The Vegan Thread

Cross post from the vegan/veggie meet up thread, excuse the non-vegan bits of my 'review'

I suppose this as good a place as any to put this. As the Aforementioned Bacon loving muslim from earlier in the thread have a review of sorts for you.

On Saturday I had the pleasure of my better half taking me here for dinner.

http://www.coachandhorsessoho.co.uk/

They only do a set menu at £15 for 2 courses, or £20 for 3, so not that cheap, particularly for us, but as it was a special occasion, we treated ourselves.

The setting was absolutely lovely, and as we were having a particularly early dinner, we caught people who were having the tale end of their afternoon tea. The whole room is decked out like a 1930s tea room, with waiting staff in pseudo period dress, and songs of the era playing on a gramophone. Very twee, and not the sort of thing that would normally be to my liking, but surprisingly I enjoyed it.

Onto the food. Is tarted with the welsh rarebit which was served with a side salad. I know this is essentially just cheese with cream on toast, but lovely cheese was cooked, and it was served to perfection, I really enjoyed it. Nhatt had I think it was a stunning looking Puy lentil and something else salad. I'd love to say how good it was, but she enjoyed so much I didn't get to try any.

For the mains I had the portabello mushroom burger and chips. Standard gastro pub fair, but once again served to perfection. They were out of the haloumi cheese this was meant to be served with, so I had it with goats cheese. It was also served with a beautiful onion relish and their home made mayo. Lovely.

Nhatt had the beer battered Tofu, chips and peas, again served with homemade Mayo. And once again she enjoyed this so much that I had none of it!

Whilst eating, I also looked at what other people were eating around us, and whilst I can't testify as to how it tasted it looked stunning. there was a beetroot Tarte au tatin, and the home made veggie sausages and beans.

Portions were sizeable and I struggled to finish mine. Whilst it sounds like standard gastro pub food, it was done to a far higher quality than I've encountered in your normal gastro pub.

We left incredibly satisfied.

Also worth noting if you're there for just a pint, the veggie sausage rolls are brilliant. I used to love drinking here and eating their meat filled sausage rolls with a pint, and was surprised last month when I ordered one and it was veggie, but it didn't disappoint.

Definitely worth going to, and even the most hardened meat eater will enjoy the food. If they don't they're more than likely lying.

started work at Holland an Barrett today. I'm already referred to as "the resident vegan". I don't know how I feel about this...

That's victimization.

started work at Holland an Barrett today. I'm already referred to as "the resident vegan". I don't know how I feel about this...

at least you will know what the B12 is for.

That's victimization.

I've already flipped a table. My mum always said "if you don't have anything nice to say, flip a table":

I'd have you escorted from the building.

That's vitaminization.

ftfy

The Guardian today published this:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/may/21/polenta-mushrooms-hazelnuts-figs-recipe

Yum!!!!

Are you going to get the book Oliver?

Might have to ask for this for my birthday.

No, I already have too many cookbooks lined up that I'd like to buy, plus I'm not even through the ones I already have yet. Way to go.

Or perhaps this!

http://images.bertrams.com/ProductImages/services/GetImage?Source=BERT&Quality=WEB&Component=FRONTCOVER&EAN13=9781903018309

Is that cooking feeble people?

Or for very, very, very, poor vegetarians?

Aroogah and LongAndWinding recommended Denis Cotter, an Irish vegetarian celebrity chef, whose restaurant is in Cork.

  ![](http://farm1.staticflickr.com/204/449353659_3f13957157_z.jpg?zz=1)

Gingered sweet potato spring rolls with sesame cabbage and chilli and coconut sauce (Denis Cotter)

He seems to have lots of vegan recipes.

When I spoke to them they were waxing ecstatic about this gaff!

I can see why just by looking at Internet pictures of what people have cooked from his books.

^^^ Oh wow!

That looks worthy of a forum ride/camping trip to Cork!

I've been to the restaurant twice. It was ok - a bit over-rated IMHO.

Saw him give a talk in Farmleigh during their summer season about four years ago. Someone asked him about veganism - he just wasnt interested.

Having said that, his emphasis on seasonal food was interesting, a cohesive argument. I think one of his books might focus on eating food at different times of the year. And IIRC the menu in the restaurant changed fairly often too.

I've been to the restaurant twice. It was ok - a bit over-rated IMHO.

Saw him give a talk in Farmleigh during their summer season about four years ago. Someone asked him about veganism - he just wasnt interested.
Oh.

I am thinking about going on some sort of retreat or vegan/veggie mini-break in the UK.

Not necessarily some hippy hostel for backpackers but rather, a really nice place to eat good food and relax.

Not quite sure where to start...

^ Yes, yes, Google is my friend.

Something like this: http://lancrigg.co.uk/

Dennis Cotters seasonal cook book is, "Paradiso Seasons". They are all pretty good though. Oliver, I shall dig out some recipes for you. He is a big advocate of Irish cheeses, so I can understand his 'disinterest' in veganism, however, I am sure that many of his recipes can be easily adapted.

Here's what we ate when we went - http://www.lfgss.com/post2100110-516.html.

I remember reading that. It sounded fantastic.