Mineral

I’ve never been told by a restaurant that they were «sold out» of food at 2:45pm. Not professional and guarantees a non repeat potential customer.

This is now Roquefort. Still vegetarian, and even more delicious!

So, somehow I didn’t realize this was a vegetarian restaurant! No regrets! We were seated on the patio, which you should definitely go for, and helped immediately. Our server was very nice & prompt! i had the sparkling peach wine (yum!) and the quiche. Soo good. My mom had the burger, which she really liked! Give it a try!

We had an appetizer, I don’t exactly know what it was but it was pricey… It seriously reminded me of fruit jelly with marscapone cheese on an english muffin.
After reading the reviews I went for the «burger» and it was good. The homemade chips it was served with were skimpy and greasy.
The menu was also a little difficult to understand, everything seemed to be a main dish?
The ambiance was cool and the restaurant was small and cozy. Although, it was literally «cool», so bundle-​up. Idk, I’d probably go back for another burger… Having no experience with vegetarian cuisine I have nothing to compare it to, but like I said, the burger was good.

Wow. Just, wow. We went to Mineral based on a friend’s high-​recommendation. He is a self-​purported carnivore and simply RAVED about the food here (which is all vegetarian).
I had the land scallops (tofu), which was the only option that evening that was gluten-​free. It was delicious! My husband and my friend both had the «burger». We grabbed a cheese plate that came with local honeycomb. All of the food was fabulous.
If you’re hesitant to try a vegetarian-​only place, test drive Mineral. Seriously — the burger tastes so good you’ll wonder why you even bothered with beef in the first place.

My wife and I had a superlative dinner at Mineral! It was very, very delicious and the wine pairings they recommended we perfect. We will go to Mineral every time we visit Murphys!

checked in On Unilocal to get half off wine! … you’d think that alone would make the food better.
Brought my mom here for a birthday dinner and it was ok. Started off w the mushroom pâté which was good but kinda too salty for my liking. Then, we had the papaya avocado salad and a mineral burger. Again, both overly salty. I felt crazy bloated by the time we left. Oh well. just down a gallon or two of water afterward to get it out of your system. Conveniently, their minty water was not too shabby!
This may be a veggie joint but I’d hardly consider it healthy… more of an indulgence for veggie eaters.
however, considering the limited options (veggie or otherwise) in this tiny lil town. I’d prob go back… if my car breaks down nearby while i’m driving through the area?

Unbelievable! I wish we had this place in San Jose!!! Come on, please move back to your roots! (The chef is from East side.:)
I went here with 3 meat lovers, and they left amazed by the food and fully satisfied.
We are still talking about dinner!

Hands down, best vegetarian/​vegan food I’ve EVER had at a restaurant.
My ex and I drove up here a while back for her birthday for a bit of wine tasting and and because we both fell in love with the area. As mostly-​vegan vegetarians, we loved finding veggie places wherever we went. I’m from the South Bay, so I really don’t come across exclusively veg places that don’t have a major Asian influence, so this place was a treat for the simple fact that it catered to a much more diverse pallet. I mean, how often do you see a restaurant serving high-​end gourmet restaurant serving anything vegetarian past the salad?
Onto the food… which I ate 6 months ago, and STILL clearly remember, so that tells you something.
We started off with the empanadas, and at first we were a bit taken aback by the amount of food for the dollar amount, but upon taking a first bite, we were more taken aback by the absolutely amazing taste. For three tiny morsels, there was more flavor than you would find from a plateful of empanadas elsewhere. The caramel sauce wasn’t even necessary, but it was definitely a wonderful addition.
After that, we had the risotto, which was an absolutely fantastic balance between the creamy rice and some of the most flavorful smoked tofu I’ve had since becoming a vegetarian a decade ago. Again, a small portion, and we were scraping the bowl not out of hunger, but a desire to get every last bit.
Finally, they brought out the burger, which was simply mind-​blowing. I’m not much of a guy for tomato, but you could tell the slice was from a local heirloom, and it was one of the few times in my life I’ve felt tomato was a nice addition to my food. The patty put every other veggie burger I’ve ever had to shame. Not only was the taste astounding, the color and texture inside looked just like rare hamburger. It came with a side of very thin, house-​made potato chips, and a small serving of what I believe was colorful romanesco broccoli, pickled, if I remember correctly (it has a cool fractal design).
We also had a couple of drinks, though I don’t recall exactly what we ordered, one was yellow, and the other was dark-​purpleish, and, well, very expensive, but really good. Needless to say, we finished every bit of the food between us, and the quality-​over-​quantity kept us so pleased we didn’t even need to order desert to feel satisfied.
I did, however, order a cup of coffee to digest, and that is the sole reason I’m not giving this restaurant ⁵⁄₅.
In stark contrast to the rest of the meal, the coffee was disappointingly subpar… I think it might have been instant. I know for most people, «coffee is coffee», but I drink good coffee from independent roasters on a near-​daily basis, and it’s ruined my pallet for the low-​quality stuff. It’s a real shame, and i know it’s a relatively minor thing — if the point system on here were different, I’d leave a 4.9÷5 — but it did leave the experience on a rather «eh» note for me.
Aside from that one detail, this restaurant is light years beyond any veggie place I’ve been to, both in and out of California. My girlfriend and I were still reminiscing about the meal for weeks afterward, and it spoiled our taste buds to the point that it ruined food for us for a little while — be warned, after this place, everything else is a bit of a disappointment. If this were located in a large metropolitan area like San Francisco, I’m sure it would take off like a rocket and be attracted vegetarians from around the country, but finding this in a small mountain town… the expression «hidden gem» wouldn’t do it justice. Of course the food is very pricy (with drinks, I spent $ 80 on lunch) but if you’re traveling through, it is DEFINITELY worth the splurge. And, hey, compared to Napa or Livermore, you’re spending a lot less on the wine tastings anyway, so why not throw that extra cash towards an amazing meal?

