Category Archives: vegan

Sri Lankan Vegan night with Gayanis Kitchen HQ at The Gunmakers Arms.

Posted in Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, Events, Food, Independent, Sri Lankan food, vegan, vegetarian by

    
Fancy Sri Lankan Vegan food? 

Then on the 10th September Gayanis Kitchen HQ are offering a sumptuous and mouthwatering menu at The Gunmakers Arms in Birmingham City Centre.

On the evening Traditional home cooked dishes using exotic Sri Lankan vegetables and spices and organic rice will provide a feast for the senses and the palate.

There will be a three course meal for £25 including tasters of Two Towers Brewery vegan friendly Ale. 

Please note their is a limit of 20 places available. 

Pre booking is essential and can be done by emailing office@twotowersbrewery.co.uk

The menu is 

Gayani Sewwandi 

Gayani Sewwandi 25 August 22:43

Stsrter: Chick pea baddum with pineapple salad . 

Main with Rice , mushroom curry, Lentil curry, okra baddum, vegetable curry, spring greens mallum, pol sambol, potato baddum , popadums and exotic fruit salad. 

Sounds a magical evening of delicious Sri Lankan food and quality local ales. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath Street, Birmingham City centre. B4 6HG.

Urban pop up #JQ Vegan night 1st September, Birmingham. 

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Independent Birmingham, Jewellery Quarter, Pop up's, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

There’s something Vegan friendly happening in September in the Jewellery Quarter. 

The next in the #Urbanpopup at their Jewellery Quarter branch sees them celebrating all things Vegan. 

The menu is Thai themed and will include 5 courses tasting menu plus drinks to match for £39. Everything been vegan friendly. 

Tickets are £39 plus booking fee if booking online. They can also be brought at the JQ emporium or via Eventbright. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-pop-up-vegan-night-tickets-27028607292

Courses as follows; 
1. Tom Yum Soup. 
2. Tempura Smoked Tofu with Ginger and Lime Dipping Sauce.

3. Mango and Kale Thai Green Curry with Jasmine Rice.

4. Coconut and Rasberry Mousse.

5. Chocolate and Orange Salted Caramel Tart.

Looks a good menu. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Brum Vegan Beer and food festival 15th and 16th July 2016.

Posted in Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, Catering, City Centre, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie Burgers, Veggie foodie by

   
  

Hurray! It’s that time of year again. 

The legendary Brum Vegan Beer Fest is nearly upon us, with a lip smacking line up of local Brewers for thirsty beer drinkers to try. Of course you don’t have to be Vegan or Veggie to love them, but it sure helps. 

Last years event was one of the best and most fun times I’ve had since I begin my blog. Just quality Berra and friendly and happy chatter that makes this event unique in the Birmingham Summer calender. 

This year there are twelve local breweries involved in its ever expanding drink fest. A varied selection of brews hosted by the daddy of them all Two Towers Brewery in their Gunmakers Arms pub in the City Centre. 

Food is also on offer from The Vegan Grindhouse. Sadly ChangeKitchen CIC will no longer be in attendance. (Details of dishes to come when I have them).

   
 

The Beer List:

Bar 1.

Freedom Brewery: Authentic lager, 4% (pale).
Freedom Authentic has a citrus nose, and sweet malt and roasted cereal aromas. It’s well-balanced, with a bitter finish.

Rocknroll Brewhouse: Bramble On, 4.7% (pale). 
A stronger strength version of one of our popular pale ales, single hopped with British Bramling Cross hops.

Sacre Brew: Sirenia, 4.1% (pale). 

Citrussy American-style wheat beer. Brewed with lemongrass, orange & lemon peels, coriander seed, and chamomile.

Two Towers Brewery: Chamberlain Pale Ale, 4.5% (pale). 

A crisp, light, well-hopped traditional pale ale that yields the flavours of four carefully balanced hops with considerable, but not overwhelming, fruits finishing with long traditional sweet, biscuit malt and very pleasant distinctive nutty flavours.

Two Towers Brewery: Demon beer, 4.1% (pale). 

A rich IPA with a syrupy body. Mango and orange flavours give way to hints of lemon & grapefruit with a long lasting finish.

