BethT recommend Millennium as one of SF’s famous vegetarian restaurants right near our hotel. Oh. My. Gosh. What a fabulous restaurant! Everything I put in my mouth was divine. And the atmosphere was really cool too –
Of course we loved that they had 2 oz pours of wine – so we each had a white and a red round. 4 oz is really the perfect amount of wine for me.
The whites –
We were pretty hungry, not having eaten since our Ferry lunch, so we ate up the delicious wheat bread with a bean spread –
I started with a salad (the menu had changed a bit since last posted online): the Wilted Bloomsdale Spinach & Dandelion Green Salad. It came with amazing smoked tofu, snap peas, fingerling potatoes and a honey-dijon dressing.
Mom ordered a Grilled Nectarine Salad with avocado, spicy cashews and some strange (but good) greens.
More bread –
The reds – a fantastic California Zinfandel (mom had a grenache blend)
And for our “entrees” we both got small plates (to save money and portions)
I had – seriously – the most amazing dish:
Black Bean Torte
whole wheat tortilla, caramelized plantains, smoky black bean puree, pumpkin-habanero salsa verde, cashew sour cream, cilantro-carrots
The layers of plantains were just like fluffy banana marshmallows!
Mom got “Rawvioli” (I forgot to take a photo!!). She thought it would be flour based, but it was layers of olive tampenade and other cool flavors between cucumber “raviolis,” and as the name suggestions, was all raw.
We saw a table next to us order this dessert and knew we had to try it! The chef sure knows what he or she is doing! It was a Cherry Shortcake with a white chocolate creme filling, lemongrass peaches and lime caramel.
My half –
Newbie Mixer
The conference started with a mixer for those new to the BlogHer Convention – complete with an all-you-can-drink bar and passed hors d’oeuvres!
I thought the bar was cash and hadn’t prepared a drink order when I got to the front of the bar so I ordered an Anchor Steam to have a little local SF (and was feeling dehydrated so I didn’t want wine). I only had about 4 sips – mom had some and we put down the rest.
We put down the beer so we could switch to cosmos! They were made with lemonade instead of cranberry but were still pretty thirst quenching.
I was honestly pretty full from dinner, but I did try 2 bites of food-
A steak thing that was just OK but mom said I had to try (I had half of this)
And a roll that I had to try when I found out it had goat cheese in it!
The view from the 32nd floor!
What a great view! Sounds like you had a lot of fun 🙂
Kath, it was a pleasure meeting you at the mixer this evening! I hope you and your mom enjoy the rest of your visit here.
SO glad you liked Millennium! Hooray!
Thanks for all of my running advice! I’ll put it to good use very soon 🙂
So glad you liked Millennium! Hmm…bananas AND blue cheese tasting like marshmellows? 😉 I’m impressed with your bridge run this morning. While you ran, I ate a VERY yummy, perfectly chewy bagel with almond butter and peaches. Thanks, Matt! I really enjoyed our dinner. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
That cherry shortcake looks scrumptious – was it crunchy or chewy? The sugar ontop makes me think it was kind of crunchy, but I’m sure it would be tasty either way. 🙂
it looks like you are having a wonderful time! 🙂 i agree that the 2oz pours are really the best for trying and enjoying wine — i wish more places had that option!
also, the plantain dish looks intriguing. maybe you will have to try to recreate a KERF version!
This is a comment for everyone. . . =]
I’m going to Seattle today. I’ll only be there a couple days. Any restaurant suggestions? Thanks!
What an amazing night!! The restaurant looks incredible and then top if off with meeting new bloggers, great view and an open bar!!
OMG, that food looks so amazing!
Sami-
I live is Seattle. So many restaurants. depends on your budget though, they range a lot. Todai is an amazing all you can eat japanese sushi and hot bar (plus crepe bar, cold bar, crab, bar etc, the place is huge) the melting pot is a fun fondue place, anywhere in Pike Place Market is amazing, the space needle of course but its hard to get reservations (but the place spins, so its worth it to try) McCormick and Schmicks. if you are loking for less formal i would wonder around Pike Place Market and see what ctaches your eye, but for a little more formal i would definately go to the Melting Pot.
even if you dont go eat a meal there, you have to stop by Pike Place and get a fishthrown over your head 🙂
http://www.groundedfitness.com
Gawd, enough with the “saving money” comments. Is that your attempt at being relatable? This is what, your third or fourth vacation this year? You eat at expensive restaurants and then throw in things like ordering a small plate and staying at a hostel (nicest hostel I’ve ever seen). You are such a fake….and seriously, you apparently loooooove looking at yourself. It is possible to post pics from your vacation that are not of yourself.