My wife and I stopped by Mineral for Sunday Brunch, after asking an employee at a local winery where she would eat locally if she was vegetarian. Without pause, she declared that Mineral was one of the best restaurants in the area, and she said specifically that the veggie burger was to die for.
When we arrived at almost 11am, we initially weren’t sure that Mineral was even open, as it appeared dark inside. However, the cheery staff and trendy interior were both light and fun. We ordered the «Sunrise» juice blend, which was not only tasty but beautifully presented, though perhaps a bit pricey ($ 4.50 for a small glass). The homemade bread was very good, as was the fresh fruit spread.
My wife ordered the quiche, and I went with the previously-​recommended veggie burger, even though it was still almost an hour before noon. I’m glad I did. Both dishes arrived just as we were finishing up the bread, and were presented nicely. The veggie burger, fries and veggies were excellent.
I’ll put it this way: if I was anywhere within 45min of Murphy’s, I’d go out of my way to stop by and eat here. No question.

Don’t let the vegetarian menu make you avoid Mineral. It will satisfy even the heartiest meat eater diets. The salads are always excellent and the ‘burger’ is killer, now sadly only served between noon and 4pm. :(I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve eaten here after multiple return visits. Mineral could easily hold it’s own if it were located in the San Francisco food scene, and I wish it was so I could enjoy it more often.

We went to Murphys for the first time so I did a Unilocal search to find a decent restaurant. I was wonderfully surprised to find the #1 rated restaurant to be vegetarian.
The place is small so I suggest making a reservation. The kitchen is open and really close to the dining area, almost like a long diner or soda pop shop.
We shared 4 dishes — a lemongrass smoked tofu bouillon, grilled shiitakes, pickled cauliflower on «mineral» soil, and a cheesy risotto. The waitress brought fresh focaccia and a bean-​garlic spread… soooo good. The bouillon was quite tasty and my favorite of the four dishes.
My partner enjoyed the cauliflower dish a lot and found the pickled flavor combined with the «mineral» soil (crushed almonds, chocolate, and espresso) very refreshing. It didn’t work for me. The risotto was a bit too cheesy for me as I tend toward more vegan dishes.
All in all it was a pleasant culinary experience but a percentage of that pleasantness is the great surprise of finding a «needle in a haystack.»

A meal at Mineral is a special occasion. Hands down, the best place to eat in Murphys, if you are a vegetarian, or not! The food is very thoughtfully prepared and artistically presented. You can see and taste every bit of work that is put into each dish. The burger is delish, great cheeses on the cheese plate, and I love that the menu changes so frequently. The service is friendly, but still formal enough to make it stand out in a town full of wannabe bistros and dated cafes. The décor is tasteful, the small dining room is perfect for date night, and the patio is lovely in the summer. I love that they grow food for the restaurant in their Chef’s garden, and sometimes you can even find cupcakes (the best in town!) for dessert I don’t go often, but when I do go, I am never disappointed. A feast for all the senses!

Wow, were we lucky! Upon making our way north with children and baggage in tow, we knew that we would be homeless and friendless on Thanksgiving day. On a Unilocal search online, the husband found Mineral Restaurant and called to see if they would be open on Thanksgiving Day. We were so happy to hear that it was open, and that yes, there were still spaces available at their one seating.
What we found there was an amazing site. A long table set up beautifully, family style, with dried leaves serving as place cards. The warm welcome of what would be our future family for the day met us at the door, and we were immediately passed a glass of champagne, presented with delicious pupus (sorry, appetizers!), and enveloped in friendly chatter.
The environment, the open floor plan of the restaurant, the garden in the back (which, I might add, is now the sole reason my 5 year old will eat lettuce) all were lovely… but the food, holy moly, the food…
Being a vegetarian since age 12/​13, I have never been to a Thanksgiving dinner where I could eat EVERYTHING. And, honestly, some of the vegetarian Thanksgiving attempts I have eaten I would have preferred to pass on by given any better alternatives. But in this magical Thanksgiving meal, everything was vegetarian and EVERYTHING was amazing. I cannot describe everything that was presented before us correctly, but there was a seitan/​mushroom type «loaf», a tofu dish that all of us– including the 5 year old– devoured, and then all the fixings… stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, a spaghetti squash cheesy dish, salad, pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie… ohhh, the pecan pie.
I mean it was really, really good, and we left town that day happy and full having had a truly memorable experience, with wonderful people, and excellent food. This was their first Thanksgiving dinner served at the restaurant after 7 (?) years of being in business. If you are from the area or passing through around Thanksgiving time, I would seriously recommend getting a reservation for their second annual Thanksgiving meal :-)
Mahalo to the Chef and his lovely wife for allowing us to join their family.

