Dragonfly Bistro Aberystwyth

May03
2019 Written by maggie

Veggie Restaurant

Opened recently in Aberystwyth. Just a 2 minute walk from the town centre behind the market hall you will find the best vegan cakes I have ever tried, backed up with a hearty menu of vegan food which is delicious.

This place is a real gem. The food is constantly changing with daily specials. Most of the food is suitable for gluten free diets as well, which i find astonishing as the cakes are just fantastic.

The customer service is lovely and the people that run it cook the food, make the cakes and serve you. They care.

I have been here a few times now and it just seems to be getting better. It is good value for money, the portions are very generous and I have always left feeling happy and full to the brim.

This is one of the best out of London all veggie places I have been to and that is saying something.

Top marks from me. I just love it there.

https://www.facebook.com/dragonflybistrouk/

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews - Tagged restricted diet aberystwyth, vegan aberystwyth, vegan cafe aberystwyth, vegan cakes gluten free aberystwyth, vegan gluten free, vegan restaurant wales, Vegan Wales, veggie wales

Plantkind Shrewsbury

Nov19
2018 Written by maggie

Vegan Cafe Shrewsbury

I have not been reviewing much lately, but I thought this place deserved a mention.

On milk street you will find Plantkind a vegan street food, falafel salad bar with some seating.

Be warned this place is busy, and I can tell you why . It is very very good. The food is high quality, presented beautifully, delicious and very reasonable on price.

The service is great in this all vegan eatery. We tried a wrap with a bit of everything (falafel, salads, dressings, quinoa )which was divine, also we had a chickpea curry dish with a flatbread. For pudding we have a slice of orange cake to share and it was just yummy washed down with a vegan cappucino.

This is my new favourite place in Shrewsbury, well worth a visit.

you can find them on facebook plantkind shrewsbury

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews

Vegan Japanese Restaurant Shrewsbury

Sep17
2017 Written by maggie

Itadaki Zen Shrewsbury

To my delight I as I was walking through Shrewsbury on an unplanned visit, I remembered that there was a new vegan food outlet opened on Fish Street, and it was open for lunch.

Not having had vegan Japanese food before I was looking forward to trying it. We both had a lunchtime bento box at £10 each, plus a glass of wine ( it was a treat after all) and for dessert a chocolate mousse cake.

Served with a cup of miso on the side with a vinegar type dip and soy sauce dip, we tucked in. Not heavily spiced which I liked. We had tempura which was pretty hard to eat with chop sticks tasted great, marinated tofu which was tasty, spring roll hot and crispy, vegan sushi not my personal favourite, but Paul who likes that enjoyed it, salad and beansprouts which were marinated. The bento box was perfect for lunch and very satisfying I could not complain and I would highly recommend. The dessert was OK, not sweet, very small and it lacked a punch. But it was only £4. The wine was very good.

The evening menu looks delightful and I will most likely be back to try that at some point, next time I come to Shrewsbury.

The restaurant is in what looks like an olde world type pub timber frame building which is very pretty, however not much of a nod to the Japanese style. It was also quite dark which is fine for the restaurant, however in the ladies room it was very dark, could not really check my makeup. Plus they need a little bit better extraction for the food smells, when I left and I could smell the place on my clothes for the rest of the day.

Shrewsbury has become a little hotspot for veggies, with the Goodlife Cafe, O’Joy and now this lovely addition. Worth a visit

www.itadakizen-uk.com

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews - Tagged japanese vegan shrewsbury, review itadaki zen shrewsbury, vegan shrewsbury

Uncle Alberts Veggie Cafe & Ice Cream Parlour

Mar22
2017 Written by maggie

Veggie Cafe Borth Ceredigion

In the little seaside town of Borth, near to Aberystwyth Ceredigion is a compact, rustic ice cream parlour/veggie cafe named after the resident cat Uncle Albert.

The ice cream parlour section is vegetarian with a couple of vegan options. The cafe food all looks homemade and fresh to order with a mix of vegan and vegetarian options.

