Follow that unicorn on the road to love

Unicorn Grocery in Manchester

Manchester has a lot of things going for it. From the innumerable musical acts that have risen from the streets to its rich industrial history, Manchester is a place like no other in the north of England that keeps me coming back for more.

Undoubtedly one of the most intriguing attractions in the city for compassionate visitors is the 100% vegan grocery store known as Unicorn. Yes, that is correct. Every single item for sale in this owner-operated co-operative is cruelty-free. Fresh fruit and vegetables line the entrance while wine, cider and beer jostle for space along the shelves. Bulk goods sit beside household cleaning products and a huge deli case brims with tasty treats. Wanna see what I bought?

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Amazing cheese now in Camden

Remember how I went on and on about Vegusto vegan cheese? You don’t? Surely you recall when I announced it to be amongst the finest in the world. No? Take a quick trip back in time to refresh your memory here and then hold onto your fedora with a faux feather because I have some exciting news for you.

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London Vegan Drinks review: October 2011

We did it again. Wow. London Vegan Drinks took place last night in Mayfair and to say it was successful would be an understatement.

From the moment people started pouring into tibits, it was evident the night was going to be one to remember. Wine flowed, beer was consumed and a whole lot of people socialised well into the night as the basement room of the central London bar and restaurant came alive. The event was attended by more than 60 London vegans and their friends as a seemingly never ending stream of people flowed in and out of the venue.

The London Vegan Drinks event was super busy last night

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Bite me

This post is tiny, just like the super-cute and mega-tasty product I am reviewing.

Redwood are undoubtedly one of the finest vegan food providers in the world. The food they produce is stunning. For many years I have been a devout consumer of their vegan bacon, deli slices, roasts, cheese, cocktail sausages and many other items. Just when I think they can’t go further to impress my taste buds, they pull another winner out of their basket. FGV readers… I give you Breaded Pepperjack Style Cheezly Bites.

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¡Viva la comida vegana!

New vegan mince by Sainsbury's

During a recent stroll through my local Sainsbury’s, I glanced without expectation at the usual suspects in the chilled section. One brand of tofu, multiple Quorn products containing egg and little else of vegan interest.

Just as I was about to spin on my FGV heels and exit empty-handed, I spied an intriguing box of soya mince with a snappy label. I was readying myself for instant disappointment as I scanned the ingredient list for egg and/or milk. Imagine my utter joy and delight when I saw the most loved of all supermarket words: vegan. I snatched up the container and waddled as quickly as I could back to my kitchen to create a masterpiece…

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It’s a date!

Fantastic news for London vegans and their friends!

Following on from the hugely-successful event in September and news of the next drinks night happening on Thursday October 20, I am delighted to announce tibits has agreed to host London Vegan Drinks on a long term basis.

The Central London restaurant and bar is a fabulous location in the heart of Mayfair. Our event is housed in the generously-proportioned downstairs room featuring ample seating, tables, child-friendly activities, relaxed lighting and non-stop music. It is a special space and tibits has locked us in as a regular event.

London Vegan Drinks will always be on the 3rd Thursday of each month. This is a perfect accompaniment to the thriving London Vegan Potluck events that are held in Holborn on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Now there are plenty of opportunities to meet, greet and avoid eating meat in the capital.

If you like to plan ahead, the next six London Vegan Drinks have been locked into the tibits diary. They are as follows:

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Oh god, what was she doing there?

My name is Fat Gay Vegan and I am an addict. Cupcakes and cookie sandwiches are my vice and Ms. Cupcake is my dealer. The vegan Brixton-based bakery creates award-winning delicacies and I simply cannot get enough of their sweet goodness. I make the journey across London whenever I can in order to get my fix.

Venn Street Market

But like any good dealer, Ms. Cupcake knows the success is all about getting the product to the customer any-which-way. During the next few months, the compassionate baking company are trialing a weekend stall at the Venn Street Market in Clapham Common. This streak of stalls is tucked away in a side street a few steps from the Underground station. The usual market fare is on offer including a large range of fresh fruit and vegetables. It is a nifty little market made all the more appealing by the presence of Ms. Cupcake.

During a visit to Venn Street Market last week, I was pleasantly surprised by the Ms. Cupcake treats on offer. Check them out…

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This native love is restless

Native Foods Westwood

If you are contemplating opening a vegan restaurant and are looking for inspiration on how to do it just right, I suggest making a trip to your nearest Native Foods. The food is consistently incredible and it has been one of my favourite places to dine out in the USA for many years.

During my Summer vacation in the States, I made sure there was just enough time to swing on by Native Foods in Westwood. Even though the Costa Mesa location is my favourite to dine in, the Westwood Native Foods is very dear to my heart as it was the first restaurant bearing the name that I ever visited.

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Shake, baby shake

A fat, gay vegan must work hard at a couple of things to qualify as a fat, gay vegan. Obviously, you have to be same-sex attracted in order to fill the gay requirements. If you want to call yourself vegan, don’t eat or wear non-human animals. To stay on top of the fat moniker, consume as many gourmet milkshakes as humanly possible.

This blog entry is a thank you to Shakeaway for assisting this FGV to stay worthy of the name.

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I know I won’t be leaving here

Josh has taken on guest reviewer duties once again following a recent trip to Glasgow. Take it away…

I am seriously impressed by Glasgow and it’s hard to know where to start.

When I found out that my job was taking me to Glasgow for four days, I immediately looked to HappyCow and was delighted to see that there was not one, not two… but FOUR completely vegan eateries located in the city plus several vegetarian places.  How could I possibly fit them all in?  Apologies in advance for the dodgy phone-photos.

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