Dining out: Grain Store
Update August 2017: Grain Store in Kings Cross has closed permanently
Myth busting
Many people automatically think that vegans have a really hard time if they want to eat out. This is another example to show that it's not the case. In fact, it's the opposite!
Vegans are not restricted, eating out is not boring and we usually leave feeling chuffed about the meal we've had.
The options may be tailor-made for us, they may be listed on the main menu or shown on a separate menu for vegans. Either way, the common experience is that our bellies are full at the end of the meal, so we leave with a smile on our faces.
Finding out about the Grain Store
As fate would have it, the vegan pub that Suraj wanted to take me to, is under new management and it's no longer vegan. The motivation for going there, was because it was a vegan pub. I wanted to find out what it was like to have a vegan pub meal.
Anyway, Suraj did some quick research and he took me to Grain Store, which is a short walk from King's Cross. Here's a map showing you how to get to the square from King's Cross
We were lucky to get a seat by the bar, because of the short notice. So, if you plan on going and you know in advance; do book to avoid disappointment.
Supporting small vegan businesses
I love supporting small businesses, so I was excited that we were going to a restaurant that wasn't part of a huge chain.
Unfortunately, it isn't fully vegan or even vegetarian, but they won me over with their menu! It displays a range of choices for vegans and vegetarians from the onset.
The current menu has 13 vegan choices within it! Isn't that great?
Disliking change
Suraj and I had a delicious meal. My favourite part was the melon gazpacho, which was followed by a drink which I've not had before - Caffe d'orzo. It was delicious!
So what's the problem?
I told Suraj, that if I was peckish, I'd happily return; just to have the gazpacho and the Caffe d'orzo. He quickly realised that I may not get it when I go there again, because their menu is based on what's in season.
So the downer is that I will have to wait a year or so to have it again.
The plus point is that they use ingredients when they're available naturally, which is when they taste the best!
Returning to the Grain Store
I took a friend of mine to the Grain Store recently, and guess what? Exactly! They had a new menu.
We ordered one main between us and then shared 2 desserts. You can see the photos of what we ordered in the slider at the top of the post.
No regrets! The meal was delicious, the service was great and just like before; there were lots of vegan options.
So, would I return to the Grain Store again? Definitely!
So is it truly hard to eat out when you're following a vegan diet?
I think that's a big, fat, definite...no!
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“Veganism is not about giving anything up or losing anything; it is about gaining the peace within yourself that comes from embracing nonviolence and refusing to participate in the exploitation of the vulnerable”
- Gary L. Francione