Now, let’s be honest – vegetarian food doesn’t quite top my ‘food cravings’ list.
When I’m in the mood to indulge, I think of bacon, burgers, black peppered ribs – something meaty, something substantial and something that I can really bite into. For some reason, vegetables have always seemed like the healthy, wholesome (and if slightly boring) cousin to the tantalising seductress that is meat. See, vegetables smile and give you sensible advice, while meat winks at you with the promise of a wild time.
Who would you pick?
Heck - hands down, I’D TAKE MEAT.
Eating plants has somewhat developed a bad rep, but the crew at Vegie Bar is here to change just that.
When I’m in the mood to indulge, I think of bacon, burgers, black peppered ribs – something meaty, something substantial and something that I can really bite into. For some reason, vegetables have always seemed like the healthy, wholesome (and if slightly boring) cousin to the tantalising seductress that is meat. See, vegetables smile and give you sensible advice, while meat winks at you with the promise of a wild time.
Who would you pick?
Heck - hands down, I’D TAKE MEAT.
Eating plants has somewhat developed a bad rep, but the crew at Vegie Bar is here to change just that.
Housed in the hipster enclave of Fitzroy, the restaurant has been serving up tasty vegetarian options for over two decades. Menu-wise, it was pretty extensive. It was almost like a huge melting pot of different flavours and textures, with Southeast Asian and African influences. We ordered the Baked Field Mushroom (AUD$14), which had a roast capsicum and onion stew piled atop a succulent mushroom. It was so sweet and juicy! To top it all off, they threw in some quinoa and beetroot salad, which made it that much more satisfying.
Here comes the star of the show – the Peri Peri Chicken pizza (AUD$12.50 for large, $10.50 for regular) was spicy, zingy and oh-so-good. It came complete with vegan cheese and fake chicken, which I've never been fond of, but this tasted pretty damn convincing. The well balanced pizza crust was a joy to eat. I'm not a fan of skinny pizza, or pizzas with bases so thin it feels like you're biting off a biscuit. Give me the dough! This was a happy middle between a thick, doughy base and a light and crispier option, which I gladly chowed down.
Well seasoned faux chicken and a not-too-indulgent pizza crust? Talk about guilt-free eating :-)
Well seasoned faux chicken and a not-too-indulgent pizza crust? Talk about guilt-free eating :-)
The mish mash of marinated cucumber, fluffy couscous and chickpeas was also delicious. Jam-packed and bursting with flavour, the Moroccan Stew (AUD$15) was one sexy beast of a dish, tempting you with its aroma of exotic spices.
My only qualm is that I wish they provided more pieces of pita bread to sop up the remains of this.
Four slices just isn't enough for starving girls!
My only qualm is that I wish they provided more pieces of pita bread to sop up the remains of this.
Four slices just isn't enough for starving girls!
By this point, we were pretty stuffed, but how could we leave without trying some of their desserts?
Gluttony tastes especially sweet, when it comes in the form of a Sticky Date Pudding (AUD$10.50), which we promptly demolished. It wasn't the best sticky date pudding I've had, but it was good enough to satisfy.
Gluttony tastes especially sweet, when it comes in the form of a Sticky Date Pudding (AUD$10.50), which we promptly demolished. It wasn't the best sticky date pudding I've had, but it was good enough to satisfy.
All round, an incredibly satisfactory and flavourful dinner here. Vegie Bar's a game-changer, and while I have no plans to become a vegetarian just yet, this has given me more reason to eat my greens :-)
Vegie Bar
380 Brunswick St
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
Tel: 03 9417 6935
Vegie Bar
380 Brunswick St
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
Tel: 03 9417 6935
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