Two Towers Brewery:  Hockley Gold, 4.1% (amber).

This is a sweet, deep gold-coloured ale with a distinctive syrupy texture surrounding subtle fruit flavours, all underpinned by that fulfilling malt undertone providing the Two Towers characteristic ‘long’ final palette. 
Two Towers Brewery: Jewellery Porter, 5% (dark).

An outstanding, highly-acclaimed, full-bodied stout with a thick texture, producing a complex range of tastes that include coffee, chocolate and toffee with a delightful array of subtle fruit notes.

Two Towers Brewery: Number 11, 4.3% (pale).

An ale perfect to reflect a warm summer’s day, with floral notes hitting you on the nose and in the flavour profile. The fruit and light malt flavours give way to a very long bitter but smooth and long lasting finish. 

Bar 2:

The Backyard Brewhouse: Summer, 4% (pale). 

Golden straw ale. This is not a ginger beer but a beer infused with ginger. Aroma of ginger, lime and spice with a light crisp refreshing flavour without being over powering.

Cradock’s Brewery: Stout, 4.5% (dark). 

This black beer has been brewed to capture all the joys of stout without being too heavy. It owes its depth to the blend of roasted malts and a subtle use of hops. (cask).

Fixed Wheel Brewery  The Kaiser, 5.0% (pale)

Our German wheat beer in honour of Tour legend Jan Ullrich, big banana flavours on a vienna and pils base topped of with melon flavours from the new German hop huell melon.

The Fownes Brewing Company: Upper Gornal bitter, 3.8% (amber). 

Traditional Gornal bitter malt profile with a modern hopping regime.

Green Duck Beer Co’ Hoppy Hopkins, 4.6% (pale). 

A stramash of high alpha hops combine to give a super hoppy bitter beer with citrus and herbal flavours.

Kinver Brewery: Swallow’s T’Ale, 4.1% (pale). 

A light golden bitter, brewed with a selection of English and American hops.

Twisted Barrel Ale Brewery and Tap House, Export India Porter, 6% (dark). 

A hoppy roasted porter with huge coffee aroma and a lasting bitter finish thanks to the liberal use of Cascade, Chinook and Columbus.

Weatheroak Hill Brewery, Cofton Common, 4.9% (pale/amber) 
An Ale for Lager drinkers and a Lager for Ale drinkers! Cofton Common is our Hybrid Lager, brewed with German Noble Tettnanger hops and then fermented at low temperatures for a clean flavour profile. We leave Cofton Common to mature in a cold cellar for at least 4 weeks before serving, as is traditional with German lager brewing. 

The Vienna malt gives this beer a dry lightly biscuity backbone that tastes equally good as a winter warmer or a crisp, refreshing summer ale.

It looks a fantastic line up and should be an amazing two days celebrating llocal Vegan friendly beers with two outstanding Vegan foodstops.

Cheers 🍺🍺🍴

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

 

   
    
 Thanks to Tim, Birmingham Urban Sketchers for the Art Work from last years event.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Birminghamurbansketchers/

http://www.gunmakersarms.com/

http://twotowersbrewery.co.uk/

https://m.facebook.com/Brum-Vegan-Beer-Fest-1547216718922084/

Veg-spiration, Amber Locke and Sainsbury’s unveil the first ever in-store vegetable butcher. 

Posted in Events, Food, London, Supermarkets, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  
  

  
Food has often been featured in art, whether it be Van Gogh, Caravaggio, or Leonardo di Vinci or basically my experience of art in school, an apple a day keeps the artist at play. 

Now, Due to demand and the increase in the sales of vegetables Sainsbury’s are launching the first in-store vegetable butcher.

Food artist Amber Locke will be in-store turning customer vegetables into new and exciting creations for them to enjoy at home.
The UK’s first in-store Vegetable Butcher will be in its Wandsworth Superstore, South West London from the 16th-18th June. 

Working with vegetable expert and artist Amber Locke, the butcher will show customers there’s no limit to the ways vegetables can be incorporated into their everyday meals, and encourage them to make the most of their favourites from ‘root to tip’.

