Taking the long way around

Cuban food done vegan

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Los Angeles has long been one of the finest destinations on the planet when it comes to vegan eating, but it still manages to surprise a seasoned eater like me in 2017.

Tonight we dined with Equelecua in Inglewood and we were impressed, delighted and satisfied.

Equelecua claims to be the first and only vegan Cuban restaurant in the world and they are probably correct. When have you ever seen a vegan Cuban eatery?

The menu is rammed with specialties such as Arroz con Pollo, wings with garlic sauce, Cuban sandwich, and freshly-brewed fruit based sodas.

Just sampled some super tasty #vegan food at @equelecuacc in Los Angeles.

A post shared by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

Arroz con pollo at @equelecuacc #vegan Cuban cafe in LA tonight. xx

A post shared by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

The food above (vegan chicken with rice) tasted as good as it looks. Superb. If you ever find yourself in the area, Equelecua is the perfect choice for either a giant meal or a few quick snacks.

If you can’t get along soon, be sure to follow the Instagram page and marvel at all the wonder they create and share.

Vegan yoga retreat Barcelona

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Barcelona is one of the most stunning cities on the planet and with the amount of plant-based eateries dotted around its streets, it is also a top tourist destination for vegans.

If you have been considering when you are going to visit Barcelona in the future, you might want to investigate this option if you are also interested in yoga.

Catiayoga is running a yoga retreat in the heart of Barcelona from June 11 until June 16, 2017.

The yoga classes take place on the roof of a beautiful yoga centre located just two minutes from Las Ramblas. There is so much to see and do in Barcelona and you will be right at the centre of it all.

The cost per person for the retreat is £590 and the package includes:

  • 2 yoga classes per day, Vinyasa Flow in the morning (8-9:30am), Yin/Yoga Nidra in the evening (8:15-9:15pm), classes will be in English, but Spanish and Italian are available!
  • 5 nights shared accommodation in rooms of 2 or 3 people
  • Vegan brunch included daily
  • 2 vegan dinners – one on the evening of the 11th of June at 8pm and 1 on Wednesday the 14th of June
    access to cooking facilities
  • 1 x 60 minutes massage with an experienced and qualified massage therapist, you can choose your treatment! (deep tissue, stone massage, bamboo massage, cellulite massage, relaxing massage, foot reflexology or focused in particular areas of the body)
  • 1 paddle surf 1-hour class

You need to sort out your own transport including any flights needed.

Brunch every day. Accommodation. Two yoga classes a day. That all sounds like pretty solid value for a retreat in a city that isn’t exactly inexpensive.

This retreat is limited to twelve people and half of the spaces have already been booked.

Be super quick if you want to secure a place. Click here to find out more info, get in contact with the host or to book.

Vegan NYE cruise through Portugal

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If you read this blog with any regularity or follow me on social media, you’ll be aware that I often team up with Vegan River Cruises for 100% vegan cruises along some of the most beautiful waterways in Europe.

I have hosted on board New Year’s Eve parties in Rotterdam and Vienna, cruised past stunning castles, and delighted at the scenery in the south of France.

But maybe this year’s NYE cruise is the best of all.

Join me on a luxury vegan cruise out of Porto and the through the breathtaking Portugal countryside.

Commencing in the stunning river city of Porto on December 27, 2017 and returning on January 3, 2018, this cruise will take in numerous towns and unparalleled scenery as it glides along the serene Douro River.

The map above shows the route the Miguel Torga will take, allowing passengers to take in the beautiful Portuguese countryside from the comfort of this luxury hotel on water.

Like all of the cruise ships I’ve encountered with Vegan River Cruises, the Miguel Torga is top of the line with well-appointed cabins, ample viewing areas inside and on deck, an impressive dining room, a comfortable common lounge and bar, and world class chef, servers, attendants and crew.

This cruise is a full-board cruise, meaning you do not have to pay for any of your meals served on board. This includes the always impressive buffet breakfast, as well as the multi-course set menu meals presented for lunch and dinner every day.

