08/07/09

Vegan fine dining

by relentless7

After using their cookbook for a few months, and dreaming about walking in almost every day staring at the restaurant from a 38 bus window, I finally ate at Millennium.

This is what vegan food should be. It's exotic, stimulating, light, well balanced, and with a shocking amount of flavor.

Their cocktails are also top-notch. Who would've thought?

• Pros: Creative, exotic, light, flavorful, vegan
• Cons: Location

05/04/09

Poor Customer Service!

by AllisonSF

We came here before Wicked. The Hostess was lovely and took our coats as we arrived. We sat down at the table as reserved. There was water already poured into our water glasses on the table. We had a couple of sips of water and ordered our food and wine. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal until the bill came.

We spent well over $300 at 6 p.m. (in this time of financial crisis). We noticed a charge for water for $8?! WHAT?!

We politely asked the server who explained that Millennium filters their own water through all these processes. We explained that we don't mind filtered water, instead we just weren't given the option at the start of the meal, especially since our water had already been poured BEFORE we even sat down. We explained that not a single person asked us at the beginning or at any time during our meal whether or not we wanted filter, tap, or sparkling water. She explained that 'this notice is on the menu' but not one of us 8 people saw this notice.

The manager, then arrived, explaining the exact policy....and then stated 'would you not have had water with your meal?' We explained that we live in San Francisco where the water quality is excellent and we would have taken tap water but we were NEVER given the option! Instead, the manager REFUSED to take the $8 charge off our bill!

Shame on you Millennium!

• Pros: food, setting
• Cons: not supporting their customers, not a good choice!

04/11/09

Fantastic, a little pricy tho

by Claire4One

Millennium is fantastic. When you can afford it, you should check out this amazing vegan spot! Everything is vegan, and nearly everything is delicious.I think the only drawback is the pricing... It's a nice space, and a very formal dining environment... but it can slightly break the bank! A refreshing and special change from the usual vegetarian circuit here in San Francisco.

• Pros: Fabulous food and drinks -- all vegan!
• Cons: Expensive :(

10/13/08

Lovely atmosphere! Great Food! Not over-priced!

by DanaS415

My husband and I went here for dinner the other night. Neither he or I are Vegeterian (Vegan) but we decided to give it a try because of a co-workers recommendation. What a deightful evening. We were seated almost immediately after arriving (we had 8;00pm reservations, and were seated at 8:05pm!) the waiter was very nice, explained everything in great detail, and the food! Amazing! if this is what it is like to eat non-meat dishes than sign me up! The restaurant wasn't over-priced (as more than a few restaurants tend to be here in S.F) All in all, our experience at this restaurant was great! Go try it! and you will seriously think of becoming a Vegeterian!

• Pros: Delightful atmosphere, attentive and friendly wait-staff, Great food! Even for people that are not limited to meat-less dishes!
• Cons: Not a single thing

08/29/08

just eat vegetarian food at a restaraunt that can make good food

by monkies

This is simply one of the worst places I've eaten. Simply put, it is the type of eatery that gives meat eaters the ammunition to criticize.

Before I get into it, I think the vegetarian lifestyle and movement is important (I personally think people who do eat meat should at least understand where their food comes from, and respect the animal that they're eating not as a commodity but as a living creature); however, that doesn't mean any vege restaurant should get props just because it's in the movement or supports the cause.

Negatives:

1. it's vegan: even though the menu claims to mimic non-vege foods, it doesn't at all. the lack of fat in the cooking leads to basically a plate o' veges thrown about. my gf is a vegetarian and also said she wouldn't go back because of the monotonous flavors...nothing unique aside the attempt at uniqueness in the menu descriptions. here's the thing, flavor of mushrooms or tofu with light sauces doesn't fool the palate at all. they claim you leave frisky or whatever, but that's another word for hungry.

2. $$$$: plates running in the $20+ range is absolutely ridiculous. simple as that.

Positives: drinks were tasty, classy and fun atmosphere (felt like a 40s theater)

Do yourself a favor and find a good restaurant ,and eat a vege dish there that's good. Get a tasty risotto, or a curried tofu dish, etc at places that know how to make vegetarian food. It doesn't have to be an elitist niche movement.

