Lucky Lunch-goers

Stacy makes a not-so-subtle effort to conceal her height as we pose in front of Lucky Creation.

Who: VN associate publisher Colleen Holland + VN Office Manager Lyndsay Orwig + VN Editorial Assistants Stacy Blondin + Melissa Feineman

What: A leisurely lunch

When: Saturday, February 28, 2009

Where: Lucky Creation in Chinatown

Why: To find out if the hype could be believed

A lot of talk goes down at the VNHQ. Sure, much of it is related to work and other serious matters, but, as it turns out, food is both our line of work and a serious matter, so it should come as no surprise that a lot of the talk is food-related. If someone has discovered a hot new restaurant, a charming café, or a can't-live-without-it comestible, chances are good that everyone in the office will be hearing about it in due course of time (which, more often than not, is the next morning). Of course, having constant access to all this highly valuable and expertly culled information is an honor, but one that comes with a certain sense of responsibility. If you, for example, hear one day that there is a tiny hole-in-the-wall establishment selling the best Chinese fare this side of the Pacific, you feel bound to investigate. After all, this is not just about you–this is about keeping the vegans of San Francisco (and beyond) well-informed.

So it came to pass that Colleen, our associate publisher and long-time San Franciscan, let us know about her favorite Chinese place, Lucky Creation, deep in the heart of Chinatown. A lot of words get thrown around the VNHQ, but let's just say that when we hear "my favorite restaurant in the City," we know Colleen's not joking.

We came from all corners of the city, but somehow managed to make it at our agreed time. The rumbling sound that nearly drowned out all conversation was not a distant thunderstorm, but in fact, our stomachs. However, since Colleen was clearly the expert, we put our menus down and let her take charge with the ordering. Here's what she chose: Pot Stickers, Won Ton Soup, Sautéed Black Mushrooms with Chinese Greens, Meatless Diced Almond Chicken, and Braised Eggplant with Bean Sauce in a Clay Pot, all served with a side of steamed rice.

Just some of the tasty morsels we devoured in record time.
(Clockwise, from left: Pot stickers, Sautéed black mushrooms with Chinese greens,
and diced meatless almond chicken.)

Within a few minutes of ordering, our table was chock-full of delightful dishes, and our only dilemma was deciding which deserved seconds and thirds. My favorites were the pot stickers (they had a nice, crispy texture on the inside) and the eggplant in a clay pot, since it was gooey, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying. However, if you asked my dining companions the same question, I doubt you'd get the same answer. Funny how everyone's tastes can be so different, yet we pretty much universally agreed the meal was a smashing success.

So is Lucky Creation the best Chinese food in The City? The only way to find out is to continue our intrepid journalism and sample many, many more restaurants along the way. We'll keep you posted.

The Incredible Green Hulk

Who: VN Publisher/Editor in Chief Joseph Connelly + California Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger

What: Commonwealth Club Lecture: Keeping California Cool

Where: The Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco

Why: To hobnob with former SF Mayor Willie Brown while witnessing live politics

When: September 26, 2008

The Scoop: I feel it's my duty to keep up with all things green, as it should be obvious by now that we're all on this planet together. When I was notified that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was delivering a lecture commemorating the second anniversary of my state's very progressive (at least when compared to the hot air coming out of DC) Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, aka AB 32, I decided to skip the VegNews staff lunch and travel to sunny downtown San Francisco to observe politics in action.

But first, since no Press Pass blurb would be complete without some food reference, I stopped in for a quick bowl of Won Ton Soup at the infamous Lucky Creation Vegetarian Restaurant in SF's Chinatown. Check out our previous Press Pass entry for more on Lucky Creation.

Chugging straight up the (Nob) hill, I arrived at The Fairmont where I was greeted by former SF Mayor Willie Brown who was impeccably dressed, and, of course, donned his trademark fedora. We said a quick "hello" as old buddies do before I picked up my press creds and headed into The Fairmont's Gold Room, aptly named for its great ornateness and gilded beauty.