In addition, drinks served with dinner are included in the price you pay including wine, beer, juice, tea and coffee. Of course everything is vegan and you won’t have to get your wallet out. Inclusive drinks are also available in the lounge bar from midday and into the evening.

The Miguel Torga has 63 cabins, making it a little bit smaller than our previous NYE cruises. This of course means the best rooms will be snapped up quickly and I expect the cruise to sell out completely.

This stunning, completely-vegan cruise through Portugal is a rare chance to enjoy an inclusive vacation in gorgeous surroundings with an entire ship filled with vegan and vegan-friendly people.

Every single part of this cruise is vegan, from your meals to your drinks. Even your hosts for the on board NYE party are vegan (me and my partner Josh!).

Click here to find out more info such as cabin availability and pricing.

Don’t leave it too long to book. See you on board!

Love Food Central in St Pete, Florida

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Following on from my trip to Orlando last month, my next stop was Gulfport in the Tampa Bay area. Looking for something local on HappyCow, I saw that there was a 100% vegan cafe in neighbouring St Pete called Love Food Central so I headed over to check it out.

First up, it’s a really bright, welcoming space with plenty of indoor seating and a couple of outside tables shaded by some trees. 

A friendly staff member welcomed me and I quickly ordered the home-made chai tea and the tempeh reuben sandwich. I had the tea iced and it was perfect for cooling down after a busy morning.

The sandwich came quickly afterwards and I have to stop here and tell you that everything at Love Food Central is not only 100% vegan but also 100% gluten free. I was a bit hesitant in ordering a sandwich because in my experience gluten free vegan bread can leave a lot to be desired. However, I was delighted with this sandwich. The bread itself didn’t taste discernibly different from regular bread and the fillings were spot-on. Chewy, yeasty grilled tempeh combined perfectly with the sharpness of the sauerkraut and the creaminess of the avocado. It even came with a side of chips/crisps!

Having been this impressed with the food and drinks on offer, I couldn’t exactly leave Love Food Central without trying their cashew/coconut based soft-serve could I? Well once again they hit the mark with this dessert… smooth and creamy soft-serve ice-cream served with your choice of toppings. SO. GOOD!

If you’re ever in the Tampa Bay area, be sure to visit Love Food Central. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and gorgeous photos of their delicious food!

Vegan in Orlando, Florida

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Earlier this month, I had the good fortune to visit Orlando. This was my first time visiting the city as an adult (and as a vegan) so I was keen to check out all of the food offerings. I stayed with a friend and colleague Randall Abate who does incredible work in the field of Animal Law. Click his name to read more about his work.

The first night, we headed to one of his favourite spots, Ethos Vegan Kitchen… and I can see why he likes it! We started with the garlic knots and sausage rolls. The knots were heavenly with a dense, buttery dough… almost like a croissant, only made better by the garlic dipping butter that they came with. If you ever go to Ethos, you have to order these! The sausage rolls were also incredible. I’m not sure if they were using Tofurky sausages or if Ethos are making their own, but the delicious, meaty seitan filling contrasted perfectly with the flaky pastry and were incredible when dipped into the accompanying Dijon mustard sauce.

For a main, I had a cornbread skillet topped featuring a delicious cornbread base, topped with black beans, vegetables and chunks of tender seitan. It was even served in the skillet pan itself! I also had a garden salad with grilled tofu and ranch dressing which was exquisite. I couldn’t finish everything but the leftover skillet made a fantastic breakfast the next morning!

Of course I couldn’t go home without trying something from their dessert menu but because I was so full, all I could manage was a chocolate chip cookie. It was really good and I wish I could have tried their other desserts like the ice cream sundae or the chocolate Amaretto mousse. I’ll have to go back. Check out Ethos online here.

The next day, I headed to Market on South which is a collective space close to downtown where various vegan businesses are represented. This is such a fabulous idea and I wish every city had one. The two main food vendors are Dixie Dharma (savoury food) and Valhalla Bakery (sweets). Unfortunately I had filled up with leftover cornbread skillet for breakfast (see above) so I didn’t have a huge appetite and only ordered two small sides: the baked mac n’cheese and the crispy Brussels sprouts. Thankfully, the two sides were beyond tasty: the Brussels sprouts were deep fried to perfection and served with an apple cider vinegar reduction. Amazing!