• Pros: good drinks, nice vibe and decor
• Cons: elitist vege that doesn't deliver at all. save your money and go to a good place.

05/11/08

Excellent vegetarian restaurant with upscale feel

by tstafford

I visited this restaurant twice in the last couple weeks, and thoroughly enjoyed the food. Rarely will you find a vegetarian restaurant where the environment/atmosphere is more upscale (typically they are very casual joints) so this is a refreshing change of pace. It's also nice to know that anything you order off the menu is 'safe', and you won't have to quiz a reluctant waiter about whether a veggie dish really is vegetarian. The menu can be overwhelming - although very descriptive, it is rather difficult to get a sense of what exactly you are ordering and what it will look like, so you'll need help from your server. The Erbette Chard Roulade was very good, it's a hollowed out bread roll filled with tofu cheese and chard, topped with mushrooms and black beluga lentils on the side. Also tried the Carrot Bolognese, this one I'm not quite sure what is in it except the carrots, but still very good. The flavors are strong so you likely wouldn't have the same dish twice within a few days, but that just means you get to try different dishes. The chocolate cheesecake is very good - tasted nothing like cheesecake, which was not an issue - rich, with berries and sauce on the side. The vanilla bean cream tartlette was a disappointment though, it is a small crunchy tart shell filled with cream and topped with little cubes of strawberry and pineapple. Just not that good, especially for the price. The only real turnoff is the hostess (the one wearing cowboy boots) - she tries to act snooty for no apparent reason, when she should be welcoming guests. But overall, I think it's a great restaurant experience.

• Pros: Creative vegetarian menu
• Cons: Unfriendly hostess

02/20/08

Elegant and inspired, this meat-free organic restaurant is a vegan's paradise and an omnivore's adventure.

by Contributor

The Scene
The neon-lit sign outside is immediately contrasted by the glamorous, 1920s-styled entryway that the restaurant shares with the Hotel California. In the dining area, fishing nets hang from the ceiling with lights caught within, dimly illuminating the auburn floors and full bar. On one side of the room, a dozen two-top tables line the wall spaced only two feet apart, which forces each couple to compete for volume. Larger parties fill traditional round booths--sans leather seat lining.

The Food
Millennium's Executive Chef Eric Tucker breaks tradition in ways less obvious than his omission of meat, dairy and eggs. Pinpointing the type of food served is almost impossible, as the spices and herbs used to compliment entrees are not the standard picks of any one cuisine. For instance, the almond-cake entree is accompanied by hand-picked mushrooms, whole beans, horseradish cashew-cream and cranberry-orange relish. The desserts are just as complex, but not as daring: After all, no meat-eater would take pause over eating a spiced pumpkin cake topped with white chocolate and ginger spread.

Hits: A meal turns into a unique experience and sends diners through countless flavors and cuisines without a trace of any animal products, and it's easy to find a perfect complement to any meal in the long list of organic beers, wines and creative juice cocktails.

Misses: The atmosphere is not as fantastic as the food--the open kitchen, high ceilings and often cramped seating can make the place a little louder than preferred.

06/02/07

Superb Experience

by lacey1724

My boyfriend surprised me with reservations here. I was shocked by the extensive menu and sophisticated ambience. Beingabel to choose anything on the menu and know that I will love it was thrilling. We had three courses plus the olive plate. Delicious! Not even the bill could tarnish theentire experience. It was quite the romantic gesture at the perfect veggie restaurant for me!

02/16/07

one of our best meals ever!

by carrot31

We were in San Francisco for our 10th anniversary. Dinner at Millennium was certainly a highlight. bar selection was fantastic - my hunny likes good beers/ales. the food was packed with flavor! we enjoyed a leisurely meal instead of being rushed out of the restaurant - our meal took 2 hours. what a treat! Even non vegetarians will enjoy this place!

• Pros: service, long meal

01/14/07

A Vegan Elated

by _ricab_

Delicious. Simply amazing. A vegan gastronomical joy. There are few pure vegetarian restaurants, but none other compares to Millennium. The dining room is beautiful, no complaints about the service. And lemme tell you: I miss dessert and it's been a very long time since I've had one as decadent and soul-satisfying as the molten-chocolate confection I just had the pleasure to enjoy. Pure, sweet, bliss.

• Pros: sooooooo yummy