UK: Inside Bath's underground vegan eatery where the 'meat' tasted just like the real deal

From somersetlive.co.uk 

You could walk through central Bath a hundred times and never notice it's there. But in the basement of Chapel Arts Centre is the most happening vegan hangout spot in Somerset.

My childhood best friend is a vegan. So when we arranged to meet up in Bath, I figured the steakhouse was out. Fish and chips probably wouldn't do either. And KFC could definitely strike the wrong chord.

Thankfully, there's Plant. Eat. Licious, hereby referred to as PAL. They've set up shop in the basement of Chapel Arts Centre, but don't be fooled: there's nothing dark or dingy about this subterranean gem.

                                                                                        (Image: Phoebe Hobbs)

As you descend the steps and go inside, you'll be greeted with the lushest, greenest hang out spot in Bath, the kind that makes a writer want to break out a Dulux colour chart to count all the shades on display.

PAL is adorned with hanging plant pots, mint coloured paint and a whole wall of verdant synthetic grass. Doubling up as a cafe and restaurant, you can order pancakes in the morning, afternoon tea at lunchtime (strictly pre-booked), and a cheeky glass of wine in the evening.

Articles about veganism tends to attract a lot of the same arguments, so let's get one thing straight: I'm a food critic, not an ethicist. I'm not here to litigate the moral, environmental, or religious implications of this or that diet.

I go to cafes to enjoy good grub and good company. If a plant-based cafe can provide that, then it's fine by me.

First, I kicked things off with a flat white paired with almond milk (£3.50). The milk substitute introduced sweet, nutty tasting notes to my usual coffee order and went down a treat.

On to lunch. I ordered a 'lamb' Kofka with pitta, golden fries, salad, and vegan tzatziki dip (£13.95). Believe it or not, the meat-free lamb meatballs tasted almost exactly like the real deal! Frankly, I was almost suspicious.

The only thing that gave the game away was a subtle mushroomy aftertaste betraying its true ingredients. But the meat-free meatballs were every bit as succulent as their counterparts. Meanwhile, you can never go wrong with pitta.

And whatever they used as a substitute for yoghurt in their tzatziki, I couldn't tell you a single difference in taste or texture.

What's really wonderful about the menu is that it allows for more people to enjoy a good old fashioned slap-up meal, not less. And I don't just mean vegans.

A plant-based menu means every dish is safe for lactose-intolerant people. Similarly, every dish is safe for people with an egg or seafood allergy. A plant-based menu also means the food served here is significantly more likely to be Halal or Kosher.

You're never going to have a eatery that's perfectly suited to everyone, but perhaps PAL comes closest as far as Bath goes. You don't need to be a vegan to have a lovely time here, you just need an open mind.

Plant. Eat. Licious. is open seven days a week.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/whats-on/inside-baths-underground-vegan-eatery-11014803