 The first of its kind veggie counter will be open on a trial basis for three days only, so veg fans should get there quickly as Amber will be demonstrating a range of exciting vegetable preparation techniques from delicious avocado ribbons and broccoli noodles to how to julienne a pepper. 

 Inspired by the rise in nose to tail eating and the expert knife skills found in traditional butchers, The Vegetable Butcher will allow customers to discover new ways to prepare classics such as carrots, broccoli and cucumbers whilst being inspired to try new varieties including beetroot and celeriac and learning innovative ways to use all of the vegetable – all absolutely free. 

 Amber says: “I am passionate about inspiring people to eat more vegetables and showing them just how many ways there are to prepare and enjoy classic produce such as a carrot or pepper, so the “Vegetable Butcher” is the perfect role for me. I can’t wait to hear what customers think of my vegetable-inspired creations, and hopefully food fans will be tempted to go home and try one of the new techniques for themselves this summer.”

While Sainsbury’s is already leading the way with the launch of innovative products such as “Courgetti” and “Boodles” (butternut squash noodles) – the Vegetable Butcher at the Wandsworth store will use more than six different techniques to prepare vegetables including ribbon cut, spiralising, mandolin, wave-cut and julienne. 

The Vegetable Butcher will be open for three days only at the Sainsbury’s Wandsworth store on 16th June (10am – 5pm), 17th June and 18th June (11am – 7pm).

Customers can buy their favourite loose vegetables, then take them to the counter for a preparation of their choice – or to be inspired by a new way to prepare and enjoy them – at no additional cost. 

For more vegetable inspiration, please visit:

http://www.homemadebyyou.co.uk/

Or follow on Twitter at @SainsburysNews.

Sounds a fascinating few days. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Amber Locke is a Vegan artist whose gorgeous geometric fruit and veg designs have made raw veg a work of art. You can find more about her on Twitter @rawveganblonde

https://twitter.com/rawveganblonde?lang=en-gb

Or via her website: 
http://www.ambaliving.com/about

Or Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/rawveganblonde/?hl=en

Veggie Street food watch: Buddha Belly. 

Posted in Brum Yum Yum, Independent, Kings Heath, Street Food, Thai, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie, Veggie Foodie Street Food watch by

  

It seems that you cannot escape street food in Birmingham these days, and rightly so as the informality of eating food this way is an enlightened experience that in particular is Summer on a plate or container in this case. I’m a massive fan and am finding more and more to celebrate with this kind of eating.

It maybe easy to think that the street food scene isn’t for vegetarians and vegans, but one that’s top heavy with burgers and meat traders. Though to a degree this can seem true on occasions, there is a number of vegetarian and vegan traders on the scene as well as traders that cater well for meat free options. It’s just a case of knowing where and to whom to seek out. From burgers, Indian, Thai, Malaysian, Mexican, pizza, cakes, crepes and Mediterranean there’s a whole world to discover.

The beauty of Streetfood is that there’s usually something for everyone. Go with friends, family, children, take your time and explore. Ruth and I frequently go to Brum Yum Yum #KingshEATh in Kings Heath. Often She goes one way for food, I go another then we meet and eat and enjoy a beer with the food. Sometimes we go to the same place, Ruth even has vegetarian or vegan on a occasions. It’s often not knowing what you will choose to eat until you get there that is the pull and where discoveries arise.

So as a way of celebrating streetfood in all its guises I’m introducing an occasional series of posts focusing on the best traders and dishes for Vegetarians and Vegans to try in the Midlands area. 

Buddha Belly run by Sai and her husband James is authentic Thai streetfood that can be enjoyed by everyone. Though not a fully veggie/vegan trader Buddha Belly has superb options that are authentic and a taste sensation. You can find them around Birmingham and the Midlands at streetfood events such as Brum Yum Yum, Digbeth Diner and Scoffs streetfood in Coventry amongst others. 

Sai appeared on Masterchef in 2012 and out of that experience came the Buddha Belly concept that thrills so many and has made them ‘Best Streetfood trader in the Midlands’ and ‘Best streetfood in England and Wales’ winners in 2014. 

