#thai idea

In news that is not actually new and still very depressing, seafood is terrible for human consumption and the environment. These studies serve as such crucial reminders for me, as seafood has been the hardest non-vegan food for me to stop dreaming about. I loved the stuff. I won't bore you with the gory details of my obsession with raw oysters, but an obsession it was.

Lately, however, I've been noticing a plethora of vegan "seafood" around me. I couldn't be more excited about this! (Maybe with more veggie seafood options, we can lobby for this whole "pescatarian" thing to go away. Every time I check, seafood is still considered meat.) Let's go over some options, shall we? In pictures, because we all love looking at pictures of food! Isn't this why we're all on Pinterest, styling our future parties, houses, and weddings? Yes it is.

Ocean Basket from Loving Hut. Those seaweed patties are my favorite! 

You can add soy shrimp to any entree at Thai Idea. Don't forget about those scrumptious and completely necessary Firecracker balls--they are the best appetizer in San Francisco! Have you been to the new location in the Mission yet?

Fish and chips from Weird Fish in the Mission. Not actually fishy-tasting, yet the batter is perfect, and just what I remember being the best part of traditional fish and chips!

Sea Cake from Real Food Daily in L.A. I don't know what it's made out of, but I want it!

What is that, amid all the brunch food at Mohawk Bend in L.A.? HEARTS OF PALM CRAB CAKES. Get me on the next plane to SoCal, I'm sold.

Where else can I get my fix, beautiful readers? What else is out there? I must know! And when do we get a creamy soup in a bread bowl here in San Francisco? Preferably one that rivals clam chowder and is served at Pier 39.

SF DAY FOUR:

Caught up to today! It was pretty chilly and foggy and windy today, but we braved it and trekked all over town. We took the bus to the Herbivore in lower Haight and had some delicious food. Ricky had fresh squeezed orange juice, I had green juice. I ordered the savory crepes with roasted red pepper sauce, and he had the breakfast burrito.

From there, we walked up to Haight-Ashbury, and then bussed to Golden Gate park and went to the de Young Museum. After that we went to the Japanese Tea Garden, walked around, and got some tea and mochi. 

Dear Bay Area residents, do you want to chow down on fab veg Thai food in the best neighborhood in S.F. with the coolest person you can imagine? Then you will want to partake in Grubwithus's VegWeek, particularly the meal on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Thai Idea. [Ed.: One of my favorite new restaurants! Maybe I'll come too and be all, "BOO, MOTHERFUCKERS!" and then eat all your spring rolls. You like?? - Laura]

Grubwithus is basically a social network for oinkers like me to meet up with each other; one of their taglines is "Never eat alone." Totally feeling like they're not going to stalk me, hilarious!

Here's how it works: You make a profile on the site and sign up to attend a meal. You pay money (I know, I know) based on how fast you sign up, so the first person to sign up gets the best price. Last time I checked, there were eight seats left on Tuesday, so do it to it!

Next week is the network's national vegan/vegetarian week, so here's the lineup for SF (check Grubwithus for your city!):

Monday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. at La Mediterranee for Veggie Grubbers

Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. at Thai Idea, hosted by Sarah M. Smart of Vegansaurus (THIS IS ME, YOU GUYS, SO SIGN UP)

Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. at Source, hosted by Alex Eaves of Stay Vocal

Sunday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. at Greens, hosted by Bryant Terry, author of Vegan Soul Kitchen

You'll be able to find me at Thai Idea on Tuesday, swigging from a 40 of Mickey's delicately holding a glass of wine (Thai Idea is BYOB, people) and hoovering all of the Firecracker Balls within reach. If you're lucky, I might even make forced, expletive-laden conversation with you! Or give you a big wet smooch! Depending on how drunk I get! Bet you can't wait to find out!