Vegan London, part 1

[robb]

In that case, I'd recommend the tube and an A-Z.

Buses can be a bit complicated. Although many stops do have "spider maps" on them that show all the destinations you can get to from that stop, they're not much help if you need to change...

However, you can get bus maps - you can probably get one from Victoria Bus Station.

Whatever you do, it's probably worth getting a travelcard or a Pay As You Go Oyster card. Travel can be much cheaper this way, you don't have to fumble for change, and some buses won't even take cash.

[lily80]

In that case, I'd recommend the tube and an A-Z.

Buses can be a bit complicated. Although many stops do have "spider maps" on them that show all the destinations you can get to from that stop, they're not much help if you need to change...

However, you can get bus maps - you can probably get one from Victoria Bus Station.

Whatever you do, it's probably worth getting a travelcard or a Pay As You Go Oyster card. Travel can be much cheaper this way, you don't have to fumble for change, and some buses won't even take cash.

Thanks for that, looks like tubes are the way to go. The least complicated method is always best when it comes to me trying to find my way around:p

[Mr Flibble]

I tried Sagar (http://www.mywestminster.co.uk/westend/restaurants-reviews-sagar-westend.htm) at the weekend (on Percy Street). I'd looked at their menu in the window before and not seen the word vegan mentioned, but it transpires that they do actually have a vegan menu with a lot of choice. Why they don't say that until you explicitly ask I don't know.

It was indeed cheap, friendly and I would go again. I was disappointed with the onion rava dosa that I had for my main course (in comparison to that which I had in Leicester a couple of months back), so would try something else next time. Starter (bhaji) was very very nice.

[Stu]

Thanks for that, looks like tubes are the way to go.

Heehee, it's "the tube" (singular). You might sound a bit silly if you ask people about "the tubes." Just a wee tip!

[fiamma]

What's an Oyster card? (dumb Italian here...)

[Stu]

Nothing dumb about not knowing about something you had no reason to know about!

It's basically a London travel card. You top it up with credit like a pay-as-you-go mobile phone, or put a week/month's worth of travel on it for a set price. Then when you swipe it at the turnstile at the entrance to the tube, or when you get on a bus, the relevant fare is deducted from your account. You pay a £3 deposit when you get an Oyster Card. You can get them at any tube station.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyster_card

[lily80]

Heehee, it's "the tube" (singular). You might sound a bit silly if you ask people about "the tubes." Just a wee tip!

Good to know!

I still have 3 and a half weeks until i go but I am so looking forward to it, London has always been a place I have wanted to visit plus I haven't left Edinburgh since moving here 4 months ago so am definitely ready for a trip!

[Marrers]

Anyone recall the original Country Life on Heddon Street?! Well I happened upon new veggie restaurant Tibits (http://www.tibits.co.uk) today! It's round the corner from where CL originally was at 12-14 Heddon Street (off Regent Street, the Piccadilly Circus end, so handy for Glasshouse Stores!) and had a nice dinner in there. They had a good range of vegan dishes to choose from, though not much choice for desserts (they did have a vegan apple turnover though).

You help yourself to hot and cold food from an oval serving area and it is charged by weight at the tills which is reminiscent of Country Life, but it's much more stylish and upmarket - it is quite large with a good ambience, relaxed and modern with an interior by Designers Guild.
The cost is £2.50 per unit (whatever weight they charge by - sorry, I can't recall but it's not exactly cheap). They serve hot drinks, alcohol and cocktails as well and are open 8am til 12m/n Monday to Friday, 8.30am til m/n on Saturdays and 8.30am til 11pm on Sundays. Or you can get food to take away at £2.10 per unit.

They don't take reservations, you just turn up and hopefully can get a seat.

Here is some more info about it:- http://www.regentstreetonline.com/RegentStreet/EatDrinkChannel/Time+for+Tibits.htm

[Marrers]

Also there is a new veggie cafe / take away on Lexington Street called Mrs Marengo's.

They are related to Mildreds so you can get some dishes you may have had in the restaurant before - like the raspberry chocolate torte! As well as cakes they also do breakfasts, and other savoury food of course.

Oh and Beatroot have finally got a new chocolate cake recipe - it is delicious, give it a try!

[Stu]

Marrers, it's great having you as our resident restaurant critic! I'm gonna have to try those places out.

[harpy]

Those are good tips, Marrers. I was so upset when Country Life disappeared - excellent to hear that it's been sort of reincarnated (though Country Life was cheap and 100% vegan IIRC, grouse :D ).