Food prepared fresh from scratch, low in fat and authentically made with passion is the name of the game here. Ingredients are sourced locally and all meat (for your chums) is organic/free range and locally supplied. 

All sauces are freshly made, have a serious kick and make the dish what it is..Joyous. 

I tried the Vegan Yellow curry: A creamy, comforting delight of authenticity. Roasted cumin, Corriander seeds, Butternut Squash, Cauliflower, Courgettes.

A big dose of aromatic flavours, a thick consistency, with a delicate velvety texture. 

With lovely spices running through the bright yellow golden ray of sunshine, it’s a Vegan curry to beat. 

Without question the nicest Thai Yellow Curry I’ve eaten in the UK, that’s generous in size for £5 of your street food funds. 

Beautifully memorable flavours and presented to restaurant standard. 

  Vegan Yellow Curry.   

  

Buddha Belly at Brum Yum Yum: KingshEATh. 

  
    
    
 Brum Yum Yum in the sun. 

home

Wash down this delicious curry with  local Two Towers Brewery, Vegan friendly Beers Complete Muppetry and Hockley Gold from The British Bus Bar. 

   

 
 
Buddha Belly also serve Vegetarian Spicy Noodles at streetfood events such as Brum Yum Yum and Digbeth Diner.

Brum Yum Yum is held on the second Saturday of the month, in Kings Heath, Birmingham.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Veggie Foodie guide to the Best places for a vegetarian curry in Birmingham.

Posted in Birmingham, Birmingham Mail, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Curry restaurants, Independent, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Curry in its various guises is for many Vegetarians their go to food. It is for me and often the first meal I have when I come back from a holiday abroad for instance. 

For veggies, it appears to be the cuisine that we have the most options on the menu. 

Birmingham has a number of fine Indian restaurants and cafes. This is my personal selection (though not definitive) which originally appeared in the Birmingham Mail for National Vegetarian Week. 

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/need-decent-vegetarian-curry-birmingham-11337381

In no particular order:

Lasan:

For a sophisticated and exquisite curry in cool surroundings Lasan in the Jewellery Quarter ticks the box. Try the Tikki Veggie Platter to start, so as to get a flavour of the refinement of the subtle spicing. The Chamon Punjabi main course is easily the best paneer, Spinach combo in the city. The Sweet Potato Kofta is also memorable. Never fails to inspire. 
 Sweet potato Kofta. 

  
Chamon Punjabi

  Tikki vegetarian platter.

Deepalis

A fully Vegetarian indian restaurant, based on Alfred Road, Sparkbrook and in the Jewellery Quarter (currently closed). Try the Chilli Paneer, Aloo Dosa or Papdi Chaat or for dessert the indulgent Gulab Jamun. Deepalis represents skilfully cooked vibrant vegetarian food, modestly priced in informal surroundings. A winner. 
  Chilli Paneer

Ashas:

For Luxurious surroundings and homely but well-crafted food try Ashas in the city centre, with cocktails a flowing Ashas is modern and full of atmosphere. Try the best Papdi Chaat in the city, or the main course Kadhai Paneer an exotic treat, or the divine and succulently spiced Aloo Mattar Gobhi. The Naan’s and Poppadoms are also superb.

For a sophisticated curry in the city centre Ashas is a joy for veggies. 
  
Papdi Chaat

  
Kadhai Paneer

Milans Sweet Centre:

Based on Stoney Lane, near Sparkbrook and the Balti quarter, pure vegetarian Milans is informality and charming personified. Try the Matter Paneer the Daal or the Palak, the Masala Dosa’s also popular as are the indian Sweets. A vast choice for veggies at bargain prices.

  

Jyoti . 
One of my favourite places to eat in Birmingham. Based in Hall Green on the Stratford Road,  Jyoti is fully vegetarian and doubles as a restaurant and sweet centre. Taking its inspiration from South India It entices the palette with exotic flavours and a massive choice of 15 starters and 72 main courses. With a homely feel there’s no better choice. Try the set meals which gives a terrific overview of the food, or the Thalis  and Puri and Aloo Curry. The paneer dishes are also incredible. Bring your own alcohol. 

  
Jyoti from the outside.

