Vegan

Best vegan burger in London

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Got plans for eating out over the next few days? Now you do!

I know I have a big mouth with opinion-making skills to match, but please don’t think this is an example of me trying to oversell something.

What you are about to see really is (in my FGV opinion) the best vegan burger currently available in London.

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Decadent, sloppy, juicy and exquisite burger goodness right there.

Now for the surprising part?

The best vegan burger in London is made and sold by a non-vegan food provider.

Arancini Brothers is a food business based around arancini. You know. Little savoury, crunchy rice balls. These irresistible balls have been perfected by the company over years and have grown to become some of the most loved items at street markets and events around London.

In addition to a mobile food truck, Arancini Brothers currently have three permanent restaurant locations. I was invited to dine at the Kentish Town outlet while the other two are placed in Old Street and Dalston.

The menu at the restaurant features a handful of vegan items alongside the non-vegan food, with a small broccoli outline indicating which items are plant-based.

Owner Dave was keen for me to try the specialty Vegan Burger. Rude to say no, right?

This burger blew me away. The gorgeous arancini have been crafted into a burger sized patty, placed inside a fresh bun, doused in onion jam and slathered with aubergine tomato sauce.

Three word review? To die for.

My tray also featured a side serving of arancini (which I could eat all day quite happily thank you very much) and a basket of fries seasoned beyond perfection.

I’m desperate to get back for the morning menu which includes a Vegan Recovery wrap that sounds truly spectacular. There is a vegan salad box that looks intriguing and mushroom/zucchini risotto balls that I MUST try soon.

In both the Kentish Town and Dalston (next to FED By Water) outlets, all of the vegan options are cooked separately from the non-vegan food, with dedicated plant-based fryers used in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, the Old Street location has room for just one fryer so vegan items go in with the non-vegan. If vegan food touching non-vegan food is not your thing, stick to Kentish Town and Dalston.

You can visit the Arancini Brothers website for more details such as locations, opening hours and the full menu.

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Vegan food in Hounslow

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Sometimes things surprise me in London.

Did you know about this place called Old School Vegetarian Restaurant in Hounslow? Knock me over with something other than a feather because feathers are usually obtained through cruel means.

I can’t believe I just found out about this place when I’ve often lived less than a 15-minute drive away.

The restaurant is on a well-known thoroughfare called Hanworth Road, just a little further west than the Hounslow Bus Garage (if you know, you know).

The restaurant is brightly decorated and, for a vegetarian restaurant, there is quite a significant number of vegan or able-to-be-vegan meals to select. Obviously there is nothing they serve that couldn’t be vegan so here’s hoping they are on their way to being completely plant based.

Josh and I indulged in a burger and wrap, both accompanied by the most delicious coleslaw and seasoned fries. We also snuck in a caesar salad while I made short work of a creamy almond butter shake.

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

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


The fries are my life. So crunchy.

Top notch food that was very tasty, however it should be noted that all the vegan meats were Fry’s Family Foods. I know it annoys some people when you go to a restaurant and they are using brands you can buy and use at home.

That’s not a concern of mine as long as the food is done well. Old School Vegetarian Restaurant does it well.

Follow the restaurant on Facebook.

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Huge queer party with vegan BBQ

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London, you are in for a treat.

Legendary queer club/bar night Club Wotever is hosting a glorious summer party featuring live shows, DJ sets, disco action and even a vegan BBQ on Saturday August 20, 2016.

Yes, a freaking vegan BBQ in a queer dance club!

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The event is billed as a MEGA Summer PARTY (caps completely necessary) for gender benders and allies, run in a unique collaboration between Eagle Vauxhall & Wotever World.

I’m sure I already had you interested with the mention of gender bending, queerness and righteousness, but this next piece of info is going make you swear allegiance to this late night dance party.

Much-loved plant-based food heroes Cafe SoVegan are running an outdoor BBQ in the courtyard of the venue!

I need dance floor tunes and inclusiveness and vegan BBQ. Amazing!

The Eagle is fully wheelchair accessible and you can get free entry into the event if you arrive between 9pm and 10pm, otherwise you will be paying the extremely reasonable £6 after 10pm.

You really should take a moment to RSVP on the Facebook event page and use the invite button over there to let friends and enemies know where you will be on Saturday August 20, 2016.

VBF-TWCover

New vegan grocery store for London

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I very rarely get to bring you news this huge, so hold on tight to your green smoothies.

London, you have a brand new 100% vegan grocery store called GreenBay opening on Saturday August 13, 2016.

Yes, this is BIG news.

GreenBay Supermarket is the brainchild of Paula and Anderson, two people committed to bringing fabulous plant-based food to the masses at reasonable prices.