[Marrers]

Oh and Beatroot have finally got a new chocolate cake recipe - it is delicious, give it a try!
I've now had a closer look at the take-away cake I bought today and I'm not sure they have actually changed the recipe yet so don't get all excited everyone.
I had a slice of the new recipe cake a few weeks back (when they made a test cake) and today I asked if they had changed over to the new cake yet and was told they had . . . but it looks just like the old one to me. :rolleyes:
I'll report back when I've tried it tomorrow.

[Marrers]

Marrers . . . our resident restaurant critic!
Just doing my VF duty Stu! (And expanding my waistline!) :o

Harpy me and my friend were so excited we could hardly breathe when we first visited Country Life when they were on Heddon Street - two huge buffet islands and we could eat every single thing there! :dizzy: We had never been anywhere like that before. It was nice to feel normal and not be singled out as the weird eater. Glad that times have changed since then!

[Zero]

I occassionally work in our London office, so I sometimes go to Futures Vegetarian Takeaway, which is in Botolph Alley off Botolph Lane and is very close to our office on Leadenhall Street, I remember having a Thai curry in particular that was very tasty.

[flying plum]

oh no...new restaurants. my wallet is very happy i'm not in london!

[Troutina]

Also there is a new veggie cafe / take away on Lexington Street called Mrs Marengo's.

That's where I went!
Couldn't think of the name.
I went with a friend for late dinner- they're open until 9pm.
I had a lovely stirfry, loads of veggies, and you can add tofu and cashew nuts for extra charge. My friend had a salad.
Didn't see any vegan cakes but we weren't there too long.
Friendly service and really reasonable prices.

[Marrers]

Yeah I don't think the cakes were marked cos I had a quick look and would have left if I hadn't been told they did suitable cake.

[derwenna]

Hello Londoners,

Looking for some quick advice... Can anyone suggest somewhere to eat in Camden which has vegan options but also serves fairly safe (i.e. not too spicy/exotic) omni food (or vegan food that traditional omnis might like)?

My band (two vegans and two omnis) have a gig in Camden this Saturday (11th) at this venue (http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=16&title=Cecil%20Sharp%20House%20Location&countryCode=GB&qs=NW17AY) on Regents Park road and as we're trekking all the way down from Oop North we'd like to go for a meal somewhere before the gig (we need to be back there to set up by 7 so somewhere open relatively early for evening meals). Last time I was there I went to a Thai buffet place opposite Camden tube station (think it was Veg Veg), if it still exists (anyone know?) I'm going to try and persuade the omnis to eat there with us, but the problem is that they're quite 'traditional' eaters and one also has digestive issues with spicy food, so as a back up plan in case I can't persuade them in, can anyone suggest somewhere we could all eat together?

I'm not after specifically vegan/vegetarian restaurants, just anywhere with something vegan on the menu so we can all eat together. Just don't want to spend hours wandering round searching for food, as we'll have had a long drive and won't have all that much time. Also want to prove to the omnis that finding vegan food in mainstream places isn't a massive pain in the arse...

Thanks!

[Marrers]

Just to add that Manna (http://www.manna-veg.com/where.html) is also close to your venue but is more upmarket and expensive - and you'll need to book a table (advisable for Green Note as well, esp on a Saturday night).

[robb]

A good bet might be the Camden branch of Wagamama - they do vegan dishes (ask for the special diets menu) as well as non-vegan dishes for those who can't handle a meat-free meal.

[Marrers]

Is there a Pizza Express there too? They can do a cheeseless pizza.

[BlackCats]

Also there is a new veggie cafe / take away on Lexington Street called Mrs Marengo's.

Oh and Beatroot have finally got a new chocolate cake recipe - it is delicious, give it a try!

I will have to sample these two next time I go to London.:)

[robb]

Is there a Pizza Express there too? They can do a cheeseless pizza.
I'm pretty sure that there's one almost directly opposite Green Note.

[Stu]

Hello Londoners...

I'm surprised you're not taking the opportunity to promote your gig! I cycle past that venue every day on my way to work. Anyway, have a good one.

Yeah, Green Note is probably a reasonable bet, as it's on Parkway - literally just around the corner from where you're playing. And yes, the Thai place is still there.

[Marrers]

I will have to sample these two next time I go to London.:)
I did post later that the cake at Beatroot turned out to be the old (yukky imo) recipe, so approach with caution!