pictures & places

Peanut · 31-08-2006 2:57pm #1

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

Lol, we should take pictures of vegetarian places to eat and our meals around the place, to help review them.

Country Life, Prague - This is a great place for veggies in Prague, a city that's otherwise very lacking (frustratingly so) in non-meat options..

It's situated in a small (but much used) laneway that leads from the old town square up toward Wenceslaus square. Run by 7th day adventists, it's closed on Saturdays. The restaurant section is behind the steet-facing health food shop. (there's another, more take-away oriented branch of country life a bit further away, near Tesco)

The food is on help-yourself buffet style counters, so you get a plate and pay by weight at the counter. It's a good combination of hot food and salads etc., there doesn't appear to be any particular dominant style though. A good number of sturdy old-style wooden tables provide inside seating, while a couple of tables outside makes a nice al-fresco veggie dining experience on sunny days

Other useful places around the city are a Govindas, a lot of Italian style places near the tourist centre, various 'Albert' supermarkets and a Tesco.

Shabadu · 01-09-2006 5:27pm

Brilliant thread idea. Stickied.

Tar.Aldarion · 02-09-2006 3:47am

Thanks Peanut, your meal looks lovely, I don't even know what it is but I want it! I have to get a new camera, then maybe Dublin and Galway shall appear.

Peanut · 03-09-2006 8:11pm

hmmm I can't quite remember what it was either

I think it was roast potatoes (top), some sort of pea thing which was a bit like a dahl (right), savoury veg. in a type of light sauce (bottom), and seitan (left, very nice).

Hope to have another one up soon

Gadgie · 04-09-2006 5:46pm

Another veggie restaurant in Prague is Radost FX. I can heartily recommend it.

Peanut · 07-09-2006 10:06pm

La Salsa, Galway -
(Mary Street, turn right at AIB/Lynch's castle when coming from Eyre square).

This isn't a vegetarian restaurant as such, however I don't think there is one in Galway city, and the Mexican theme in this place gives a good scope for veggie options.

Service is either eat-in or takeaway, there are about 5 or 6 tables in a brightly decorated, but slighty sticky feeling, upstairs room.

It seems like this place may be popular with the local student population..

(there's an impressive attention to detail with the 'cheese included' under the veg. burrito heading., they even have a vegan burrito.)

The veg. burrito was big, tasty, and very filling, even if served a tad cooler than I would have liked. Still, it was a welcome break from the more traditional Galway food establishments, i.e. Supermacs.
The chips were chunky and quite tasty also

The Coke was Egyptian, don't think I've noticed that particular one before!
Maybe a Coke ethnicity-spotting thread is needed in food and drink

Other places in Galway - there's also 'Food for Thought' at the far end of Abbeygate street, with 'Vegetarian/Wholefood' signs on the window. They do serve chicken and beef etc. so I don't really see the point of having the 'vegetarian' sign out front. (also for a quick snack, La Crossanterie in Corbett Court serve pretty good coffee, better than the ones in Dublin for some reason.)

I'm sure there used to be some veg. places just outside the city in the past, not sure if there's any now, anyone?

Tar.Aldarion · 08-09-2006 12:10am

An Gabhar Orga (The Golden Goat)
37 Newcastle Road Lower, Galway
tel: +353 91 523966

Couch Potatas
40 Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway
tel: +353 91 568427

Get Stuffed
4b Saint Anthony's Place, Woodquay, Galway
tel: +353 91 564445

Maxwell McNamara's
Williamsgate Street, Galway
tel: +353 91 565727

I'm in La Salsa so much I was probably in it when you took the photo.

Btw, loving your posts so far.

Shabadu · 17-09-2006 8:59pm

HAve eaten in Maoz in Barcelona twice so far during the honeymoon. Their falafel pittas with salad on wholewheat are made of utter deliciousness. Pics soon!

Peanut · 26-09-2006 11:40pm

Went up to v2go in Belfast today and noticed that it had v2gone :-p
ah well, I should dig up some other pics from the archive..

Peanut · 14-11-2006 4:05pm

Govindas, London (Soho St., just off Oxford St., Tottenham Court Rd. tube)

I've been to Govindas in London a number of times now, and its always interesting to compare it to other more familiar places, for example the Govindas' in Dublin.

The atmosphere is typical - counter service, a laid back feeling, and the obligatory Hindu influenced music playing quietly in the background. To say that it's a shimmering oasis from the bustle of Oxford St. might be a slight exaggeration (especially at lunch time), however it is possible to relax a bit before venturing once more into the foray.

Food served consists of various hot dishes, soup, along with rice, poppadoms, salad.
A mixed plate served using a small or large metal try seems like a popular option, and lets you try a few different things at the same time.

It feels like perhaps there is more of a traditional Indian influence to the flavour rather than a westernised version of Indian food. Whether that's the case or not, sometimes the flavours can be a little bland, or maybe too unusally spiced. However this is not to knock the place - overall the impression is of quality vegetarian food at a reasonable price. Well worth trying.