Wait. Stop. Are you serious? Don’t pass this one up! Not a vegetarian? No worries you will not leave hungry and I guarantee you mouth will want to return. If you are not a veggie person your sole job in Mineral is to order the burger. This burger is hearty, super super tasty airing on the side of unbelievable. If you are a veggie person you will enjoy the selection and choices of complex pairing of pure flavor in the menu.
The water here is usually special with infusions. The drinks are very good. Wine selection is a nice break from some of the local wineries. (I got a good chardonnay)
I also tried an infused champagne which was tasty.
Staff was great, patio dining was a great touch.
Mineral is gold. (wait is gold a mineral?)

We were introduced to Mineral by way of a recommendation from Wendi at the Black Bear Inn in Arnold. I’m so glad we listened, as my wife and I had an incredible dinner Saturday night.
The wait staff is attentive, yet not over-​bearing. The wine list represents a number of Sierra Foothills AVA’s finest, and they have many available by the glass. Chef Steve’s ability to elevate very basic ingredients into something nearing nirvana is a revelation. I have dined at some of the finest vegetarian restaurants in California, and Mineral holds its own and then some. Must try… chioggia beets and apricots, the «burger» and the cold cucumber soup.
We will certainly be back, and thanks to everyone at Mineral for a great evening.

Not really a fan here. Like vegetarian food but don’t really care for this place. They are not dog friendly for one thing and they are really pricey for what you get.
Oh and I see that the owner has made a comment. My answer to that is whoa dude/​dudette, you have outdoor seating. Isn’t that where you put the doggies?

Well, the wife and I just got back from Mineral and had another amazing experience!
The day started really bad, I was supposed to go to Tahoe to snowboard in 3 feet of fresh powder, I was so excited. Then my buddy called and was too sick to go, I was beyond bummed, and the wife didn’t want to deal with me moping around the house all day. I told her I think the only thing that could raise my spirits was a drive to Murphy’s to have brunch at Mineral.
Well, we drove the 70 mile trek, yes, through falling snow, pouring rain, but once we got there, a kind man working there got the door for us, sat us down with some pastries, and we were off. We started off with a fancy pop-​tart like pastry, then moved on to the biscuits, gravy, potatoes, and egg, which are in another leauge from any restaurant I’ve been to, it’s insane how good the food is. The wife had the Vegi burger, again, so good. In fact, it was so good I had to get one myself. I don’t usually gorge, but at Mineral, I want to try everything on the menu, hence, I didn’t have breakfast today, just to prepare.
The staff and service, Amazing. I spoke to the chef to thank him for his skills, he kindly shook my hand and thanked us for coming in. He was so friendly to all the tables, many seemed to know him and be regulars. If my wife and I have another wedding, I’m going to ask them to cater it, shoot, I’m going to beg.

I am a picky vegan and have had Mineral on my radar for years but did not fancy the drive out to the mountains. We found ourselves up in Sonora and my boyfriend said we had to go to Mineral since we were up there. We picked a busy day for the tiny town — the grape stomp festival. After navigating to the restaurant we were greeted and I told the server I we are vegan and the owner came out to explain what menu items were vegan/​could be made vegan.
I am not one to go for the burger on a menu but I figure if you are going to judge a veg restaurant you do so by the burger. My boyfriend ordered the tofu scallops with corn relish. We also ordered drinks and the aphrodisiac cocktail is tasty, sweet and pretty. The organic beer my boyfriend got was really nice — I am not a beer person and liked it. With are drinks bread and olive pâté was served — the bread is like a fluffy cloud dusted with course salt, yummy!
When our food arrived it looked great and then I tried the burger. Oh my — I was in love with the first bite. The smokey taste, the texture and the condiments all blend together perfectly but stand out. My boyfriend who was hesitant about the burger said it was top notch. His tofu scallops were tasty and had flavor depth too. We finished off our meal with peanut butter truffles or as I like to think of them as adult peanut butter cups.
We found ourselves back at Mineral a week later — we both got the burgers! We are not ‘fancy’ people but the food her is top notch!

Creative, high end vegetarian food (think Greens but without the price tag). It’s incredibly odd that this restaurant, which screams San Francisco would be located in a tiny old gold mine town… but it is and wow, it’s fantastic. Tiny place with only a few tables and bar seating.
I can tell a lot about a restaurant by their bread — theirs was no exception: thin slices of olive oil drenched yumminess with vegetable tapenade on the side. Could’ve feasted on that alone. Love the burger with egg! Also tried the stew & quinoa — both excellent (though quinoa isn’t really my favorite grain). Plus their baby girl (Gia?) is freaking adorable. Good food, cute babies… now if they had a dog, I’d probably make the 2.5 hour drive more often.