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Paula and Anderson are keen to make their store a haven for people looking for plant-based shopping and believe me when I say this corner store on North End Road (yes, just a few doors along from 222 Veggie Vegan) is absolutely rammed solid with everything you would need, want and expect to find in a supermarket.

You need to get along this weekend for their grand opening at 228 North End Road (just a 7 minute walk from West Kensington Underground on the District Line) and help these compassionate business people celebrate the opening of this wonderful retail outlet.

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As a special thank you to anyone who comes along on grand opening day, GreenBay has teamed up with Follow Your Heart for some very special offers.

VeganEgg will be available as a buy one get one free offer while the Vegan Gourmet cheese shreds will be for sale at 30% off. Stock up!

GreenBay really has everything you would expect to find in a non-vegan grocery store.

Chocolate, plant milks, cheeses, bread, fresh fruit, vegetables, ice cream, personal care products, toilet roll, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, soup, flour, baking ingredients, beer, wine, vodka, pet food….. I could go on and on and on.

Follow GreenBay Supermarket on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Visit the shop for its grand opening this weekend.

Now look at some cheeky photos I snapped inside.

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Please note: not featured is the fresh fruit, vegetables and bread because it is getting delivered fresh for Saturday morning!

Also, this just in: Watch the live broadcast I did from inside the shop tonight. It is excellent!

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Menu for Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest

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If you thought we weren’t taking food seriously at Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest later this month, you are in for a rude shock.

I take no small delight in presenting to you the exclusive Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest menu from the Mono kitchen.

Are you ready for this?

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GLASGOW VEGAN BEER FESTIVAL MENU

OUTSIDE BBQ MENU

Seitan burger in a sourdough burger bun with baby gem lettuce, bbq sauce, American mustard, white onions, dill pickles and beef tomato £6.00

Seitan burger in a sourdough bun with home-made kimchi £6.00

Seitan and black pudding burger in a sourdough bun with blue cheese sauce and caramelized red onion£6.00

Frankfurter in a soft bun with home made sauerkraut and mustard £6.00

Falafel burger on a bun with chili jam, mayo, baby gem and pickled veg (gf) £6.00

Add cheese to burgers – 50p

INDOOR MENU

Sourdough pizzas (gf available)

Margarita with fresh basil £7.50

Lahmacun Turkish style pizza with soya mince, roasted aubergine, white onion with a herbed diced salad, and topped with za’atar and yoghurt £9.00

Spicy Italian sausage, fresh red chilies, enoki mushrooms, black olives, fresh basil, smoked chili oil and cheese £9.00

Buffalo cauliflower, red onion, cheese, fresh oregano and Caesar sauce £9.00

Griddled yellow and green courgette with peas, mint and sumac served with or without vegan feta £9.00

Beetroot, kale, dill and garlic cream cheese, sun-blushed tomato, red onion and capers £9.00

Ham, pineapple, jalapeno and cheese £9.00

 

Mac & cheese (gf) £5

Add chipotle bacon bits £1.00

Add jalapeños 70p

Chickpea mayo melt with celery, dill, capers and red onion served on a toasted French roll with tomato and melted cheese £6.00

Buffalo tempeh burrito with coca cola black beans, dirty brown rice, shredded baby gem, sour cream and sweet corn, pineapple and jalapeño salsa £6.00

Bánh mì with crispy smoked tofu, cucumber and carrot pickle, Sriracha Vegenaise, white onion, basil & coriander, red chilies and shredded baby gem £6.00

Fava, raw beetroot, cucumber, carrot, red onion, black olives and salad wrap with house dressing and fresh mint £6.00

(gf sandwiches available)

 

Fries (gf) £3.50

Cajun fries with aioli (gf) £4

Poutine (gf) £5.00

Hot dog with ketchup, mustard and fried onions served with fries £4.00

Caesar salad with croutons £3.50

add chipotle bacon bits £1.00

 

Raw rainbow salad with beetroot, carrot, red onion and cucumber. In a miso and sesame dressing (gf) £4.00

 

Banana split sundaes 3 flav ice cream with choc fudge sauce, mixed chopped nuts and a maraschino cherry (gf) £4.95

Ice cream cones £2.00

Apple pie with ice cream

Cookie sandwich £3.00

 

What do you think of all that?!

This menu has been a long time in the planning and the Mono chef has done a wonderful job putting it all together. There are at least seven menu items I have marked as ‘must haves’ so I’m not sure how I’m going to have space for beer.

If you are still a little unsure about attending Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest after seeing the above menu and reading about the wide range of breweries represented at the event, maybe this extra piece of news will spike your interest.