Itihaas:

Located in the city centre on Fleet Street and in a smaller capacity at Selfridges food hall, Itihaas is one of the best indian restaurants in Birmingham for vegetarians, smart, but traditional. It’s sleek, contemporary and friendly. Try the vegetarian sharing platter to begin or the Chaat and dosas or one of the many Paneer dishes such as the Makhani Paneer with its top notch spicing or maybe for something different the Quorn mince Kofta. Itihaas has Outstanding choice for vegetarians who seek aromatic joy. 
  
Makhani Paneer
  
Itihaas from the outside.

  Paneer at Itihaas

Pushkar:

The glamorous and elegant Pushkar, on Broad Street in the city centre has consistently been winning awards since it opened. For exquisite cocktails and a vibrant atmosphere visit on a weekend and indulge. The phadhari Kofta is superb, as is the saag paneer and appetiser Vermicelli William and For the undecided the Pushkar panorama , a taste of all the veggie appetisers. A classy taste fantastic restaurant, and one of my favourites.

  
Phadari Kofta and Saag Paneer (Left)

  

  
Pushkar from the outside.

Kababish: 

A Moseley institution, a fine family run restaurant that’s consistent and full of good veggie options. Serving authentic Pakistani dishes try the Paneer Shashlik for a subtle joy or the Tarka Daal, which is stunning and a must have. The Gobhi Mutter is lovely and the Balti’s are some of the best in the area.A rewarding reasonably priced experience, plus there’s cocktails and lovely friendly service. Food made with passion and care.
  
Gobhi Mutter
  
Tarka Daal.

Raja Monkey:

Get closer to the real India with Raja Monkey. A roadside cafe on the Stratford Road in Hall Green serving true classics. Owned by the aforementioned Lasan restaurants its a vibrant space of informality. A must is the veggie Sharkarkand Thal  for that complete and authentic meal experience and to begin their famous Dosas.The Masala Aloo Dosa is perfection made fresh in front of you. I adore the food, the rustic decor, for veggies its a must place to visit. Raja Monkey is also do the best take away and delivery. Restaurant food at home. 
  
Veggie Shakarkand Thali 
  
Masala Aloo Dosa 

  

Kings Indian Dining:

A Kings Heath institution, veggie friendly Kings is comfort curry, but with keen spicing and a large veggie menu. Try one of the Balti’s, Saag Aloo or Mattar Paneer. Also the Onion Bhaji is an appetiser to recommend. Traditional, affordable and Friendly. Delivering excellent choice for vegetarians. It’s also Bring Your Own alcohol and does takeaways. 
  

Al Frash Balti:

  

A addition to my original article Al Frash is Located in Birmingham’s Balti Triangle  (meaning Butterfly) it serves reputable Balti’s on the Ladypool Road. With numerous vegetarian options its a bargain winner with a bring your own policy. One of the best Balti restaurants you could find anywhere.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Links to my previous articles with the Birmingham Mail:

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/very-best-places-vegetarian-food-10157489

http://www.wowbrum.co.uk/food-and-drink/10-best-restaurants-cheese-birmingham-10467564

Some of the photos from The Birmingham Mail. 

More than just a meal: Yumzee comes to Birmingham.

Posted in Birmingham, Supper Clubs, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   

Ever been to someone’s house and said wow that’s good food. You should cook for others. Well it seems you can.

There is a food revolution cooking up in the kitchen near you and it’s being served in Birmingham. 

Yumzee has launched. 

Yumzee is a new way of social dining and connects people who love to cook, with those who love food, in great company and in a unique and authentic home experience. Think ‘AirBnB meets Come Dine With Me’.

After being a big trend in Paris social dining has finally come to Brum too. 

Those of us who are passionate about cooking can become hosts and create a meal, be it a dinner party, Sunday brunch or cocktail tasting. The host chooses the date, sets the number of places at the table, creates the menu, and sets the price for the meal. 

Those of us who love to eat can sign up to the meal, show up to the host’s home, meet new wonderful people and enjoy. Et voilà – you host or attend your very own supper club.

Vegetarians are catered for at most meals and there are  invitations to set up complete veggie and vegan meals. 