I couldn’t fit in anything else right then and there, but I couldn’t leave Market on South without trying the incredible-looking desserts from Valhalla. Just look at the dessert case photos above. Who could resist temptation like this? I got a ‘Brookie’ to go… it’s a cross between a brownie and a cookie! I had it later that afternoon with a cup of coffee and it was outrageously delicious!

Later that evening, my friend and I had time for a quick bite to eat before driving to Gulfport, so we popped into a branch of worldwide chain Loving Hut… except that this one was called Loving Vegan Market & Cuisine so I’m not sure if they are directly connected to the Loving Hut chain or if they are somewhat affiliated. Anyway, all that mattered to me was they were 100% vegan. The restaurant itself leaves a lot to be desired as it has all of the ambience of a convenience store but thankfully the food was spot-on. They also have several aisles of vegan products for sale so it would be a great place to visit for a snack and to stock up on some vegan staples. Visit Loving Vegan Market & Cuisine online.

The quantity of vegan establishments in Orlando is so numerous, I would need a return visit to cover them all. I barely scratched the surface of what’s out there during this recent trip.

Rotterdam for vegan travellers

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I have the immense pleasure of bringing you this exclusive travel guide for Rotterdam.

Hilde Sanderman is unparalleled in crafting unique city guides and as a vegan, she makes sure all of her experiences get the most of of each destination for plant-eaters.

Hilde runs her own world-class travel advisory company called Trip Stylist. If you need assistance  crafting anything from a vegan-friendly city break all the way up to an all-inclusive luxury vacation, you will not find anyone more qualified than Hilde.

This  Rotterdam guide not only contains the top vegan spots for food, but also everything you need to know to enjoy a short stay in Rotterdam. Top museums and galleries? Check. Do you need to tip? Check. Vegan high tea location? CHECK!

You should bookmark the Trip Stylist website and check out the Rotterdam guide below to see just how thorough and wide-reaching Hilde is with her travel guides.

Definitely get in touch with Hilde if you need help planning an unmatched vegan holiday.

 

Rotterdam guide by Trip Stylist

FAST FACTS  

Population: 994.000, 174 different cultures & nationalities

Language: Dutch (English is widely spoken & understood)

Country: Netherlands

Vegan community: The estimated number of Vegans in the Netherlands is 50.000

(Source NVV, Dutch Association of Veganism)

Local Currency: Euro

 

ATTRACTIONS 

Cubical houses

The Cubical houses was a totally new concept of designing city houses. The tilted cubes were designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom and constructed in 1984. The Rotterdam group of houses is known as the Blaakse Bos (as it resembles a forest),

which borders on the Laurenskwartier district and the Waterfront area, where Markthal can be found as well.

These houses were built in Rotterdam and Helmond and outside the Netherlands in Toronto, Canada. You can visit the so-called Kijk Kubus. It’s a fully decorated museum house. 

Admission: Euro 2.50 (adult)

Opening hours: Daily 11:00-17:00hrs

Address: Overblaak 70 – 3011 MH Rotterdam

Directions: Just East of the Blaak tram/metro/train station

Phone: +31-10-4142285

Website: http://www.kubuswoning.nl/introkubuseng.html

 

Katendrecht & the Fenix Food Factory

 Once Rotterdam’s Chinatown, attracting homesick sailors and ladies of the night in equal measure, Katendrecht is now home to the hip and happening. Over the past few years, this peninsula has become one of the liveliest parts of town without losing its rougher edges. Young couples bought a fixer-upper in the neighborhood or opened a restaurant, shop or coffee bar. Cute little eateries, ice salons and bars are around every corner these days, making Katendrecht a dream destination for foodies.