The gilded interior of The Fairmont Hotel's Gold Room

The press was everywhere: An imposing bank of video and still cameras towered behind us print and electronic journalists. The Commonwealth Club, now 105 years old—almost as old as Willie Brown, according to the Gov—is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. It has hosted nearly every US president since Theodore Roosevelt, a fact not lost on the ever savvy Schwarzenegger, whom referred to fellow Republican TR as his "political idol" while referencing the former prez's 1911 Commonwealth Club lecture, which addressed environmental issues. Such progress we have made.

Arnold delivered a pointed and upbeat 19-minute speech, talking up the progressive agenda of AB 32, the "most ambitious global warming bill" in the nation and the first to impose mandatory caps on greenhouse gases. He took pot shots at the Bush administration ("Washington is asleep at the wheel; we can not look for leadership there" and "(We're) not waiting for the Federal government") as well as the Motor City ("Detroit, get off your butt!"), the latter a reference to Tesla Motors, a new luxury-car company setting up shop in San Jose, Calif., that will manufacture zero-emission electric vehicles exclusively. He also claimed he went to MoTown and encouraged GM to make the Hummer 3 a hydrogen-only vehicle, but they didn't listen. At least he tried. Finally, he foreshadowed his upcoming Governor's Global Climate Summit, to be held this November in "Callifornya." No word whether the governor from the great state of Alaska will attend. If not, surely Tina Fey can stand in.

And not to disappoint the star-gazers, the Gov magically worked into his remarks his two most famous lines, "Hasta La Vista, Baby" and "I'll Be Back." Pure coincidence, I'm sure. A good time was had by all.

The Governator in action

Around the World in Saturday

Who: VN Associate Publisher Colleen Holland, Office Manager Jenny Diaz + Editorial Assistant Lisa Mickleborough
What: Gastronomical tour of San Francisco
Where: San Francisco's Chinatown and North Beach neighborhoods
When: July 12, 2008
Why: To be ladies who lunch. And snack. And get treats to go.

The Scoop: Having lived six months in this fantastic town, I'd like to think I've done Arthur Frommer proud, exploring SF's most remarkable nooks, crannies, and vegan venues. But no amount of my own enthusiasm or well-researched trailblazing can compare to a personally guided tour with a long time local—particularly one who happens to be vegan and great company. Colleen planned a jam-packed, epicurean treasure trail, leading Ms. Jenny and me east around the new old-world, making stops in the particularly delicious China and indulgent Italy. First stop: lunch at the Buddhist and vegan Lucky Creation—a tiny, spotless hole-in-the-Great-Wall where, no sooner had we dumped our bags and placed our orders did countless steaming white dishes descend upon our crowded table. Boasting simple and flavorful renditions of won-ton soup, pot stickers, tofu and eggplant, and homemade marinated curry, sweet and sour, and barbecue mock meats, all made with amazingly fresh ingredients. Lingering longer than our business-like hostesses would have liked (you may have to trade your first born for a second glass of water), we stopped for a quick photo op before meandering through the famous Ross Alley to peak in on the hard-working ladies of the historic Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.

After so much food, we were in danger of slipping into a food coma, so off we went to North Beach for some uppers in the form of soy lattes and Italian sodas. But first, we had to take a quick Eurasian detour to the now all-vegan The Usual Suspects Café and peek at their recently Ruskied menu which, as we found out, boasts "borsh" and blintzes. Uh, you heard us. Check back here for highlights for our upcoming full-review!

Heading north, we visit Caffe Greco—one of San Francisco’s most treasured Italian spots. Famous for its authentic, fresh tiramisu and cannoli, they also whip up some mean, foamy lattes and a special sweet treat for our sweet-toothed tour-guide: the Greco Sunrise, which consists of Orangina and gourmet strawberry syrup. With the Saturday sun and tourists in full-force, the café's sidewalk seating presented the perfect opportunity to rest our feet, watch the flurry of interesting international fashions, and soak up some vitamin D. With no cuisine more indulgent than that of the French, we had to cap our tour de SF in France—or, at least, a French chocolatier. XOX Truffles’ founding chef Jean-Marc Gorce is nationally renowned for his velvety morsels, and we scooped up some of his vegan dark Chocolate, “l'orange,” and “noisette” (hazelnut) vegan flavors to take home as a sensual souvenir.

Here's a photo of the enthusiastic, albeit extremely caffeinated, trio: