I remember coming here once with my previous employer and the kids. I ordered a juice and I remember I liked it. Also I remember my dad said their coffee was really good. Though I don’t drink coffee myself, I thought they might be good in general. So I thought, let’s go here and see what else they have to offer vegans! It’s always busy here and people tend to love it, so I was curious what they would have. When I came in, one of the first things I saw was a vegan wrap in the fridge section. This was very hopeful I thought. Then I looked at the menu signs, to be a little disappointed. I could see lots of different ways to have your eggs, but no vegan options at all.
I went to the counter and introduced myself and straight away the girl walked away and the manager took her place. What was a little odd as she didn’t say anything. I asked for the vegan options, but she said she was sorry to not really have any. I was a little shocked. I haven’t been in many places where they don’t have anything. So I mentioned the wrap and she said that was the only thing. Then she started about all the vegetarian options, but that wasn’t really in any of my interest. They do a vegetarian breakfast, where you could leave out the egg, but then she wasn’t sure about the sausages. She said she also couldn’t check if they were vegan. I think this was very bad as they should always be exactly aware of what the offer.
I ordered a juice (the Cleanse) and the wrap though, to see if at least that was nice. I didn’t really like that the wrap had sugar in it, but I must say it was a very tasty wrap. I especially liked the aubergine in there. The juice was nice, but it still had a lot of pulp, coming from the ginger. It kept blocking my straw. They don’t use water or anything other than fruit in their juices, what I really like though. I also like the interior. They have many different corners and cosy seats, with sofa’s, tables to work on and many other seats. You can also sit outside. But I won’t come here again.. apart from maybe a take away juice. I think they should work on their vegan options as they are a little behind on other places.
WHO? Kitchen & Pantry.
WHERE? 14 Elgin Crescent, W11 2HX.
CUISINE? Diverse (breakfast/lunch).
VEGAN? No! (omni)
OVERALL? 5 (Nice seats, nice juices, but almost no options and bad informed staff.)
Did you already know Kitchen&Pantry? What was your experience? Or are you planning to go here now? Please tell me about it! You can do this by leaving a comment below, but you can also show me by tagging me on Instagram or by using #PlanetManel. Thank you! X
I thought I was kind of a Portobello Road expert, as I spend many many many days on this road. But when I was flying back home from Mallorca and a friend pointed out an article where the Farm Girl Cafe was mentioned, I had no idea. It turned out to be on the bit of Portobello Road I almost never go to. You have to cross a street for this bit and I actually always turn around before. Later I did guess where it was as I remember a hidden cafe when I went to a dance class with the kids I look after. I didn’t know the name anymore, but that was the only place I could think of. And when I got there, I was right. That was the cafe. Funny that I knew about it for so long, without knowing it.. if that makes sense?! Haha!
At the Farm Girl Cafe they do serve meat, but they also have a fair choice of vegan options. It was a lovely sunny morning and after a little wait (it’s a very popular place), I was able to sit outside. Their menu is on point, with a ‘V’ behind everything that is vegan. Super handy if restaurants do this. I saw crazy good smashed avocado toast passing by (a lot!), but as I always try to limit my bread intake, I chose the acai bowl. I heard it was good. I asked for a chai latte, but they are not vegan as they use honey. So the waiter suggested to have chai tea, with milk on the side. They have coconut milk, almond milk and hazelnut milk, all from Rude Health. I chose coconut. The acai came in a lovely coconut bowl, but I was a little disappointed with the presentation. They just threw everything in there.. such a shame, because you can really make it look nice with all these toppings (banana, coconut, seeds, granola, almond butter). The tea was super delicious btw, the best chai tea I’ve had! They also do a very famous charcoal latte, but I was afraid I was going to be too full. So I will come back for this for sure. They have 4 vegan all day breakfast options and 3 lunch options (from 11:00). I think that is pretty good! I have to come here more often.