Yumzee is a fantastic new way to meet like-minded people and enjoy a new and authentic experience in one of the hosts’ comfortable homes. A chance to bond over one of the most basic yet enjoyable experiences in life, food. 

Yumzee have hosted many meals already where people started as strangers and left as friends.

One of their guests has said: ‘’I can’t believe how nervous I was when I first rang the doorbell, compared to how sad I was when it was time to say goodbye. It was a really great bunch of people, and I really didn’t want the night to end. What a difference to my normal Friday night take away!‘’

Get involved and take your passion to the next level or to meet likeminded people over great food. 

Join us for A Taste of Home (Indian), L’art de Vivre (French Fusion) or a traditional Sunday Dinner.

http://www.yumzee.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/Yumzee-154140481612878/?fref=nf

So check Yumzee out and get involved.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

    
    
 

Win two tickets to Foodies Festival, Canon Hill Park, Birmingham, June 3-5.

Posted in Birmingham, Food Festivals, Street Food, vegan, vegetarian by

A few weeks ago I mentioned in my blog that the Foodies Festival was coming to Birmingham Canon Hill Park from the 3rd-5th June.

   

 The Foodies Festival has a host of exciting foodie related things to do and a lot for Vegetarians including celebrity chefs, demos, street food, artisan food stalls and cocktails/wine and real ale and is good family day out in one of Birmingham’s most beautiful parks. 

For one lucky reader there is an opportunity to win a pair of tickets for any of the three days. Friday through to Sunday. 

All you have to do to win the tickets for the Foodies Festival at Canon Hill Park is: 

Follow me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/andydhare

And 

Retweet any of my tweets about the competition and festival. 

(If you already follow me you only have to Retweet) 

Or on Facebook, 

http://b-m.facebook.com/Veggie-Foodie-1488625224714229/

like the status and follow Veggie Foodie facebook page.

Terms and Conditions:

The competition will end on Monday 30th May at 12pm and no entries received after that date and time will be accepted.

One winner will receive two tickets that can be used on any day of the festival you wish and are valid for one day’s entry.

The winners contact details will be passed on by myself to Lanyard Media who will be dispatching the tickets to them.

I’ve been selected as one of Birmingham’s Foodies Festival official bloggers by Lanyard Media.

Good luck with the competition. 
Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

You can still get 2-1 tickets via the code below available on the Foodies Festival website.

   
 

KingshEATh goes Veggie: All Vegetarian Street Food day. Sunday 22nd May, Kings Heath.

Posted in Food Festivals, Independent, Kings Heath, pizza, Street Food, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

This month, Brum Yum Yum are serving up a double helping of their hugely popular KingshEATh Street Food Market, in Kings Heath, Burmingham.

As well as their regular monthly market on Saturday 14th (always the second Saturday of the month) the pioneers of Birmingham’s street food renaissance are collaborating with leading Midlands street food company, The Vegan Grindhouse to host an all Vegetarian street food ‘special edition’ on Sunday 22nd May from 12-5pm, at Kings Heath Village Square, High St B14 7RA.

KingshEATh goes veggie the only 100% meat-free street food event in the region, will feature dishes freshly cooked by leading street food chefs, showcasing entirely Vegetarian menus with Vegan options available at every stall. 

As a big supporter of Brum Yum Yum KingshEATh I was flattered to be asked for a quote by organiser Duncan Stanley for the event: I said, 

“For flesh-dodgers of a foodie nature, KingshEATh Goes Veggie ticks the meat-free box and proves that you don’t need to eat meat to enjoy fantastic street food!”

As well as all the street food, the event will feature live music from local musicians, a bar from local all-vegan brewery Twisted Barrel Ales along with organic fruit and vegetables, animal-friendly clothing and cosmetics, a fermented drinks bar, and a range of vegan and gluten-free cakes and desserts.

The event is supporting Gracie’s Rest a not-for-profit organisation that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes animals in crisis. 

http://www.gracesrest.co.uk/

Lisa Burbidge-Brown, Co-owner of The Vegan Grindhouse said,

“Following on from the huge success of last July’s event, we are thrilled to be co-hosting this, the first of two KingshEATh Goes Veggie specials this year. It’s a great way to showcase quality meat-free street food and raise money for a good cause at the same time.”