One of the old Fenixloodsen quayside warehouse now accommodates the Fenix Food Factory, an indoor market for fresh foods where you can shop for authentic and traditional products: From bread straight out of the oven to homebrewed cider. The sidewalk café on the waterfront offers an enchanting view of the sunset over the Maas River, and the Kaapse Brouwers brew a fantastic array of beers. The food trucks that park there, a different one every week, serve fresh, tasty food for a very affordable price. The island’s pride and joy is the ss Rotterdam, a steam-powered cruise ship that sailed back and forth between Rotterdam and Manhattan in the 1960s and is now permanently moored at the tip of the Katendrecht peninsula. Take a tour through the ship’s gangways and halls, and finish with a drink on the promenade deck, complete with swimming pool.

The Fenix Food Factory is a food hub by seven Rotterdam food entrepreneurs. In the Fenixloods, a former warehouse, a fresh food market sells local products from the Kaapse Brouwers brewery, Jordy’s Bakery, CiderCider, Stielman coffee roasters and Rechtstreex, a local farmer.

Admission: Free

Opening hours: Wednesday till Sunday. Saturday 10:00 – 18:00hrs.

There are benches on the adjacent quay that offer the best views of
the Rotterdam skyline.

Address: Veerlaan 19 – 3072 AN Rotterdam

Website: https://en.rotterdam.info/locations/fenix-food-factory/

 

GALLERIES

 Witte de With Kwartier – the art district

The Witte de Withkwartier is the vibrant heart of the Rotterdam art scene and is known for its dynamic nightlife. Sometimes referred to as Rotterdam’s ‘Axis of Art’, the Witte de Withstraat runs from Museumpark to the Maritime Museum and is lined in various cultural institutions. Browse the art on display at TENT or Witte de With.

While galleries, cultural institutes and fashion boutiques are open all day, the focus shifts to cafés and restaurants in the evening. Grand café NRC (which stands for Nieuw Rotterdams Café) is a great place to people watch. The most famous pub in the street is De Witte Aap, an institution in the city’s nightlife for ages; Lonely Planet even nominated it as the best bar in the world! More recent arrivals to the bar scene, like Ballroom and La Bru, are popular with the young and trendy crowd. The gin and tonics sell like hotcakes across the meticulously hip designer counters. Hoping to rub shoulders with local artists and authors? Head over to De Schouw, a classic café that’s quickly packed on good nights.

Admission: Free

Opening hours: Daily bars and café’s open at 15:00hrs and are open until 04:00hrs

Address: Bar De Witte Aap | Witte de Withstraat 78 – 3012 BS Rotterdam

Phone: +31 (0) 10 414 9565

Website: http://dewitteaap.nl/

 

Witte de With Center of Contemporary Art & TENT

The Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art is an international art institute with Rotterdam as its home base. Established in 1990, the Center is the place to be for everyone who is interested in developments in the world of international contemporary art. It is one of the most important institutes for contemporary art in the Netherlands and is internationally regarded as a pioneer in this field. A progressive platform with room for both up-and-coming and established artists and curators. The exhibition area is situated in a historic former school building on the Witte de Withstraat, Rotterdam’s ‘street of culture’. It shares its building with TENT.

Admission: Euro 6,00 (adult)

Opening hours: Saturday 11:00 – 18:00hrs

Address: Witte de Withstraat 50 – 3012 BR Rotterdam

Phone: +31 (0) 10 411 0144

 

MUSEUMS

Museum Rotterdam – Exhibition at the Timmerhuis | The New City

“De Nieuwe Stad”, an exhibition in the new Museum Rotterdam in the Timmerhuis, is fittingly showcased in the space between the steel and glass of Koolhaas’s new icon and the concrete and brick of the old Reconstruction headquarters. The exhibition depicts Rotterdam’s characteristic faith in the future and is one of the ways in which Rotterdam celebrates the City! The story of Rotterdam is told through items from the collection of the museum combined with the experiences of Rotterdam people past and present. The multifunctional Timmerhuis is no traditional museum building by any means, but this suits the subject matter of the museum perfectly.

