VEGAN HEAVEN (2/5)

Rock-Ola

After having a large dinner at Food for Friends the evening before, coffee bar Rock-ola was our port of call for a late all-day vegan breakfast. While it's not a strictly vegetarian/vegan place, what first attracted us to visit Rock-Ola over all other breakfast joints was the fun 50 and 60s diner theme, which made it so much more than your typical greasy spoon.

The attention to detail given to the theme can be seen throughout the diner, from the wall hangings and shelves of memorabilia, right down to the retro salt and pepper shakers. The cafe even joins on to a record shop, which was a nice continuation of the music theme, there's also a free jukebox complete with songs from the time for you to peruse and play records while you dine.

The breakfasts were naughty but super tasty, we'd never tried fake bacon before (or fakon if you will) so that was a nice change, it really just tasted like the smokey bacon flavour found in crisps, so it wasn't as scarily meaty as it first seemed. While I wouldn't normally eat this much 'bad food' or buy fakon myself, I feel it's fine to splash out on holiday and try something different once in a while (providing it's vegan!), to me life is about balance.

We had the option of chips or hash browns and beans or tomatoes, being the opposite couple we are we had to choose differently but then try each others - which were equally delish in different ways. We had it with a cup of soya milk tea and the breakfast came with a huge plate of (vegan) buttered toast - bonus! If I lived in Brighton I'm sure this would be a regular haunt of mine.

GOURMET BURGER KITCHEN

GBK Falafel Burger

GBK Covent Garden

Last weekend my boyfriend and I decided to take our traditional yearly trip to Covent Garden to soak in the Christmas atmosphere. This year I had a little panic wondering where I would eat out then I remembered the Gourmet Burger Kitchen has always had a good range of veggie burgers so hoped there would be something vegan on the menu. 

The staff were really accommodating to my requirements and allowed me to modify the falafel burger to come without the cucumber raita or garlic mayo. Apparently they also cook all the veggie burgers in a separate fryer to the meat which is really good to know. The falafels were fried and smooshy in the middle, my favourite kind! We also ordered a side of chunky fries and some onion rings to share, the whole thing was deelicious! I was super full afterwards which was perfect as it warmed me up and kept me going throughout our busy day, I still couldn't eat a bite come dinnertime (highly unlike me).

If your wondering about the monkey nuts in the pic, they're free and you can help yourself to snack on them before your meal but seeing as it's so filling I wouldn't advise it! I also took a few shots of the interior as it's the prettiest GBK I've seen.

If your planning to visit London in the next couple of months be sure to stop by Covent Garden for the market, live music, chestnuts roasting and those giant baubles! It's guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. 

Topshop Hat (similar)// Scarf (Urban Outfitters vintage)