Taking the long way around

Vegan dining on a ferry

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My buddy Barry (who is the founder/owner of More Than Meat) just got in touch with some wonderful news.

Barry sent photos of the gorgeous vegan cuisine he was served while aboard Viking Line, the company that runs ferries from Stockholm to Helsinki.

As part of their Spring and Green menu, Barry was able to order a 3-course set menu that he describes as utterly delicious.

Check out the menu and the food photos below.

If you find yourself in that part of the world, perhaps you want to check out these vegan offerings. Vegan food on a boat!

You can read more about Viking Line online.

48 hours in New York City

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Earlier this year I was in New York City for just two days and obviously had to eat as much vegan food as possible in that time period. So without further ado, here is a photo-heavy collection of what I ate.

First stop: 100% vegan Champs Diner in Brooklyn where my dining companions and I devoured the following:

Champs Diner – BBQ Tempeh Wings
Champs Diner – Sweet Potato Fries
Champs Diner – Hangover Hashbrowns
Champs Diner – French Toast Slam
Champs Diner – Amazing vegan milkshakes

I love Champs so much. Everything was delicious and I can’t wait to go back to NYC just for them!

Next up was Superiority Burger in the East Village:

Superiority Burger – The famous Superiority Burger. Tasty but tiny.
Superiority Burger – Burnt Broccoli Salad
Superiority Burger – A broccoli rabe side

Overall I wasn’t blown away by Superiority Burger. Everything was tasty but the fact that they aren’t 100% vegan and that they have tiny servings would probably keep me from going back in a hurry. However, they did redeem themselves by having a poster of Divine on the wall:

Superiority Burger – Divine was watching over us!

Still a little peckish, we excitedly remembered that 100% vegan Dunwell Doughnuts now have a location in the East Village just minutes away from Superiority Burger…

Dunwell Doughnuts in the East Village, NYC
Outrageous deliciousness from Dunwell Doughnuts
Dunwell Doughnuts – Choc chip doughnut… out of this world!

Dunwell Doughnuts are amazing and they have locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan so there’s no excuse not to try them. The staff in both locations are lovely and our upon entering the shop and seeing my eyes glaze over at the sight of so much vegan deliciousness, the server correctly summed up the situation as “an embarrassment of donut riches”. How very true!

It could have been the same day or it could have been the next… it’s all a blur. Either way, at some point during my 48 hours in NYC my sister and I decided to head down to Nolita/Chinatown to try the pan-Asian dishes at 100% vegan LuAnne’s Wild Ginger.

LuAnne’s Wild Ginger in NYC
Wild Ginger – Fresh Rolls
Wild Ginger – Crispy Wontons
Wild Ginger – Pad Thai
Wild Ginger – Basil Garlic Eggplant with String Beans

On my final morning in NYC, I was catching the train to Philly from Penn Station. Rather fortuitously 100% vegan The Cinnamon Snail now have a permanent location in The Pennsy, a kind of tricky-to-find food court in the Penn Station/Madison Square Garden complex. FGV has written about The Cinnamon Snail food truck in the past and I was certainly no stranger to their delicious sweet and savoury offerings. Seeing them with a permanent location was very exciting and their amazing array of sweet treats had me drooling.

The Cinnamon Snail at the Pennsy
The Cinnamon Snail – an incredible array of sweet treats

I had to start with the savoury offerings and I got the incredible Korean BBQ tortilla…

The Cinnamon Snail – Korean BBQ Seitan on a grilled tortilla

… while my dining companion got the Red Curry Grilled Tofu roll:

The Cinnamon Snail – Red Curry Grilled Tofu roll

As expected, everything was incredible and of course I couldn’t leave without two delicious donuts:

The Cinnamon Snail – donuts!

So that was my 48 hours in New York City. What good spots did I miss? Where should check out next time?

Vegan in Samoa

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My friend Kay travels the world like no one else I know. She is always sending me photos from far-flung destinations and tempting me with gorgeous vegan food shots from her journeys.

Kay’s latest email included these shots of a vegan café and juice bar in Samoa!

Take a look at not only the fab food, but the beautiful decor as well, at Krush Juice Lounge.

