RAW DINNER @ Great Sage

Yesterday 5 of my good friends and I went to one of my favorite vegan restaurants,  Great Sage, for a 5 course raw dinner.  The menu was "Flavors  of the South West".  We were all very excited about this experience because it was a first for all of us.  I think it is safe to say that I was just a little more excited than they were because I frequent Great Sage often and I'm always asking them about putting more raw items on the menu.  I was anxious to see what they had to offer us this night.  Pardon the dark photos, the restaurant was dark and I used my iphone with flash.
AMUSE...Mushroom ceviche with chipotle cream, macadamia swiss cheese and flax cracker

This course was delicious.  The flax cracker was moist and flavorful, the mushroom ceviche's flavor was perfect, the chipotle cream and the macadamia swiss cheese both had great flavor...had us all wondering what they did to make it taste like this!  All agreed that this was a great dish!!

2ND COURSE...Wilted kale, watercress and avocado salad with candied pecans, shaved fennel, lemon-olive oil emulsion

Ok, anyone that knows me, follows me on Twitter or is even my friend on Facebook, knows that I live and breath kale salad.  I was interested to see what this salad was going to taste like.  The menu did say "wilted kale".  I wanted to know what "wilted kale" tasted like.  I still don't know what "wilted kale" taste like.  The dressing on the kale salad was flavorful, the fennel, watercress and avocado were nice.  The candied pecans were also a nice touch.  But, coming from someone who has studied and mastered the making of a kale salad, I was a little disappointed in this salad.  The greens had not been massaged enough for my liking, if at all.  Again, this is my opinion and I make kale salad every week.  This salad reminded me of my very first kale salad. It was good, but after I figured out that you need to massage with olive oil a little sea salt and a whole lotta love...it became delicious!!!! 

3RD COURSE...Sweet corn puree with bell pepper oil

I was a little skeptical about the puree, not a big fan of cold soups.  This soup was bursting with flavor.  You could really taste the sweetness of the corn in addition to garlic and onion.  The bell pepper oil was delicious.  This was a very hearty bowl of soup.  None of us could finish the entire bowl.  It was a bowl of creamy goodness!!!

INTERMEZZO...Local wild berry ice with mint infusion

And to cleanse the palate...this was cold, fresh and delicious!!!

4TH COURSE...Jalapeno-pecan tacos with guacamole and sour cashew "cream"

This was the portion of the dinner that we all anticipated and it did not disappoint.  The taco shells had great flavor with a little sweetness, the taco "meat" had great flavors of cumin and coriander.  The sour cream and the guacamole blended perfectly.  By this portion of the dinner we were all stuffed, but not too stuffed for me to finish both of my tacos!  Double yummy!

DESSERT...Banana split featuring macadamia-agave ice cream with caramel and fudge

They fooled me with this one.  I was expecting actual ice cream.  This is macadamia nut and agave pureed together then frozen...different but good.  Not sure if I would order this. The caramel and fudge were totally yummy.   I must admit I was slightly disappointed with the dessert.  Had the palate set for some cold creamy coconut milk like ice cream.  I would have settled for the raw chocolate mousse that they serve because it is awesome!!!!

All in all, it was a great night with great friends at one of my favorite places to enjoy a meal.  The service was outstanding.  The courses came out like clock work.  Everyone had a great night!!!!