently joined mixologist Lynn House and me on the LIVE! Culinary Series to discuss her journey, her popular concept that attracts both hardcore vegans and flexitarians, and what to expect on her upcoming Thanksgiving menu.

House’s contributions consisted of what she’s calling “hot ‘tails.” She demonstrated winterized versions of two drinks, including a hot take on the classic Manhattan. Check out the short clip below for a preview; watch the full interview right here.