There’s some amazing vegan and vegetarian street food in Birmingham, from some of the most popular street food chefs. More people are looking to reduce or eliminate their meat intake due to health, environmental or ethical reasons and this is a great opportunity for people to try exciting new vegan and vegetarian food and see why going meat-free is a viable alternative diet and lifestyle.”

   
 Brum Yum Yum founder, Duncan Stanley added,

“Here at Brum Yum Yum we’ve always set out to prove that street food isn’t just about the meat-in-a-bun classics and I firmly believe that a lot of the best street foods out there are the vegan and veggie dishes. What better way to spend a Sunday than stuffing your face with some of the tastiest and most interesting meat-free meals in town?! Add in the vegan bar, the live music and the great vibes, and this is the animal-friendly street party that Kings Heath deserves!”

Throughout the time that vibe been writing this blog I’ve always believed that some of the best vegetarian and Vegan food in Birminghamcan be found on street food markets  with an abundance of different cuisines and styles available. Brum Yum Yum is the biggest supporter of Vegetarian friendly traders for me and this day should prove that you can still enjoy cutting edge street food in a meat free zone. 

Unfortunately I’m not able to make it on the day myself, but look forward to the next veggie one hopefully later this year.

So get down to Kings Heath Village Square on Saturday 14th May for KingshEATh Streetfood Market and Sunday 22nd May for the KingshEATh Goes Veggie special from 12-5pm.

For up to date information in the run up to the events and for the full streetfood lineups follow  @brumyumyum and @vegangrindhouse and myself @andydhare.

Enjoy, 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Hot off the press:

So here it is…the moment you have been waiting for…the hot food line up for Sunday’s KingshEATh Goes Veggie…the only place to be in King’s Heath this Sunday 😉 with BRUM YUM YUM!!

The Vegan Grindhouse by Vegan Vox (Americana)
Pietanic (Pies and Mash)

Bare Bones Pizza (Pizza)

Sri-Licious (Sri Lankan)

Michael’s Caribbean Storehouse (Caribbean)

Greens Vegan Catering (Thai/Moroccan)

9 Tea Cups (Iranian)

and the long awaited return of…
The Mexican Bean (Mexican)

Also vegan beer from Twisted Barrel Ale Brewery and Tap House, vegan/gluten free cakes from Rachel’s Cake Delights – Vegan & No Gluten Containing Ingredients, Organic veggies/fruit from Vegetropolis, Clothing & Books from V Active, Kombucha from The Happy Gut Hut, and percentage of proceeds going to Grace’s Rest.
Plus live music, entertainment and a warm fuzzy feeling!
From Sunday 12 noon – 5pm!

Please bring the sunshine!!
☀️😊

Restaurant Review: Vanilla Black London revisited. 

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, London, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   

I still can remember the first time is saw Michaelangelo’s Ceiling in The Sistine Chapel in Rome, the wonder that something so beautiful had been created and that Art has now evolved over centuries, but still the perfection of a ceiling could rewrite my vision and seduce the poet in me to gasp and be silent. 

Then the other week in London I had the luxury of seeing Claude Monet’s lily pond paintings at The Royal Academy. The simplistic but oh so sure images of a scene that was so precious to him that he recreated it so many times in order to demonstrate its beauty. 

So what’s this got to do with food, or with London’s Vegetarian restaurant Vanilla Black? 

Well it’s with the élan of the cooking and the presentation of the dishes. An artists eye for colour. Art you see can be precise, intricate, and flamboyant, Or it can be dark and light, shades of grime amongst the surface, with Vanilla Black the beauty on the plate of so much of the food presented to us was nuanced with compelling flavours and spoke to me of my morning gallery visit. The design to get it right, the light, the lush, the technicolor of shouting through the spectrum of brightness. 

That is to me Vanilla Black. To be the best, to be thoughtful with every bite the customer takes. The wow factor, the surprise (by meat eating punters) that vegetarian food can be so good. 

