When OWL announced our choice of dishes a couple of weeks ago, I spoke up, saying that nothing was vegan, and I was assured that there would be a vegan option after all.  The server in charge took this very much to heart, but I didn't see signs that they were prepared.  I asked about getting olive oil for the bread, and I wasn't the only one who dipped into that instead of choosing a pad of butter.  I liked their vegetable soup too.  The vegetable stew they gave me was nourishing, and as I told them in a thank you note, I appreciated their including pistachio nuts for extra protein.  Then the dessert came--cake with a dollop of whipped cream.  I heard the server whisper "Shit!" when I told him it wasn't vegan, and he quickly returned to the kitchen and took off the whipped cream, apparently not knowing that eggs and milk weren't vegan either.  These are people who've turned their lives around, so I want to encourage them and have been in touch with Carol Fregly, who has taught English at Delancey for ten years and is also vegan!  I want them to know that I've turned my life around too. I no longer eat animals or animals products.  

 

The SF Chronicle had this article on comparison shopping, and I couldn't help wishing that a social consciousness would direct them towards getting readers away from beef if not from eggs and dairy.  I know that plant-based milk is still not as popular as cow's milk, but are they running for office?  And where are all the fruits and vegetables?  A jar of jam?  An onion?

 

Elaine and Jonathan were so thoughtful about planning my visit, suggesting places I could go while they were working or after they finished their work day.  Before I get to the tasting menus at Folke and Acorn, here are some dishes from Kokomo, near their place on 7th Avenue between Vine and Yew.    Yum!  Also some pastry they had waiting for me when I arrived in Vancouver and some dishes at Meet in Gastown, one of the places they suggested going to.    Here's the list they prepared for me!
 

 This is what an otherwise progressive organization is proposing for our luncheon at Delancey Street:

ENTREES (Select one per person.) (1) Spinach Salad: Feta cheese, bacon, Greek olives, tomatoes, spicy pecans and mint (2) Grilled Vermont Cheddar Cheese Sandwich served with regular fries (3) Grilled Vermont Cheddar Cheese Sandwich served with sweet potato fries (4) Grilled or Blackened Chicken Breast Sandwich:  Lemon cayenne aioli on a Kaiser roll, served with regular fries (5) Grilled or Blackened Chicken Breast Sandwich:  Lemon cayenne aioli on a Kaiser roll, served with sweet potato fries (6) Vegetarian Crepe: Smoked mozzarella, roasted peppers, sliced Portobello mushroom, tomato and basil DESSERT (Select one per person) (A) Warm 3 Ginger Gingerbread with whipped cream, OR (B) Sweet Potato Pie with whipped cream  I responded by saying Dear Friends, Thank you for the invitation to OWL's luncheon in July!  I definitely plan to join,  but there's absolutely nothing on this menu that I or any other vegan can eat.   The NYTimes says that a having a vegan diet is one of the most effective ways  we can lower our carbon footprint, and in addition to being environmentally friendly, it's a diet that's much kinder to animals abused in factory farms. In other words, vegan isn't a personal preference.  It's a cause--and a good one.   Could we ask Delancey Street to create a vegan menu for those who share  our concern for the environment and animal welfare? If not, I'll bring my own lunch and dessert and have plenty to share with others. Many thanks! Tina Sun, Jul 14 at 6:55 PM

Jenny used to be a vegetarian, but she's gone back to eating animals--but not in my house and only once or twice when she was with me.  The pictures above are of Jenny eating dishes at Kayma, an Algerian spot in IKEA's Saluhall.  My favorite dish there was the mushroom dish.  The prices were high, but the adventure was worth it.  

A good surprise was Il Parco at the Presidio Tunnel Tops--beautiful setting and tasty, reasonably priced vegan dishes:  two soups, a farro dish, focaccia, and a beet salad, and a pasta dish too. 

 

A great discovery--Il Parco at the Presidio Tunnel Tops Transit Center.  I treated Bill and Jenny to everything vegan.