After all of our posts of late about strange meats and speed eating, I thought I’d toss one to the veggie crowd. Walking along the Venice Beach boardwalk moments ago, I stumbled across a little hole in the wall called the Fruit Gallery just off Oceanfront Walk at One Westminster Ave. Waiting inside like a gleaming chest of treasure was a bowl full of fresh mangosteens, priced at $2 a piece. I haven’t eaten the sweet and delicious fruit since I was in Thailand in 2005. The U.S. just dropped its ban on mangosteen imports last summer, and this is the first I have seen of them since then. Despite being a bit pricey for a single piece of fruit, I must admit I gasped with glee and ate one on the spot. (The shell was hard, but the owner was gracious enough to cut it open for me. Memories of lying on the beach in Koh Phangan immediately ensued.) The Fruit Stand also sells smoothies, juices, salads, wheatgrass and ginger shots, as well as vegan desserts. The acai smoothie with granola was refreshing and wonderful, but nothing can beat the mighty mangosteen! – Jenny

They don’t have a website yet, but you can call the Fruit Stand at 310-452-3034 or e-mail fruitgallery@yahoo.com.