vegan London

New vegan kitchen in West London

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West London is in the midst of a plant-based eating revolution with new businesses popping up all the time.

There is GreenBay Supermarket and Picky Wops pizza parlour within walking distance of each other. Sanctuary is just around the corner from both of these places in Fulham. Don’t forget the fab new café called Vegan HQ on South Ealing road.

That side of London is really gathering vegan steam and we now have a brand new plant-based café called The Retreat Kitchen in Richmond to add to the expanding list.

During the week at The Retreat Kitchen you can fill up at the seasonal salad bar and enjoy dishes such as the cashew ‘cheesy’ leek and broccoli quiche. You can devour homemade beetroot brownies or a refined sugar-free sticky toffee, date and cinnamon donut. You can enjoy a range of organic and vegan beer, wine, prosecco and cider.

The weekend at The Retreat Kitchen is a more laid back affair with an all day brunch menu where you can enjoy their version of traditional breakfast offerings including stuffed chickpea omelettes, mushroom florentine muffins and hollandaise sauce and loaded fresh fruit as well as banana and cinnamon pancake stacks.

The Retreat Kitchen is located on Hill Rise, Richmond (see the exact location via Google Maps) and is open Tuesdays-Fridays, 8:30am until 5:00pm and for brunch and cream teas at the weekends from 9:30am to 5:00pm.

You can visit The Retreat Kitchen online and follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Exclusive vegan supper club for London

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London, I know you have a lot going on when it comes to vegan eating but you need to make a special effort to get along to this exclusive dining event in Hackney next week.

Plates is a company specialising in plant-based contemporary dining experiences with modern English menus and are about to launch a Saturday night residency in Hackney at Autumn Yard located at Hackney Downs Studios on Saturday August 5, 2017.

Check out the flyer for the launch night below.

 

The food they put together looks exquisite and the launch dinner includes a gorgeous 4-course menu crafted from fresh ingredients. I think it’s safe to say you will be very well fed (and satisfied) if you book a ticket for this exclusive event.

Autumn Yard is a stunning venue and this launch event for Plates is incredible value at £25. Book your ticket now.

You should also follow Plates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay updated with this season of supper clubs in Hackney, plus all of their future events.

Vegan candles in jars

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I know I post about food 99.9% of the time, so I’m shaking things up today by giving you some inedible news.

Candles!

There is a person named Luke who got in touch with me and they wanted me to let you know about a fabulous vegan candle company they own. I’m a complete sucker for candles and couldn’t wait to give you these links.

Scentimental Jars is a London-based, independent candle company that creates vegan friendly scented soy wax candles. They hand make all of their own products and offer a wide variety of scents and sizes.

The company (which is over a year old) was started by Luke while recovering from a heart operation and is powered by a love and passion for candles. It all started one day experimenting at own home by creating some candles and after receiving a great response from family and friends, Scentimental Jars was born.

The range of products is now massive and I think that name is too cute!

You can shop online directly with Scentimental Jars by visiting their website. You can also follow the company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Extra note: Scentimental Jars is looking for retail opportunities. Please get in touch with them if you run a store, café or website and you would like to sell their products.

FGV on the radio

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I was invited to be a guest on a radio show last week and now I’m sharing the online version with you in case you want to listen. You wanna hear me speak, right?!

My friend Tatum hosts a weekly show on Wandsworth Radio in London called The Social Hour with Tatum and she invited me along to discuss a whole big bunch of topics including my beer events, growing up in Australia, being an activist, and my debut book being released next year.

If the embedded player doesn’t work for you below, you can listen online here.

The show runs for an hour but it isn’t just me talking. I also got to pick a few tracks to play so it really is an enjoyable listen.

You can like The Social Hour on Facebook and follow Tatum on Instagram.

Some of the best vegan food in London

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It has been a long time since I last said hello to them but my visit to the Just Fab double decker food bus on Hackney Road yesterday reminded me why this unique Italian restaurant is serving up some of the best vegan food in the UK.

