I usually tell you about all the places we ate at in my travel posts, but this restaurant was different. Our anniversary dinner at Millennium in San Francisco was so incredible that it deserved its own post. Our series on vegan travel in San Francisco will have to continue next week.
I booked our reservation through opentable.com and in the box where it asks for any special requests, I stated that it was our anniversary so we were hoping for a more "romantic" table (i.e. something tucked away or by a window or something similar). I didn't expect much because, having worked in a restaurant, I know that sometimes letting everybody sit where they want isn't always possible. When we arrived, we gave our name to the hostess and she wished us "Happy Anniversary" and I was immediately impressed with the level of hospitality. Since we were early, we got a glass of wine at the bar while we waited. Just a few moments later, we were seated in a little table next to a window. I was so happy.
While we sat, looking over the menu, I noticed Colleen Patrick-Goudreau sitting a few tables a way with a group of people. I'm such a huge fan of hers and I was completely starstruck but I thought it would be tacky to interrupt her meal to gush over her. Plus, I didn't want to take away from mine and Chris's evening.
Our server, Leo, came by to take our order but we were undecided about the main dish. He told us what his favorites were and went further to tell us his favorite appetizers as well- the raw Zucchini Pad Thai and the Crusted King Trumpet Mushrooms. We already knew we wanted the mushrooms so we passed on the pad thai. Leo took our order and we continued to talk and enjoy the classy ambiance of the restaurant. The next thing we knew, Leo was bringing our appetizer. He placed the Crusted King Trumpet Mushrooms on the table and then he placed the pad thai on the table as well! He told us that it was his treat- he didn't want us to miss out on this delicious dish. We were incredibly impressed and he was right- the Zucchini Pad Thai is pretty amazing. Light, fresh and the cashew crumbles on top were the perfect touch.
Our Crusted King Trumpet Mushrooms, however, were magnificent. The mushrooms themselves were stiff, but still moist and chewy. These mushrooms had a bite to them that I really liked. The arborio rice coating was absolutely delicious and the citrus-ponzu sauce just made the dish. It was served with a light cabbage and carrot salad which was good but completely upstaged by the mushrooms.
For our main course, we ordered two things to share. The Stuffed Artichoke was better than I could have possibly imagined. This tender roasted artichoke was filled with a pumpkin seed, olive, currant, farro and mushroom filling. There was roasted garlic polenta with cashew cream and a smoked kohlrabi tomato bolognese sauce. There were so many layers to this dish, each them incredible on their own, but combined they created one of the greatest dishes I've ever tasted.
We also ordered the Brik Pastry Purse which was a delicate phyllo dough pouch filled with a cashew florentine filling and served atop a mound of chard, fava beans, potatoes, maitake and butter bolete mushrooms with a hazelnut piccata sauce. There was also a fennel-carrot puree that made each and every bite sing. Again, I was amazed at the complexity of the dish.
Chris and I also liked the portion sizes. They weren't a few miniscule bites but they weren't plates fit for a family either. We were perfectly satisfied at the end of our dinner with just enough room for dessert.
For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Almond Midnight because everybody and their mother has told me that we needed to try it when we went there. Again, we were caught by surprise when Leo brought us not only or cake, but also a trio of ice creams with a candle as an anniversary gift from the restaurant.
I don't remember the flavors of the ice creams but they were all great. The cake, however, blew our minds. Devotees know that Chris will swear up a storm when he eats something he really likes. Let's just say I was thankful he whispered because I'm sure we would've been asked to leave. This cake had an almond cashew crust filled with a chocolate filling and white chocolate mousse. The plate was dressed with an espresso ganache and a raspberry sauce. If all of that wasn't enough, the cake was topped with pieces of chocolate almond bark. That little bit of extra chocolate crunch transformed this cake from a masterpiece to just downright legendary. Now I'm telling you- If you go to Millennium, you need to try the chocolate cake.
Just when I thought the evening couldn't get any better, it did. After we left, we were standing outside the restaurant, enjoying the fresh air and trying to decide what to do next when Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and her party exited the restaurant. They all said their good-byes and as Colleen was passing us, I had the nerve to tell her how much she's inspired me and thank her for all the work she does to change the world for animals. She was even more sweet and down-to-earth than I'd imagined (not that I'd spent a lot of time imagining what she was like). It was a nice little reminder that not only are we so blessed to have found each other, but we are so blessed to be part of this wonderful vegan community. It was a great end to a perfect meal.