HUGE thanks to Kay for these photos.

You can follow Krush on Facebook and get along to the café next time you find yourself in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Vegan road trip USA

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What does a vegan road trip through parts of California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah look like?

I’m heading into my final day of a two-week journey travelling between Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Flagstaff and Monument Valley, so I wanted to share some of my food journey with you.

Check it all out!

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

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

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AMAZING #vegan fried chicken basket at @doomies in Hollywood. Look at those fries and mac n cheese!

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Run, don’t walk, towards these #vegan jalapeño poppers at @doomies in Hollywood!

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I don’t need these #vegan @latejulyorganic bacon habanero tortilla chips but geez how bad do I want them?!

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I’m sitting in @crossroadskitchen for the first time ever. #vegan

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Gorgeous olive oil skillet cake with grapefruit and a scoop of coriander ice cream at @crossroadskitchen #vegan

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Best jerky ever from #vegan deli/grocery called @lentomarket on Sunset in LA.

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French fries made from tofu!!!!!! Tofu French fries and nuggets at @tofurobot in Reseda, CA. #vegan

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Stunning #vegan BBQ chicken salad by @tofurobot in Reseda, CA.

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Ginger Almond Milk with turmeric by @califiafarms #vegan

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I’m not sure I have ever enjoyed a burger as much as I enjoyed the Beyond Burger at @veggiegrill today. #vegan

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My #vegan chicken pancakes with syrup were fabulous at @theveganjoint today in LA.

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Just popped into Eagle Rock grocery and #vegan deli @organixla – such a fab store!

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The Beyond Burger by @beyondmeat is AMAZING. One of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Looks like meat! #vegan

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Huge tub of #vegan food at @lassens Bakersfield.

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Frozen #vegan pizza that says ‘Doctor created’ on the box! Lol.

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Life on the road means a #vegan tuna salad sandwich for breakfast.

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Does it get more #vegan than a hemp seed chocolate chip ice cream cookie sandwich?!?!

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Eggplant jerky aka dried eggplant. #vegan

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This plate of tempura beans at @veggiegrill is bloody lovely. #vegan

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Stunning battered cauliflower at @veggiegrill #vegan

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Just bought everything in @cinnaholic, the 100% #vegan cinnamon roll cafe chain. I was in the Berkeley location!

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I’m looking at the GIANT #vegan menu at @sliceofvegas and my head is spinning.

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Buying ALL the #vegan donuts at Ronald’s Donuts in Vegas.

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Currently dining with Wazuzu in @wynnlasvegas and trying their #vegan menu for the first time.

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Potstickers with @gardein and cabbage at Wazuzu in @wynnlasvegas #vegan

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On the left: sweet and sour @gardein pieces. Right: tofu drunken noodles. #vegan dining with Wazuzu in @wynnlasvegas

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Fabulous #vegan sizzling plate at Veggie House in Las Vegas.

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Dream come true! Getting take out from @panchosvegantacos in Las Vegas! #vegan

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Hibiscus lemonade at @whyldass café in Flagstaff, Arizona. #vegan

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Like anything you see?

Road trips are fun but vegan road trips are funnest!

Meaty vegan burger

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I live part of the year in London and part of the year in Mexico City.

Most of my time spent in those two cities is spent drooling over vegan food photos coming out of the USA. There are seemingly dozens of new plant-based products every week, a lot of which never make it to the UK or Mexico.

This week I find myself in California, so I’m wasting no time when it comes to playing catch up.

Number one on my list this trip was the Beyond Burger by Beyond Meat.

Tonight I visited my buddies Laura and Jonas for a BBQ session and thankfully they had plans to throw the Beyond Burger on the grill.

Check this out.

The Beyond Burger by @beyondmeat is AMAZING. One of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Looks like meat! #vegan

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That is one realistic looking burger, right?!

The Beyond Burger looks a lot like a minced meat patty and cooked up perfectly over the coals… although that probably had something to do with Jonas being an expert BBQ operator.

I don’t know when this incredible product will make it out to the UK and Mexico, but believe me when I say it will be worth the wait. It is close to being the best burger I have ever tasted.

You can follow Beyond Meat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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.

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

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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.