California Vegetarian

Millennium is a vegetarian restaurant a few blocks off Union Square in San Francisco. They cook with local produce, organic when possible, taking delivery daily and sorting out their menu to match. The folks at Millennium believe that gourmet dining can be vegetarian and healthy and delicious and environmentally responsible. It is exactly the sort of cooking George and I really appreciate. We have been more times than I can count over the years, and we have never been disappointed.

We last went to Millennium with my two sisters neither of whom are vegetarians. They both left the table saying the meal was “out standing” and “very good.” We completely agreed.

On this particular occasion, we started by sharing two appetizer plates for the table: a high-end bowl of French fries and a delectable plate of roasted beets. The Herb Dusted Gold Potato Frittes ($5.75) were served with a house-made sweet and spicy smoked tomato ketchup. They were so good we had that awkward moment when the last fry was sitting there but no-one wanted to ask for it because we all knew that everyone wanted it. The Roasted Beets ($5.75) were dressed with hazelnut oil (something I would never have thought to dress beets with), balsamic vinegar and thyme. They too were excellent, but if you have read reviews here before you know that I love beets. These beets didn’t disappoint.

We chose the Wilted Bloomsdale Spinach & Fig Salad ($10.50) next. It was also very good. The spinach with served with roasted heirloom onions, candy stripped figs, sautéed romano beans, roasted fingerling potatoes, and crispy smoked tofu, and dressed with a fig and grain mustard vinaigrette. It easily could have been a meal itself.

One of my sisters chose their Black Bean Torte ($10.25) which consisted of whole wheat tortilla layered with caramelized plantains, smoky black bean puree, pumpkin-habanero papazul (though it wasn’t overly hot), and cashew sour cream, toped with watermelon salsa. She said it was great. In fact, I think it was her favorite part of the meal. The taste I had helped me understand why.

We ended up with three different entrees at the table between the four of us, with just one repeat.

First, two of us chose the Heirloom Carrot Tagine ($21.95). The dish consisted of zaatar grilled eggplant in black lentil and coconut sauce served with Israeli couscous with pistachio, cucumber, parsley and mint pesto.

Second, Korean Barbecue Tempeh ($22.95). The tempeh was served with Korean kocha chang barbeque sauce and seared blue lake green beans with a soba noodle salad with edamame, cucumber and shiso on the side with a house-made kimchee.

Third, Stuffed Poblano Chile ($22.95). The chile was stuffed with a New Mexican chile tempeh “chorizo” and roasted potato filling and topped with a toasted hazelnut nogada sauce. It was served with a creamed corn and butternut squash hash and a avocado and jicama salsa with a pomegranate reduction.

We each ordered unique desserts. Unfortunately, I forgot to write down the information on the special dessert that wasn’t on the menu. So, I can only tell you about three of them here. Suffice it to say, they were all to die for!

First, Mulato Mexican Hot Chocolate Torte ($8..25)—chocolate-rum cream, caramelized pineapple, chile sherbetand lime scented coconut-vanilla bean anglaise. This was paired with a glass of Zinfandel, Dashe, Late Harvest, Dry Creek Valley from Sonoma, 2006 ($10).

Second, the Seasonal Sorbet Sampler ($6.75)—Avocado, orange-coconut swirl, and chocolate. This was paired with White Port, Wellington Vineyards, Sonoma Valley ($9). My sister said that it was the perfect dessert to end her meal.

Third, Chai Spiced Tapioca ($8.25)—date caramel sauce, cardamom-fig sherbet, jasmine tea-pistachio tuille. Absolutely scrumptious! This was paired with Vin Santo, Castello Di Meleto, Chianti, Italy 2003 ($16).

We ended up sharing three bottles of wine over the course of the meal, which was leisurely because we were so enjoying the food and the company. In the end, the bill for four before tip was $314. It is definitely expensive, but worth a special meal, I think. One of the things I enjoy most of eating at Millennium is the fact that I never have to ask if a menu item is vegetarian. Now that we have taken omnivorous members of my family, as well as eating there with omnivorous friends, I am very happy to say that every single one has said that they did not miss the meat at all. Millennium may be one of the best fancy restaurants to take meat-eaters to in order to prove to them that gourmet can be vegetarian.

For the cash-strapped vegetarian gourmet, Millennium has just instituted their Frugal Foodie Menu where between Sunday and Wednesday you can get a three-course prix fixe meal for  $38, with $12 optional wine pairing. Be sure to check their website when you make reservations for other special events or menus. If you have carnivorous friends who you can convince to give it a try, you could save 25% on your bill!