With a sigh of both regret and relief, I bid farewell to the ever joyful and delicious treats at the Sunset location of the Bay area’s superlative raw food restaurant, Cafe Gratitude.

Its food never ceased to satisfy and its garden seating on warm days and communal “Greenhouse” seeting on cold days was always a draw in a certain way, but at the same time there was something spooky and edgy about that place.
The general mood of the hippy brand of food –Hey, no offense. I’m a hippy, too– would always put a slight knot in my stomach, in anticipation of a quiz or an impromptu game of “What are you grateful for?”
One time, when they asked me that question I answered in such a way that prompted a disappointed sigh from the waitstaff. I turned red. She rolled her eyes and by the time I realized that she thought I was being cocky and cool, when I was really telling her the truth, she had already stormed off. Since then I have dreaded going there. So although I am sad that I won’t be able to easily sprint over there for the finest raw deserts on the planet. None-the-less, I am grateful that these treats are a little further out of reach.
Then again, just up the street, but neither advertised nor posted, Holy Gelato serves Maggie Mudd’s vegan Ice Cream. Half their flavors are vegan, and my new favorite is Hawaiian Crunch.
The last time I walked up there and saw the notes in the window, the letters seemingly from patrons and staff alike, I saw a particular note that brought a tear to my eye: “Deedee and I had our first kiss here.” The note was not accusatory or angry. It was just one person enjoying a memory of the place and it made me feel bad that I didn’t care that it was gone.
Then I walked up to Holy Gelato for some cold treats and noticed a sign in the window right next door that said ChaYa.
Vegans. We will have our day!