We tried the all day breakfast, as you can see it was lovely, tasted great and was quite filling. There is a vegan cake option every day. The cafe is friendly and has a community feel.

Its worth a visit if you are in the area.

https://www.facebook.com/Borth-Cafe-Uncle-Alberts-Ice-Cream-Emporium-110191052351591/

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews - Tagged uncle alberts ice cream parlour and veggie cafe, vegan vegetarian cafe borth ceredigion, vegan west wales

Vegan Hippo, Rupert Street, London

Feb26
2017 Written by maggie

Vegan Hippo, Soho

I have wanted to go here for a while, the last time I tried it had a line up the street, so i missed out.

The place is a little bit ramshackle, which is no bad thing, it did seem clean. We had a jackfruit burger and a vegan breakfast (full English). The burger was really nice and came with some kale chips, packed full of flavour. The vegan breakfast was OK but not great. The tofu was a bit bland, the vegan sausage was super firm, the flavour was nice but the texture was too hard for me. Everything else was fine.

www.veganhippo.com

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews - Tagged vegan breakfast london, vegan food london, vegan hippo soho london

The Gate Seymour Place London

Feb23
2017 Written by maggie

The Gate, Seymour Place, London

Not long opened, so we wanted to give it a try as it was just a quick walk from our hotel. We booked for a Saturday night and had fun. The food was well presented, the staff were friendly, and the wine was yummy. All the food worked well, just one dish had an issue which was my quinoa salad, there was only a few grains of quinoa, so I think it was a stretch to call it a quinoa salad. The vegan desserts were really nice too which is a real bonus.

It was so good, we decided to go for a fancy breakfast on the Monday morning. We were really hungry so we both went for a full English breakfast vegan option. Oh dear what a mistake. It took ages to arrive and we were the only customers in the place. When it arrived my heart sank. They clearly have no idea on what a full British breakfast should look like. It was a very mean portion, the one mushroom was OK, a teaspoon of homemade baked beans (which looked like tinned baked beans with some added tomato bits and onion), tofu scramble (bland and heavy with spring onions which was unpleasant), half a sausage cut into 2 bits, 2 slices of tofu with griddle lines on it (this was supposed to be the bacon), bland bland bland, wet spinach yuk, a tomato and a hash brown. All of it was warm not hot and they served it with one slice of toast cut in two, they did not even have any vegan margarine. Just awful at £12 per plate it was shocking. To be fair the staff were very sheepish and understood that it was not up to standard, they had already taken the breakfast off the bill (before we complained) and only charged us for the drinks.

I would love a good vegan breakfast in London, and sadly I am still looking.

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews - Tagged gourmet vegan restaurant london, the gate seymour place london, vegan breakfast london

Crimson Rhino Aberystwyth

Sep26
2016 Written by maggie

Veggie Cafe & Evening Bistro Aberystwyth

If you happen to be in mid Wales try out the Crimson Rhino. It has been open for a little while now and slowly but surely it is getting better and better. They started out really small with some sandwiches and juices, now you can get some full on delicious meals, lots of vegan choices and can even have an evening meal.

The decor has improved and now they have an outdoor seating area at the back which is really great. This is a small business who does nothing but reinvest back in to create a lovely space for everyone who likes yummy reasonably priced food.

Paul tried the veggie burger which was served with a saucy dip and chips, he enjoyed it. I had some sweet potato fries, humous and an avocado. Very good and filling food.

www.crimsonrhino.co.uk

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews - Tagged crimson rhino aberystwyth, vegan cafe aberystwyth, vegetarian aberystwyth mid wales

Vegan London Trip

Sep21
2016 Written by maggie

Veggies in London

I had a little break in London and of course I visited my favourites including Mildreds, Manna and Tibits. However I got a chance to try out a couple of new places and I found the best Vegan dessert I have ever had.