Wow! A post without a picture of yourself in it. I’m amazed.
That restaurant looks so beautiful Kath! I wish we had ONE vegetarian restaurant around here let alone a few to choose from! Hope your having a ball!
And don’t mind the negative comments, some people are just dramatic and like to stir up trouble.
Keep your chin up.
And i would guess that Anon and shannon are in fact the same person.
I’m really not interested in seeing another batch of comments spiral out of control with negative attacks… spurred from some anonymous posters who provide nothing positive to this blog.
As women, we need to think about teaming together instead of tearing each other apart. It’s corny, but it’s true. To act catty, bitchy, and rude is not an attractive way to represent yourself, or your sex. There’s enough negativity to drown yourself in out there… let’s not bring it into this arena.
Wow, dinner looks great! Actually, all the food does so far! I need to plan a trip to San Francisco!
yea i agree – i think we should all ignore the negative posters. i can guess that most of us eye-roll whenever we read them, anyways.
well said betsy in pittsburgh!
oh and betsy, i’ll be in the burgh on tuesday! i went to U PITT and i’m going back for business. i plan to hit up the old haunts (hways and the like) on friday and saturday, we should meet up!
i love san fransisco! got to spend christmas there and i’m already looking forward to going back. i hope you have a great time! my running was limited to the stanford campus and area, but even that was amazing. i’ll have to do the bridge one day.
*it’s tapenade, not tampenade…that sounds too much like tampon, which should not be anywhere near one’s dinner plate.
and when i say, “hit up the old haunts” i mean hang out with college kids, feel really really old, and get pretty drunk to compensate 🙂 yay Pittsburgh!
What a lovely classy restaurant. Looks like you’re having a really nice time, that’s great!
I could totally go for that plantain dish 😉
one take movie, Cat, and Nicole -What nice comments for Kath. And Kath, I love all the pictures you post!
WOW – that’s all I can say Shannon/Anon, whatever your name is! Simmer down!
Are you like that to everyone in your life? What a waste of energy!
Mmm, that salad looks stunning; and you had a raw entrée??? FABULOUS!!! My favorite :0)
kath, i love the pictures, and i love your style.. wish i had style and could run long distances!
to all: i am thinking of starting yoga… does anyone have any beginning yoga dvd recommendations? thanks!
(and do yoga dvd’s really work?)
Millennium’s namesake cookbook is my favourite vegan one; I am pretty sure the restaurant is vegan, too. Labour-intensive – but delicious – recipes. They have a phylo purse with a beluga-lentil based stuffing that friends still ask for, it’s so delicious!
The greens in your mom’s salad (at least their stems) look like a hearty wild dandelion my YiaYia (grandma) cooks up all the time.
jenn, I love love Rodney Yee yoga dvd’s. I just ordered a few more! I’m trying to do it more often bc usually I’ll do it for a few days then not for a few months but I love the dvd’s and they are a relaxing but great form of exercize!
Kath, looks like you are having a great time! I LOVE seeing pictures of you and matt and your family! keep up the great work girl!
The mixer looks like it was super fun! It’s always fun to see new and interesting kinds of food- plus thier mini “reviews”.
Sami,
I just got back from a trip to Seattle and someone had recommended to me to go to “Wild Ginger”. It’s a bit on the pricey side-but it’s all Asian food and delicious! I got the Black Pepper Scallops and they were melt in your mouth fantastic! There was also this side curry that I got (for my rice) and I can’t remember the name of it but it’s bright yellow so I’m sure if you asked they would point you in the right direction-and it was so fantastic I almost starting licking my plate!
Someone also suggested “Casper’s” to me but when I looked up the restaurant online the only items it listed as having was things like deep-fried gator…so I skipped it. But I have heard it’s amazing!
Kath–thanks for the restaurant review…I know where I’m going the next time I’m in the Bay Area!
