Vegan London, Part Three

[Marrers]

Mrs Marengo’s has closed down. :(


Mrs Marengo’s is closed
breakfast, our salad bar range and take away service is available from mildreds restaurant (http://www.mildreds.co.uk/)
please call mildreds from now on with your take away orders on 020 7494 1634
mildreds opening hours are
8.30am to 11pm monday to friday
12noon to 11pm saturday
45 lexington street w1f 9anhttp://www.mrsmarengos.co.uk/

Don't forget Vegan Drinks and Vegan Potluck are still happening every month. :)

[rainbow]

That sucks!
I have never particularly wanted to go to Mildred's, as "trendy", "overcrowded" and "rude service" are all things that put me off a restaurant. But I was willing to give Mrs. Marengo's a try, and just hadn't got around to it yet. Too late! :(

[Gwydion]

Poo about Mrs Marengo's :(

I recently got my Bachelors in Bumpage:


Not to be forgetting Animal Aid's annual X-Mas fayre.

December 4th, usual venue.

Slinky Linky (http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_living//2521//)

See you there?

Next Sunday!

[rainbow]

Bachelors in Bumpage - love it!
When are you getting there Gwydion? Would be nice to say hello if you arrive before I leave. (If time permits, I might even be willing to bake you something. Ditto any other forumers who are willing to get there before noon!)

[Gwydion]

Something tells me I may be getting there before noon! ;-D

[rainbow]

Any requests from the rainbow bakery? :)

[Gwydion]

Cake ;)

I am not in any position to be fussy.

[Mymblesdaughter]

What a shame, I really like Mrs Marengo's any idea why they closed? They always seemed to be really busy.

I've found the last few times I've been to Mildred's the staff have been much better. I gave up on them a couple of years ago as the staff where awful and the food variable.

[rainbow]

Folks! I am taking cakes with TODAY that I will give away free to anyone who sends me a private message before 9am today and can get to the Animal Aid before noon! Flavours are Jaffa Cupcake, Vanilla Choc Chip and Blueberry & Banana. Get in there people!

[harpy]

I did eventually make it to the AA fair but not until mid-afternoon - sorry to miss rainbow (and her cakes) and any of the rest of you were there. Hope you all had a good time.

When I eventually did get there it seemed pretty busy though not quite as packed as on some previous occasions I thought - though perhaps it was more spread out than usual as OH said there was an upstairs bit (which I missed)? Anyway all my friends and relations will be getting vegan chocs for Christmas. Hope the charities etc involved are satisfied with their haul.

[harpy]

I went to Vantra for lunch yesterday with an omnivorous friend and we quite liked it. I read that they had improved on an initially slightly confusing system of serving plates and bowls since it first opened - anyway it seemed quite straightforward the way we did it, we paid a flat rate and got a dinner-plate type plate on to which you could shovel food, plus a soup bowl into which you shovelled soup. http://www.vantra.co.uk/menu/

Sadly I wasn't all that hungry but everything I tried was nice - mostly curry type dishes and salads, and we also shared a raw cheesecake type thing.

I don't think the food is quite as interestingly flavoured as Tibits but I will have to check again when I'm feeling hungrier. At Vantra the food is all vegan, which is great. It serves booze but we didn't have any - does anyone know whether that's vegan too?

[victoriangirl]

I went to Vantra when it was quite new - I was on my own in London so it was the perfect spot to sit down and enjoy the food. (without feeling awkward if that makes any sense) The serving system was confusing so I explained to them I was in London enjoying the vegan food so told them to serve me a bit of everything!!! I had a lot of food that day! They told me everything in the store, including themselves (!), were vegan so I assume that their drinks are too. I might pop by next weekend when I will be on my 1st vegan trip of the year! I cannot wait to be in London!!!!!

[rainbow]

I have been enjoying Tibits recently. Their salads have always been amazing but they've seriously raised their game in the dessert department too. Alongside the less exciting (IMHO) options of muesli and crumble, they now have a mousse/ cream thing that varies in flavour (mango; blackberry, which was particularly awesome; chocolate and coconut etc) and is always delicious. And the last two times I have been there, they had sticky toffee pudding! Vegan sticky toffee pudding! It was absolutely delicious and this cake fiend highly recommends. Mmmmm.