Veggie Pret

I have been wanting to go here since they opened a few months ago as a pop up, they have decided to keep it open and have plans to open more veggie only branches. There is a good choice of vegan options and everything else is vegetarian. I sampled a few items, including the vegan wholegrain porridge, focaccia bread, veggie sticks and humous, vegan yoghurt with fruit and nuts, vegan cakes too. They offer all kinds of non dairy milks. I am so impressed with Pret. You can eat here pretty cheap. I just wish they had a veggie Pret in every town.

Fed By Water

A short run out to Dalston, Kingsland High Street, is an all vegan Italian style restaurant. Prepare to be literally stuffed. The portions are massive. My advice is not to order a starter unless you are really hungry or share it. The food is excellent. We tried the Bruschetta and garlic bread to start ( it was enough for at least 4 people we were just 2) For main I had the tagliatelle with seitan and cream sauce, this was yummy however I could only eat about half, it was so filling. Paul had a classic pizza, he loved it but again could not finish it. We could not manage dessert. The menu is very appealing and I look forward to going again

Mildreds

The best Vegan Dessert I have ever had. It was a vegan meringue with vegan coconut cream, rhubarb and rhubarb sauce. You would not think it was vegan. You have to try this dessert.

I really enjoyed my trip to all the veggie restaurants, Tibits was its usual selection of yummy buffet food, and we had Sunday lunch at Manna which was so tasty. In London veggies are spoilt for choice.

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews - Tagged fed by water vegan italian london, london vegan, manna london, mildreds london, vegan meringue, veggie pret

Quorn Hot & Spicy Vegan Burger

Aug25
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Quorn Burger

I was so excited when Quorn announced a vegan burger, but this is the first time I have had a chance to try them

These are relatively small by normal burger standards. They can be cooked in the oven for 19 minutes, or pan fried for 10 minutes – I pan fried mine.

When cooked, they have a nice golden colour. They have a crisp exterior from the breadcrumbs and a fake chicken type interior texture and colour. There is a good amount of heat that builds over time.

Overall, whether you like these or not will depend if you like chicken-style burgers. If you do, and you like them with dollop of heat, then these are well worth a try.

Suitable for vegans. I got mine in Morrisons supermarket, freezer section.

www.quorn.co.uk

Posted in 2. Product Reviews - Tagged hot and spicy vegan burger, quorn vegan burger, vegetarian burger chicken style

Morrisons 4U Chocolate Coated Ice Lolly

Aug24
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Choc Ice Lolly

Thanks to my readers for telling me that Morrison’s do a version of a vegan ice cream lolly. Tesco do them too which I reviewed recently.

The ice cream is vanilla creamy non dairy ice cream with a chocolate coating which is lovely, it cracks when you bite into it. it does seem to go everywhere when you bite into it, but that is part of the fun. I really enjoyed them and they are pretty good value. £1.50 to £2 per pack.

Suitable for vegans. Sold in the freezer free from section, (not the ice cream section in my store) 240kcal per lolly

www.morrisons.co.uk

Posted in 2. Product Reviews - Tagged dairy free ice cream lolly, morrisons 4U Free from chocolate coated iced dessert, vegan choc ice, vegan ice cream lolly

Suma Vegan Beans & Sausages

Aug19
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Canned Beans and Sausages

I have hoped for a vegan version of beans and sausage in a tin for years. There is a veggie version but it has eggs in. Now we have a vegan version from Suma, finally.

The Lincolnshire style meat free sausages flavour reminds me of the vegetable ravioli in a can (i have not had that for years as I think it is veggie not vegan). The baked beans are what you would expect and the sausages are quite soft. Perfect for a quick meal.

This is not a great culinary delight, however it is a classic combination, a great product in my opinion. I think lots of people will keep these in the cupboard for those days when you want something comforting, tasty and easy. Perfect with toast.

I got mine as a sample from my local health food shop who very kindly saved me a tin, available from September 2016 from Suma stockists.