Nature Boy · 14-11-2006 5:39pm

Oh I'm so there! (Whenever I'm in London next!)

I'm not noticing any tofu on your dish though

Peanut · 15-11-2006 10:46am

They're not big into tofu, but usually have paneer, in the pic above the top left green stuff is a spinach and paneer combo.

28-03-2007 7:25pm

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

An Gabhar Orga (The Golden Goat)
37 Newcastle Road Lower, Galway
tel: +353 91 523966

Couch Potatas
40 Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway
tel: +353 91 568427

Get Stuffed
4b Saint Anthony's Place, Woodquay, Galway
tel: +353 91 564445

Maxwell McNamara's
Williamsgate Street, Galway
tel: +353 91 565727

I'm in La Salsa so much I was probably in it when you took the photo.

Btw, loving your posts so far.

An Gabhar Orga closed down 3-4 years ago.

Tar.Aldarion · 28-03-2007 7:32pm

It will live on in this thread?
Forget where I got that list, it needs to be amended.

Nature Boy · 14-07-2007 10:24pm

Went to the cedar tree last night. Lebaneese food. Very nice. In Dublin city, near George's street. They do a lovely hommus made with smoked aubergines instead of chick peas, really nice filo pastries with goat's cheese, spinach, mixed veg etc. well worth it.

Sorry no pics but I have a link!
http://www.dublin.ie/restaurant_details.aspx?restaurantId=20408

missmatty · 21-08-2007 3:38pm

Would like to recommend Juice in Georges Street.

Especially the juice burger (edamame beans and oats i think) and chunky fries!

Silent Partner · 18-02-2008 12:57pm

I was in Galway over the weekend and yesterday stopped into a place called Fat Freddy's on Quay St. They've a full Italian, Mexican and Irish menu. The place is informal and relaxed and they serve excellent food. They aren't a veg restaurant however they do have a number of veg options on their menu (http://www.fatfreddys.net/freddy_menu.pdf)

I went for the tortilla chips with freshly made salsa and guacamole for starters and then a gourmet veg pizza which was freshly made, using their own dough, and had sundried tomatoes, roasted peppers, red onion, spinach and pesto. It was delish! 10/10

Weyhey · 18-02-2008 1:52pm

Silent Partner wrote: »

I was in Galway over the weekend and yesterday stopped into a place called Fat Freddy's on Quay St. ......
I went for the tortilla chips with freshly made salsa and guacamole for starters and then a gourmet veg pizza which was freshly made, using their own dough, and had sundried tomatoes, roasted peppers, red onion, spinach and pesto. It was delish! 10/10

Any chance you know if the cheese on the pizza and/or pesto was veggie?

Silent Partner · 18-02-2008 2:07pm

I don't know for fact. I never thought to ask the staff.

dynastygal · 08-07-2008 11:44pm

There's a restaurant in dublin and a small vege shop too but I can't for the life of me remember what the restaurant was called. But the shop sold home-made vegan pizza, and the restaurant did vegan chocolate cake with walnut whipped cream. The restaurant was in some sort of shopping arcade, whereas the shop was on a street...

The shop...well it's a deli, more than a shop is Blazing Salads.

http://www.blazingsalads.com/index.asp

The restaurant was nearby...shopping arcade, large space with lots of wooden tables and chairs, tall room...ring any bells with anyone?

rhapsody! · 16-08-2008 9:04pm

"Laibon" in Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. The country lacks in veggie meals (that's what they get for living next to Germany where meat is huge).

I had marinated soya fillets with cous cous, some sauce I can't remember the name of, and salad.

YUM!!
My mum had veg in batter with potatoes and salad. Also delicious :P

sweet-rasmus · 16-08-2008 9:08pm

dynastygal wrote: »

The restaurant was nearby...shopping arcade, large space with lots of wooden tables and chairs, tall room...ring any bells with anyone?

Could have been Cafe Fresh. It's in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre (not sure of that name!).

Peanut · 17-08-2008 12:18am

sweet-rasmus wrote: »

Could have been Cafe Fresh. It's in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre (not sure of that name!).

Yeah the current Cafe Fresh used to be called Blazing Salads as well IIRC.

Doolee · 18-10-2008 12:16pm

Anyone out in Wicklow should head for The Happy Pear in Greystones. They have a great juicebar, vege/wholefoods shop and restaurent/cafe style food. Lots of seating outside and upstairs and family friendly. A bit of an institution in Graystones I think. Great fresh vege food. Worth the trip.

cardio,shoot me · 10-04-2009 6:44pm

if ur ever stuck in the steak house in liffey valley dont fear, they do a lovely bean burger and falafel plate

sweet-rasmus · 03-05-2009 7:22pm

Was at the Happy Pear today. Delicious tomato, coconut milk and lentil soup for two and two slices of bread for €9. I asked about the cakes (labelled dairy-free) but all desserts (bar one unappealing one) had egg in them. Oh well! Soup was yummy though

-lala- · 09-06-2009 8:44pm

There's a lovely vegetarian restaurant in Manchester on Oxford Road, I can't remember the name but there's a health food shop on the ground floor and the restaurant is downstairs. It's quite like Cornucopia in Dublin - the layout is similar and they have loads of vegan desserts. While I found both times that I was in there that the desserts weren't half as nice as the ones in Cornucopia (although they did look very similar!), the main courses were absolutely lovely, and there was a very nice atmosphere too.

