London vegan news, reviews & events
Here is a super quick vegan product update for you.
I have just discovered Marks and Spencer sell their own brand of vegan margarine. It is terrific to see the spread (I’m so funny!) of vegan versions of everyday grocery items. More and more high street retailers and large supermarket chains are getting in on the act of making sure they have plant-based versions of high demand items.
Has anyone tried the new M&S spread? What do you think?
I often get asked (by people aware of my love for the city) how easy it is to source vegan food in Mexico City. I usually answer that it is easy if you know where to look, which doesn’t help if you don’t know where to look.
That’s where this blog comes in. I like to share information about plant based foods in Mexico and (un)fortunately I have just come to the end of a short vacation, meaning I have more eating advice to disseminate.
My latest discovery is a friendly falafel outlet called El Rey del Falafel. Located in the neighbourhood known as Condesa, this fast food outlet is one of two store fronts for The King of Falafel in the Mexican capital.
I rocked up in the evening with Josh, Julio, Carlos and Lety following a theatre performance in nearby Polanco. Nobody in the group had eaten at El Rey del Falafel and the anticipation was high based on our experiences with the 100% vegan falafel shop Falafelito just a few blocks away.
Let’s just say the king of falafel is really the king. The food in El Rey del Falafel was outstanding.
I have just woken up from an afternoon nap in my rented vacation apartment in Mexico City. In a short while I will be getting dressed and having a few sips of mezcal before heading out for some early evening drinks in the nearby gay cantinas.
But you didn’t come here to hear about my leisurely holiday. You want to see gorgeous photos of enticing vegan food, right?
When have I ever let you down? Keep scrolling to see a fraction of the food I have been busying myself with here in Mexico. This city does have vegan dining-out options but what follows is a small selection of my self-catering creations with a few store bought snacks thrown in for good measure.
Enjoy.
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You all know my friend Sara runs vegan supper clubs and is hired as a private chef, right? So you will also know everything is inspired by her Italian heritage and is 100% vegan, yes?
Check out her upcoming Italian Comfort Food supper club taking place on Thursday February 20, 2014. The menu sound ridiculously amazing. The only excuse you have for not being at the dinner is that you will be with me at London Vegan Drinks instead. You must choose. Choose now!
Check out the menu for Sara’s dinner:
STARTER * Farinata * – baked chickpea pancake with red onions served with handmade vegan mayo and homemade Focaccia
MAIN COURSE * Handmade Italian Flag Tagliatelle with Porcini mushroom sauce * – red, white and green coloured tagliatelle handmade with spinach and beetroot home-squeezed juice served with homemade tomato and Porcini sauce
SECOND COURSE * Homemade Beetroot Burger * – served with vegan Stroganoff sauce
DESSERT * Caramel Tiramisù * – vegan caramel Tiramisù
Amazing! You can book tickets online.
Are you one of those people that likes to mark Valentine’s Day with a special meal and a bottle of wine? That task becomes all the more difficult when you throw being vegan into the mix, right?
You can stay home and challenge yourself to create a fancy meal or you can head into the wilds of London looking for a vegan dinner amongst a sea of carnivorous eating options.
Recently-closed Saf was set to host a gorgeous dinner on February 14th, but you clearly can’t count on that option. So let’s help each other out. Jump into the comments section below to sound off about the best London location for a romantic vegan meal this Friday.
I am half the world away in Mexico but I would like to get the ball rolling by suggesting tibits on Heddon Street in Mayfair. This vegetarian restaurant used to be home to London Vegan Drinks and is a favourite of vegans and their friends.
On Friday February 14th, tibits will be transforming their food boat (where all the food is held) into a vegan wonderland. They are removing all non-vegan items for the day so your romantic meal can be cruelty-free. People who like to drink will also be happy with a selection of vegan beers, wines and cocktails (make sure you ask for vegan wine options to be pointed out).
That’s my tip for Valentine’s Day 2014. Now I want to hear yours!
A quick little post to continue my thematic entries about food I eat while up in the air.
The meal featured below was served to me during my recent flight with British Airways between London and Mexico City. Vegans are only too aware of how erratic flight food can be, but I give serious dues to this meal. It was a solid effort.
As you can see, I did alright!
I would love to feature your meals in the sky if you are keen to share your experiences. Just let me know.
London Vegan Potluck is legendary.
When I started this food event back in May 2011, I never thought it would become the runaway success it has. On the first Wednesday of every month, up to 100 vegans and vegan curious people converge on our Holborn location to share homemade food.
It has been a true thrill to watch the potluck grow from its humble beginnings of just 20 people inside Brixton market to the huge crowds it now attracts. We have enjoyed a record attendance of 110 people while most potluck nights come in around the 80 mark.
London Vegan Potluck gives attendees a chance to show off their culinary skills and learn from others. A strength of the event is the friendly competition that has sprung up, encouraging people to come up with inventive, tasty and unique meal ideas. It encourages and inspires potluckers.
The potluck is also a safe and friendly space for new or potential vegans to investigate plant-based eating. Long term vegans and newbies interact, share recipes and give each other tips on how to make the best vegan food they can.
The following photos were taken at the February 2014 London Vegan Potluck. These dishes were just a sliver of the amazing range of food being shared.
As you might know, I am currently in Mexico City where I am eating up a storm.
Stay tuned here or to my Instagram feed for lots of shots of delicious vegan food from the Mexican capital.
Photo above shows a bag of giant dark chocolate and almond treats I bought in the nearby grocery store. They are fabulous.
I was talking with my friends at the Cool Chile Co a few days ago about the different brands of seitan available in the UK. Following our chat, I went on a quick exploration of my usual shopping haunts to see if any new wheat meat products had passed me by recently.
And one had. Wheat chunks in a tin!
I am not sure how long this canned seitan product has been available in the UK, but my discovery in Vx last week marked the first occasion I had laid eyes on it.
Sadly, I am yet to taste the Nuvale Vegetarian Cubes as I flew out of London for Mexico City before I could attack the product with a can opener. Have you tried the chunks? What are they like? What is your favourite ready made seitan?
I am late. Six days late, actually.
I offer my heartfelt apologies for keeping you waiting for my January news round up. I do have a good excuse. I have been eating a lot.