If you are in San Francisco, I highly encourage you to make one of your stops Millennium. Every dish is so well-crafted and detailed, not to mention delicious. The level of service in this restaurant is impeccable. Our server, Leo, was one of the most knowledgable, most professional, and kindest servers we've ever had. Our experience at Millennium was far more than just a great meal- it made our evening completely perfect.
jess
wow, kristy, what a wonderful dining experience! you had me swooning of a bite of everything too - i look forward to visiting millenium myself one day... not sure when, but now i must find a way! and may i please wish you a belated happy anniversary too? sweet love is oh so special 🙂
keepinitkind
Thanks, Jess! 🙂
Shannon C
I always lol when you write about Chris swearing at delicious food. Sounds like you had such a wonderful meal, I can't wait to try Millennium next time I'm in the Bay Area!
keepinitkind
Trust me- it makes me laugh every time too. 🙂
Kelly @ Vegan Iowan
Happy Belated Anniversary! We've been talking about a West Coast trip for years - when it happens, this will be on the list!
keepinitkind
Thank you! You'll love it! 🙂
Tami @Nutmeg Notebook
Happy Anniversary. That looks like an amazing dining out experience. We will be in the Bay area in two weeks and I plan on eating at Millennium. I saw on their website that they also have two cookbooks! Thank you so much for the review.
Tami @Nutmeg Notebook
I forgot to ask you how dressed up people were at this restaurant. I want to be sure and dress appropriately when we go there.
keepinitkind
I wore a dress, Chris wore jeans, a button-down, and a casual dinner jacket. I saw others that were dressier than us, and I saw other women in jeans and a nice top or a dress with flip-flops. Is "casually dressy" a thing? That's what I would go for. 🙂
Tami@NutmegNotebook
Thank you that is very helpful!
Richgail @AstigVegan
Aww Happy Anniversary to the two of you! I'm glad you went to Millenium. A trip to San Francisco won't be complete without going to this wonderful restaurant.
keepinitkind
Thanks, Richgail! 🙂
Michelle
LOVE LOVE LOVE Millenium.. we only ate at the bar, which is a different experience altogether... A different vibe for sure. They have people that live in the four seasons hotel then just go there to eat.. tough life..lol
Glad you had a great anniversary!!!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Michelle! 🙂
Andrea
Sounds like you had a fabulous experience at Millennium, and a wonderful anniversary. We've always hesitated about going there because we've heard multiple times that the food wasn't that good. We may have to rethink that next time we're in San Francisco.
keepinitkind
I think you'll both be pleasantly surprised. 🙂
Chef Amber Shea
I really think Millennium may be the best restaurant on earth. So glad you enjoyed your meal there!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Amber! 🙂
Emma
Milennium's fame has reached England! I've heard so much about this place and your meal certainly looks like it lives up to expectations. Everything looks delicious, and the presentation is just beautiful! So pleased you had a fabulous anniversary- how lovely to be treated so specially by the staff too 🙂
keepinitkind
I so hope that you get to try it someday! 🙂
Sarah
Oh, I'm so glad you guys had a good time! We had the total opposite experience there, but I'm glad that night was just a fluke. Everyone raves about it, so I think they must have been having an off night when we went! Happy (belated) anniversary 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Sarah!
Cadry
What an exceptional evening! That was really thoughtful of Leo to bring the second appetizer. I love the splash of sauce across the appetizer plate. It's like a Jackson Pollock painting. That seems to be a trend in food plating, and I really like it. The pastry purse is so pretty! It was probably (almost) sad to tear into it! I can only imagine all of the cursing going on at the table that night. So funny!
I'm so glad that you spoke up and said hello to Colleen. I'm sure that made her night. Coincidentally, the last time I was at Millennium was with Colleen on her birthday a few years ago. I think you and Chris and David and Colleen would all really hit it off as friends. Maybe someday!
keepinitkind
That would be so fun! She seemed like such a warm, sweet person. Maybe someday! 🙂
rika@veganmiam.com
Happy Anniversary! That looks like a fabulous dining! I haven't been to the Bay Area for ages... probably since I was a teen. My paternal cousins live there!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Rika! 🙂
Heather
What an amazing special night out- everything looks exceptional! Happy Anniversary, I wish you and Chris many, many happy years together- xo
keepinitkind
Thank you, Thank you Heather! xo