Laura, Jonas, Josh and I all piled into the bus for some long overdue eating and we didn’t show any restraint. We got one of everything that we damn well wanted and our table was rammed solid with delicious comfort cuisine.

Laura and Jonas were visiting from LA and they couldn’t talk highly enough of the Just Fab menu. That is saying huge things when you consider all the vegan treats they have back home.

Follow Just Fab on Instagram and click here to see their exact location thanks to Google Maps.

Now, the food photos!

Stunning #vegan cheeseburger at @just_fab_vegitalian

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Next level polenta dish at @just_fab_vegitalian on Hackney Road. #vegan

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The panelle at @just_fab_vegitalian are SO TASTY. #vegan

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The lasagne at @just_fab_vegitalian is NEXT LEVEL. #vegan

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Beer list LVBF 2017

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I can hardly believe this incredible list of beers that have been pulled together for the 5th annual London Vegan Beer Fest this Saturday (July 15, 2017), so I’ll forgive you if it makes you a bit overexcited.

Sink your teeth into this 60 beer strong list. It is simply incredible.

We have kegs. We have casks. We have cans. And we have a hell of a lot of beer.

With three exclusive areas for you to explore, including a sit down restaurant with wine bar and beer tap takeover, London Vegan Beer Fest is a party that cannot be missed.

Online tickets bought in advance are just £5 plus tiny booking fee. If we have any tickets remaining on the day, they are £9 at the gate. Book your cheap tickets online now.

Now, check out this mammoth list.

INDOOR BEER HALL (run by Brass Castle Brewery, Malton, Yorkshire)

ALPHABET BREWING – A to the K – Oatmeal Pale – 5.6% ABV (keg) – fresh hops and tropical fruit
BAD SEED – Hustler – Pale Ale – 4.4% ABV (cask) – massive citrus hit with grapefruit, mango & pine
BRASS CASTLE – Bad Kitty – Vanilla Porter – 5.5% ABV (keg) – a chewy chocolate-vanilla dream of a porter
BRASS CASTLE – Bad Kitty – Vanilla Porter – 5.5% ABV (can) – gluten free version of the above
BRASS CASTLE – Brass Lager – 5.3% ABV (keg) – malt-forward Vienna lager with a brass hue
BRASS CASTLE – Enzed Red – Amber Ale – 6.4% ABV (cask) – balanced red ale w/ NZ Rakau & Waimea hops
BRASS CASTLE – Frambunctious – Raspberry Ale – 4.0% ABV (cask) – classic flavour with a raspberry hit
BRASS CASTLE – Helles Lager – 4.4% ABV (cans) – gluten free Munich-style Helles lager
BRASS CASTLE – Helles Lager Orange Blossom edition – 4.4% ABV (keg) – new take on a classic
BRASS CASTLE – Hoptical Illusion – Pale Ale – 4.3% ABV (keg&can) – gluten free hop forward pale ale
BRASS CASTLE – Misfit – Pale Ale – 4.3% ABV (cask) – bursting with juicy citrus and ripe peach
BRASS CASTLE – Sunshine IPA – 5.7% ABV (cans) – SIBA 2013 ‘Champion Beer for the North East of England’
BRASS CASTLE/WILDE CHILD – Vociferous Agreement – Triple IPA – 10% ABV (keg) – a Leeds collaboration
BREW YORK – Maris the Otter – Bitter – 3.9% ABV (cask) – modern take on a classic British bitter
MAGIC ROCK – Inhaler – IPA – 4.5% ABV (keg) – pale ale with low bitterness and lots of juiciness
MAGIC ROCK – Common Grounds – Coffee Porter – 5.4% ABV (keg) – decadent coffee beer with toffee notes
MARBLE BREWERY – Brett the Hitman Tart – 5.0% ABV – 100% brett-fermented, lightly tart/dry finish
TINY REBEL – Clwb Tropicana – Pale Ale – 5.5% ABV (keg) – super juicy American hops amplified topical fruit flavours
WILD BEER CO – Fresh – Pale Ale – 5.5% ABV (keg) – a fragrant pale ale with hops from two hemispheres
WILD BEER CO – Bibble – Pale Ale – 4.2% ABV (cask) – moreish bitterness with tropical tastiness

OUTDOOR BEER MARKET

BEERBLEFISH: all vegan craft brewery from Edmonton, North London exploring modern hops.

