A new option for a raw meal in San Francisco

There is a Bolivian restaurant in North Beach called Pena Pachamama. Though the restaurant serves meat, they also have a number of vegan options. The owner has recently gotten into raw foods. I just noticed that they have added raw lasagna and a raw coconut pie to their daily menu. They also host vegan brunches every sunday with rotating chefs - so far two of the brunches have featured raw chefs. I had the chance to eat of one of the brunches and really enjoyed it. I will definately be popping in to try the lasagna and pie - especially since it's only a few blocks from my house. Yay! This is a great option for eating out with non-raw friends or family since they will have plenty to choose from, as will you.

http://www.penapachamama.com/

Cindy

I love this. The word is getting out there! YAY!!!

Sounds WONDERFUL.....Thanks for Sharing...

good to know, thanks, vegan princess.

I finally had a chance to pop into Pena Pachamama tonight. I was just going to get the lasagna, but unfortunately they didn't have it today. They are closed Monday and Tuesday so since this is their first day open again (today is Wednesday), they were just making it today and it wasn't ready (I went right when they opened). The girl was very apologetic and said they normally always have it. I asked if many people order it and she said that they do get a fair amount of people ordering...and that most people really like it. I hadn't planned on getting dessert, but since I was there I figured I'd try the coconut pie. It was really good. I especially liked the crust...it reminded me a lot of real pie crust. The slice of pie was $7 and was a good sized piece. Looking forward to trying the lasagna. I just think it's so cool that a "normal" restaurant has raw options!

Cindy

Ok - I'm SO excited!! I made it in again to Pena Pachamama and ordered the lasagna to go. It came with a whole separate box of a yummy salad. The lasagna is delicious! The best I've had at a raw restaurant.

But the super EXCITING news is that they now host a raw vegan brunch every Sunday! I knew they did vegan brunches and they used to host visiting chefs. Now everything is prepared in house and all but 2 things are raw. They have the lasagna, guacamole and sweet potato chips, a salad of some sort, cinnamon buns, some sort of japanese pancake, chocolates, coconut pie and ice cream. Maybe some more that I forgot. The owner mentioned raw tuna salad to me, but I didn't see it on the menu.

The owner said they will host a raw meetup there Sunday the 28th at 1:00. She said they're not advertising the raw brunch yet b/c they are still expanding the menu. She is vegan and about 95% raw. I am just so thrilled and thankful that she is daring enough to add raw foods to the menu of an already established restaurant! :D And I think I know where I'll be this Sunday.

So Vegan Princess, does Pena Pachamama still have the raw brunches every Sunday? I would be interested in going to these events. I live in Pacifica, and travel into S.F. quite a bit.

Also, someone mentioned downtown raw food choices (or lack of choices). Cafe Soulstice in the San Mateo Equinox is seriously considering opening up in the S.F. Equinox Fitness Center. This would be awesome! Also, there is a soup place in the Crocker Galleria, that during the summer months, makes a gazpacho. I have asked several times, asking several different employees, about it's rawness. They have all answered that nothing in it is cooked. However, I know they add salt, so it may not be the best choice. But sometimes, I just want to go out and buy something prepared.

I have heard for awhile now about the Tuesday farmer's market. I guess I am going to have to make more of an effort to walk down there from Union Square on Tuesday afternoons. I would love to try more food from Alive.

Blessings.

Pena Pachamama doesn't do the brunches anymore...but they do do a raw meetup once a month on sundays. It just got too hard for the owner b/c she is a musician and plays at the restaurant until 2am on Saturdays. I think she would be open to hiring a raw chef to do it regularly though. The next meetup is at the end of the month...can't remember if it's the 26th or sept. 1. I went to the last one and the owner made lots of yummy food. I go in often for the lasagna...it's yummy.

Also in the Crocker Galleria is Medicine. It is a mostly vegan japanese restaurant...they recently added fish to the menu but it it cooked and served separate. They have a couple unique raw salad offerings. And there is a Farmer's Market in the Galleria on Thursdays. Nothing like the Ferry building one, but I still like to go to it. In fact, I plan on going today. :) It would be awesome if Cafe Soulstice would open down here!

Cindy