[Review] Vegan Steak Bake at Coughlans Bakery

Approaching the end of the year to January, many restaurants and shops will be launching vegan foods for #veganuary .
I like the way Coughlans has the vegan steak bake way before Greggs which I will try later.

As well as the Vegan Steak Bake, they also have the Vegan three cheese and onion pasty which I didn't get the chance the try as I was not in the area.

The Vegan Steak Bake at Coughlans has sesame on it to distinguish it from the the steak bake.

The price of this vegan steak bake is £2.95 which is slightly more than Greggs at £1.55 according to online media photos.

Anyway, when you bite into the vegan steak bake, the pastry is just as good as any pastry in the sense that it is crisp and flaky.
It took me a while to get to the centre of the bake but I was greeted with a lovely gravy loaded with mushrooms and vegan steak.
The vegan steak pieces was tasty and the texture was like firm bouncy tofu that is just the right bite without being too rubbery so overall I really enjoyed this vegan steak bake.

Sadly, Coughlans was closed on Sunday so I didn't try the vegan cheese and onion as well as the Vegan sausage and leek.

They also have other captivating treats like Butterscotch yum yum and the iced apple lattice.

Will definitely give them a try when I am next in town!

[Review] East 22 - East London Pie and Mash in Eastbourne

I was really chuffed that there is a pie and mash shop in Eastbourne, it has been here since 2012 according to comments on the web.
It was formerly known as Seaside Pie and Mash but it changed owners at some point hence the new name East 22.

When you go inside, you are greeted with the typical pie and mash 19th Century style dark wood tables, the green tiles reminded me of Cockney's in Croydon.

On the walls, it had pictures of other notable pie and mash restaurants which surprised me because Pie and Mash shops are quite competitive so I like the way the owner appreciates pie and mash just like me.

On the menu, you will find the signature pie and mash as well as jellied eels.

Other options available are sausages and mash, haddock and parsley sauce as well as British desserts like sticky toffee but it would be good if they serve tea as well.

As I haven't tried any pie mash vegetarian pie yet, decided to try it here as they have it which is made with Quorn mince.
Additionally I requested for some jelly from the jellied eels because I just love it.

Tea came first which was served in a customized East 22 mug.
On the table were the usual condiments, vinegar etc.

The parsley liquor was thick and comforting.

Moving on the Quorn mince pie, it was delicious as the quorn mince had this meaty marmite taste.
Adding vinegar to it made it appetizing.

Last but not least was the jelly, it was different to the other ones I have tried.
The jelly was not as clear as the others but it was stronger in taste as you could taste the cloves, pepper and salt.

To summarize, I am definitely coming back again for the quorn mince pie which I will try with gravy next time.

East 22 ( Seaside Pie and Mash)
22 Seaside Road
Eastbourne

https://bit.ly/2EG54UU

Seven Dials Market in London

Street food has been taking the storm in UK for years now like the Borough Market.
Enter Seven Dials Market which is a spacious modern foodhall which equips independent businesses with permanent fixtures while there is a comfortable hall for people dine in.

There are two floors, the street level one features a Monty's deli, club Mexicana and The cheese bar with the world's first cheese conveyor belt restaurant.

On the lower ground floor you have pasta, Asian food etc.

To summarize, depending on how successful the restaurants are, you might find restaurants coming and going quite fast. 

[Review] Old Tree Daiwan Bee

Small restaurant, expect to share tables with others.
Typical Hong Kong style service (not friendly service).

[Review] Le Hanoi

To be honest, I am not a fan of Vietnamese food because Hongkongized Vietnamese food has put me off it especially the cloyingly sweet broths which are a recipe for disaster but loved by the locals there.

Anyway, went to Le Hanoi in London which is located in Chinatown.
Before commenting on food, the service was really friendly and attentive which explains why people like to dine there.

I am not sure if this is a new restaurant but the decor by the staircase looks like it was left from the previous restaurant.

Moving on to the food, tried the rare beef pho and lemongrass tea.
Although the pho was too soft, it was miles better than the weird broths in Hong Kong and the hanger steak slices were so damn good.

The lemongrass tea is made with fresh lemongrass which is a bonus!

Le Hanoi:
https://www.instagram.com/lehanoilondon/

[Review] Wing Loon Cafe (Olympic Cafe)

A while ago I saw some interesting pictures of Hainan Chicken at this place which was basically chicken with gravy on top of rice.

Although it didn't look like the real deal served with yellow rice and sauces it aroused my interest.

Other food at this place looked good so I decided to pay it a visit as the table settings was basically like a Chinese greasy spoon cafe.

However on Tripadvisor it was called Olympic Cafe while it was Wing Loon Cafe on google.

In a way Olympic Cafe sounds better as it matches the decor and style.

When I got there, it was indeed Wing Loon Cafe so they must have changed names at some point.

There were so many things I wanted to try but decided to order the Hainan Chicken first.

On the drinks menu, they even had English Tea as an option as well as Thai Tea.

English Tea was a must for me as it totally matches this place!

After I paid, I was given some cutlery wrapped in paper just like the ones you get in greasy spoon cafes.

I was impressed when my food came, it looked exactly how I saw it on the pictures.

Lean white meat topped with gravy on top of rice which was a bit too soft.

The chicken breast meat was soft and tender which was pleasing and the gravy was so damn delicious just like this other Chinese joint in UK.

The gravy was just how I liked it, although it was a little salty but definitely heaven compared to the horrible stuff in Hong Kong.

Will definitely be back to try other stuff.

The menu:

Wing Loon Cafe (Olympic Cafe):

130 Lower Marsh,

Waterloo