Veganism In Vogue

Favoured by A-listers and wellness insiders, a vegan diet has never been so hip, yet mainstream. Live Gorge visits one of the latest London hot spots for some virtuous plant indulgence that tastes pretty damn good 

Rewind a few years and vegan was the byword for the alternative hessian loving, bare-toed Birkenstock-clad set. Live Gorge certainly wasn’t in. You had to scour health food stores incessantly, look as if you hadn’t holidayed in years (thanks to your pallid complexion) and say no to everything on the menu. 

But then came the wellness revolution. Out went the limp uninspired veg and in came the avocado, spiralised courgette (courgetti to its clean-living squad), cauliflower rice, quinoa, turmeric and tahini. 

And as the world continues to ride the wellness wave, veganism is enjoying a sexier, upscale renaissance. Music and politics royalty have put it on the food map; Beyoncé is arguably the most high profile vegan (yes B is a V) and Bill Clinton has been a devotee since undergoing major heart surgery in 2010. Could Hillary be ready to ditch the steak and blue cheese if she makes it to The White House, we wonder? 

Glossy wellness bloggers have added to its momentum, think Deliciously Ella and Jenna Zoe. Even Moby (he of porcelain beats fame in the noughties) opened a vegan restaurant, Little Pine in Silver Lake, Los Angeles late last year.   

Add to that the statistics; according to the Vegan Society, over the last 9 years the number of vegans in the UK has doubled from 150,000 to 300,000. Plus, 20% of all 16-24 year olds in the UK have ditched the animal products and by-products to go with pure plant power. So, vegan really is getting down with the kids. 

So, why make the switch? Health-wise the facts stack up. There’s no cholesterol in plant-based foods, so it has a positive effect on heart health, Plus, the lack of fat helps promote a leaner body shape. A vegan diet is rich in vitamins and minerals and packed full of fibre and antioxidants. As a result it packs a powerful punch against obesity, diabetes and cancer. So those teens and twenty-something’s really are safeguarding their future health. 

On a more everyday lifestyle level it will kick-start your energy levels. There’s been a lot of negative press from PT’s, fitness experts and athletes about going vegan and working out. Their argument is that without lean meat and fish the body isn’t getting enough quality protein. Protein (made up of chains of amino acids) are the body’s building blocks and help repair and reproduce cells and break down food. So essentially they are vital for building muscle mass, improving muscle tone and burning calories. Savvy vegans know that other foods are also excellent sources of protein. Build healthy levels of nuts, beans, pulses and peas into a vegan diet and you will be fuelling your body with the vital protein it needs to stoke the flames of your workout fire. 

And its pretty impressive beauty wise too. In fashion and beauty circles vegan has become synonymous with that incandescent, lit-from-within glow that supermodels and celebrities pay facialists top dollar for. Skin appears clearer and more youthful, and signs of sensitivity and irritation are reduced (such as acne, rosacea and psoriasis). 

One of the newest, most eagerly anticipated vegan restaurant launches of the year is Farmacy London. Sitting on Notting Hill’s Westbourne Grove, it’s a buzzy green oasis that’s flooded with natural light and strikes the perfect balance between unpretentious and non-preachy. The interior is a crisp and calming fusion of white and green with accents of blonde gold. Corners, windows and cabinets are swathed in green botanicals, from ferns and rubber plants through to trailing plants and giant bay trees. It’s the outside/in interior aesthetic done with a side order of sophistication.  

The brainchild of Camilla Fayed (yes Mohamed Al-Fayed is her father) its mission is to “enable clean indulgence, inspired by dishes from around the globe that support a vegan and vegetarian diet, free from dairy, refined sugars, additives and chemicals.” 

I take a seat at the bar (again beautifully accessorized with foliage) and take in the apothecary style glassware, liqueurs and spirits that line the shelves. Service is attentive and friendly and after a long peruse of the menu I opt for one of their classic dishes; the Farmacy Burger. 

As a meat-eater myself I am intrigued to see how the vegan alternative stacks up to its beefy rival.  And the reality is, pretty well. The burger uses millet, black bean and mushrooms to achieve its patty. It’s served with garlic aioli, goji ketchup, avocado, pickles and tomato in a wholemeal vegan bun.  Chips come as standard but I make the switch to sweet potato fries (I have a borderline addiction). 

The burger is incredibly fresh tasting, yet has impressive depth of flavour. The millet, beans and mushrooms create a light, vibrant consistency with subtle earthy undertones. The avocado is unctuous and cooling, while the goji ketchup adds a piquant, yet zesty kick. (I kept adding more of this and was tempted to ask for the recipe). 

In short, this vegan burger is almost as good as the real deal.  Better still there’s no post-Byron/Patty& Bun guilt or lethargic, bloated feeling after. 

The menu is interesting and inventive featuring ‘earth bowls’ which are inspired by both travel and superfoods and blend healthy grains, dips and vegetables with style. Live Gorge’s top picks are the ‘Macro’ and ‘Mexican’ bowls. If you book a breakfast table try the parfait jars (probiotic and granola mixes) or the sublime House Pancakes made with buckwheat flour and served with coconut ‘yoghurt’ chia berry jam and maple syrup.  

Drinks are a big deal here too. Choose from a selection of Superfood smoothies, go for the London Sunset- a sublime blend of pineapple, banana, blueberries and coconut water. Alternatively order one of the specials like the ‘Lemon-Aid’ (Beyoncé would clearly high five that) an alkalizing blend of lemons, apple and coconut water. If you really want to get into the Farmacy spirit try one of the Farmaceutical Syringe Shots. A quirky nod to the restaurants medicinal inspired name, these potent power shots are served in syringes for you to dispense into a dinky shot glass. 

In true Live Gorge style I tried ‘Beautify’ an amber-hued blend of goji and shizandra berries, silica and aloe vera. Fire Starter and O.M.G are next on my to-down list. (self-medicate as you wish). 

And if all this is sounding just a little too saintly for you then why not order a glass of something stronger. Farmacy’s range of organic, sulphur free and biodynamic wines are excellent and will eliminate any sore heads the morning after. 

The Speciality hot drinks are the perfect way to round off your meal. The standout option is clearly the Adaptogenic latte. Packed full of superfoods such as reishi, chaga, ho shu wu (we hold our hands up and admit to not knowing what this is) and maca it’s sweet, malty and frankly as good as ordering a dessert.

Thank you Farmacy London, we’ll be seeing you again soon. We didn’t miss the meat or dairy.