Millenium FEAST

Tonight we drove up to San Francisco to have dinner with Musty's mom, who is passing through California (from Florida on her way to a ski trip in Canada)... She's not a vegetarian, but she is always very sweet and enthusiastic about my vegan diet, and willing to try anything. So, I made us a reservation at the illustrious all-vegan, gourmet Millenium Restaurant. Musty and I ate there once, many years ago and we weren't that impressed. But they've moved, and got a new chef, and we've heard nothing but great reviews... so off we set.

I was egging everyone on to order as many courses as possible, mostly just so that I could try everyone's dish! haha. They were very obliging. :)

Here are our Starters and Salads selections:

Musty's Mom chose: Grilled Asparagus Salad: little gem lettuce, creamy pink peppercorn "ranch", sun dried tomato relish, crisp spring garlic chips

Musty "chose" (at my urging): Romaine: julienne carrots, toasted croutons, Caesar vinaigrette

I chose: Indian Yellow Bean Ragu: caramelized garlic, lemon, toasted pine nut bread crumbs & grilled bruschetta.

Complimentary Treat: The waitress sensed my crazed enthusiasm and also brought us out a complimentary order of Sesame Cornmeal Crusted Oyster Mushrooms: shaved Napa cabbage-grapefruit salad, black bean-Balinese pepper sauce.

Verdict: I think Musty's was my favorite - it was light, very flavorful, and fun to eat. Also, you don't get to eat many vegan Caesar salads, so that was very special. Mine was good, but a bit filling for an appetizer (don't worry - I didn't let that stop me!). The Crusted Mushrooms were GREAT! (and as you know, I'm not a mushroom fan). The sauce was rich, and the crusty mushrooms were so light and delicious. Musty's mom was the stellar for me - not bad by any means, but not a flavor explosion either.

Our Main Course Selections

Musty's Mom chose: Seared Emerald Rice Cake: Indonesian red coconut curry with winter root vegtables, lemongrass tofu, bok choy & shitake mushrooms, pineapple sambal, toasted peanuts.

Musty chose: Maple Glazed Smoked Tempeh: spring garlic-horseradish mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus & spring onions, Cabernet reduction

I chose: Artichoke Al Cartoccio: roasted fennel, spring garlic, spicy seitan sausage & Meyer lemon, served over barley-leek-chard risotto, toasted pine nut bread crumbs. (Mine arrived in a parchment paper packet, so it's pictured wrapped, and unwrapped)

Verdict: All three were insanely good. Absolutely no hesitation recommending any of these dishes!!

Our dessert selections :

(I don't have the dessert menu, so I can't remember all the elegant descriptions)

Musty's Mom chose: Lavender-scented Lemon Shortcake with Cream... some sort of vegan anglaise and a lavender "honey"

Musty "chose": Chocolate Almond Midnight: almond cashew crust, mocha chocolate filling, raspberry sauce, white chocolate mousse (also had crunchy little cocoa nibs -nice touch!)

I chose: Pineapple Gingerbread with Caramelized Pineapple, Caramel Sauce, and "Ice Cream" (it was so good, but I don't remember what flavor the ice cream was)

Verdict: GOOD GOOD & GOOD! Oh man! Such elegant, complex and delicious desserts. Musty's Mom's was very light, and very delicate. A nice after dinner treat. Mine was rich and moist and sweet and sugary. Musty's was so very amazing - very, very rich and perfectly balanced with the tangy raspberry sauce. Musty "couldn't finish his" (how sweet!) and it pushed me over the brink of pleasantly full into seriously full - but somehow I struggled my way through the last few bites. That white chocolate cream was crazy good!

Final Verdict - wow! What a very elegant, complex, and sophisticated meal. Delicious and surprising flavors and textures. Very balanced, very very good. Also, I might add, very very expensive. This is most definitely a save-up and splurge on a special occassion place. But once you've resigned yourself/prepared yourself for that - it's nothing but joy and pleasant surprises for the palette!