Suitable for vegans. Per 100grams is 120kcal.

www.suma.coop

Posted in 2. Product Reviews - Tagged baked beans and sausage vegan, suma baked beans with lincolnshire meat free sausages, suma beans and sausage review, vegan beans and sausage, vegan ready meal

Tofurky Smoky Maple Bacon Tempeh

Aug15
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Bacon

Paul tried these for me, here is what he said.

As someone who loves maple syrup (try a glug of it in a jar of sliced pickled gherkins – yum), I was looking forward to this.

That excitement disappeared during cooking – the smell was very off-putting. Let’s be kind and call it “ammonia”..

These are very narrow for rashers at just 11.5cm x 1cm, but they hold together and the texture is a mix of firm but crumbly.

If you’ve tried the vBites tempeh rashers, you’ll recognise the initial savoury hit, which is pleasant – but there remained a faint essence of “ammonia”.

Paul was not impressed with these, shame.

They are suitable for vegans. 100 grams is 115kcal Got ours in Holland & Barratt.

www.tofurky.com

Posted in 2. Product Reviews - Tagged tofurky maple bacon review, Vegan Bacon, vegan blt

Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs

Aug10
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Chickpea Puffs

I found these in Holland and Barratt. A vegan snack made from chickpeas.

They are like a “large wotsit” about 5cm long, and very crispy. They are quite dry and very puffed up. The 3 flavours :-

“In Herbs we Trust” has a strong, sweet oregano, rosemary and thyme flavour.

“Pepper Power” is the least complex flavour of the three, delivering on salt and pepper.

“Sweet & Smokin” has the familiar flavour of sweet smoked paprika.

The flavours were all quite salty and I found I had to have a drink of water with them. A different and interesting snack, but not something I would rush out for again. Quite expensive at £1.19 a pack.

Suitable for vegans and 91kcal per bag. gluten free and no trans fats.

www.hippeas.com

Posted in 2. Product Reviews - Tagged chickpea crisps, hippeas chickpea puffs review, vegan snack

Tesco Vegan Choc Sticks

Aug04
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Ice Cream Lolly

A pack of 3 dairy free chocolate coated ice cream lollies from Tesco free from range. tesco_chocsticks

The lolly is a good size quite big really. The chocolate coating is OK, it is dark chocolate over a vanilla ice cream. The flavour is a little bland, I would have liked more vanilla. But the lolly was pleasant enough as a vegan dessert.

I bought mine through the Tesco delivery service, however they are hard to find, you have to search for “Choc Sticks”. I paid £1.50 for a box of 3. Each lolly is 236kcal.

www.tesco.com

Posted in 2. Product Reviews - Tagged dairy free choc ice, tesco free from choc sticks vegan, vegan choc ice, vegan ice cream lolly, vegan magnum copy

O Joy Shrewsbury

Jul19
2016 Written by maggie

Veggie Cafe & Bistro

Formerly known as Optimum Joy, the cafe has had a face lift and is now mostly vegan.

We went for lunch, the atmosphere is pleasant, the food choices are quite simple for lunch, with lots of tapas food on offer.

I went for the cashew cheese sandwich, Paul had the Haggis sandwich. Both were served with a little bit of salad and vegetable crisps. I enjoyed the cashew cheese, the bread they use is very tasty, but was very chewy on the crusts. Paul said the Haggis sandwich was tasty and quite filling.

We decided to share a cupcake for a dessert, they looked yummy, however that is the only compliment I can say. It was truly the most awful cupcake I have ever had, the cake was dry and very crumbly like sand, I thought it might be improved by the creamy topping, it was not. I am not sure what was in it, but they seriously need to rethink this.

Vegan cakes are not hard to make, very few veggie places do a good vegan dessert. I like pudding, and I know lots of vegans who do too. Stick to the savoury when you visit, then you will not be let down.

Located in Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury

www.ojoywellness.com

Posted in 5. Restaurant Reviews - Tagged shropshire vegetarian restaurant, vegan cafe shrewsbury, vegetarian food shrewsbury