Great vegetarian value, food and service
I have been vegan for some time but I hadn't been aware of this vegetarian pub. It's exciting to be invited to pass behind the busy bar, up some steps and find yourself in a lovely high-ceilinged room festooned with pictures of Private Eye journalists and welcomed by smiling waiters in aprons. Teashop by day, restaurant by night, there's a relaxed, convivial ambience and a mixed clientele.
My other half – not vegan – started with a raw lasagne with wafer thin beetroot which was very nicely flavoured – he said it compared very well to similar non-vegan dishes. His main course was a falafel burger which he said showed the posh burger joints which serve up portobello mushrooms and call them ‘burgers’ how it should really be done.
I didn't have a starter but I jumped on the tofush and chips as a main. As a vegan I hardly have battered anything, let alone anything like fish. This was a crispy package of tofu wrapped in a thin, gently aromatic seaweed, and I absolutely loved it. There was a big wedge of lemon to squeeze over the peas and chips, and best of all was the sauce, delicate creamy dill. I really savoured this dish – I don't know anywhere else that sells it.
Then for dessert I chose a chocolate orange mousse. This came in a preserving jar filled half way with marinated pieces of orange, then a generous helping of mousse topped with strawberries and mint. It was lovely.
We also had a good bottle of Argentinian red.
We liked this place immensely and we're going back soon. I do recommend booking.