Review: Mildreds, London, UK

I am always on the look out for vegetarian restaurants. As a non-meat eater, finding places that offer veggie options can be difficult. However, you know that if you are going to a specialist restaurant, you are not just going to be getting a choice of 3 or 4 options (if lucky) but a whole menu to choose from and more chance of an all-round more interesting and creative dining experience. Vegetarian restaurants have to make the extra effort to offer something that little bit extra.

That is what Mildreds brings: exciting and unusual food that makes it a must for veggies to visit (bring your omnivore friends as well! They will undoubtedly be impressed).

10 minutes from Oxford Street, and a 5 minute walk from the famous Carnaby, Mildreds is in a great location if you're in Soho and don't want to be swamped on one of the busier streets in central London.

That being said, if you arrive any time after 6pm expect to have to wait for a table. We arrived around 5:30pm and had to share a table. After 2 courses and a round of coffees we left around 8:00pm and, walking out of the door, overheard that the waiting time was up to an hour. However, despite the fact that we definitely stayed longer than we really should have, there was no pressure to leave and if you do have to wait for a table, there are many tempting cocktails on the menu to try out.

Now on to the food!

I was keen to try a number of items on the menu, however, being a big fan of beetroot (and always on the hunt for the ultimate veggie burger) I decided to try the Polish burger.

It was so good and so filling. The burger does not come with any sides but it's so hearty that you really don't need them. If you are extra hungry then you can order them for an extra £3. Which, when added yeti the price of the burger at £7, is actually incredibly reasonable for top quality food on central London.

My dining buddies ordered the Tofu burger and the Sri Lankan Curry. Both enjoyed their meals. I was able to try the curry and it was absolutely delicious and not too westernised. I almost regretted not ordering it.

For dessert, I ordered the Peanut butter chocolate brownie. I was already so full but this was my 19th birthday cake do I couldn't miss out!

It did not disappoint.

Mildreds is a new favourite and I will most definitely be returning next time I am in the region. Well priced, great food and a relaxing atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the West End.

As soon as I got back home I started  searching for recipes for beetroot burgers and that beautiful curry and was delighted to find that Mildreds has a cookbook featuring all the favourite recipes. It is available for purchase in the restaurant and on Amazon.

✭✭✭✭½

Review: Modern Art Oxford Cafe, Oxford, UK

I so badly wanted to like this cafe.

Salad bar? Check. Wide range of veggie options? Check. Good prices? Check. 

However, there were a number of things which really disappointed me with the cafe at Modern Art Oxford. 

Walking into the cafe early on a Sunday morning, we were the first customers. We walked up to the counter and asked about what is included in the 'meal deal' (salad plate, dessert and hot drink) - the staff didn't really seem too sure. So they called over another staff member who I can only assume was higher up on the ladder. However, he didn't seem to know either. Not off to a great start.

Next we asked what was in the various baked goods. They were serving frittatas and slices of pizza - all looked great but none were labelled and the staff were obviously clueless as to what they were. 

After being told that the pizza was vegetarian, I was pretty annoyed (understatement) to bite into it and find it contained salami under the tomato.

They replaced it quickly, nevertheless, the damage had been done. The actual salad components were tasty enough and if you are looking for a cold plate, it's a good enough cafe to stop by.

However, there are better places to go for lunch in Oxford. And more interesting selections of salad available.

If visiting, I would stick to the salad bar section and avoid the cakes. We ordered the coffee cake and it was certainly not freshly baked. It was sickly sweet, over creamy and did not taste remotely of coffee. Any redeeming qualities of the salad selection were quickly overpowered by the taste that this cake left in my mouth.

Overall, I was disappointed with the cafe here and, with so many great eateries in Oxford, I doubt I will be returning.

✭

Review: The Turf Tavern, Oxford, UK

Hello! For my first review, I thought I would go with my absolute favourite place in Oxford - The Turf Tavern!

This was the first place that I ever ate in Oxford. Visiting the city in the summer of 2014, I was on a walking tour and the guide, a recently graduated student of the Ruskin, recommended it to our group.

The location of the tavern is half of the excitement of going there. Just beyond the Bridge of Sighs is a little alley in the wall.

You would absolutely walk past it without prior knowledge.

 

'An education in intoxication'

Despite being tucked away down the narrowest of passages, the Turf Tavern is actually very large inside and it is always full! There is both indoor and outdoor seating, although the atmosphere inside is arguably a lot more cosy and pleasant. 

They stock a nice selection of ales - the Plum Porter (winner of the CAMRA gold award on multiple occasions) is particularly yummy!

However, for me, the highlight of visiting the Turf Tavern is the food! This is pub grub at its finest. As a non-meat-eater I stick to the vegetarian options, of which there are always a few and they are always absolutely delicious. They serve specials such as 'beetroot curry' (yum!) and on the staple menu... the best vegetarian burger I have ever had.

Beetroot curry (top), Vegetarian burger (bottom)

This pumpkin, smoked cheddar, chill and thyme burger is just heavenly. I can't recommend it enough. It's served with coleslaw, chips and a rather jam-like tomato sauce. I am struggle to order anything else on the menu. It's that good. 

When eating with my omnivore friends and family, they also rave about their meals. Pictured above is  "the best steak and ale pie" my friend (who has had 67 years of pie eating experience) has ever had. 

For desserts, they have a mouth watering selection ranging from staples to a doughnut, banana and salted caramel sundae. 

The triple chocolate brownie (bottom) served with mint ice cream was mediocre. The brownie was verging on becoming stale and didn't have that nice gooey warmth that you hope for when ordering! Last year, they served beetroot brownies with mint ice cream which were much more interesting. 

However, the sticky toffee pudding is hard to beat. A very generous portion size (you might want to consider sharing!) but it is so, so delicious and moist and made all the better with a scoop of clotted cream. I highly recommend it. 

They also serve a wide range of lunch options of which I am yet to sample. 

The Turf Tavern is now switching to its Autumn menu which I am thoroughly excited about. I think this pub will be the thing I miss most when it comes to leaving Oxford. 

★★★★★