DELTAFISH – APA – 5.2% ABV (cask) – delicious delta hops with a hint of cascade
ESB – 4.8% ABV (keg) – A rich dark special ale, full of British hops and finished with NZ Dr. Rudi
Black Beerble – Stout – 5.0% ABV (keg) – chocolate & crystal, finished with a handful of Bramling Cross

BUMBLEBEE CIDER: made from British apples, paying homage to the bees doing all the hard work!

Hard Cider (original) – 4.5% ABV (500ml bottle) – medium-dry, lightly sparkling. Robust and complex tannic structure, rolling from sweet to dry with a sun-baked West Country aroma
Regatta Strawberry & Mint Cider – 4.0% ABV (500ml bottle) – medium Somerset cider twisted with strawberries and a hint of garden mint. Unmistakably cider – with a summer twist. Enjoy chilled and for a real treat, add some ice and chopped fruit (available)
BumbleBee Gribble – 1 pint/2 pint cartons – 4.8% ABV – Medium-dry easy drinking still hazy somerset cider. Inspired by long, hot lazy days in the Westcountry

CLARKSHAWS: microbrewery in Brixton, London doing modern takes on classic British beers.

New World American Pale Ale – 4.3% ABV (cask) – hoppy American pale ale, with tropical fruits and mango flavour
Cloudy Ginger Beer – 0% ABV (cask) – alcohol free, traditional, homemade & fiery ginger beer
Hellhound British IPA – 5.5% ABV (keg) – spicy with hints of citrus orange and caramel
Coldharbour Hell Yeah! Lager – 5.3% ABV (keg) – winner of the SIBA SE Region Premium Lager & Pilsner Bronze Medal 2016, this is a flavourful craft lager with a sweet honeysuckle and elderflower taste
A Darker Hell Dark Lager – 4.5% ABV (keg) – crisp but with hints of chocolate
Strange Brew Pale Ale – 4.0% ABV (bottle) – our award- winning pale ale with a hoppy floral flavour from UK cascade hop
Gorgons Alive – 4.0% ABV (bottle) – golden bitter, summery, spicy and refreshing

MONCADA: Ingredients are sourced within 100 miles from London for this Notting Hill brewery.

Notting Hill Blonde – 4.2% ABV (keg) – continental-style yellow beer with fruity hoppiness
Saison – 4.8% ABV (keg) – a mouthful of earthy, spicy and floral flavours
Notting Hill Ruby Rye – 5.2% ABV (keg) – robust ale with a fruity hop aroma
Imperial Custard Stout – 9.5% ABV (keg) – chocolate creaminess with decadent, velvety tones

MOOR BEER: Bristol-based brewery focussing on vegan modern real ales.

So’Hop – 4.1% ABV (keg) – pale ale brewed with Australian hops
Claudia – 4.5% ABV (keg) – hoppy wheat beer
Stout – 5% ABV (keg) – classic stout
Return of the Empire – 5.7% ABV (keg) – New World style hops with high levels of alpha acids
Guardian of Peace – 7% ABV (keg) – IPA celebrating the light side of the force
Agent of Evil – 7% ABV (keg) – black IPA celebrating the dark side of the force

THREE HILLS: Small batch nano brewery based in Northamptonshire.

