Restaurant Highlight: Vx In London

London is truly a melting pot of tastes from all corners of the world. Every fleeting food interest that has crossed my mind while staying in the city has been quickly satisfied by a HappyCow search. Last time I passed through the city, my craving of the moment just happened to be vegan junk food. After consulting my maps, I was ecstatic but unsurprised to find that my longing would be fulfilled by a short walk. I strolled hungrily down the street from King’s Cross St. Pancras (home to the notorious Platform 9 ¾ from Harry Potter), listening to the tune of English accents that filled my ears with nostalgia.

When I arrived to my destination, my jaw dropped with the realization that I had been to this café before. I vividly recalled this spot as the location of the hands-down best vegan chocolate cake I tasted when I lived in London four summers ago. The mouthwatering sight of its blueberry layer atop its moist, layered interior was forever etched into my memory. I stepped inside with delight, starving for a second taste.

Vx may be dear to the hearts of many plant-based eaters who have crossed its path. As the first 100% vegan shop in London and the first vegan chain restaurant in the UK, Vx has made its mark on the country. Why is the shop so memorable? It exudes an attitude of not caring what critics might think. Rather than brand itself with claims of being “healthy” or “low calorie”, Vx loudly advertises the fact that vegan food need not be restrictive. By proudly serving up vegan junk food, its owner – a tattooed Thai boxing instructor who became vegan when he left his home country of France in 2001 – seeks to deliver veganized versions of the foods we grew up eating.

Nostalgia is certainly a staple ingredient in all items of the menu, which includes vegan Mac’n’cheese, vegan shredded cheese and guacamole Nachos, Chicago-style Marinara Meatballs Sub, and a vegan Döner Kebab Wrap (with an option to supersize your order). These vegan fast food items can easily be delivered or ordered to go. However, I chose to savor my vegan Quesadilla in the uncharacteristically sunny London weather that shone on the day of my visit.

Each of these guilty favorite dishes can be complemented by an array of hot and cold drinks. The restaurant is best-known for its dessert drink concoctions, such as the Speculoos Latte and the Peanut Butter Cup Latte. Yet your “junk food” vegan meal is incomplete unless these drinks are accompanied by an item or two from the splendid vegan patisserie selection. Vx makes small batch homemade ice cream under its Secret Society of Vegans Label, and its flavors are constantly changing. Their vegan ice cream can be served sandwiched between two vegan donuts or alongside one of the rotating flavors of vegan cake made by CatFoodCakes.

I drooled thinking back on my first slice of decadent Vx cake as I made my dessert selection on my last visit. How to choose between soya cream-filled Eclairs and massive, colorful Rainbow Cake? Finally, I went with my gut, and requested the vegan Salted Caramel Brownie. As I chomped into the gooey, chocolate frosting-like treat, I acknowledged that it was undeniably love at first bite. This generously-sized, decadently chewy treat softened in the bright sun and melted in my mouth.

Although I wouldn’t choose vegan junk food every day, in moderation, Vx is the solution to my strongest cravings whenever I’m in London. This grungy, greasy café is a prime example of the fact that it’s not just green juices that are vegan. Our favorite junk foods can also be made cruelty free.

 

 

About the author: Lacey Gibson is a global health researcher, a food writer, and a Vinyasa yoga teacher. She recently graduated with a Masters of Science in Global Health Population from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Here, she also served as a Food Literacy Project Fellow, coordinating community events to inspire education of the food system. Prior to her Masters, she graduated in 2015 with a BA/BS in French and Physiology from Southern Illinois University, where she also competed as an NCAA DI track/cross country runner. Throughout her career, Lacey’s work has been published in academic journals, such as the Journal of Wine Research and the International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. She is also a regular contributor to writings for a wider wellness-interested audience, such as UNDO Ordinary, I Am Woman Project, and Skin In The Game. For a full taste of her writing style, keep up with her here.

 

 

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