Gluten free Japanese secret supper

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So, you are hunting around for a niche dining experience. Think you have seen it all? Think again. Leading London-based secret supper club expert The Vegan Ronin is hosting a special lunch that will have you redefining your understanding of the word exclusive.

Before I explore the actual food component of this limited event, I want to quickly let you know only five people will be able to book a space just in case you want to skip ahead of my ramblings in order to book instantly.

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OK. Down to business.

The Vegan Ronin proudly presents a five course gluten-free Japanese lunch. Oh yes!

In an intimate setting, the fortunate and tiny group of diners will be served the following menu:

  • Lotus chips, yuzu spinach salad, seared daikon, ginger-miso aubergine and Japanese potato salad
  • Tofu course: fresh tofu, yuba, agedashi dofu, ganmodoki (Buddhist tofu patty), tofu sesame salad
  • Tempura zaru soba with all the fixings
  • Traditional meal ender of mixed miso soup, rice and fresh pickles.
  • Sesame brittle and daigaku imo (candied sweet potatoes fries)

Make haste and get on over to the booking page. Once you have registered, you will receive notification on how to secure your booking.

  • When: Saturday 25th January, 2014 – 1:00 -4:00 pm
  • Where: Finchley Central, North London
  • Cost: £35 pre-pay donation
  • Drinks: A Japanese aperitif is included – BYOB permitted

See my own personal experience of eating at a Vegan Ronin event.

Cheese and cheese

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Following years in the vegan cheese wilderness with little more than Cheezly to keep us alive, vegans in the UK are absolutely swimming in the stuff. A new dairy-free cheese seems to pop up every month. I don’t know where it is all coming from. I like to think of it as a cruelty-free cheese revolution.

Two brands that are new to me (but I’m already familiar with due to greed) are both found in the legendary London vegan boutique and grocery haven known as Vx.

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Eat like an Egyptian

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Unless something drastic happens such as a Veggie Grill opening in Soho or a Native Foods Cafe popping up on Regent Street, I will probably never again eat vegan food in another central London location other than Koshari Street.

Koshari Street is what vegan London has been lacking. Affordable, quick and incredibly tasty food to eat on the go. Every single person I know who has eaten there cannot sing its praises loudly enough. It is beyond game changing. It is the best vegan food in central London.

The sign says it all
The sign says it all

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Mexico otra vez

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This post serves two functions.

Firstly, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my love of Mexico. I adore it in so many ways, some of which have been highlighted here on my blog. You might recall:

All this is great, but you are probably still wondering why I’m dragging you down memory lane.

Mexico City from high
Mexico City from high

Josh and I have just booked a short vacation for Mexico this February and I want your help. Are there any places you know of that I must visit during my trip? Obviously I’m more concerned with eating, but I am open to all suggestions. Tell me best places for groceries, wonderful vegan meals you’ve enjoyed or even cultural or sightseeing tips. I want it all!

¡Vamanos!

Seasonal madness

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This post is one of the shortest in the history of my blog.

I simply wanted you to know about this Christmas-themed product at Tesco. I was too scared to try them, so I am hoping someone can post a review below. They honestly look vile.

Apparently they are only available until December 23rd so get in quick (if you can stomach them) and let me know your opinion below.

Are these tasty?
Are these tasty?

Tasty tasty

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You know about London Vegan Drinks taking place in Whole Foods Market Kensington this Thursday, right? No? It takes places on Thursday December 19th, 2013 between 6pm and 10pm. We normally have more than 100 friendly people in the room.

So now you know. Read more about it here.

But there is something you would have no way of knowing and that is the amazing line up of companies coming along to let us sample their vegan products on the night. Check them out:

Vintage Roots with vegan sparkling wines
inSpiral with vegan cakes
Dip Society with vegan dips
CoYo with vegan ice cream
Booja Booja with vegan truffles

Come along to London Vegan Drinks this week for a tasty, social event like no other on the planet!

Bottled it

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The fab people of Vintage Roots sent me a bottle of vegan wine to review. Here is my review: Kip and I guzzled it. It was nice. Order vegan wine from Vintage Roots.

As you can see, I have little expertise with wine parlance so I’ve asked the infinitely more qualified Kip of Messy Vegetarian Cook to share her reflections. You can like Kip on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

What’s the 411, Kip?

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Eat in Soho

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Can you believe it? I’ve only just made it into one of the longest-standing and most-loved vegetarian restaurants in London. Shame on me.

Mildred’s of Soho is one of those places I always told myself I would get to one day. It was always just around the bend. Days turned into weeks turned into years and I still hadn’t put my fat foot through their doorway.

A few weeks back, I decided to break the drought and discover why Mildred’s is such a popular eatery for people deciding to give meat a miss.

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Looking good and feeling fine

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I don’t often write about pop-up events not related to food and/or beer but I have no problem making an exception for one of my favourite cruelty-free skincare companies.

Leading up to Christmas (and a little bit beyond as well), festive shoppers who care about their skin AND animal welfare can shop ’til they drop in the Premae Skincare pop-up store just off world-famous Carnaby Street.

I have written about this vegan skincare company previously, so it is no secret I am a huge admirer of Clare Eluka and her ethical products. Clare is one of the hardest working business owners in the UK and I am continually thrilled to see the professional advancements she is making and hear about the never-ending platitudes piling up for her range.

Face balm by Premae
Face balm by Premae

If you are looking for a festive gift for a loved one, or just want to give the range a try for yourself, pop into the pop-up soon. Support an independent, ethical business for Christmas and beyond!

The Premae pop-up store is located in unit 2.8 of Kingly Court on Carnaby Street. The closest Underground station is Oxford Circus.

New vegan kicks

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UPDATE: This cafe has now closed!

Have you been along Oxford Street in central London lately? Longstanding businesses are being turfed out as the area gets dissected by the Crossrail tunnel project currently tearing up that part of the city. Shops are closed or closing and it is a sea of discount retailers mixed with scaffolding.

It’s a bit of a sad visual but something good has come of this messy situation. London just got a new vegan cafe!

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