Admission: Euro 7,50 (adult)

Opening hours: Saturday 11:00 – 17:00hrs

Address: Exhibition is at The Timmerhuis at Meent 119, 3011 JH Rotterdam

Website: https://museumrotterdam.nl/en/

 

Kunsthal Rotterdam

Kunsthal Rotterdam is housed in a striking building designed by Rotterdam s OMA/Rem Koolhaas architectural practice and was opened in 1992. Since then, the Kunsthal has put culture in the widest sense of the word on show, from elitist to popular. There are always a number of exhibitions to see, both large and small-scale, from old masters to contemporary art, from innovative design to engaging photography.

Admission: Euro 12,00 (adult)

Opening hours: Saturday 10:00 – 17:00hrs

Address: Westzeedijk 341 – 3015 AA Rotterdam

Website: http://www.kunsthal.nl/en/

 

Boijmans Van Beuningen

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. Its collection is built on the legacy of jurist Frans Jacob Otto Boijmans, who left his personal collection to the city of Rotterdam in 1849. In 1958, the name of benefactor Daniël George van Beuningen was added to the museum after the acquisition of his collection. The current museum building opened in 1935; it is a historic building designed especially for the collection by city architect Adrian van der Steur. The stately presence in red brick houses intimate galleries and amply sized salons in which the art can be viewed in natural light. The collection includes paintings, sculptures and objects, as well as an important collection of drawings and etchings. It features many major Dutch and European works spanning the period from the early middle ages to the 21st century, from Van Bosch to Rembrandt, and from Van Gogh to Dalí and Dutch Design.

Admission: Euro 15,00 (adult)

Opening hours: Saturday 11:00 – 17:00hrs

Address: Museumpark 18 – 3015 CX Rotterdam

Website: http://www.boijmans.nl/en/

 

SHOPPING

Laurenskwartier

The small river called ‘the Rotte’, that once ran through the area, was dammed around 1270 and became the center of a small fishing village. Trade and shipping flourished, leading to the rapid growth of ‘Rotterdam’. The only remnant that still recalls that medieval village is the Late Gothic Laurenskerk. A striking feature beside the new architecture that has been added to Rotterdam since then. It offers a striking contrast with the covered Markthal, the latest and most visually prominent architectural icon in the area. Housed under a single horseshoe-shaped roof, 150 market stands, 15 shops, 8 restaurants and 228 apartments have been brought together by MVRDV architects. An outdoor market is also held here on Tuesdays and Saturdays. People come from all over to buy fresh produce here.

Meent Boulevard

In recent years, De Meent has blossomed into the most glamorous street in the city. A better class of fashion and shoe stores is supplemented by a number of good restaurants, lunchrooms, bars and cocktail lounges. From big fashion brands to small design boutiques, varying from Scotch&Soda, to Zola and American Vintage, head to the Meent boulevard and explore nearby Pannenkoekstraat and Botersloot, a unique area overflowing with small fashion boutiques, second-hand clothing shops, bookstores, design shops, cafés and restaurants.

If you love furniture, vintage home accessories and handcrafted design, you should definitely reserve the afternoon to explore the Oude Noorden area. Originally a working-class neighborhood, it has blossomed into a veritable Valhalla of design in recent years. In the shops in these small, historic buildings, designers sell their own work as well as pieces by other designers.

Admission: Free

Opening hours: Saturday 10:00 – 18:00hrs (some stores will close earlier on New Year’s Eve).

Address: Meent 45 – 3011 JA Rotterdam

 

Food & Delicacies

The Sue Store – Sweet vegan Delight

Want to indulge your sweet tooth responsibly? Then come to SUE! Although Kim Sue Palm’s tasty treats are a taste sensation, they’re also really healthy. Everything is sugar free, gluten free, lactose free, raw and vegan. SUE makes extensive use of nuts, nut milk, coconut and other natural ingredients. So whatever you order – chocolate and date truffles, snickers, bounty or cheesecake – you don’t have to feel guilty. On the menu are buckwheat waffles, banana bread, granola, smoothies and many more tasty things. Having trouble choosing? Then go for the SUE tasting menu, which includes nine different bites.

