London can you wait?

Make mine a mezze

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Some things slip past me. I’m not infallible when it comes to knowing about all the vegan food in London. I try my best to eat everything on offer, but I am just one FGV.

Overlooking a vegan option would be excusable if we are talking about a tiny cafe tucked away in the backstreets of an outer suburb, but not when it comes to a chain of cafes with approximately 200 locations worldwide… with two locations within ten minutes of my front door!

The two Le Pain Quotidien outlets near my house somehow managed to escape my attention for a while, but I will definitely be popping in to try their vegan options often after my experience last week. I was casually strolling past the Notting Hill location of this global chain when a little carrot image at the bottom of their menu caught my eye.

Instead of the expected ‘suitable for vegetarians’, I was faced with ‘100% botanical/vegan’. I quickly hurried inside.

I’m not going to be hysterical and say these people are the saviours of high street vegan dining, but the few offerings were very well thought out. My trio of hummus mezze was fresh, tasty and difficult to finish due to size. The beetroot, green pea and chickpea varieties of hummus were nicely accompanied by fresh vegetables and bread.

Notting Hill location
Notting Hill location
They dangled a carrot in front of me
They dangled a carrot in front of me
Trio of hummus mezze
Trio of hummus mezze

The cafe proudly state on their menu they always have a selection of vegan muffins and the rotating monthly specials always seem to include a ‘botanical’ option.

You will need to dig a little deeper into your purse than some eateries require, but healthy and thoughtful eating for vegans has certainly got a good friend in Le Pain Quotidien.

Around the World with FGV

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Four nights in central London. Four visiting chefs. All vegan. This multi-night food event is a celebration of vegan cuisine from all over the globe and something food lovers certainly do not want to miss.

Spread across Friday nights in March 2014, Around the World with FGV is a collaboration between London’s leading vegan event planner and four of the finest vegan cooks in the UK.

Each night will be an intimate affair accommodating only six diners. The menu for each event has been personally created by the visiting chef, who will also handcraft the meal on their corresponding night. The dining experience is to be hosted by Fat Gay Vegan (that’s me!) in his home.

Who is doing the cooking and what are they making? Hold on to your hats!

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Skate for Oceans

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How about a roller disco in London on a Sunday afternoon to raise money for ocean defenders Sea Shepherd UK? You got it! Blogger and event planner Fat Gay Vegan (that’s me!) brings you a party like the UK capital has never seen before under the name Skate for Oceans.

Skate for Oceans 2014 A4 poster 02

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LGBT Vegan London

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Here’s a quick public service announcement.

Did you know I started a Meetup group for people in London who identify as LGBT and vegan? The group has been running for just over a year and our outings have included trips to the pub, overeating in Camden and even a stroll around an art gallery.

The photo above shows a bunch of us from the group crowding out Koshari Street in central London recently. Future plans include a language exchange, a regular book swap and of course lots of vegan eating.

If any of the above sounds like a good time to you, please get on over to the Meetup group and sign up. We would love to have you join us!

New vegan business

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My friend Jess wrote to me a few days back to let me know about a new vegan business that has popped up in central London.

I won’t get a chance to get along to their opening but thought it would be an idea to spread the word in case you can make it. It sounds lovely.

So, what is the scoop?

laborganic

LabOrganic Opening Party this Sunday!

This all day event will take place at the brand new store in central London (58 Neal street, London WC2H 9PA) from 10am – 6pm on Sunday 19th January 2014.

Visit on the day to try a large selection of unique and delicious cold-pressed organic juices, superfood blends, mylks, health boosters, salads, raw snacks & much more.

You will meet many like-minded healthy Londoners and hear from the LabOrganic founders about the upcoming news & events at 4pm.

Above is the official word from the company. I reached out to them via Twitter and they confirmed that everything they sell is vegan and gluten-free. I am intrigued.

Report back here if you make it down to the opening.

Operation GrindStop 2014

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Looking for something meaningful and profound to do this Valentine’s Day? Get on down to this Sea Shepherd UK presentation taking place in central London.

Join the marine conservation society to hear all about its work and exciting new campaign, Operation GrindStop 2014. This summer, Sea Shepherd is returning to the Faroe Islands to put an end to the senseless slaughter of thousands of marine mammals and this information session is part of a national speaking tour designed to raise awareness of the campaign.

Full details of the event can be found on the Facebook event page.

Also, stay tuned for details of my giant roller disco raising funds for Sea Shepherd UK.

Follow Sea Shepherd UK on Twitter

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Crepes in Brixton

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My friend Wayne contacted me last week with news of a crêperie serving vegan crêpes and I couldn’t wait to share the news on here. Thanks Wayne for use of your photo and for this wonderful news. I am looking forward to trying!

Wayne wrote to me, “Senzala Creperie is in the labyrinth that is Brixton Market. I was wandering around the market today looking for somewhere to have lunch when I stumbled upon Senzala and was overjoyed to see their menu had a vegan section – only three options, but hey, that’s better than a lot of other eateries. My meal was very tasty and satisfying. They can do gluten free crepes too. Their website is under construction so no help there, but there are reviews if you google Senzala. This is my crepe with caramelised onions, mushrooms, asparagus and lots of protein-rich rocket.”

Vegan crepe!
Vegan crepe!

Chip shop glory

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SEE UPDATE FROM THE CAFE IN THE COMMENTS

There is good news and there is great news. London, you just got some bloody fantastic news.

If you grew up in this country and you weren’t always vegan, chances are you frequented a fish and chip shop. As your personal understanding of animal cruelty grew, your trips to the local chip shop probably became further apart or they ended abruptly.

So, what would you say to being able to relive childhood memories of chip shop visits while upholding your current vegan beliefs?

If you like the sound of that offer, get down to Bethnal Green!

Wednesdays are now Chip Shop Wednesdays at The Gallery Café on Old Ford Road. The cafe will be selling a specially designed dish they are calling ‘tofish and chips’ once a week on Wednesday from 5pm (apart from the final Wednesday of each month which is a different event). The tasty-sounding meal comes with one side for £7.50.

I plan on getting my hands on some vegan fish and chips at The Gallery Café as soon as possible. Watch this space!

The Gallery Cafe on Old Ford Road
The Gallery Cafe on Old Ford Road

Italian afternoon tea

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On Saturday February 1st, 2014 between 5pm and 8pm, my pal Sara is hosting an afternoon tea packed full of herbal tea, Italian coffee and sweet and savoury Italian finger foods with a British twist.

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You MUST check out the menu below:

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