Thai-PA – 5.4% ABV (keg) – a lemongrass, kaffir lime and ginger infused pale ale
New World IPA 3 – 6.7% ABV (keg) – a New England style IPA with Mosaic and Galaxy hops
South Pacific Hefeweizen – 5.2% ABV (keg) – wheat beer with hops from Australia & New Zealand
Raspberry Hefeweizen – 5.6% ABV (keg) – wheat beer infused with raspberries
Uisce Beatha – 7.7% ABV (keg) – Irish coffee for breakfast stout
Veda: Sorachi Ace – 6.2% ABV (keg) – single hop west coast IPA
Herb Ale: Celini’s Gold – 5.8% ABV (keg) – unhopped gruit w/ lemon balm, lemon thyme and lemon verbena
Herb Ale: Dark Destroyer – 6.2% ABV (keg) – unhopped dark gruit w/ vanilla, cardamom & mother wort
Herb Ale: Ooo Mary – 5.8% ABV (keg) – unhoped sour gruit with rosemary, yarrow and lemon thyme

TWISTED BARREL ALES: Coventry-based brewery mixing modern and classic styles and methods.

Detroit Sour City – 4.5% ABV (keg) – a thirst quenching, fruity sour beer. Kettle soured for a deliciously tart acidity, then dry hopped with Rakau and Equinox hops for a tropical citrus flavour
Kachirho – 5.0% ABV (keg) – a modern day pale, brewed with Mosaic, Simcoe and Equinox hops for an explosive mango & grapefruit flavour, with a full body thanks to the liberal use of oats & wheat in the mash
Saison From Another Place – 5.5% ABV (keg) – a Belgian farmhouse ale, brewed with dried elderflower & peppercorns for a floral, spicy flavour that blends with the characteristics of the funky Belgian yeast
Oblivion – 6.0% ABV (keg) – a heavily hopped porter, with a distinct coffee flavour from the use of roasted malts, which is paired with a grapefruit hop finish from the Cascade, Chinook and Columbus hops
Sine Qua Non – 4.5% ABV (keg) – session IPA – a dry, refreshing IPA with a tropical citrus flavour
Tymor Rhiwbob – 5.3% ABV (keg) – rhubarb, Beetroot and Orange Saison – the perfect summery beverage, tart rhubarb, orange on the nose and a dry, refreshing finish
Jack The DIPA – 8.0% ABV (keg) – fruit Oat Double IPA – a beast of an IPA, brewed with guava puree and orange zest for a full on tropical fruit flavour

AUTUMN YARD TAP TAKEOVER

40FT brewery: Local brewery operating out of a shipping container in Dalston.

Larger – 4.8% ABV (keg) – a hoppy version of the German style Kölsch, but unfiltered. Similar to a lager but larger in flavour. Brewed with a new hop from the States called Lemon Drop
Disco Pils – 4.8% ABV (keg) – a very fresh and crisp pale ale inspired by a German pils. Brewed with whole Hüll Melon only to give it a fruity, hoppy aroma
Päle – 4.1% ABV (keg) – a hoppy American style Pale Ale with the flavour of Summer with UK & US hops
Street Weiss – 5.2% ABV (keg) – a hefeweizen with banana and melon notes

If this impressive beer list tickles your fancy, you also be delighted to know we have seven superstar vegan street food vendors. Read about the food line up here. So much food!

London Vegan Beer Fest takes place at Hackney Downs Studios between 11am and 8pm on Saturday July 15, 2017. You can RSVP and invite friends over on the Facebook event page.

Extra notes:

Take part in Charioke (charity + karaoke) at London Vegan Beer Fest. If you enjoy singing or have a good time watching those that sing, please toss a few coins into our collection bucket. All money raised is being donated directly to Isla Urbana, a charity building clean water collection infrastructure in Mexico.

LVBF Hangover Special gives you 10% discount at 7 leading vegan businesses around London on Sunday July 16, 2017 if you are still wearing your London Vegan Beer Fest wristband. See the full list of participating businesses.

Vegan menu one day only

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If you need another convincing reason to come along to London Vegan Beer Fest this Saturday (July 15, 2017), the fact that we have a gorgeous restaurant on site serving ONLY those attending the event should do the trick. No outsiders!