I’m beyond thrilled to announce that newly vegan sandwich emporium Kind Crusts will also be selling food during both sessions of Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest!

Between the amazing Mono menu, Kind Crusts coming on board PLUS two top secret bakery stalls yet to be announced (a different company for each session), you are not going to be hungry at Glasgow Vegan Beer Fest.

Tickets are just £4 plus small booking fee. Limited space at both day and night sessions. Book online now!

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Exclusive London event

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This is huge news.

Carol J. Adams is heading to London to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her groundbreaking book The Sexual Politics of Meat on Thursday September 8, 2016 and will be joined in conversation by celebrated comedian (and vegan), Sara Pascoe.

This is a rare chance to be part of something special, London.

You will need to move extremely quickly for this. It is going to sell out in record time.

The event page for this conversation says of the book:

The Sexual Politics of Meat is an inspiring and controversial exploration of the interplay between contemporary society’s ingrained cultural misogyny and its obsession with meat and masculinity. By exploring a relationship between patriarchal values and meat-eating this conversation will bring together ideas from feminism, vegetarianism, animal defence, and literary theory.

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This book is a critical piece of text from one of the most important vegan voices of the past few decades (in my humble FGV opinion).

The evening is a chance to hear a conversation between two notable vegans, take part in a Q&A, mingle over some drinks and buy your very own copy of the 25th anniversary edition of The Sexual Politics of Meat at a reduced price.

Book your ticket NOW! Click here.

These tickets will not last long. I warn you.

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Pomegranate ketchup

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I get a lot of weird and wonderful vegan things sent to me in my role as FGV, but this latest creation took me completely by surprise.

Take a look at this gourmet jar of pomegranate ketchup crafted by Aphrodite’s Food.

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This unusual and decadent condiment is made with pomegranate molasses and is maybe one of the most luxurious food items I’ve had in my house.

I was a little unsure what to do with the ketchup so I settled for some vegan cheese on crackers for my initial tasting. After experiencing it as a simple snack, I’m now interested in drizzling some across roasted vegetables and adding it for a bit of flavour to my next seitan burger.

The deep rich flavour is definitely going to suit a heartier food combination than my measly cheese on crackers!

You can buy your own jar of this rich sauce online.

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Fabulous vegan cake

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There is a superstar baking business in North London that you need to know about.

Heart of Cake is situated in Stoke Newington and is run by the fabulous Lizzie. Lizzie is a one-person cake creation machine, handcrafting some of the finest vegan delights in the capital.

Lizzie recently got in touch with me to ask if I would be interested in sampling one of her creations.

Um, yeah OK. I think I’m kinda interested in VEGAN CAKE!

Check out the photos below to see what Lizzie made especially for me.

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

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


Yes! How ridiculously incredible does that chocolate and coconut cake look? Lizzie is a freakin’ cake hero.

You need to follow Heart of Cake on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Get in contact via social media or email Heartofcake@hotmail.com to find out how your life can be improved with a special order from Lizzie. Get your cupcake, cake and macaron needs fulfilled and generally just be more satisfied with your life by buying treats from Heart of Cake.

Extra note: look out for Lizzie and her Heart of Cake creations at VegfestUK London later in the year!

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Garlic bread and dough balls

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Here’s a super quick blog post that might just have you making a rapid dash to your nearest Tesco.

You can now buy not only frozen vegan garlic bread from the UK supermarket chain, but also frozen vegan garlic dough balls.

I picked up a pack of each last night in a London Tesco Extra.

Tesco have #vegan garlic dough balls and garlic baguette in the frozen section!

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


Looking forward to trying them!

Have you tried these vegan and gluten free products yet? Feedback below!

VBF-TWCover

Vegan döner kebab in London!

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London, finally.

The capital is now home to a 100% vegan döner stand. It really has felt like a lifetime waiting for something like this to open.

What The Pitta sprung up in the Pump food court in Shoreditch only five days ago but such is the excitement surrounding the food stand, I have already been contacted by numerous people asking me if I had visited.

My visit today assured me of two facts.

Fact one: What The Pitta make huge, tasty döner wraps stuffed with soy meat, salad and chilli sauce. I’m known for eating a lot of food all the time and even I was slowing down towards the end of mine. It’s big.

Fact two: What The Pitta is going to need new, larger premises soon. I predict the street food stand is going to rapidly become one of the most-visited vegan hotspots in the city.

Check out these photos from my visit and follow What The Pitta on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Yas! Slay! Tasty #vegan kebab by @whatthepitta in Shoreditch. Make it your mission this week to eat here. #london

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


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