On the Waterfornt: The Plant Cafe Organic

Fresh, organic, eclectic and colorful...the plates and atmosphere at The Plant Cafe Organic bring a new sense of unfettered style to the heavily promenaded Embarcadero waterfront in San Francisco. The Executive Chef behind the cuisine is Sascha Weiss, who has served pastry and savory time at Bay Area venues like Millennium, Ravens, Mecca and even as private chef for George Lucas. His attention to the culinary creativity and honest ingredients that are revered by San Francisco eaters is evident in every part of the menu.

The Plant Cafe Organic is situated in a diagonal slice of the Embarcadero's newly renovated Pier 3 complex. On one side, a small dining room and bar open to a waterfront patio, and across the way there is a take out counter with a separate entrance. The feeling is modern and understated, allowing the organic cuisine to shine amidst the bay and city views.

One recent Indian summer night in San Francisco, we were lucky to be seated in the dining patio facing the water. We started with emerald glass tumblers filled with natural Zevia diet soda, which was uniquely zesty and cooling on a warm evening. As our first taste, the shiitake spring rolls were summery with their light rice wrappers and a tangy roasted onion peanut sauce. Next we dipped toasted crostini into a rich goat cheese fondue that was accompanied by the saltiness of fresh white anchovies and olives.

Our main courses were substantial and healthy....the ginger miso quinoa with seasonal local vegetables and roasted chicken as well as a fragrant green Thai curry with shrimp. Both dishes were intensely fresh and executed with great attention.

Chef Weiss' pastry background could be seen in the dessert menu. A raw raspberry cashew cheesecake came from the kitchen looking as delicate and perfect as if it had been flown in from a Parisian patisserie, but with a refreshing California organic aesthetic. Also intriguing were the house truffles and seasonal sorbets.

Expressing the simplicity of natural ingredients and creative culinary presentation, the Plant Cafe Organic is a unique flower on the Embarcadero. For its accessible cuisine, unfussy setting and central waterfront location, the Plant Cafe Organic has most definitely moved to the top of my go-to restaurants in the city.