Autumn Yard is the permanent on site restaurant for Hackney Downs Studios and they have agreed to turn 100% vegan for the day of the beer fest as they become one of our three exclusive spaces for the day.

And it’s not just food they will be offering up. They will be hosting an exclusive beer tap takeover by locals 40FT  Brewery, a vegan wine bar, and of course their regular café serving coffee and tea. All vegan and all just for London Vegan Beer Fest attendees!

Let’s break down the info a little into smaller chunks as we explore what is happening inside Autumn Yard this Saturday.

The food menu

  • Chilli Burger, with Slaw & Sweet Potato fries and a beer of your choice 13.95
  • Cheese Burger, with Slaw & Sweet Potato fries and a beer of your choice 13.95
  • Chargrill Butternut Squash, Promegrante, Turmeric & beetroot Hummus. 8.95
  • Baked flat bread bowl with a Tomato, Black Lentil Tabbouleh. 7.95
  • Mixed Colour Quinoa Grain Bowl, with Tender Stem Broccoli, Sweet Potato, Tahini & Soy Dressing 6.95
  • Brownie & Ice Cream 4.95
  • Chocolate Pot 2.95

The Wine Bar

White

  • Il Meridione Grillo, IGT Terre Siciliane Italy 2016
  • False Bay Wild Yeast Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region South Africa 2016
  • Les Mains Noires, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Vallée de l’Agly France 2015
  • Etnico Sauvignon Blanc [organic] Chile 2016
  • K-Naia Verdejo Spain 2015
  • Sepp Grüner Veltliner [organic] Austria 2016

Red

  • Ca’ di Ponti Nero d’Avola, IGT Terre Siciliane Italy 2015
  • Pedrera Monastrell Spain 2015
  • Conviviale Primitivo, IGT Salento Italy 2015
  • Adobe Reserva Malbec, Rapel Valley (organic) Chile 2016
  • Savoir-Faire d’Autrefois Mourvèdre, Pays d’Oc France 2013
  • Amauta Absoluto Tannat Argentina 2016

Rosé

  • Ancora Rosato, Monferrato Chiaretto Italy 2016
  • Circumstance Cape Coral Mourvèdre Rosé (biodynamic) South Africa 2016

Sparkling

  • Durello Spumante Brut ‘Palladiano’ Italy
  • Le Dolci Colline Prosecco Spumante Brut Italy
  • Emiliana Organic Sparkling Wine Chile

The Beer Tap Takeover

  • Larger 4.8% ABV: A hoppy version of the German style Kölsch, but unfiltered. Similar to a lager but larger in flavour. Brewed with a new hop from the States called Lemon Drop.
  • Päle 4.1% ABV: A hoppy American style Pale Ale with the flavour of Summer with a mix of UK and US hops.
  • Street Weiss 5.2% ABV: A hefeweizen with banana and melon notes.
  • Disco Pils 4.8% ABV: Crisp Pale Ale inspired by a German Pils. Brewed with Hüll Melon only, to give it a fruity hoppy aroma.

Wow! All of this goodness is available exclusively for London Vegan Beer Fest so do not show up at Autumn Yard without a ticket this Saturday.

In addition to this glorious sit down restaurant space with wine, beer and cocktails, we also have a giant indoor beer hall powered by Brass Castle Brewery and an outdoor market featuring seven breweries from around the country (including cider!) and multiple vegan street food vendors. You can see the full list of breweries and food vendors here.

You can take time out from all this drinking and eating in our exclusive karaoke parlour.

Access all of this for just £5 plus tiny booking fee if you buy your ticket in advance online.

Click here to book.

If we don’t sell out in advance, tickets are £9 on the door.

You can RSVP to the London Vegan Beer Fest Facebook event page.

Extra special note: on the day after London Vegan Beer Fest, anyone still wearing their event wristband can enjoy 15% off their food bill at Autumn Yard. Perfect recovery value! Don’t take off your wristband and save on hangover lunch.

Visit Autumn Yard online.


Get discount at vegan places

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How about saving 10% off your bill at a handful of vegan places around London on Sunday July 16, 2017?

