London

Eat in Soho

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Can you believe it? I’ve only just made it into one of the longest-standing and most-loved vegetarian restaurants in London. Shame on me.

Mildred’s of Soho is one of those places I always told myself I would get to one day. It was always just around the bend. Days turned into weeks turned into years and I still hadn’t put my fat foot through their doorway.

A few weeks back, I decided to break the drought and discover why Mildred’s is such a popular eatery for people deciding to give meat a miss.

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Looking good and feeling fine

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I don’t often write about pop-up events not related to food and/or beer but I have no problem making an exception for one of my favourite cruelty-free skincare companies.

Leading up to Christmas (and a little bit beyond as well), festive shoppers who care about their skin AND animal welfare can shop ’til they drop in the Premae Skincare pop-up store just off world-famous Carnaby Street.

I have written about this vegan skincare company previously, so it is no secret I am a huge admirer of Clare Eluka and her ethical products. Clare is one of the hardest working business owners in the UK and I am continually thrilled to see the professional advancements she is making and hear about the never-ending platitudes piling up for her range.

Face balm by Premae
Face balm by Premae

If you are looking for a festive gift for a loved one, or just want to give the range a try for yourself, pop into the pop-up soon. Support an independent, ethical business for Christmas and beyond!

The Premae pop-up store is located in unit 2.8 of Kingly Court on Carnaby Street. The closest Underground station is Oxford Circus.

New vegan kicks

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UPDATE: This cafe has now closed!

Have you been along Oxford Street in central London lately? Longstanding businesses are being turfed out as the area gets dissected by the Crossrail tunnel project currently tearing up that part of the city. Shops are closed or closing and it is a sea of discount retailers mixed with scaffolding.

It’s a bit of a sad visual but something good has come of this messy situation. London just got a new vegan cafe!

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Box it up

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Vegans have got a good life in London. We can dine in fancy restaurants like Saf. How about cake delivered straight to your house? Sure thing. Vegan gourmet hot dogs are another treat and don’t even get me started about Cookies & Scream in Camden.

Yes, life is grand. But there is always room for improvement and expansion. Enter food delivery service The Urban Kitchen.

Before I dive into telling you how delicious the meal was I was sent to review, I would like to state up front that this caterer is not a vegan company. That being said, all of their vegan dishes are clearly marked online and they are very approachable people. If you are wondering about any ingredient or element of a dish, get in touch with them.

Now, down to business.

Delivered with style
Delivered with style

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Up in Archway

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Some of you probably think that if a restaurant in London is serving vegan food, the FGV must have been there. Right?

Sorry to disappoint, but even after all this time eating and reporting back to you there are still eateries that have escaped my fat clutches. Loving Hut in Archway was one such destination and I was constantly being asked for my opinion on their food. I couldn’t take the harassment from curious vegans any longer, so I made a special trip to the north London restaurant just to get you all off my back.

Just like Loving Hut locations the world over, the Archway version serves a completely vegan menu and is staffed by followers of the Quan Yin Method (Google exists for a reason, people). The menu is much more extensive than the recently-closed Camden branch but I do believe the Edgware location still holds the title of most gigantic Loving Hut menu in the world.

Josh and I ordered like the professional eaters we are. Wanna see what we got our teeth into?

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News you can eat November 2013

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There is so much juicy, tasty and succulent vegan news to get through this month that I’m going to hold the witty comments and jump straight in.

Is that OK?

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NYE with FGV

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Make your last meal of 2013 extra special as Fat Gay Vegan partners with vegan cuisine leaders Saf to bring you a New Year’s Eve supper club to be remembered. Book now or read on for more details.

Saf Restaurant & Bar (located inside Whole Foods Market on Kensington High Street) serve some of the finest plant-based food in the UK. Every item featured on the Saf menu is world class and lovingly-prepared by the staff.

This exclusive New Year’s Eve event will see Saf closed to the public and will feature a 3 course meal (2 options for each course) with a fizzy welcome cocktail all for £30 (+fee) per person. Fat Gay Vegan (that’s me!) will greet and host throughout the dinner.

There will be time to mingle around the bar and diners can purchase extra wine, cocktails or beer from Saf. All alcohol served in the restaurant is vegan and there are gluten free drink options.

The event will commence at 7pm and come to an end at 10pm, allowing diners time to spirit away into the night to ring in midnight with friends and loved ones.

View the evening’s menu below.

Book now to be part of this special meal.

Limited availability. No refunds.

See my recent review of Saf here.

Saf’s what I’m talking about

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Almost every day. That is how often I get emails or tweets asking for my London vegan dining recommendations.

Of course I don’t mind giving my opinion. The belief that my view matters is the self-centred reason I write a blog. However, I was getting a bit tired of saying that I thought London wasn’t a patch on other international cities when it came to vegan cuisine. Sure, we have some OK places to eat plant-based food but I was never overly impressed the way I have been by Gentle Gourmet in Paris or Vedge in Philadelphia.

Well, finally we have something in the UK capital that I am more than happy to recommend. Vegans and vegan-curious, say hello to the re-imagined  Saf Restaurant & Bar menu.

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News you can eat October 2013

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Here it is, people. All the vegan news that is fit to eat from the month of October… and there is a lot to get through.

Tuck in!

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All bags are not created equal

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Is there anything more exciting than getting a swag bag full of treats? Well, what if I said the treats were all vegan?

Now we’re talking!

My 2nd Annual Day of the Dead supper club is quickly approaching and there are plenty of reasons why you would want to be there:

  • A welcome cocktail featuring hibiscus, tequila and agave syrup
  • Five courses of delicious vegan food made to authentic Mexican recipes
  • Ingredients supplied by Cool Chile Co – the best Mexican food company in the UK
  • A prize for best dressed attendee courtesy of Vegan Faces make up
  • Gorgeous decorations including a día de los muertos altar
  • Projected visuals and Mexican pop music
  • Your host Fat Gay Vegan (that’s me!) in a Mexican wrestling mask all night

You want another reason to book a ticket right now? No? OK, go here! But if that isn’t enough for you, keep reading.

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