Sami–I totally second the reccomendation for McCormick and Schmicks. Delicious, delicious seafood and great service. My husband (native Seattlite) also strongly recommends Ivar’s Salmon House, especially if you want brunch–head to the water from UW and you’ll find it. Pike’s Place Market is a little bit touristy, but still good…I really like it I actually don’t recommend the space needle. The whole point is the view–the food isn’t actually that great. I would just walk to the space needle if you want to see that.
Kath, I can’t believe some of the comments that have been posted. Your blog is about your life and funnily enough that includes you! Its nice to see your pictures and it makes the blog more real, rather than just a log of what you ate. Similarly, its easier to relate to you when you express your true feelings, so don’t feel you have to monitor them. Most of us balance our needs when making decisions, i.e you want to go to a nice restaurant but don’t want to spend a fortune. I do the same, go to an expensive restaurant but order something in the cheaper range.
Please don’t change anything about your blog just because of a few negative posts.
Have a great trip!
Ps just wanted to say – I discovered your blog when I trying to find new ideas for breakfast as I was getting bored of having the same thing day in day out and you have totally revitalised my morning meals! So thanks so much.
Sami —
My in-laws live in Seattle and I love it there. Every time I visit, I have to have lunch at the “World’s Best Clam Chowder” restaurant in Pike’s Place Market. Seriously, it lives up to its name. It is great for lunch … Not too expensive, you can get your soup in a bread bowl and if you don’t want clam chowder, they have salmon chowder.
Thinking about that place is making me actually want to visit my in-laws … he he!
Carrie H
Wow! So many good eats! Your dinner entree looks fabulous, but there is no comparison to that dessert – shortcake is my absolute favorite.
I’m so happy that you’re having a good time. Looking forward to hearing everything you learn about at the conference, too:)
I also enjoy the pictures! And I adore the coat – I have one very similar. Red corduroy from H&M that I almost didn’t buy because it was too expensive, but my best friend talked me into it and I’ve probably worn it 1,000 times. Red coat love!
Anon-Not to fuel the fire, but isn’t summer all about vacations? If you saw my summer schedule you’d think I was a lazy rich b*tch rather than a student. on a semi-tight budget. It’s called planning. So Kath gets to escape with family and friends and you don’t. Boohoo. Grow up.
The food at Millennium looked amazing. I am jealous, one of the food and two that you are in california. I have always wanted to visit! Enjoy your time there.
On a positive note, I’m loving this SF series. I lived in SF for 4 years and am not too far away now but I’ve never been to these great restaurants. This is showing me some great places I need to try out!
Oh wow- EVERY ingredient in that black bean torte sounds amazing (plantains! pumpkin! cashews!). Looks like you’re finding some great restaurants 🙂
on restaurants . . .i have heard mccormick & schmicks is good, but it is also a chain so you could go there in many cities. there are definitely some seattle-only restaurants (i have heard lola is good and if you like meat i have been to and would recommend salumi, which is a casual place owned by mario batali’s father). eat as much salmon as you can (if you like it of course!)
on tamponade/taponade . . . that is definitely an important distinction as in medical-speak tamponade is a very bad thing that can happen to the heart (basically the word is used to describe when the heart is being squished for some reason and can’t fill with blood appropriately)
and finally . . . i have no idea why people would take time to read and comment on a blog if they have such negative feelings about it! personally i love reading about kath’s adventures, food and otherwise. and i like the visuals that go with that! 🙂
Sami, I have three words that will change your life: TOP POT DOUGHNUTS. Now clearly this is not a healthy option, but whether you like doughnuts or not get thee there, ASAP! My husband is a doughtnut guy so we tried it out – they are all made right there in the store (I think there are 3 or 4 locations) and really fresh and yummy tasting. I had a raspberry frosted cruller that was SO GOOD. Great coffee, too!
For a potentially healthier breakfast I would also suggest Portage Bay Cafe. They have amazing sweet and savory dishes and a TOPPINGS BAR (!!) for pancakes, waffles and oatmeal, including lots of yummy things like fruit, nuts and different syrups.
Finally, in Pike Place Market (well, just outside the main market) there is a great bakery called Cinnamon Works that has pretty amazing baked goods.
