After my eventual first visit to New Day Rising, I was very quick to return yesterday with Danni and Fi in tow!



Danni and Fi both went the CLT, with Danni also trying out one of the vegan muffins (orange and date - so soft and delicious!). I decided to try the beans, which were great. I'd been worried they'd be too fennel-y, but they were just perfect, with a flavour I enjoyed and just enough avocado and bread (three pieces, one is hiding) to soak things up. The vegan beans come with tahini, which allegedly make a nice addition but which I forgot to add! I do wish people would stop giving me rocket though. It is the worst. :o(




New Day Rising
221d Blyth Street
Brunswick East

super easy to get to at the end of the 96 tram (not an accessible stop); the venue is tiiiiny and crowded with little maneuverability; the toilet is around the corner and outside. all ordering is at the table (mostly because it's too tiny to go anywhere). cash only!

new day rising

I promise I already had my outing to New Day Rising with SJ planned before Michael posted about it last week. This is just a coincidence!


sorry if this is blurry! i don't currently have my glasses because i am a poor planner

The CLT (coconut, lettuce and tomato) is so delicious I don't know what to do with myself. I can't believe I waited this long to try it, after first hearing Lisa talk about the CLT, and I'm trying to make it there again before I leave Brunswick for the Great China Adventure.

The smoked coconut in this is so intense but nicely set off by the tomato, lettuce and avocado and I want it. All of it. In my mouth.




others eating the CLT: dannipants; k; Lisa; Cindy + Michael.


New Day Rising
221d Blyth Street
Brunswick East

super easy to get to at the end of the 96 tram (not an accessible stop); the venue is tiiiiny and crowded with little maneuverability; the toilet is around the corner and outside. all ordering is at the table (mostly because it's too tiny to go anywhere). cash only!

eggplant chips at the ebc

Found this deliciousness on the EBC's menu; I'd never noticed it before, and was excited to try eggplant chips. I expected something cut more like wedges, but instead we received these thin rounds, coated in a batter and deep fried. They were greasy and really oily, but very crisp and the eggplant held this amazing flavour. Shared these with some friends (and, of course, had the parma). Big recommend.





previous EBC visits: one; two; three; four, five.

East Brunswick Club
280 Lygon Street
East Brunswick

chilli fries at the ebc

I had a bit of a break from the EBC, but now I'm totally back in to it again. Their specials haven't been inspiring me lately, but I'm very interested in visiting on a weekend to try out their breakfast menu, which Vicki said was pretty awesome. Three types of vegan pancake! Also, $12 jugs of beer with "breakfast." Not that I drink beer, but I think the EBC knows its clientele.

ANYWAY, the last visit wasn't about breakfast, it was about dinner, after bawling my eyes out at Toy Story 3 (IT WAS SAD, OKAY. I AM NOT MADE OF STONE) ("THAT'S *MISTER* EVIL DOCTOR PORKCHOP TO YOU"), and it was about chilli fries.

Delicious fries, covered in black bean nacho toppings. It was super delicious. It wasn't what I was expecting - I was thinking more of something like Trippy Taco's fries, but it was still two of my favourite things combined in one: potatoes, and nacho toppings. OH YEAH.

EBC visits: one; two; three; four.

East Brunswick Club
280 Lygon Street
East Brunswick

vege2go, east brunswick

Despite living less than a fifteen minute walk from vege2go, before last week we had never tried their food! So when the opportunity to sample their wares in the company of Kristy and Toby arose, we took it.



Because I had heard around the place that vege2go now no longer does dine in, we ordered a takeaway. But Kristy and Toby reported back that there were people dining in! So now I don't know. If you have heard either way, please let me know!

Anyway, vege2go is all vegetarian, and has a range of vegan and gluten free options.

Danni and I decided to pick two dishes to share, going for the lasagna and the quinoa casserole. The lasagna was excellent, had a great taste and texture, nothing too overwhelming or bland. I would definitely eat it again.

The quinoa casserole (gf) was a bit bland and uninteresting, and there was something about the combination of quinoa and vegetables that I didn't like. Not a repeat for me.

Kristy ordered the stuffed capsicum (gf), which was filled with rice and some sort of sauce. This (which I sampled) was pretty good! And now I'm on a bit of a stuffed vegetable roll.

Toby went for the vegan parmiggiana. Not as good as the EBC parma, he declared, but still good.