So I guess that sounds like a conclusion before I begin. Well in truth it is. Vanilla Black makes you want to mix up the rules, you won’t find burgers, risotto, curry or pasta bake here. Though I guess if you did it would be the best you’d had.

When I first visited Vanilla Black a couple of years ago I was enthralled by it’s heartbeat. Feeling that Nothing could prepare you for the pleasure of eating there. Set in an elegant townhouse in Tooks Court, the legal area of East London, the dining room is a mellow sophisticated hush of understatement. Muted colours, a calming air of relaxation. It feels right before you even begin the food. 

Ruth and I visited on a Saturday evening. Its popularity was visible and it was noticeable that their was a fair bit of smiling when people’s food arrived. That wow factor I mentioned. 

An amuse bouche, sorbet like. A cleansing begining. Followed by some stunning homemade bread, always a good sign of things to come.    Amuse Bouche. Fresh homemade bread.

So to the food. My starter Dried Yeast Pumpkin Terrine with Orange Purée -Seeded Cinder toffee, mulled pumpkin and oil. A beautifully constructed dish of subtle but cooling flavours. The terrine with hints of toffee running through against the bright fruity orange that dances upon the tongue. Layers of unorthodox flavous, sharper with every mouthful. Lovely. 

  

  

Ruth’s Yorkshire Blue Cheese Toastie, Crisp Rye, Grapes, Puffed Wheat: Light, cheesy, no bread, constructed and flavoured beautifully. She loved it. 

  

It’s when the creative imagination of the chef (Andrew Dargue) consumes a dish that you know that you are in elegant surroundings. Take my main course: Salted and Ash baked Celeriac & Kale-Whey poached celeriac, Broccoli, Yoghurt Curd: A dish with layers and layers of differing textures and flavours. 

The earthy, crisp, bright coloured  kale, the subtle but soft whey poached celeriac of oozy decadence. Then the ash baked celeriac, the charred crust of the charcoal baked with a riveting harmonious result that’s lifts the root vegetable to another level entirely. Clever enlightened cooking, every ingredient put together perfectly. A supreme dish. 

 Salted and Ash Baked celeriac and Kale-Whey poached celeriac, Broccoli, yoghurt curd.

  

 Ruth’s main course 

 

Desserts follow a similar creative line as the first two courses. Mine, Poached Rhubarb with Salted Orange Yoghurt and Rhubarb Toffee: Crispy Porridge and Moscatel Syrup: The shocking pink of rhubarb beautifully poached, a depth of tart flavour set off by the dash of explosively crispy porridge as a contrast. Plated like a painting of subtle brush strokes that is playfully mastered and cleverly executed. I loved the complete flavours of this dessert. 

Ruth’s Chocolate Brownie crumble with Marmalade parfait and crispy milk: Dark Chocolate, contreau, candied kumquat which she enjoyed especially the harmonious flavours of the chocolate and the orange. 

All of this is done with effortless and charming service from front of house Donna and her team, who are passionate about their dishes and the experience you may discover. 

  

The dark cooking clouds have lifted. Visiting Vanilla Black will certainly banish those over cooked risottos and death by pasta bake. Food consumed with big brash bold flavours

Vanilla Black is an upmarket treat that offers thoughtful indulgences of veggie decadance. It’s a remarkable experience of creative, beautifully presented and exciting food that is art on the plate and a brushstroke on the palette. Even non veggies would love the sophistication, the cleverness, the fun and the delight of this bright canvas of  vegetables. Food executed perfectly, the fact that it’s all Vegetarian is a bonus. 

And then there’s Michaelangelo’s ceiling, well that’s one of the wonders of the world. An idea from a seed of inspiration, much like vegetables, and then it’s what you do with them that matters, that is what makes art. For the food you are unlikely to have tried anything like it before. 

  

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Disclaimer: Our food and drinks were complimentary. This doesn’t affect my honest opinion of our meal. 

With thanks to Andrew and Donna for their hospitality and conversation. 

Vanilla Black, 17-18 Tooks Court, CT London EC4A 1LB. 

Subway: Chancery Lane

020-7242 2622.

http://www.vanillablack.co.uk/

http://www.vanillablack.co.uk/menus/vegan-menu

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