Raw Meat....ok that sounds gross but I tried it.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Whoops I didn't realize you'd already put the link up Catherine.

The restaraunt I went to with hubby is a Vietnemese restaurant in Fountain Valley called Au Lac. It's a vegetarian restaurant that specializes in a lot of meat analogues, but if you call ahead they'll make you a raw meal. We went in with an Orange County raw support group, we took up the whole back of the retaurant and was served so many great courses. Starting off with a young coconut to drink, then a juice, a soup, a salad, a couple other courses, a delicious dessert and then the chef came around with a large bowl of fresh cut durian (it looked very strange), spooning it out to everyone!

For those in the LA area, Fountain Valley is about 15-20 minutes south of Long Beach.

[jmo]

Hi, If you guys go to Au Lac let me know I'd love to meet you guys there.

Catherine- I tried the eating seared tuna too and yuk! It made me feel gross, it sounded good at the time but something I probably won't do again.
Plus I'm always leary of the whole mercury thing.

Cam

[karotw]

Could I join you all at Au Lac, too? I live very near there and would really like to have a meal with some other raw folks! My biggest battle these days is trying to eat raw when surrounded by those who are eating cooked!!

It would be very cool to have a Orange Co. raw dining experience with you all!

[jmo]

Absolutely! : )
I think that would be great.

Watch out Cooked world! The Raw fooders are in town ; ) hehehe

[Myka]

Let me know when too! I'll join you guys.

[catherinethegreat]

Wow - Looks like we have a Au Lac Party in our midst!

Does Saturday April 16th work for you all??

*c

[karotw]

Works for me!

[Revvell]

I'm thinking Alissa has not been here long enough to know how most of us feel about the 405. fyi ~ it's been called the 405 because it takes 4 or 5 hours to get anyplace. Easy to get to for.... whom and at what time? Hope they are open at 3 a.m!!!! (j/kkkk)

ItÂ’s right off the 405 not far from Huntington Beach. Easy to get to.

Injoy ~

Revvell

[Revvell]

we (Bo and I) can make it on the 16th. Hmmm. We can work it out. The next day we are vending at Worldfest. So! How about Au Lac on Sat. and WorldFest on Sunday??? http://worldfestevents.com/ Anyone up for that? <G>

Injoy ~

Revvell

[jmo]

I'm in. I'm totally flexable on time , so whatever works for everyone else, just let me know.

[SedonaSun]

Hmmm... sounds good enough to consider driving from Tucson to join you all. It wouldn't work with my schedule, but nevertheless, it would be fun.

Friends: "Why are you going to California?" Me: "To eat at a raw restaurant." Friends:

[Revvell]

Do it! Do it!!! We've got enough room to put you up for the night. Then, unless you feel to drive back immediately, you can hit the WorldFest for a bit! Do it!!!!


Injoy ~

Revvell

[Sharon in Colorado]

Hmmm... sounds good enough to consider driving from Tucson to join you all. It wouldn't work with my schedule, but nevertheless, it would be fun.

Friends: "Why are you going to California?" Me: "To eat at a raw restaurant." Friends:

This is funny...my family and close friends live in Southern California (lived there all my life up until 2 years ago), I was even thinking to myself how it'd be nice to possibly take off for a weekend so I can "happen" to be there to have dinner with you all.

[RawTruth]

Wow, I'm gone from the board for one stinkin day and look what happens!!! Catherine and I have been discussing this for quite some time, so I'm thrilled that we're gonna actually do it.

I've been to Au Lac numerous times (it's a mere 10 mins from Long Beach) and run into Chef Ito at Mother's Market occasionally.

For those who haven't been in a while ... or never ... there is now two separate menus -- one vegan and one raw. I like to just ask Ito to make something for me ... and leave it to him. Last time, he created a curried rice dish that was molded on top of a bottom layer of avocado halves (like 4 of them!), then a layer of broccoli and some other veggies -- all tied together with a scrumptious indescribable blend of flavors. And, yes, the hummanase (sp?) soup is fabulous. And every salad I've had is great. Truly, there's nothing bad or iffy that I've encountered there. What's so great is that he retains the Vietnamese flavors and texture, yet he creates things that are entirely unique. Well, there is a spring roll ... and a few familiar things.

Bear in mind that the items are "family" style, like Chinese restaurants where, for instance, someone orders cashew chicken and it comes in a large serving dish meant to be shared by several people. So ... the prices, which are steep, reflect that. So, we should anticipate that and, perhaps, think about splitting the bill equally. When I've gone alone, I've been prepared and know that I'll be taking home leftovers that'll last me for a couple of meals. Even when I've gone with friends ...

Catherine, are you going to get a firm headcount and call in the reservation? Did you want to do PMs? They have a big round table that'd be perfect -- depending on how many. My memory's saying it'll seat 8.

Yay!!!! I'm just sooo excited!

p.s. Revvell -- there are routes that will avoid the 405, if you wish, even though it shouldn't be jammed on a Saturday afternoon. (Depending on where you are, take the 10 or 60 to the 605 south which merges into the 405 around Huntington Beach. From there, Au Lac is only about 10 more minutes south.

[Revvell]

lmao ~ yeah, the 405 not jammed on any day. Pffffftttt!!!!

Thanks hun. I thought I saw that it was near the 605. That would definitely be my choice. How's about the 170 which is before the 605 off the 10?

p.s. Revvell -- there are routes that will avoid the 405, if you wish, even though it shouldn't be jammed on a Saturday afternoon. (Depending on where you are, take the 10 or 60 to the 605 south which merges into the 405 around Huntington Beach. From there, Au Lac is only about 10 more minutes south.