We shared two sides, the roast winter vegies and the Mediterranean rice salad (both gf). The roast vegies were excellent, and there was something about them that I'd love to replicate. The rice salad was not great, Kristy insisted it tasted like cat pee, which is hardly a recommendation.

Finally, Kristy and Toby decided that we needed to splurge on dessert. The tiramisu, about which I've heard a lot, was delicious (and I don't like coffee). The chocolate mousse (gf) was good, and interestingly gooey.

All in all, would try again for a takeaway dinner, but nothing spectacular.

vege2go Vegitalian Food Store
452 Lygon Street
Brunswick East

GF options available
not open Sundays

a couple of pubs, east brunswick + fitzroy

We did two pub meals last weekend (I'm almost finished blogging these meals, honestly!). The first was Monday night, at the EBC. We've visited the EBC many times in the past, and usually I'd go for the vegan parma but I was drifted in to nacho territory. It was really good.



Danni and Jo shared the nacho parma, which is exactly what it sounds - a vegan parma, covered in corn chips, vegan chilli, vegan sour cream + cheese and some guacamole. It was amazing! I am totally trying this some time. I can't believe it's been on the menu all this time and I've never noticed it! It's like two of the greatest meals ever combined into one!


Las Vegan was still closed for the break on Tuesday, so we headed up to Grumpy's Green, to which none of us had ever been. I've heard many mixed things about Grumpy's! It was quiet on Tuesday, so the service was pretty prompt.



Christine and I both ordered the Tower Burger. The patty was nice, and the serving was fine, but without the pesto and mayonnaise (I take the absence to mean the pesto and mayonnaise are not vegan) it was a little bit bland.



Danni ordered the Summer Wrap. The avocado really set this off, it was not exciting but it wasn't bad. Again with the missing mayonnaise and pesto. Is it that hard to get vegan versions of this stuff in a vegetarian pub? Really?

At least the chips were crinkle cut. Everyone knows that makes them tastier.

What was excellent, though, was the infused vodka - Christine was quite taken by the coffee infused vodka.

EBC one, two, three.

East Brunswick Club
280 Lygon Street
East Brunswick
Victoria

Grumpy's Green
125 Smith Street
Fitzroy

out and about over the long weekend

I've already blogged about the delicious lasagna at the vegie bar, but we ate at a few other places over the weekend!

After the storm on Saturday, we didn't want to venture too far from home so we popped on over to the EBC.

Trashy and familiar, I elected to eat the classic vegan parma at the EBC. Danni went for the shepherd's pie (TVP and potatoes and vegan cheese, I think) from the specials board. This was really tasty!



We shared a cherry ripe cheesecake. Who could go past such a delight?



I know several people have had some terrible service at the EBC lately, but Saturday night our service was prompt and friendly, some of the bar staff were even cheerful!

Maybe it was the weather?




Went to Shakahari, had the Kali Tunis, which was delicious (oh Malaysian curries, I love you), light but with a chilli bite that didn't hit until after. I know it's hard to see, but it's at the back of the photo! Oh, composition! My strawberry daiquiri was a bit light on with the alcohol, but my mango crumble was delicious, and Danni's highlight of the meal.

Also went to Lord of the Fries (Melbourne Central), I have got to stop ordering a burger and sharing a box of chips just with Danni, it is too much delicious trashy food, and I feel uncomfortable for ages.

Failed to get a seat at A Minor Place, this is what happens when you try to do brunch on a public holiday in Brunswick.

Meal lowlight of the weekend: going to Sugardough with J and dB just before Danni's family arrived, and the vegan cake sitting there on display, but not being allowed to eat it. Just cut the cake for me! LET ME EAT IT, SUGAR DOUGH.

We actually considered buying the whole cake, and in hindsight, probably should have. Because they're DELICIOUS.


East Brunswick Club
280 Lygon Street
East Brunswick


Shakahari
201-203 Faraday St
Carlton

Lord of the Fries
Knox Lane
Melbourne Central

Sugardough
163 Lygon St
Brunswick East

vegan chicken kiev at the east brunswick club, east brunswick

Tonight at the East Brunswick Club, I ate a vegan chicken parma (featured below).



This is because the vegan chicken kiev is so popular, with its parsley and buttery filling oozing out, that the non-vegans have been ordering it, too. So although it was on the specials board tonight, they had SOLD OUT.

