Green Is The New Black – Veggies To Make Your Mouth Water
Even dedicated carnivores need to put those steak knives down every now and then, and there’s no better time to do it than National Vegetarian Week (19th – 25th May) and RHS Chelsea Flower Show (20th – 24th May). That’s right, this is a chance to curb primal, animalistic cravings and celebrate all things green and gorgeous. As ever, we’ve got the pick of the best menus for you right here.
What better way to enjoy your five-a-day than with delicious, veggie-laced cocktails? As National Vegetarian Week hits town, London cocktail bar group Grand Union has raided the greengrocers and created an array of blooming good, freshly-pressed, vegetable-infused concoctions, available at any one of their eight venues across London. Priced at £5 each, cocktails include the Carrot Negroni – gin, carrot juice, sweet vermouth, Campari, garnished with carrot and orange slices – and Country Garden – gin, pressed cucumber, soda and a splash of elderflower and decorated with edible flowers.
Mustard seed-infused vermouth, frozen spiced tomato juice cubes and carrot shavings are not what you usually find on a cocktail menu, but Paramount – the sky-high bar and restaurant at the top of the Centre Point by Tottenham Court Road – has created two new cocktails (£12) with interesting veggie twists to celebrate National Vegetarian Week. The Mary Martini – a fusion of the classic martini and bloody mary – is made up of celery-infused Finlandia Vodka with mustard seed-infused Noilly Pratt dry vermouth served over a frozen cube of spiced tomato juice. Also on offer is the Carrot and Coriander Cobbler – dry fino sherry, Green Chartreuse, lemon juice, carrot and coriander, garnished with fresh carrot shavings and a coriander sprig.
Growing up in Delhi, Manoj Sharma was exposed to the diverse range of vegetarian food available in the city. Now the Sous Chef at renowned modern Indian restaurant The Cinnamon Club near Westminster, he has put these skills to use by creating ‘a celebration of vegetarian cooking’, in the form of a specials menu running from 19th – 31st May. Priced at £45, the dishes include Semolina Crisp filled with Sprouted Moong Salad; Pulled Jackfruit Wrap with Tamarind Chutney; Daal Baati Choorma; and White Lentil Doughnut with Coconut and Pistachio Chutney and a Sweet Lentil Broth.
Dangling a carrot to all those lovely vegetarians and veggie-lovers alike, giraffe are bringing back their 2-for-1 deal for National Vegetarian Week. Making sure you’re full of beans, buy one of their delicious vegetarian mains and you’ll get the second totally free. Carnivore or not, start your day with a gourmet coffee and Huevos Rancheros Mexican Breakfast with Chestnut Mushrooms or Stacked Blueberry and Banana Pancakes. For lunch or dinner, meat-free mains include a Falafel “Deluxe” Burger; Farmers’ Market Burrito; Tunisian Roasted Veggie and Feta Salad; and Jambalaya Risotto. All you need to do to indulge in this vast variety of veggie treats is print off the voucher from giraffe’s website (www.giraffe.net/classic/promotions), order two meat-free mains and the least expensive dish will be absolutely free – it’s a hot potato of an offer so come get it!
It’s that time of the year when foraging foodies pay homage to the gourmet delights of the garden – and this year is no different. Head to the city’s sleek destination champagne and cocktail bar, Voltaire, who are jumping on the go–green wagon for one week only with an exclusive vegetarian-inspired menu, enough to leave even the most dedicated carnivores questioning their alliances. Indulge in Baked Goats’ Cheese with Walnut Crust on a Bed of Baby Spinach, Radish, Beetroot and Pomegranate; Pan-fried Sea Bass with Pea Shoot Risotto and a Lemon Caper Sauce; and a Dark & White Chocolate Bombe with Toulie Décor and Smooth Chocolate Sauce.
A pocketful of posies! The RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be in full bloom this May and The Fable in Holborn has a fabulously floral menu. At just £30 per person, the menu includes dishes like Globe Artichoke with Foraged Truffle-infused Dipping Butter Sauce & Violas; Roast Lamb Rump with Heritage Carrots, Beets & Dandelion; & English Forced Rhubarb Fool & Shortbread Biscuits with Honeysuckle & Pansies. And all with a tree posy from beautiful on-site florist Bottles & Blooms, too!
Award winning executive chef William Drabble of Michelin-starred Seven Park Place is once again pulling out all the stops for National Vegetarian Week with an award-winning, three-course feast. Bursting with green goodness and vegetable variety, the wholesome menu, available for lunch and dinner, plays host to a Terrine of Sweet and Sour Beetroot with Horseradish Cream; Potato Gnocchi with Roasted Celeriac; and Madeira Emulsion, White Asparagus, Morels and Crispy Celeriac, and the choice of any decadent dessert chosen from the main menu. Coupled with the celebratory RHS Chelsea Flower Show, diners will have the opportunity to sip and savour three specially designed and wonderfully aromatic floral cocktails; Jasmine Buttercup, Elderflower & Basil Spray and Flower of Scotland.