What I really like about the Farm Girl Cafe is that it’s hidden. You don’t expect a cafe, but going through a porch, suddenly there is the most beautiful cafe. Lots of plants, white walls, seats outside, truly lovely. Inside it’s quite spectacular too, with the petrol coloured tiles, high ceiling and the opportunity to sit on a long table, up stairs, overlooking the cafe. There is lots of fresh fruit and veggies near the counter and that looks super nice against the tiles. They created a very unique atmosphere. The service was a little slow at times, but the staff was very friendly though. Something I didn’t like were the prices. It is pretty expensive! My acai bowl was nice, but not he best I’ve had and it lacked presentation. Still all together (acai bowl, chai tea) it was £17,50. This is a little outrageous if you ask me.
On Portobello Road, around the corner from Oxford Gardens, there is a lovely Juice Bar, called ‘Portobello Juice’. You can’t miss it, because it’s very colourful and it looks very.. juicy, haha! As you know, I love Portobello Road and many times I walked past this juice bar, without going in. This is actually because I always get a Starbucks whenever I’m around there and as the drink I order there is so filling, I never got around to try a juice here. Until one day I saw that they had Acai bowls too and they actually had quite a lovely juice/smoothie menu. So there we go.. I had to go for breakfast!
As I like to test Acai bowls, I ordered that. I did mentioned that there couldn’t be any animal products in there, so they would put only fruit and seeds on it instead. I also ordered a tea. As an Acai bowl and a juice would look like each other so much. Next time I will try one of their juices or smoothies. Also I would like to try one of their many vegan desserts. They have all sorts of vegan raw goodies. I never knew that. You can only really find out when going inside. What do you think of raw oreo’s (chocolate or salted caramel), raw snicker bars or some other raw cakes (chocolate or raspberries).. That sounds amazing doesn’t it? I’m very curious about them, especially about the salted caramel oreo’s! Then there is a salad bar with quite some vegan options and the salads look good. If I was here for lunch instead, I might have gone for that. You can have it with ciabatta bread and grilled veggies if you like. So they do have some vegan options, also for lunch. Which is great! But about the Acai bowl.. it was very tasty, though I think they could have done a little better with the presentation. Maybe the fruit on one side and the seeds sprinkled over/next to it? Would have looked fantastic!
There is something about the place I really like and that is the art. There is amazing art painted on the walls (outside and inside). Of ladies drinking juice.. It’s made really well and I think they’re real eye catchers. There is also art hanging on the wall, art you can buy. I like this a lot. The tables and chairs look all very nice in the whole juice-look. I do think that some things make it look a bit cheap, like the salad bar itself and the orange/purple coloured counter. It just doesn’t match with the nice things they have. It could have looked much more modern and attractive, even though I think they did a really good job with the rest. The staff was very friendly and helpful, what is always nice. So I will definitely go here again to try a juice and a salted caramel oreo. Oh yes!
When I don’t feel like going all the way to the Whole Foods Market just for a few things there is this great other little shop, which is close to my work, where I can get most of the things I want. It’s a great shop, with a lot of vegan products. A lot of times I get my cheese there, my mayonnaise, some vegan treat and I can’t resist to get a space bar when I’m there.
raw bars and if you’re lucky they have some vegan snickers too, which are define! This is only the beginning, because then the section with vegan goodies (sausages, cheese, mayo, bars, yogurt etc.), plant based milk, juices, bread, biscuits and oats(you can get really big bags). They also have quite a nice selection of teas. Then there is sauces, pasta’s and rice + the babyfood. The last aisle is with nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, chocolate spread agave nectar, soaps + personal hygiene and cleaning products. Oh and behind the till there are also supplements and all sorts of remedies they offer. These are just some main things, but they have a lot of surprising products you really don’t want to miss.
‘Portobello Wholefoods’ is 100% vegetarian and has a lot of organic products. They’re located on Portobello Road, literally under the Westway bridge. It’s easy to get to from Ladbroke Grove. If you keep walking under the Westway, it’ll be right in front of you. Even if you’re just strolling down Portobello road, it’s always nice to pop in. I’m sure you’ll walk outiside with something nice. They’re open every day from 9:30-18:00 and on Sundays from 11:00-5:00.
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