London vegan news, reviews & events
I would like to offer you the choice of hearing the good news or the bad news first, but to be honest I only have devastating news.
I am decidedly depressed to break the news that Saf Restaurant & Bar located in Whole Foods Market Kensington is set to close forever.
Remember how I raved about Mella Cafe on Oxford Street? I was so excited to share news of a completely vegan eatery serving up tasty, healthy food in the centre of the capital.
Well, there is some sad news to be shared. I just received the following message from Lynda via Facebook:
“I’m working in Berners St from today so I went along to Mella just now (for the first time – very excited) and it was all boarded up down there. The Bureau de Change man said yesterday was their last day and the landlord came to see the owner. He doesn’t know what was said, but that was that.”
Thanks to Lynda for the heads up but this is such a shame. I would love to know what happened and if the people behind Mella plan on resurfacing elsewhere. Anybody know?
You gotta support vegan businesses, people!
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!
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!
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 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.
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!
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.
You MUST check out the menu below:
I am passionately in love with potato and firmly believe the humble hash brown is one of the finest achievements in the long and colourful history of this vegetable.
The photo above shows a simple snack that had me feeling joyous a few days ago. Sainsbury’s own brand hash browns with yellow mustard created the perfect coupling. Amazing.
Do you have a favourite brand of hash browns? Suggestions below!
Hey! Yes, you. Single, straight vegan man. Come over here for a moment. I have something I would like to talk to you about.
You know how tough it can be as a single vegan, right? It is difficult to find time and situations for romance. You want to be in a relationship and you can’t imagine fostering intimacy with a non-vegan.
You might be thinking the answer to this situation is to go to as many vegan social events as possible and approach as many women as you can.
Wrong. Treating vegan social events as your own singles hotline leads to women feeling harassed, annoyed, objectified and unsafe.
But maybe you have no idea what I am talking about. Well, good news follows below.
I have taken time out of my intensive eating schedule to lay down some common pointers on how you can be a valuable and valued member of your local vegan community. The tips detailed below will help you rise from the ranks of creeper and sex pest to the lofty heights of respected and respectful member of your social group.
Fat Gay Vegan’s Guide for Single Straight Vegan Men
What’s better than a gorgeous vegan meal in a convenient central London location? A 10% discount off your total bill at the end of your meal, that’s what!
I had the pleasure of working with Saf Restaurant & Bar to help deliver a memorable dinner party on New Year’s Eve and now I get the thrill of offering a special discount to all my readers.
Saf reached out to ask if my readers would like a discount to dine with them until February 28th, 2014 at a 10% discount. I said, “Of course!”.
The restaurant has an attractive menu featuring raw starters, hearty mains, irresistible desserts and an impressive selection of vegan drinks. I truly believe it is the leader of the pack in London at the moment for vegan dining.
How do you get the discount?