Opening hours: Saturday 10:00 – 18:00hrs (Times may vary on New Year’s Eve).

Address: Karel Doormanstraat 372 – 3012 GR Rotterdam


Bertmans

One of Rotterdam’s newest and hippest hotspots is Bertmans, a breakfast and lunch bar serving organic, gluten-free and vegan dishes. Come in and try the Chia seed pudding for breakfast, or perhaps the Okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory pancake, for lunch. On the outdoor seating overlooking Rotte, you can enjoy cold-pressed juices and smoothies, a nice glass of wine or a selection from the cocktail menu.

Opening hours: Saturday 09:30 – 18:00hrs (Times may vary on New Year’s Eve)
Address: Zaagmolenkade 15- 3035 KA Rotterdam

The Tea Lab

Coffee, tea & Cake and pastries. The high tea at the Tea Lab is also available in gluten free and vegan varieties.

Opening hours: Saturday 09:00 – 19:00hrs (Times may vary on New Year’s Eve).
Address: 2e Westewagenhof 80 – 3011 AT Rotterdam

Website: https://thetealab.nl/

 

Heavenly cupcakes

Patisserie with gluten free options, all vegan since 2015. Offers a delicious Dutch weed burger for lunch. Also sells delicious vegan ice cream and vegan cheese along with red velvet cupcakes and many other varieties.

Opening hours: Saturday 11:00 – 18:00hrs

Address: Nieuwe Binnenweg 244, 3021 GP Rotterdam

Website: https://www.heavenlycupcakesrotterdam.nl/

 

TIPPING

Tipping is at your discretion. In restaurants a tip of around 10% is customary. For other services like a taxi ride, or a guided service it is considered polite to round up the fare or give a few Euros to the guide and driver.

 

GETTING AROUND

Rotterdam is a compact city and a walking is often the best way to get around the city, but if you travel further, Rotterdam offers an excellent public transport service. The Rotterdam Tram service is very useful for short distances and takes you to locations which are not covered by metro. Please note that you must have a special Travel Chipcard in Rotterdam to pay for public transport. As a visitor you can purchase a Welcome Rotterdam Card for Euro 11,00. The Rotterdam Welcome Card includes a coupon booklet with discount on Rotterdam attractions and free public transport in Rotterdam. The coupons offer you a minimum of 25% cash discount on the admission to many attractions, a couple of museums, restaurants and bars in Rotterdam. At some attractions you even get as much as 50% discount!

Place your OV-chipkaart against the card reader on bus or tram. The card reader will give a confirmation signal. At the end of your journey you check out the same way. The applicable balance will be deducted from your card automatically.

Public Transportation info: http://9292.nl/en

Rotterdam Welcome Card: http://www.rotterdamwelcomecard.com/en

Watertaxi

With around 50 landing stages in Rotterdam and the surrounding area, Watertaxi Rotterdam offers you comfortable and reliable transport on the water. Faster than by road, Watertaxi Rotterdam is a good alternative for anyone wanting to cut down on travelling time. Not to mention the fact that a ride in a water taxi is a wonderful experience if you want to see Rotterdam from the river.

You can take a water taxi from any of the 50 or so landing stages in and around Rotterdam.

Call +31 (0) 10 4030303, tell them your location and where you want to go. They will let you know immediately how soon we can pick you up. Fares vary depending on the zone you are travelling to. In the city center the rate varies from Euro 4,50 (zone 1) and Euro 7,00 (Zone 2) and Euro 10,00 (Zone 3). You can book journeys in advance using the online booking system on this website or by calling Watertaxi. The fleet consists of ten fast water taxis: five boats with a capacity of 8 passengers and five boats with a capacity of 12.

Online bookings: http://www.watertaxirotterdam.nl/reserveren/#!reserveringsaanvraag_watertaxi

Rotterdam Taxi Service

Contact: +31 (0) 10 229 3508

Uber Chauffeur service

The Uber chauffeur service is also available in Rotterdam, you can use the service via the UberApp which you can download on your smart phone.

