Peña Pachamama — Restaurant in San Francisco

I hope readers of this review will bear with me, as I really do want to paint the entire scene for you. Coming from Marin County into the city, I always ride my bike across the Golden Gate, often without any plans in mind, just wanting to ride into the city and see what adventures I get myself mixed up in.

After a beautiful, though a little wet and misty, ride throughout SF on my bike, I was going to meet up at the Hemlock to see a friend's band play at 10pm and it was about 4pm. So, being a raw foodist, I looked up 'SF raw restaurants' in google maps and this place popped up. It also mentioned that there would be a performance (this was Saturday), so I was set on checking the place out.

I'd never been, and actually hadn't much been to this area of the city at all, so it piqued my interest. However, as I didn't plan on parting with my bike for any extended periods of time, I had neglected to bring my bike lock with me! I thought I'd have to scrap the plan to check this place out, but decided to go and see if they would help me out. It turns out the staff (especially my server Heidi!) were incredibly gracious and went out of their way to accommodate little old me. Heidi offered to open the side door to the restaurant and let me stash my bike back there, letting me in through the back entrance and seating me immediately. It was bar none the best service I've had at a restaurant. Add to this that, initially, I was dining alone and in my silly road-biking costume, many servers and staff would give such a person the stink-eye, but not here! I felt so very welcome.

This is turning into a novella, but I'll go on, the atmosphere here is so warm and welcoming, I was immediately at home and felt so comfortable. I asked for an order of their organic, raw Kale chips to start and some red wine and read my book in total contentment. I was blown away at how delicious the Kale chips were, I was expecting some so-so version of the typical store-bought Kale Chips, but these were twice as good. The portion was a great deal for the price and the wine was poured plentifully!

Then my friend called and he decided to join me, after I raved for a few minutes to him about the place. He is the antithesis of a raw foodist, he'll eat anything and everything-- so it is a true testament to this fine establishment that, after we ordered, he was able to order a cooked meal that he absolutely loved and I was able to order the one-of-a-kind, delicious raw, vegan tacos. Two glasses of wine, my kale chips still not exhausted and the live performance began. It was layers upon layers of entertainment, contentment and greatness.

Without a doubt, one of the finest dining experiences I've ever had, I think I'll be visiting Pena Pachamama weekly (it was THAT good) and my sincere thanks to all the staff there, especially my amazingly friendly and professional server Heidi!

A true gem for raw foodist and typical foodie alike (a rare combo indeed!), I cannot suggest this lovely place enough,...

This restaurant is such a gem. Every vegan/vegetarian in the Bay Area needs to be eating here regularly. The service is top notch, the food is superb, the entertainment is fabulous and the owner, Quentin Narvia is marvelous and sweet.

I'm visiting from New Hampshire for 10 days, (moving to the area in a couple of months) and feel so at home here. I've already eaten here twice since Friday and plan on eating here every night for the rest of the week. It's that good.

During my first visit, Quentin came and introduced herself to me, made recommendations, told me her story, and talked to me for several minutes about being a vegan and a musician and why they finally went all vegan (though they still have one Salmon dish on the menu, which I hope disappears soon). I loved how she explained the reason they went vegan, despite the warnings of others it would doom her. She said she would rather go out of business than to serve animals. They are people of principle and any true vegan need to support that.

She went upstairs and got a copy of the "musical vegan cookbook" she wrote and signed it for me. She and her husband, a Latin Grammy Nominated musician, then performed with their band for a little over an hour, with one of the customers coming on stage to perform. To top it off, our very polite and wonderful waiter Cole, ended the show with a very positive rap. You won't get this kind of experience anywhere.

After the show Quentin came and sat at my table to talk some more, even grabbing a raw brownie from the kitchen to share with us. It's rare to be made to feel so at home.

She also invited us to return on Sunday to hear Dr. Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet, speak. Of course I came, and was greeted with a warm hug and thanks for coming again. What an amazing evening it was. We got there at 5:30 to hear Dr. Tuttle, and had dinner over the span of 5 1/2 hours as they had Middle Eastern Musicians and Belly Dancers later in the evening.

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Pena Pachamama serves hard-to-find flavorful Vegan food, yet serves meat lovers, too by including grass fed lamb and beef on their menum as well as salmon steak. Well prepared platanos or flat banana carbs take the place of potatoes to go with each entree. The best rack of lamb I've tasted with a special honey sauce was served on New Year's eve, with first class entertainment using ancient primitive instruments and indiginous Inca, Peruvian and Andes Mountain music. I was transposed in Laka Titicaca in Machu Pichu, Peru -- just listening to Pena Pachamama's flutes, cajon drums and iguana guitars, and watching the ancient future through their costumes and frenzied dancing and drumming.

For variety of entertainment, Pena Pachamama also features Brazilian music, Cuban bands, Venezuelan percussions, flamenco dances, and the original Sukay band which used to tour the world and performed at the Great American Music Hall. On the second floor of this tiny restaurant is a gallery of indigenous South American paintings, costumes and headdresses. Unforgettable musical entertainment comes with a three-course meal at $45, considering that includes a state-of-the-art musical stage with stereo speakers and soundworks to gravitate for.

Robin Williams said, "Even the Amish would...