Seed - raw eatery in Santa Rosa

[Columba]

Seed recently opened in the former location of Cafe St. Rose just off Santa Rosa Avenue. They redecorated the space, it seems larger and mellower - at least 8 tables now.

I visited recently and chose the chef's tasting plate ($11) which came with soup of day (carrot/coconut), stuffed mushrooms with olive tapenade & zucchini hummus; sea salad with arame seaweed, carrot & cucumber with lemon/lime ginger dressing; caeser salad (romaine with capers, pine nut parmesan and rosemary croutons with creamy garlic dressing); a cracker with sauce; pizza? with raw tomatoes & basil and salsa. It was enough to enjoy, but not enough to share.

My friend chose the cashew egg salad over romaine lettuce, red onion and pickled cucumber served with coleslaw for $10.50. Her portions were large and she shared them with me - delicious! I'm used to tofu-egg salad with too much tumeric, and this was more subtle, yet flavorful.

The week before I'd been to Cafe Gratitude on 9th Avenue in San Francisco. In comparison Seed's portions are smaller and the food more delicately flavored. There's less reliance on salty and spicy and more on bringing the food flavors forward.

Decades ago raw food focussed on sprouts, fruits and veggies. Now more labor intensive foods are the norm. Food dehydrators and super juicers/blenders are used to create new effects in texture and flavor. The extra work in selecting and preparing beautiful food is passed on in the prices.

BTW, the desserts look great - chocolate caramel pie, cheezcake, brown sundae with vanilla ice cream (each is $6.50) and an ice cream cone ($2.50). Entrees include tostada, ravioli, bbq mushroom nut burger, pizza, sloppy seed and cashew chili boat ($9.50-$14). There are also 5 salads, a daily soup ($3.50 cup/$6.50 bowl) and 4 starters. Beverages include coffee, tea, lemonade and kombucha. A liquor permit was posted on the door, so ask for the beer/wine list.

It will be interesting to watch the seasonal variations. Hopefully Seed is well enjoyed by many and will become a community staple.

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Seed Restaurant
463 Sebastopol Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

[Columba]

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11-9, Sunday brunch 10-2.

[Melanie Wong]

Great report! I had driven by there a couple weeks earlier to see if anything had moved into Cafe St Rose's vacated space. When I saw the new paint job, I pulled over and decided to poke my head in.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniew...

I took a look at a menu, and the desserts sounded particularly good to me too. I'd been wondering how it compared to Cafe Gratitude and you've covered that base beautifully. Thank you.