You may (or may not) remember the last time I was in San Francisco when my sister and I hit up Alive the night before my half marathon. We were both completely in love with our meals, so when she suggested we return on Thursday night, I said “yes” without thinking twice. My sister and Kyle are both very open minded when it comes to vegan eats, but since we had others joining us for dinner, going to a vegan (mostly raw) restaurant was a bold choice. Still, I was optimistic that they would enjoy it since I had SUCH a fabulous meal last time I was there. Literally, I can still taste it. So. Good.
I started with the MCNAB RIDGE 2008 French Columbard. Pretty fruity.
While we waited for the rest of our party to join us we snacked on some raw crackers. I’m sad to say, they had nothing on Livin’ Spoonful’s raw crackers though…absolutely nothing! But then, I have a semi-inappropriate love affair with those buggers, so it should be no surprise that I feel that way.
Kyle started with the Curry Split Pea Soup (which was hot, not raw).
This was probably the best part of the meal for him. He loved it (and that’s a quote).
My sis and I split the Shiitake Mushroom Miso Soup with Pumpkin (also hot, not raw). It was still steaming like crazy when it arrived so I had to practice serious patience to not destroy my tongue’s ability to do it’s job. I especially liked the huge chunks of pumpkin. I miss winter squash.
Just like last time, we ordered the Spicy red curry Avocado Wrap appetizer for the table to share. And just like last time it was pretty effing tastayyy. There was some serious spice to this dish but the veggies were still the stars of the show. I think I could order a few of these wraps for dinner and be perfectly content.
Instead, for dinner, I went with a daring choice. Daring because (a) it wasn’t the same dish that I ordered [and absolutely adored] last time and (b) most of the meal’s components were out of my control [and in the hands of the chef].
In addition to this monster salad (which was the main part of my meal), my dinner came with three side dishes of the chef’s choosing (based on what was in season and fresh). I like pretty much every vegetable, and I’m fairly adventurous as long as I know food will be vegan, so I was more excited than anything else.
The salad had tons of greens plus cabbage, walnuts, cukes, avo, and sesame seeds…oh, and the best dressing ever. Tangy. Zing. Perfect. Dressings seriously make or break a salad, and this was absolutely fantastic.
The side dishes are pictured in order of yumminess (as per my taste buds).
Numba one stunna. From what I could tell, this dish was sprouted chickpeas, lentils, assorted greens and avocado. Again, the dressing sealed the deal. As in signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours (and I was). Obviously we all know I love legumes, and now I think it’s safe to say, I ALSO love sprouted legumes. This was the only plate of the FOUR that I polished off in entirety.
Runner-up in the side dish department was the above salad, which to be honest, wasn’t great. I couldn’t really figure out the flavor situation…what was going on in my mouth was a bit of a hodgepodge and I didn’t know what the chef’s aim was. It was slightly seaweed-esque, but I like seaweed, and this didn’t exactly strike my fancy. Confusing.
This last dish was sinus clearing. It was simple with romaine, cauli, and carrots, but whatever dressing was on it had FAR too much wasabi. I could hardly get through a few bites before just giving it up. And that’s saying a lot because when it comes to food, I’m not a quitter.
Kyle and my sis both ordered the ravioli dish, which I taste tested.
I really really liked it, but here’s the thing: reading “ravioli” on a menu can be a bit misleading for those not accustomed to the whole raw thang. I knew it wasn’t going to be ravioli, but I don’t think they did. It may have been my job to clear that up, but I was too drunk preoccupied with my own ordering to take on that responsibility. In the future, I think the menu could be clearer (like call it “raw-violi” instead of ravioli or something…), but it probably should have been explained better. That said, they did seem to enjoy it, however, I know that they were probably expecting something different. Oh well, like I said, both Kyle and my sis are great at rolling with the punches.
As you can see, the ravioli was made with crazy thin slices of radish, which I was not expecting to like (radish can be kinda intense, yes?), but I found it so flavorful and delicious. I’m pretty sure this was the best item on the menu (even if they weren’t over the moon about it).
Other entrees ordered, included the Sunflower Seed Burger…
Which I nearly ordered myself, and the presentation did make me a bit jealous.
And the Pesto Vegetable Ribbons with Vegan Meatballs.
Which also looked very beautiful on the plate. I didn’t get to try this one though.
After dinner we all walked to a bar nearby and sipped on some brews. A little post-detox re-tox if you will.
So here’s the question: If you were to dine at a high raw restaurant (or if you have in the past), do you want your server to explain things on the menu to you?
Since I am familiar with the vegan and raw foods world, I tend to dismiss the wait staff. I mean, I know that when the menu says “ribbons” or “pasta”, it means the dishes will likely be spiralized veggies, but that may not be true for others. I don’t want to seem like I’m too cool for school, but sometimes I find it insulting. One of my biggest pet peeves is a holier than thou wait staff that assumes you are ignorant and second guesses your order. But ordering a disappointing dinner selection due to false pretenses is a far worse fate because it could be avoided. There must be a middle ground though. Thoughts?