This is a simple little special offer that will have you grinning.

As you know (because I harass you daily about it) London Vegan Beer Fest is taking place this week on Saturday. It’s set to be a beer, cider, wine and street food extravaganza that you will adore.

Read about the brewery and food line up here.

But what about the discount of which I spoke?

A handful of vegan businesses around London are taking part in LVBF Hangover Special the day after London Vegan Beer Fest.

How does it work? On Sunday July 16, 2017 anyone still wearing their London Vegan Beer Fest entry wristband will receive a 10% discount off their bill at the following businesses:

  • Ms Cupcake – the absolutely legendary Brixton bakery is the place to get sweet treats such as cupcakes and tray bakes as you try to get back on track for the week ahead. Follow Ms Cupcake on Instagram.
  • What the Pitta! – is their a better hangover food than a vegan doner kebab? This Shoreditch eatery will be your best friend after a day of drinking. Follow What the Pitta! on Instagram.
  • GreenBay Supermarket – this fabulous vegan grocery store in west London has everything you need to make your own hangover meal including bacon, chocolate and ice cream! Follow GreenBay on Instagram.
  • Picky Wops – just a few minutes walking from GreenBay, this gourmet pizza outlet could possibly be the place that saves you after too much partying. Follow Picky Wops on Instagram.
  • Vx – this old school legendary King’s Cross vegan grocery store, hot food outlet, and boutique has EVERYTHING you need to recover from London Vegan Beer Fest. Get a hot sandwich from the deli, supplies to make your own meal, and a cool t-shirt so you look good as you get refreshed. Follow Vx on Instagram.
  • Black Cat Café – this is one of the finest places to et vegan food in London and just happens to be walking distance from the London Vegan Beer Fest venue. Follow Black Cat on Instagram.
  • Temple of Hackney – the instantly legendary vegan fried chicken shop in Hackney Central is joining the LVBF Hangover Special. Is there anything more perfect for your recovery? Follow Temple of Seitan on Instagram.

Show up, order a bunch of stuff, and shake your wristband at your server for a 10% discount. This is a great way to save a little bit of money while supporting independent vegan businesses. Everyone wins as you recover from your London Vegan Beer Fest hangover.

Yay for vegan savings!

To get a wristband to use on Sunday for discounts, you of course first need come to London Vegan Beer Fest this Saturday.

Click here to buy your tickets now and RSVP to the Facebook event page.

FED by Water still amazing

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I visited vegan Italian restaurant FED by Water for the first time today in over six months and I’m delighted to report back that the food is still as incredible as ever.

Josh and I were blown away the pizza and bread basket. The portions are mammoth and we really struggled to fit it all in… but we did, of course!

It was also a lovely surprise to see the pizza named after me still on the menu.

Follow FED by Water on Instagram and then check out photos from my experience earlier today.

Sitting outside at @fedbywater waiting on some #vegan Italian food! #London

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TFW you see a pizza named after you in a #vegan restaurant. Get into @fedbywater for a taste of Fat Gay Vegan.

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Ridiculously tasty pizza and salad combination at @fedbywater in London. #vegan

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Vegan fried chicken

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Even though I first reported the opening of vegan fried chicken shop Temple of Hackney back at the beginning of the year, I only got to eat with the business for the first time a few days ago.

This isn’t so much a review as it is a love letter.

Temple of Hackney is the food business of my dreams. What they are doing is the definition of groundbreaking and there is nobody on the planet doing what they do to this level.

The menu is outstanding and irresistible.

Crispy chips. Juicy seitan with crunchy coating. Gravy pots. Vegan chicken poppers. Burgers.

Every single item is world class and Temple of Hackney is one of the finest vegan food outlets on the planet. No debate.

Follow them on Instagram and eat with them as soon and as often as you can.

Want to be happy? Get the mac n cheese from @templeofseitan in Hackney. #vegan

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Get a fried #vegan chicken burger from @templeofseitan and your life will improve.

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