[harpy]

That's good news about the Tibits desserts rainbow - it used to be a bit of a weak spot although there was always plenty for vegans to eat otherwise.

Victoriangirl, I made a return visit to Vantra and they confirmed that the booze was vegan - so it must be :) It's good you're coming over but bring warm clothes, brrr. Unfortunately I'm not around much next weekend, otherwise I'd suggest we hit Vantra at the same time.

[Gwydion]

Unfortunately I'm not around much next weekend, otherwise I'd suggest we hit Vantra at the same time.

Indeed, same here!! How long are you over for Victoriangirl?

So Rainbow, joining us at the next Vegan Drinks then? ;)

[rainbow]

I'd love to! When is it? Sorry I've been a stranger, work has been mental. On the plus side, my employer appears to be pretty happy with me right now. :) But would really like to make it to Vegan Drinks! (And I should make you one of my black forest gateaux one of these days...)

[Gwydion]

I'd love to! When is it?

16th :)


(And I should make you one of my black forest gateaux one of these days...)

Yes, yes you should. What's the hold-up? Chop Chop!

;)

[rainbow]

16th :)

Sounds good, I'll do my best! Remind me the day before. :)



Yes, yes you should. What's the hold-up? Chop Chop!

;)
Attitude like that will not get you cake, mister! *wags finger*

[Gwydion]

:lol:

Haha, ok......

[begreendee]

That sucks!
I have never particularly wanted to go to Mildred's, as "trendy", "overcrowded" and "rude service" are all things that put me off a restaurant. But I was willing to give Mrs. Marengo's a try, and just hadn't got around to it yet. Too late! :(

My first trip to Mildred's will probably be my last. I went with a friend to meet up with another friend. It was her idea to meet at Mildred's. The whole time I was there I was so agitated as it was not my idea of a restaurant where you can relax, enjoy your meal and have a chat. It was extremely noisy, overcrowded as the tables were too close and the menu had limited vegan options. I couldn't concentrate on my companions' conversations. The guy who served us was friendly enough but our dishes took ages to come. I ordered a vegan cheese cake for dessert. It came in a small portion on a massive plate which I thought was hilarious. Would I go to Mildred's again? Not unless every single vegan restaurant in London has closed down and I am starving. I might have been there on the wrong day at the wrong time. Meaning at lunchtime on a weekday but that was some experience.

[Mymblesdaughter]

Begreendee, I must say I find everywhere in London really noisy and overcrowded when I go out to eat. I usually prefer to meet up with friends at a restaurant because bars are so noisy. Then you get to a restaurant and you are shouting at the top of your voice to talk to the person next to you. I'm sure it's got worse over the last few years.

[rainbow]

If you are willing to wander a bit further away from the city centre, one place that does not suffer from noise and over-crowding is Rani Indian Restaurant in Finchley. All the food is vegetarian and most of it is vegan, and the quality is second to none. They do an outstanding buffet as well as an a la carte service. We live on the opposite side of London but try to go there at least a couple of times a year because it is worth the effort. Gujarati cuisine at its finest.

[harpy]

I must try Rani - there used to be a Gujerati place near here and it was realy nice, but packed up unfortunately.

I have had some nice meals in Mildreds but it does seem to get very crowded these days. Surprising that they couldn't keep their offshoot going in the circs. Vantra hasn't been all that crowded the couple of times I've been though one was near to closing time admittedly.

[begreendee]

I tend to stick to totally vegan restaurants if possible. I get more choice and I also feel safer that there won't be any mix ups. There are 3 Loving Huts in and around London so I tend to go there as I love Chinese food. Loving Hut also do great burgers and fish and chips if your are into that kind of food. I tend to take my meat eating friends there and they love it. If you like western vegan then 222 in NW London is excellent. The owner is African. He makes some lovely dishes. It is quiet and friendly. My type of restaurant.

I agree with Mymblesdaughter, restaurants in central London tend to be too noisy where you have to shout to get heard. You come away with a sore throat. I avoid eating in Central London if I can. As I live outside Greater London anyway, I have some great choices.

[rainbow]

I second the recommendation for 222 Veggie Vegan - wonderful place. (And less "western vegan" than "east meets west", including dishes with ingredients such as plantain alongside more traditional favourites.)