I’m always shouting from the rooftops about Truffle Pig and their decadent vegan chocolates.
The Sheffield-based confectionary specialists have developed a loyal following and it is no surprise when you consider how delicious their products are.
I first tried Truffle Pig chocolates a few years back when they traded at my Sheffield Vegan Beer Fest. I bought as much as I could but people swamped them and everything was gone very quickly.
Knowing how popular the brand is, you should be excited about this new hand painted, dark chocolate block released just last week.
It is called Riots Not Diets.
This 100g chocolate bar is made with their signature dark 55% cocoa with 'RIOTS NOT DIETS' written on each one. As these are hand painted design, each bar will be uniquely decorated!
Support independent vegan business and support your taste buds. Click here to check out the entire Truffle Pig range online, including the new Riots Not Diets bar.
Important fact: Truffle Pig restock online every Friday so you need to be quick on the day to place your order.
You can also follow Truffle Pig on Instagram.
After surviving the past year and a bit, I don’t think I will ever complain about time dragging again.
Nothing could ever feel as long as the winter from which we emerged. I was finding it tough going.
But FINALLY it seems as though we are emerging from the gloom, so I thought it would be the perfect time to celebrate 10 vegan restaurants I am excited to rush back to in London.
My list is below. Be sure to click through and follow the businesses on Instagram and tell me your top picks in the comments.
10. Purezza had to be on this list. The pizza chain has locations popping up all over the place (including a spot in Manchester soon) but I need to get into the jumbo-sized Camden location on Parkway. The restaurant got an upgrade since I was last there and I’m excited to try it out. Follow Purezza on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE6rBbrpz9G/
9. I feel like a bad vegan. Itadakizen is a Japanese vegan restaurant in London that has been there for YEARS and I have only eaten there once. So slack of me. They recently gifted me their ramen sauce (amazing – read here) so I have a new appreciation and excitement for them. Follow Itadakizen on Instagram.
8. Copperhouse Chocolate is London’s only 100% vegan chocolate cafe and shop. Maybe it is the only one in the entire UK? I want to drop in for a chocolate drink, something chocolate-based to eat, and some handmade chocolates to take home with me. Follow Copperhouse Chocolate on Instagram.
7. This list would not be complete without the legendary Temple of Seitan. My fellow Aussies have become global names for the magic they create with vegan fried chicken. They have a few locations serving up some of the best comfort food on the planet, while there are rumours that a certain FGV might be helping them out with a few things in the near future. Follow Temple of Seitan on Instagram.
6. Essential Vegan lives! After closing their Shoreditch location, Essential Vegan came back strong with a permanent residency inside Dalston Superstore. If vegan food inside an LGBT venue doesn’t scream FGV, nothing does. Follow Essential Vegan on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/COC_yqLpeGi/
5. Fancy casual dining rarely comes tastier than Wulf & Lamb. Now with two locations (Chelsea and Marylebone), Wulf & Lamb is my go to venue when I have friends visiting from outside London. I feel like I’m showing off! Follow Wulf & Lamb on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMpVTEmpRHw/
4. Deserted Cactus is another place that makes me feel like a bad vegan because I have never eaten there. I am going to rectify this serious error ASAP after lockdown and restrictions. Peckham locals have been raving about this food and I want in on the good times. Follow Deserted Cactus on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJy0s0VJd2C/
3. Why did I post a photo of people instead of food when listing Cafe Van Gogh? Because even though the food is seriously delicious, the people working at this Brixton vegan eatery are some of the nicest you will meet in the city. It is a total experience you will want to relive again and again. I can’t wait to get back. Follow Cafe Van Gogh on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNNhMIWBJry/
2. Oh, kebabs! Remember when What The Pitta opened in that little shed in Shoreditch and had lines for days?! People loved the food then and they love it even more now, with locations opening around the country. Make mine a snack box with burger sauce, please. Follow What The Pitta on Instagram.
Last but in no freaking way least, Cookies & Scream. I mean, what can I say about this absolutely amazing and legendary vegan business? The bakery is vegan and gluten free. You’ll always leave with a smile from ear to ear. Truly delicious. Follow Cookies & Scream on Instagram.
And I know I claimed to be making a list of 10 vegan places to revisit in London, but I’ve run out of space and decided I needed to include Young Vegans Pizza Shop. They are on track to re-open soon after taking care of the decorating that happened during lockdown (see below)! If this isn’t the best vegan pizza on the planet, it is darn well close. Follow Young Vegans Pizza Shop on Instagram.
The vegan revolution shows little sign of slowing down in the UK and this city centre pub announcement is further proof.
The Old House is a popular watering hole on Devonshire Street that has been serving vegan options on their food menu for a while, however they have now made the decision to switch to 100% vegan food and cocktails as they come out of lockdown.
Locals can book tables now in anticipation of the May 19, 2021 reopening and really get fired up by the tantalising menu.
Check it out below.
The menu is packed with tempting comfort food including all day brunch, stacked burgers, and loaded fries.
But it isn’t just the food!
All of the cocktails will be vegan, too. Fill up on plant-based drinks and snacks.
You can follow The Old House on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on menu additions.