 

Vegan donuts in Amsterdam

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Amsterdam is full of vegan surprises.

Such as vegan donuts in a non-vegan donut shop.

Tasty Donuts is a donut and coffee chain with outlets in Germany, Austria, Netherlands and Slovakia.

Each Tasty Donuts shop has one of their trays dedicated to vegan donuts. As you can see in the photos above, there are four flavours from which to choose including one called Blacky(?!).

The Amsterdam outlet didn’t have a whole lot left on the vegan shelf when I visited late in the day, however what they did have was extremely tasty.

You can visit the Tasty Donuts website to discover all the locations.

Vegan food with BA

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I know you all love posts about airplane food, so I’m sorry I’ve taken more than a week to share these photos.

Josh and I recently travelled between London Heathrow and Mexico City with British Airways. The food on BA can be hit or miss, but we were pleasantly surprised by the two vegan meals offered on this journey.

The first meal consisted of mushroom ragout with barley risotto. Barley! Who has ever been served barley on a plane?! The side was a tasty bean salad, plus we received soya milk and vegan margarine.

Due to the 11-hour duration of our flight, we were served a second meal as we got closer to our destination.

We were served a rather tasty and unusual-for-a-plane dish of Chinese Bean Curd.

As you can see, BA are not about to be awarded food trophies but these meals were definitely a cut above what we are normally served in the air.

Amazing vegan restaurant in Mexico

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If you’ve been in the same room as me during the past few years, you will have probably heard me talking about how incredible the vegan food scene is in Mexico City. I never stop banging on about it.

As if I wasn’t impressed enough with the food scene in this mega city, Vegan INC had to go and take things to a whole new level tonight.

Situated in a posh shopping mall in the upmarket area of Polanco, Vegan INC is a casual vegan dining restaurant with two locations in the northern city of Monterrey. This Mexico City location has been open for a few months with a second outlet set to open later this year.

The food is absolutely exquisite. Take a look at some of the dishes we devoured.

My first time at this gorgeous #vegan restaurant in Mexico City called Vegan INC. @veganinc_cdmx

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

Fabulous beetroot tartar with hummus and avocado at @veganinc_cdmx #mexicocity #cdmx #vegan

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

Incredible BBQ bean burger with kale chips at @veganinc_cdmx in Mexico City. #vegan

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

Burned broccoli platter at @veganinc_cdmx in Polanco, Mexico City. #vegan

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

Delicious #vegan mac n cheese at @veganinc_cdmx in Mexico City. #cdmx

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

Cheesy potatoes at @veganinc_cdmx in Polanco, Mexico City. Delicious! #vegan #cdmx

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on


Out table was overflowing with out of this world plant-based cuisine.

And in an FGV first, we were too full for cake so I have definite plans to head back to Vegan INC as soon as possible to try out the impressive dessert case.

Get to Mexico. Dine with Vegan INC. Follow them on Instagram.

Vegan high tea

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This was certainly the FINEST vegan high tea I have ever been served. Get along to Koffie ende Koeck in Amsterdam for a treat you won’t soon forget.

I stopped by this cute and comfortable coffee shop with my friend Bob. As I had arrived early, I ordered the high tea for two people but was surprised when Bob showed up with her new boyfriend.

No matter. The high tea was crammed with so much food, we needed the third guest to ensure we devoured everything served.

Check it out.

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on


I can’t say enough wonderful things about this place.

The high tea was superb, with sandwiches so delicious we all ordered multiple more for takeout. You might not be able to spot them too clearly in the photo but mini glasses of tiramisu came as one of the many cake and cookie options.

The tower also included bakewell tart, chocolate cake with pistachos and rose sponge.

Follow Koffie ende Koeck on Instagram and Facebook. Click here to see where they are located in Amsterdam on Google maps.

Extra note: you need to order ahead for the high tea. I seriously begged to have it with no notice. I’m a jerk. Don’t be like me.