Now if only I could remember the name... I know it definitely said "vegetarian restaurant" on the outside though!

In Glasgow, there's a vegan restaurant called Stereo on Renfield Lane - I've definitely had better but it was quite good and it was nice to have a whole menu full of vegan options! The food was all a tiny bit too oily for my liking though.

That's the extent of my vegetarian/vegan restaurant knowledge outside of Ireland, and I think all the places in Dublin have been mentioned already! Sorry I've no pictures to contribute to the thread, hopefully any visitors to Manchester or Glasgow will manage to find them based on my vague descriptions...:P

maameeo · 13-06-2009 1:50pm

i was recently in germany and all the lads were getting those big sausages, wurst, i was the only veggie.
it turned out they did a veggie wurst so i got to try it, it was...interesting! lol
then i got the veggie curry wurst, basicly a big sausage with curry sausage and carmelised onions on top. it was nice,dont like onions though!

-lala- · 14-06-2009 2:02pm

maameeo wrote: »

i was recently in germany and all the lads were getting those big sausages, wurst, i was the only veggie.
it turned out they did a veggie wurst so i got to try it, it was...interesting! lol
then i got the veggie curry wurst, basicly a big sausage with curry sausage and carmelised onions on top. it was nice,dont like onions though!

I have to say I expected Germany to be a lot less vegan-friendly than it turned out to be - did you go into any of those Vapiano places? They basically have different counters with salads, pasta, pizza, etc. Their pasta is vegan and they make your own individual dish in front of you so you can see exactly what they put into it. I went to a similar place another day with the same sort of layout (can't remember the name), their pizza bases were vegan and they made me one without cheese AND it was only €6 and it was bleedin' massive!

Hurray for Germany!

maameeo · 14-06-2009 6:18pm

-lala- wrote: »

I have to say I expected Germany to be a lot less vegan-friendly than it turned out to be - did you go into any of those Vapiano places? They basically have different counters with salads, pasta, pizza, etc. Their pasta is vegan and they make your own individual dish in front of you so you can see exactly what they put into it. I went to a similar place another day with the same sort of layout (can't remember the name), their pizza bases were vegan and they made me one without cheese AND it was only €6 and it was bleedin' massive! Hurray for Germany!

cool!
sadly it was a mainly drink and fast food weekend so i saw nothing of the like, hang my head in shame!
really cool that they do vegan! i think its hard sometimes to find a good veggie option, then i think if i was vegan wtf would they give me! (im thinking of hotel meals here, u know when they dont put any veg option on their set menu and u get a surprise which is mostly goats cheese tart!!!)

sweet-rasmus · 26-06-2009 2:42pm

I checked out the Happy Cow before going, so I had a plan. I wasn’t too impressed with the reviews for city centre restaurants serving vegan food, so I only tried one vegetarian place, “Crumbs” and tbh the service was terrible. It was as as if the workers hated serving and being in their job. Ignoring the staff’s service, they had a range of vegan options: chilli, curry, soup or salads and I got serves a larger portion of chilli with rice for £5.85 (tbh I wasn’t impressed with the food either). They do take away or eat in. They seemed to be closed when I visited at 5pm on a weekday and I couldn’t see any opening times on the wall, so it must only open at lunchtime. It’s very small, more of a cafe then restaurant.

Health food stores on the other hand I had a great time finding. “Beanfreaks” is down along High Street (in the centre) which turns into St. Mary St (the shop is on your left if you are coming from Cardiff Castle). From their website I noticed they promoted a lot of vitamins, but in the shop they actually have quite a wide range of stock. I found some Yagga Strips and Roast, which I’ve never seen in Ireland (I’ve seen the products on www.veganstore.co.uk/ ). Lots of fridges and freezers, as well as chocolate, toiletries, pulses and whatever else one might be looking for. The shop must be the biggest health food store I’ve ever been in!
http://swissherbalremedies.co.uk/

“Pulse Wholegoods” is another store which is about 20 min from the Cardiff Castle. It’s up the far end of King’s Road. Lovely friendly staff. It’s a small pokey shop with good prices. Again, a range of the usual health food store stuff with a small freezer. They even had some Onya bags (a nifty bag company I’ve noticed on the net). http://www.pulsewholefoods.com/

The last health food store I visited was “Hungry Planet”, another 25 mins from the Castle but in the opposite direction this time. A small shop with a selected range. Specialised in grinding coffee, and had lots of grains and such in boxes across one wall. Not a shop for veg*ns of limited cooking ability! http://www.hungryplanet.org.uk/

I really enjoyed my trip! It was great to have a list of these places to visit and wander about.

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