I don’t know about you guys, but when I go on vacation – or any other time I am taking pictures – I much prefer pictures with me or family/friends in them. If I’m at Niagara Falls, I want a picture of me standing to the side of the falls –proof that I was there!! Plus, too many scenic vacation pictures sans people are BORING.
BIG SHOUT OUT TO ModelBehavior’s blog. LOVE IT!
Jenn, I’m a big fan of Rodney Yee’s Yoga Conditioning for Athletes, DVD you can choose from 2 longer (20 min) sessions, one for strength and one for flexibility plus there are mini workouts, great for beginners, for all different types of sports ie:running, golf, tennis, swimming. You get to choose.
I love how these anon comments only come out when Kath is on vacation. How immature!
Your trip is looking simply amazing. Especially getting to enjoy it all with your mom!!!
http://sweetsandsweats.wordpress.com
cute pics! looks like a fabulous day and night 🙂 looking forward to seeing more of your adventures!!
That ingredient list for the Black Bean Torte looks scrumptious. I am always looking for ways to prepare plaintains that doesn’t include deep-frying, since they’re such a bargain. Maybe that’s a recipe just waiting for development when you get home…
I say KC said it best! Kath, don’t change a thing. Although you are significantly younger than me, I enjoy reading what you are up to and especially all of the different food choices you make. I showed your blog to my husband just to show there are other people out there like me who love food, talk about it and read about it. Keep up the great work!
Thanks everyone who gave restaurant recommendations! I wrote them all down and I’m leaving to catch my flight right now, lol. I’ll let you guys know which ones I tried and how I liked them.
Thanks again. =]
Sami- regarding Seattle, I would consult Food Network. My favorite chef- Giada DeLaurentiis has a show called “Giada’s Weekend Getaways” where she recommends great restaurants in various cities. She did a show in Seattle recently and all the places looked amazing-http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_wg/episode/0,3151,FOOD_28436_48673,00.html
. I consult her choices before every trip that I go on and so far the have all been unbelieveable. Have fun!
Kath, this is totally unrelated to this post, but I have a question about your oatmeal pancakes. I looove that recipe, but I always seem to have trouble flipping them because they are so big! Do you have a special method so it doesn’t rip apart? I guess I could always just make two smaller ones. Thanks! Hope you are having fun in California.
Hi everyone! I saw that people were getting restaraunt recommendations on here and was wondering if I could request some 🙂
I will be going to Wichita, Kansas next month and can’t wait to try some restaraunts. I am actually going to be moving there soon, but would like to try a couple fun places for our trip.
Anyone have good ideas?? I know it’s not a bigger city like Seattle and San Francisco, but maybe someone knows!!? 😉
Thanks for the shout out Jenn!
Now I feel all warm and fuzzy inside 🙂
Ouuu fancy!!! & Yummy.
mmmm…I’m going to have to try Millennium! Maybe for my next girl’s night out as I don’t think Shaun will do vegan with me! There is one vegan restaurant he’ll go to but they have a lot of textured tofu products and it doesn’t seem the case here-yum!
Chelsea,
I went to Millennium several years ago and had delicious tempeh medallions that tasted very much like steak! (of course, I was vegetarian at the time, so probably not the best judge!). He might like it there after all.
They also make vegan wedding cakes there!
one take movie,
You too!! Hope you guys have a fun weekend 🙂
Ansley,
Shortcake was scone-like – mmmm!
haya,
Tampon-ade – oh my!!!
Jenn ,
There’s talk of yoga downloads – go to Jenna’s blog EatLiveRun.com. I need to try them too!
Jo,
Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Kate ,
Sounds like you’re flipping them too soon. Wait until you can shake them loose in the pan. And use cooking spray!
Kath
Re. SF — It’s an expensive city with expensive restaurants, but when I was 18 a good friend and I who were both taking time off from school and who both worked a lot as high schoolers took a really great trip to San Francisco, ate in some really nice restaurants (and some cheap restaurants), saw all the major sights, and stayed in a quite nice double room in a hostel just like that and it didn’t break the bank. So in case any of you think San Francisco is undoably expensive, it’s really not! It is definitely a fun excursion and it’s possible to see “enough” of it in less than a week. One of my very favorite American cities.
sami- if you are near alki, drop me a comment and maybe we can go for a run/walk!
http://www.everygymsnightmare.com