I AM FILLED WITH GRATITUDE in San Francisco

Another day in San Francisco and another Vegan Meetup.  This time with Vegans and Vegetarians.  I nearly didn't go.  The event changed at the last minute from Gracias Madre (excellent vegan Mexican restaurant in the Mission) to it's sibling Cafe Gratitude.  My last visit to this place a year ago I'd vowed never again.  I had thought it over priced and the portion sizes mean.  Thank God I had a wake up call yesterday and remembered it was about the people and not just the food!  I AM SO GLAD that I showed up.


Over 40 of us had gathered from the  Vegan and Vegitarian Meetup group.  The atmosphere in the cafe was transformed from the last time.  The staff were exceptionally friendly and knowledgable.  The whole evening was perfect.  Things change I guess.  Off days are allowed (sometimes), and realistic.


For those of you who don't know, Cafe Gratitude is an organic, vegan, part raw cafe located on 20th & Harrison.  It's the cafe Jason Moraz sang about in one of his tunes.  It was the first place I ever had raw food and the first time I went it was pretty fantastic too, and so fun.  The dishes on the menu are all carry a positive adjective - I AM WONDROUS, I AM DAZZLING etc.  Grab a looksee at the menu here


Sorry for the poor quality pics but the lighting is not set up for bloggers.  Luckily the food is.

raw pzza - I was told it was good

one of their hearty bowls.  I think it was I AM WHOLE

I AM EXTRAORDINARY - my entree, and the BEST meal I've had so far, on this trip to SF.  Coconut 'bacon', and avocado with chipotle aioli  wrapped with raw apple curry bread - nearly had me tearing up it was so good.  Messy, creamy, kicking and salty/savory....oh Lordy!  I'd eat this again in a heartbeat.  It is my new BFF (Best Forever Food) 

Rahul - the events organiser.  A fellow snapper.

A good gathering



Raw chocolate coconut cream pie.  My neighbour was not only great company but generous too - he let me have a taste.  Honestly, It wasn't the best raw pie I'd had, but it was nice.  Perhaps everything was paling into insignificance after my PERFECT entree

I met with such fun people. I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I wish I had found www.meetup.com years ago and I am so thankful for it now.   It must of been a good night for me to sit down for that long!  I left late and made my way back to my apartment a very contented girl.  I AM GRATEFUL indeed! 





I feel like I’m reminiscing a holiday romance.  Heart longing, stomach rumbling.  Recalling that first bite...first thrilling taste that got my heart beating faster..rendered me a little breathless.  I find myself doing the ...head to on side.... goon smile, as I pour over slide-shows of entrees I’ve set on ‘continuous’..  I jealously wonder who is enjoying you now?  SAN FRANCISCO.  Five weeks were not long enough......so many VEGAN options...so little time..



How do I whittle it all down?...   WRITE A LIST!?

This is by no means an extensive list of ALL the vegan places or vegan friendly joints in SF, that would take a lifetime.  Though I would be very happy to make it my life's work!   Here is my 'buffet' list. Mostly from eateries in the Mission District...


BEST SALAD...Persimmon with chipotle vinaigrette from Gracias Madre.  So amazing, the flavours and textures are fresh...triumphant almost.  Like a party where everyone gets on well.
BEST FRENCH FRY...........Pica Pica.  Garlicky, salty, with a happy crunch and a little oozie oiliness.

Garlicky yucca fries and crispy, salty plantains...Oh sweet Jesus these were DELIGHTFUL

BEST TAMALE - (I obsessively, sampled a few)...One in the Sunshine Cafe, the Tamales de los dias served up at Gracias Madre, Amy’s Kitchen (frozen but not to be sniffed at), I’d made a promise to sample one in Sugarlump, a retro cafe in the Mission...this was not to be.   They were good, but all them were beaten hands down, by a fling with a perfectly spiced and spongy, sweet bean tamale, handmade, organic and delivered STEAMING to your door by La Guera Tamalera.  I know, I know, it is not from San Francisco but Silverlake, Los Angeles.  But I'd moved on..I needed a hit...It isn't cheating!

