Greens or ???
We have some good friends flying into town for an overnight layover on Thursday, August 25th. It will be their 10th anniversary, so they'd like to go out to somewhere with good choices for vegetarians (we're not, they are), and they're arriving SFO at 8:30 PM, so I figure we have a dinner start time around 9:30 PM in SF (best case).
I've reviewed all of the usual vegetarian suspects - if I had to choose I'd figure out a way to get them to stay an extra day and take them up to Ubuntu in Napa, but lacking that option, the only place that sounds vaguely interesting is Greens (it's an SF classic, if not spectacular food). I have not been impressed with Millennium, though it's been a few years.
Any suggestions for a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, nice atmosphere for a special dinner, quiet enough for conversation, open and serving late hours?
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Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio
1140 Main Street, Napa, CA 94558
Millennium Restaurant
580 Geary St., San Francisco, CA 94102
Greens Restaurant
Bld. A, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123
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How about Indian food? For a special occasion All Spice in San Mateo should fit the bill, and it's only 15 minutes from SFO. Haven't been there but the chef has a good reputation--
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/747592-----
All Spice Restaurant
1602 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402 -
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Maybe it's just me, but I am wowed by Millennium every time I go.
You might try Gracias Madre in the Mission - they don't take reservations for less than 6 people, but you shouldn't have a problem getting in at 9:30/10.
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Gracias Madre
2211 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110›2 Replies-
re: morningbun
Windy
Jul 29, 2011 04:19 PM
Are you a vegetarian or vegan? The vegans I know like Millenium more than the omnivores (not surprising).
Gracias Madre is very casual for an anniversary dinner, but definitely interesting food.
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Gracias Madre
2211 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110-
re: Windy
RichInMV
Jul 29, 2011 04:28 PM
My wife and I are definitely neither vegetarians nor vegans - we'll eat almost anything. Our friends indicated a preference for vegetarian, so a place that offers good options for all of us would be ideal. Also, our friends are French, so it would be good if the place has a bit of a "special event" feel for their anniversary.
I checked out Gracias Madre and it looks too casual for them, I think.
Millennium's menu really doesn't sound that appealing to me, but I'd try it again if recent visits have shown good and interesting cuisine.
If there is an omnivorous place with good options for vegetarians, that would seem to be ideal. I was trying to think of places but can't seem to put my finger on places with good vegetarian options that will be satisfying for my friends, while I enjoy a nice pork chop or some chicken ;-)
I looked at Zuni, Chez Panisse, and a few other California standards, but so far haven't found the right mix.
Seems like this should be easier than I am finding it, so all suggestions are gratefully welcomed!
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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709Gracias Madre
2211 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
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Windy
Jul 29, 2011 03:51 PM
Greens isn't especially interesting, and I share your hesitation about Millenium.
But the real challenge is finding a nice place that has reservations closer to 10:30 or 11 on a weeknight.
La Folie has a vegetarian tasting menu and takes 10:30 reservations.
Absinthe should still be serving that late; I've never eaten there with a vegetarian.
I was just at Jardiniere, and while the space is elegant (circa 1999) the food's not the same caliber as La Folie. On the other hand, they do have plenty of quality vegetables and flights of dessert wines.
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La Folie
2316 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109›1 Reply
