As a confirmed meat and dairy-lover, I’ve been fascinated by the idea of Seed — a raw foods vegan restaurant, which opened in the former Cafe Saint Rose space. I thought, however, it might be more fitting for one of my colleagues — a devoted vegan– to be the first to check out this new eatery for BiteClub. Many of you have been asking about it, so here’s the scoop from online producer Katy Lieber.
The North Bay’s meat-free-set have a new place to rave about in Santa Rosa thanks to the addition of Seed, a month-old vegan restaurant on Sebastopol Avenue.
The 7-table restaurant, on the east side of Highway 101, offers a menu completely void of meat and dairy–ravioli “flowers” made with macadami nuts, sausage pizza made wtith nut cheese and even a brownie sundae. In addition to the lack of meat and cheese, everything on the menu is organic and most is raw and wheat free.
Vegan owner and chef Jeri Hastey opened restaurant because she was simply hungry. “There aren’t a lot of options for vegans,” she said. After many years as a vegetarian, she became a vegan a year ago, inspired by one of her five children. But the food lover found there weren’t many places for her to eat out.
Her menu, which includes everything from nachos to her version of the “Frito Boat” (chili, cheese and chips) has been warmly received by vegans and nonvegans alike.
“I’m honestly surprised how welcome I have been made to feel in the vegan community,” and said news of the restaurant has spread mainly through word of mouth.
The menu is full of vegan versions of familiar dishes including burgers, pizza and egg salad. Desserts include cheesecake, key lime pie and a brownie sundae with caramel.
Popular items, according to Jeri, include a corn and red bell pepper tostada ($14) and sloppy seed ($10.50), a vegan version of sloppy joe’s and a stuffed mushroom appetizer topped with zucchini hummus ($8).
A longtime vegan and macadamia nut fan, I sampled the ravioli flower, macadamia raviolis with tomato basil marinara served with brushetta crackers and caesar salad ($13). It was light and filling. My dessert, chosen with the help of my server, a chocolate caramel pie ($6.50) was rich, chocolately and delicious.
Jeri formerly ran a healing center in Sacramento and trained with a raw-food chef in Austin, Texas before opening Seed. Her many repeat customers keep her motivated and happy despite long hours as the solo chef.
“I have a lot of customers who come back six, seven, eight, 12 times.”
Seed: 463 Sebastopol Avenue, Santa Rosa. 707-546-7333. Open Wednesday through Saturday 11 am – 9 pm and Sunday for brunch 10 am-2 pm. Also, to-go food available next door.