As the next London Vegan Potluck comes hurtling toward us, I have the pleasure of announcing the sponsor of next week’s event.
London can you wait?
I went to the water’s edge
Summer is almost upon the UK. I think if I keep repeating this statement like a mantra, it will eventually come true. When it does, I am heading back to the Town Wharf for a vegan beverage.
There are many places to consume alcohol around London. Online sources swing wildly in their estimates, with the average number being somewhere in the region of 7000.
I don’t think I will ever drink in more than a few per cent of these establishments and the chances of me spreading the FGV love around is even slimmer with the discovery of the Town Wharf pub in Isleworth.
This Samuel Smith pub is situated in a visually-stunning location in the west of London. Gorgeous views of the River Thames and passing wildlife make this a must-see for visitors and locals alike.
Boutique in my backyard
How do you judge the appeal of a city? When and how does a location ‘arrive’ as an internationally-recognised destination?
Some people will hold a city up against an arts and culture criteria. It becomes relevant when it can be seen as a cultural hub. Natural attractions are a draw for many others. There is nothing like a stunning mountain range or miles of golden beaches nearby to pull the punters in. History is often used as a measuring device when considering the worth of a city. A long list of ancient curiosities will usually drive the worth of a city sky high.
But I have my own way to determine how world-class a city is… does it have a vegan boutique? Well, you can add London to the list of ‘made it’ cities based on the existence of the wholly-vegan store known as Vx.
250 strokes to beat it, I just can’t wait to eat it
Following weeks of planning (mostly me harassing people via Twitter), the London Vegan Potluck took place last night. It was a fabulous success.
Held at the Ms. Cupcake store in Brixton, the potluck brought together vegans and non-vegans from all over London in a celebration of vegan food, vegan beer and fantastic people. Approximately 25 people gathered to try out dishes and drink beer kindly supplied by the good folk at Freedom Brewery.
The evening was a true community event. Old friends caught up and new friendships were cemented.
The selection of food on offer was wonderfully-diverse. Sweet cakes sat beside pasta specialties. Exotic salads jostled for attention with hearty stews. The choices were mind-boggling.
Brunch with a bang
Here is a quick post to get you over the midweek blues and get you ready for the weekend.
Regular readers will be all too familiar with my love affair with 222 Veggie Vegan, a superb vegan eatery located on North End Road in West Kensington. You will have read about my first visit here and probably also saw my detailing of a subsequent visit here. Now let us return once again to discover what my favourite London restaurant has on offer for weekend brunch.
Hold the cheese
Pizza is a treat not often on offer to vegans. Most mainstream, mass-produced pizzas are heaped with dairy cheese and/or contain animal fats within their dough bases. Vegans have for a long time been excluded from this common snack, but there are more than a few places on the planet where you can get a nice slice free from non-human animal content.
One of my favourite restaurants in the world is the gorgeous and quaint Threeworlds Organic Cafe on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. This low key location sells the most delicious and nutritious pizzas I have tasted. Cruzer Pizza in Los Angeles has mastered the art of copying firm favourites such as meat lovers without hurting anyone. The Grove Cafe in Leeds, UK offers up a selection of pizzas topped with Vegerella vegan cheese. All of these restaurants have the good stuff, but I have always struggled to locate a pizza without cruelty in London. That was until Franco Manca came into my life.
The shops and the lights look so pretty
Kensington High Street in West London is a shopper’s paradise. Huge department stores coexist alongside snappy boutiques and regular town street stores. If you have money to spend, Kensington High Sreet and its inhabitants will gladly assist you in removing a lot from your wallet.
But it isn’t just clothing and accessories on offer to tempt eager consumers along this famous shopping strip. Vegan foodies will be delighted to learn of a sophisticated eatery serving up 100% plant-based fare. It is called Saf.
This is your ticket to Freedom
Here is some excellent news to get you over those midweek blues.
Freedom Brewery is a fabulous producer of lager and beer operating out of Staffordshire, UK. They have been supplying drinkers with outstanding beverages since 1995 and all of their products are certified by the Vegan Society as suitable for a vegan diet. A little while ago, I published a short review of their lager and I have been enjoying this drink ever since I put that story out.
Now, here is the really good news…
“Donuts. Is there anything they can’t do?”
Slip your pleather shoes on, grab your Oyster card and get to Brixton as soon as you can. Vegan baking superstar Ms. Cupcake is now tempting your cruelty-free taste buds with donuts. Get them while they’re hot.
If you recall my last post about Ms. Cupcake, you will already know about the staggering range of vegan cupcakes they produce. The bakery is the first of its kind in London and is fast becoming a favourite destination for their many loyal customers. The cupcakes are certainly delicious enough to warrant a visit, but now Ms. Cupcake offers even more treats to entice in the form of donuts.
Beneath the trees, where nobody sees
London offers visitors and residents a wide array of stunning locations, sights and attractions. If you are looking for an informative, entertaining or fun-packed day out in the capital, the city always has something to please.
I love a good day out at a historical London location and even more so when vegan snacks and drinks are available. I was satisfied on all levels during a recent trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.