Recovered from the depths of an iPhone are photos from a Father’s Day celebration back in June. I had forgotten all about them.
Dinner was at Izakaya Raka, a Japanese Tapas Bar in Grover Beach, California. Located south of San Luis Obispo, not far from the Monarch butterfly grove at Pismo State Beach. The restaurant itself took me awhile to find. I must have blinked and missed it the first time around when I drove right past it.
My poor navigation skills aside, Izakaya Raka really is a hidden treasure in this sleepy little town. Especially since they have a vegetarian specials section. I ordered the Eggplant Miso (first picture above) and the Appetizer Sampler: Broccoli Goma Ae, Kabocha Pumpkin and Lotus Kinpira.
And for my main entree, Vegetable Tempura Roll. All of it tasty and well-prepared. I’m sure I’ll be back to try some of the other veggie selections and to check out the butterflies. It should be right around that time of year (late October to February) when I’m going to be in the area again.
Eggplant miso just sounds plain amazing… I’m tempted to try making my own now! Thanks for the idea.
Amazing! Everything looks delicious.
Wow, that is my hood! And here I thought we had been to all 3 restaurants that offer veggie food, other than the now standard Gardenburger…
Thanks!
I’ll be having dinner there this weekend.
BTW, next time you are in this area, check out the food, lunch only, at Smiling Dog Yoga Cafe in SLO. Organic, Vegan and row, full of taste and flavor, and made with love. (I am purely a loyal customer)
Eggplant miso is interesting… I tried it at a hibatchi restaurant and it tasted faintly like those cheap chocolate coins you used to get in your stockings as a kid… what’s up with that?
These photos are gorgeous.
Hannah – It would be interesting to try making the eggplant miso at home.
Whitney @ Lettuce Love -It was good!
in2insight – I’ve heard of the Smiling Dog Yoga Cafe. I tried going before but I think they were remodeling or something. It’s definitely on my list of places to eat.
KT – I remember it as being more on the salty side. I took the leftovers home and had it with rice the next day.