Need to book a table? Head over to The Old House website. The Sunday roast dinners will be especially popular.
The latest episode of my weekly vegan news roundup is online.
As always, a massive thank you to my Patreon supporters for helping to keep the FGV show on the road.
I really wouldn’t be here without the financial support. The WiFi would not be paid!
If you would like to support the FGV platforms financially, please click the box below to find out about making a monthly pledge or donating one-time only.
Poster Bakes is a vegan bakery and social enterprise run by The Connection at St Martin’s, a homelessness charity that operates within Central London.
Poster Bakes started out by selling traditional deep-filled doughnuts, made fresh every day and delivered to people around London by bicycle.
As the second wave of lockdowns came in and with Christmas fast approaching, Poster Bakes launched their mail order mince pie kits, which could be delivered to people all over the UK to spread some cheer and festive magic in the run up to Christmas.
The social enterprise went on to launch deliciously-spiced hot cross bun baking kits in the run up to Easter and now offer their brand new range of vegan pick and mix! You can select your own or choose from one of their mouth-watering mixes.
All profits made through Poster Bakes go directly towards continuing The Connection’s work, helping thousands of people each year to move away from the streets. They will also be running kitchen classes for people experiencing homelessness to help give them the tools and knowledge to cook and make nutritious food decisions when they become housed.
The website is currently open for pick and mix orders that can be shipped around the UK, and Poster Bakes have plans to launch some delicious new baking kits within the next few months. If you would like to find out any more information about the work of The Connection, click here.
They have renovated the beer garden of the pub with plants, lights, and umbrellas so rug up and get down there between Wednesday and Sunday. Come summer, this place is going to be packed solid every single day.
You can see the Beer Engine food menu online here.
Have you seen the gorgeous baked treats created by Cocolico?
Cocolico is an independent French Pâtisserie business in the UK. You might recall them trading at Hackney Downs Vegan Market a few times, or possibly even bumped into them at other markets around the Reading and London areas.
If you are looking for handcrafted delicacies that taste amazing, Cocolico have got what you want.
Take a look at this special ‘postal treats’ box you can order online for UK-wide delivery.
In case you missed the announcement last week, I now have a weekly vegan news roundup that gets published as a podcast every Wednesday.
Fat Gay Vegan Weekly Roundup powered by Patreon: episode 2 is online now. Click here to discover all your listening and streaming options.
The episode this week features news of vegan trends, my product of the week, silly stories about celebrities I’ve seen in vegan restaurants, and a cool way for you to contribute to an LGBT charity.
Enjoy listening and get in touch with suggestions for what you would like to hear featured.
FGV mini news round up December 28, 2022 – final of the year –
Fat Gay Vegan
As the year ebbs away join me for a chat about the tough task of going home, Whitney Houston, and vegan food on QANTAS planes.
As always, I would like to send a massive thank you to my Patreon supporters who help me stay dedicated to vegan outreach.
If you would like to support the FGV platforms financially, please click the box below to find out about making a monthly pledge or donating one-time only.
Did you attend Hackney Downs Vegan Market back in the day?
If you were a regular attendee, you will fondly recall the glorious cakes, bakes, and cookies from Chanel of Vegan Delice.
Chanel was always the friendliest person on the market and customers would come from all over London to chat with her AND to buy her amazing vegan baked goods.
A little while back Chanel rebranded and her empire of sugary delights is now known as Cake Cult London. The online store is overflowing with treats that you can have delivered to you around the UK (or collect if you live locally).
There are so many wonderful things from which to choose, however I’m jumping on here today to tell you about the vegan afternoon tea for two.
Chanel sent me one of the boxes to try for myself and of course it was as delicious as I remember all her stuff being. Check it out below and see the contents of the vegan afternoon tea listed as well.
Afternoon Tea for 2 Menu
2 x mini cheese & onion pasty
2 x mini Sos rolls
4 x Scones
Plain & Cherry with Clotted cream and Strawberry Jam
Baby cake cults
2 x Lemon drizzle
2 x Red Velvets
2 x Shortbread fingers
Order your very vegan afternoon tea for two from Cake Cult London now for delivery!
I’m dropping by to let you know that I am BACK on the podcast airwaves… weekly!
During the first 100 days of lockdown in 2020, I posted daily news roundups via Facebook Live. Those roundups were my way of putting something positive into the world at a very trying time, while also creating a way for our vegan communities to stay connected.
Those daily videos were very DIY but also time consuming. Doesn’t mean I don’t miss them, though!
As the world is still struggling with the global pandemic and things are nowhere near close to how they were before 2020, I am inspired to reach out again and create a weekly show highlighting all the latest news from the world of veganism.
I love connecting and wanted to create a new way of supporting independent vegan business. It also helps that I love the sound of my own voice!
The first episode has just gone live and you will be able to stream across a number of platforms. It is a brief 10 minute listen, so why not give it a try?!
See all about the show and find links for streaming (including Spotify) on my podcast homepage.
This blog has been running for more than 10 years and it is made possible thanks in no small part to the kind support of the people supporting me on Patreon. If you would like to pledge a monthly contribution to help keep the FGV dream alive for a second decade, visit my Patreon page.