It's on the specials board, no idea for how long or how often. I had it about three weeks ago, and it was AMAZING. Really really tasty. Try it, and then give them great feedback, in the hopes that it will appear all the time. It's expensive ($20) but giant, and absolutely worth it.

takeout/delivery around brunswick

So, we don't really know what there is around Brunswick(ish) that's any good for vegans looking for takeout or delivery! Any recommendations? I am especially interested in recommendations for Thai food, but anything delicious (and definitely has vegan options) would be good.

Help me, internets!

east brunswick club, dessert edition

These posts are all terribly out of order!



Had a great meal at the EBC last time we were in Melbourne, but sadly was too full to partake of the all-vegan desserts. With the RBP winding up just after five, and the drive all the way back from Belgrave, we were hungry by the time we hit Brunswick, and we all met up at the EBC for some very slow service. It took forever for some meals to arrive, and my dessert took about 45 minutes, but it was very delicious, and it did give me time to make room in my tummy for the tasty mint and choc chip brownies. They were a little bit warm, and covered in a sweet sauce, and they were totally worth the wait.

D had a slice of cookies and cream cheesecake, and was super super happy with it, though it was a bit too sweet for me.

ceres, brunswick east (victoria)

Our original plan for Sunday morning was a trek out to Box Hill for yum cha: however with our flight leaving at 1510, and our dreadful experience on Thursday where we missed the plane, we decided not to risk it. Instead we took the short trip to Ceres instead, where we commandeered three tables and several hours and delighted in all the beautiful dogs to wander by. I love Ceres, the ambiance is so great and it's laid back and it's like a world full of hippies.

The big vegan breakfast was delicious, the beans and the smoked tofu were definitely highlights but the mushrooms, spinach and toast were also fantastic. The big vegan breakfast was also served with a beetroot relish, which D enjoyed but which was not really my thing. Overall A++ for the meal, though I was disappointed that there was not more smoked tofu, it was so good.

D also tried the soy chai, on recommendation of everyone, and declared it okay (SJ and J also had the soy chai, and are obsessed, I think).

We picked up a brownie to take on the plane with us. It was okay, though a bit dry, which could be accounted for by the fact that it knocked around in my bag for several hours and then was sitting around on the plane for a while. It was quite oily, which was a bit of a turn off.

Ceres
Cnr Roberts and Stewart Streets,
Brunswick East

sugardough, brunswick east (victoria)

Met up with the delightful J at Sugardough for a chat and a bite to eat before tackling the op shops on Sydney Road. There was a small but excellent array of vegan baked treats on the counter. D left the decision up to me, and I selected the raspberry apple tea cake and the apple cinnamon cake. These were both soft and moist, and though the raspberry cake was a little sweet, it was not uncomfortably so, and I we enjoyed both immensely.

The drinks board touts a milkshake with soymilk, and I was excited at the idea: I was therefore incredibly disappointed when the counterhand paused, "dairy icecream is okay, yes?" No, dairy icecream is not okay, what is the point in offering soy milk with dairy icecream? Such a ridiculous concept is not just a problem for vegans: those who are lactose intolerant (as, incidentally, I am) are still going to be so disappointed, as I was. I long for an excellent soy milkshake, I have yet to partake of one.

I like the ambiance of Sugardough, it is tiny and adorable and their saucers and cups are great. And they sell Tea Party tea! The juice at least was delicious, and the cakes were fabulous, so I suppose I can forgive them for their milkshake travesty.

sugardough
163 Lygon St
Brunswick East

east brunswick club (east brunswick, victoria)

Having heard so much about the East Brunswick Club, on Thursday we wandered in for an early dinner. The thing I love about the EBC is that it's trashy pub food in an average pub, but there's a whole heap of vegan stuff on the menu (and a vegan meal of the day). It's just so exciting, given in pubs we usually have to settle for wedges or chips.



I tried the vegan parma, which I'd heard wasn't fantastic but I used to love parma, it was my trashy cafe standard and I was excited to give it a go. It was quite tasty! Obviously fake meaty but still really good.

SJ had the fish and chips, which were suitably fishy - kind of creepily fishy, in fact. D had the nachoes, which were super delicious and massive, with vegan sour cream and everything.

EBC has vegan desserts, but we were too full to give it a go! Alas, etc.




East Brunswick Club
280 Lygon Street
East Brunswick
Victoria