Tehehehe…usually still being able to taste a meal this many months later isn’t a good thing, lol! But I totally get what you are saying. Some meals are just that good!
At the raw vegan place near my apt (which I freaking LOVE) the menu is pretty self explanatory. They actually DO call their ravioli “raw-violi” and then there is a description of what it is and what it is made of. Didn’t your place have descriptions on the menu?
Usually at the place near me, they ask if you have eaten there before and if you have any questions, which I think is a good way to go. Like you, I hate it when they assume I am ignorant and try to explain things to me that don’t need explaining….
Courtney
Looks like such a good meal! I like it when waiters ask if I have any questions about the menu, but I’m pretty familiar with the world of vegan food, so that might not be enough for some people!! I think that as long as the menu isn’t TOO misleading (aka, saying “pasta” instead of “zucchini pasta noodles”), people should realize they’re eating at somewhat of a different place and it’s important to ask questions if you’re not sure of what you’re ordering!
Looks like a delicious dining experience!
As someone who was a server at the fine establishment known as Olive Garden, I know that there were a lot of things I had to explain/say that I didn’t necessarily want to. But a lot of it’s just required and, being somewhat a perfectionist, I had to say em! I cannot tell you how many times I listed our soups: minestrone, pasta e fagiole and zupa Toscana….grrr!
Anyway, there isn’t much that waiters do that bothers me. As long as they’re timely and friendly, we’re cool!
Oh shoot, and I definitely steered people away from something not that special on the menu. But to be honest, most people love anything Olive Garden.
OHMYGOD!!!!!
i’ve passed by alive about a million times and ALWAYS wanted to go in! unfortunately my family and friends are not as accomodating when it comes to trying new foods…but that’s it, i’m dragging someone in there with me. those pictures look too drool-worthy to ignore!
Haha I’m the same way, whenever I go into one of my favorite vegan restaurants in Chicago I always feel the need to be like “don’t waste your breath, I’m not only a knowledgeable vegan but I probably am much more passionate about the subject than you could ever be”… haha ok maybe not that snooty 😉 but the thought does cross my mind.
Most of those dishes look amazing!!
Everything looks so pretty! I love unique restaurants like that. Makes you appreciate what you are eating even more. 🙂
Jenn
Hm, well I would probably look totally confused so it would be easy to tell that I need an explanation haha.
first, thanks for the textage yesterday. LOVED it and made my waiting around that much brighter:)
We have a friend in Marin Co. And omg how i ADORE San Fran and the whole dining experience. Truly, a foodie’s town. He took us to a raw vegan restaurant like 8 yrs ago…I didnt know what hit me. I was veg but not vegan but was game for it as long as the liquor flowed. And it did. I used to drink my dinners, happily 🙂
In terms of explaining things, in cities like NYC or SF, no explanations necessary. People are pretty evolved. Or maybe put a crib sheet in all menus, with a semi overview of things, and if ppl don’t “get it” from there, then really, dont go to a raw vegan restaurant. That sounds mean but clue in and do a little research first perhaps…don’t confuse raw vegan with denny’s, people!
xo
Salad dressings DO make a salad. The one sounds amazing!
Beautiful food!
I think I would allow the wait staff to explain the menu because I more than likely would be dining with someone who was unfamiliar with raw jargon. However, I can totally see your point that waiters sometimes like to take on a condescending tone.
Wow everything looks great!!!
Yeah, that’s kind of a tough one. I hate patronizing wait staff as well, but I also might not realize that something I’d ordered wasn’t going to be as expected.
You’d hope that if someone was knowingly dining in a raw/vegan restaurant that they would figure things out but…maybe the menu could encourage you to ask your server for clarifications if you need them, or just not call things “pasta” when they clearly are not going to be pasta…a more imaginative set of words that doesn’t make it sound like you’re dressing up adult food for babies might help.
Woah. Rant over. I’ve never even been to a raw/vegan restaurant!
i agree with your thoughts on holier than thou waitstaff — i think it’s important for diners to ask questions, and this way, no extra information is given that might be perceived as snobby.
those eats look awesome – i’ve nevr been to a raw/vegan restaurant, you make me want to try one!
Everything looks amazing! I would ask for clarification if I was confused but wouldn’t necessarily ask my order to be explained or anything.
WHY on earth is this restaurant not on long island. i’m no raw-er (hahahaha sorry i had to) but i would seriously hit this place in a heart beat!
i think if i was going to a raw restaurant i would definitely want the waiter to explain things to me just because i would have no idea what anything meant! it’s a good thing i’ve got you 😉
I don’t even know where to begin w/ that meal, everything looks sooo good. I need to make an excuse to visit San Fran soon so that I can check out that restaurant. You would love it here in Australia, they put pumpkin in everything!
I like it when waiters explain the menu to you a bit, especially if they do not specify on the menu. I do hate though when they are patronizing- I always have that issue when I buy kombucha, the people working their always ask me if I have tried it before.
Thanks for commenting on my blog!