I've eaten in Cafe Gratitude many many times and have been to all their cafe's in SF Bay Area. Everyone of them was incredibly a good experience. They usually ask you the question of the day, "What do you feel grateful for?" as an example. The atmosphere is very relaxing and people in the restaurant are very happy. I leave that place feeling serene after an awesome meal.
I pre-ordered the book and there was a delay in shipment but I was re-assured that it will arrive. I was surprise to get a signed book! It was my first ever raw book!
I love Cafe Gratitude and if you are in the Bay Area, it's worth checking it out and easy to get to.
There was another restaurant in Santa Cruz called "La Vie!" I remember the first time I went there Eleine Love was the guest chef and her creations was out of this world. Thai coconut soup, spring rolls and pad thai - yum! Unfortunately "La Vie's" menu today included fish and focused more towards vegan dishes - meaning more cooked food. I can understand because right beside them is a Chinese Buffet and for $10 you can eat all you want instead of paying more for healthy raw food that is good for you! I don't really know what happened but that was my suspicion. The smell of the buffet was really prominent when we last visited "La Vie". Too bad.