PICA PICA -

Yes...I ate the WHOLE LOT!  The arepas were stuffed with deep fried plantains, avocado, perfectly seasoned black beans and a warm tomato salsa

BEST VENEZUELAN  - Pica Pica Maize Kitchen.  Pica, meaning a little bit of this..a little bit of that...Their menu is gluten free and VEGAN friendly.  Their arepas are corn flour cakes.  Soft on the inside but crispy on the outside. 
BEST MEXICAN - Gracia's Madre

VEGAN FROZEN DINNER!  WOW!

 BEST 'GRAB IT FROM THE FREEZER' ENTREE....Joint first listing goes to...

GRAB IT FROM THE FREEZER

 MOST FRIENDLY & PASSIONATE RESTAURANTERS - Souley Vegan

The EVERYTHING plate from Souley Vegan in Oakland.  The deep fried tofu and herby cornbread are FABULOUS!

 MOST OVERPRICED (they should be ashamed of themselves) 'concept' restaurant - Cafe Gratitude!

No calories...fizzy, spices...catch the back of your throat loveliness.  Made in the Bay by a passionate brewer!

 

BEST SODA  - ~Taylor’s tonic. 

BEST GROCERS - ~Rainbow foods - THIS PLACE IS VEGAN UTOPIA...I spent hours wandering around in here, marvelling at the inventiveness of VEGAN BEINGS.

Oh so moreish...they make chocolate flavour too....One for my 'to try' list..

BEST SNACK - KALE CHIPS!  Blue Mountain Organics.  AN EXPENSIVE ADDICTION!  But SO  blooming good!
BEST RAW - Lydia’s Kitchen.  The Varta Plate .  I enjoyed this TASTE SENSATIONAL raw entree at a Green Fayre in the Bay and the drove all the way to Fairfax..across the Bridge, to have Varta, The sequel.

Not very photogenic but filling and DELICIOUS.  Vegan sourcream, nacho cheese, creamy avocados and curried cashew cheese.

MOST INNOVATIVE VEGAN CREATORS - Gracias Madre.  Hands down...Their quesos blancos, nachos cheese and guac, partnered with their home-grown, heirloom corn is nothing short of hands in the air, praise be, gorgeousness.

Quesadillas de Calabaza - RAMJAM PACKED with butternut squash, topped with Nacho cheese made from cashews and a sunflower salsa.  HEAVEN!

UDUPI - Indian food extraordinaire!

BEST INDIAN - UDUPI PALACE - I went to this place on Valencia Street 4 times, just to make sure the quality prevailed.. The DOSA's where so good they induced, in me, fits of giggling!  Highly embarrassing when dining solo! The sambal pasted on the crispy pancake, greeting the perfectly spiced potato curry inside was MANNA!

BEST SOUP - Whole Foods Market hot counter - Moroccan lentil - these fellas know how to use those Middle Eastern spices.  Comfort food on a spoon!

BEST ICE-CREAM - Coconut Bliss  ANY FLAVOUR

How can i sum up VEGAN San Francisco, when I feel I only scratched off the first layer...the crust?  How about entrees I wished I’d tried?  Like the Tamales at the Ferry building or Sugar Lump Coffee Lounge, Potato Pie at Herbivore (instead of ordering the sugar laden carrot cake....regrets I have a few..) or the tofu scramble at the Sunshine cafe.  Millennium.how about Millennium?  How could I have missed that?!  No, NO, I will have to go back.  San Francisco, this is not the end....

Carrot cake at Herbivore... Too much sugar!

THE BEST TAMALE...SO GOOD THEY SHOULD NAME IT TWICE!  La Guera Tamalera

My late night writing haven in the Misson...Sugar Lump Coffee Lounge



Tamale and tea at the Sunrise Restaurant