Bruach

Wednesday 19 December 2018

With just a few days before the Etsy Made Local market we realised our itison voucher for Bruach was about to expire. We took a break from getting organised to treat ourselves to a relaxed lunch break in Broughty Ferry. I had looked up the menu before buying the voucher and saw that only the superfood salad was included in the offer from the regular lunch menu.
Choice:★★★★★Staff Knowledge:★★★★★
Value for Money:★★★★☆Overall:★★★★☆
When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised when our very helpful waiter said we could choose from several options on the vegan menu which he brought out to show us. David went for the rice noodle bowl, which was really tasty and gave me a bit of food envy! I did decide to have the warm superfood salad in the end as it sounded like an interesting flavour combination with beetroot, pear and orange in the mix. It was nice but there wasn't any pear or crispy kale which was a shame.
If we'd had more time I'd have loved to have tried the coconut rice pudding (with candied pineapple and crushed pistachios). It's great to see another restaurant with a separate vegan menu that offers lots of choice. We were told that the menu changes seasonally so it'll be great to see what's next!
326 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 2AN
10.00-21.00 Mon - Sun
www.bruach-bar.com

Menu Key:
Ask for vegan menu
Suitable for Little Vegans:
Kids menu but no vegan options on it
Dog Friendly:
No
Accessibility:                        
All ground floor
Top Tip:
Check the main menu for vegan sides

Loop and Scoop

Wednesday 5 December 2018

I'd been following Loop and Scoop online for some time but hadn't had the chance to visit until we were in Glasgow to see the Glasglow light show at the Botanic Gardens last month. Lots of people had the same idea as it's just around the corner so the queue was out the door, but we managed to get a seat to enjoy our sweet treats!

Loop and Scoop have a menu full of handcrafted gelato and churros, but more importantly lots of vegan options! You can choose from dipping churros, churro bites, churro cups, filled churros and, of course, 'the loop and scoop'. The dip/filling options are peanut butter, Biscoff and dark chocolate, and if you ask at the counter they'll show you their vegan gelato section which had plenty of flavours.

We had the Biscoff filled churros and a vegan cookies galore churro loop with mint chocolate gelato scoops. David was very excited as mint choc chip is his favourite ice cream but you don't often come across vegan versions of it. The churros were delicious, so fluffy and crispy. We had thought it was a little pricey when looking at the menu but the portions were very generous and it's definitely worth it for a treat. I can't wait to go back and try more flavours!

665 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 8RE
Mon-Thu 12.00-22.00 | Fri-Sat 11.00-23.00 | Sun 11.00-22.00
https://loopandscoop.com/

The Bach

Wednesday 28 November 2018

The Bach has changed their menu a lot since 2018 - check out a newer post here.

After visiting McManus with a friend we decided it was time for lunch. I'd heard a lot of good things about the vegan options at The Bach so we double checked the menu outside and thought we'd pop in and see if there was a table free.
Choice:★★★★☆Staff Knowledge:★★★★☆
Value for Money:★★★★☆Overall:★★★★☆
It was pretty busy when we arrived but we got a window seat. While we were there a lot more people did arrive and had to wait or were turned away for tables so it'd be worth booking if you know you're coming! The Bach has a lovely atmosphere with its casual decor and welcoming staff. They are super dog-friendly and even have beds available for your furry friend!
The vegan options are clearly labeled on the menu, it's nice to see different choices from the usual, even with the drinks menu. My friend ordered the rumbledethumps (potato, sweet potato, turnip, cabbage, onion, mustard with roasted mushrooms and tomatoes) with the extra marinated tempeh and I went for the Bach bean nachos. They were both very tasty and decent sized portions, but I was a bit disappointed that the nachos didn't come with any substitutes for the cheese and sour cream - it could've been clearer on the menu as it wasn't a different price. We didn't have time for a sweet, but there were delicious looking cupcakes on offer and when I mentioned being vegan was told that there would be a vegan pavlova ready soon! Yum! Will definitely need to make it back in the hope of trying that soon.
31 Meadowside, Dundee, DD1 1DJ
08.00-17.00 Mon - Sat | 09.00-17.00 Sun
https://the-bach.com/

Menu Key:
Vegan options marked on main menu
Suitable for Little Vegans:
Yes
Dog Friendly:
Yes
Accessibility:                        
Steps to enter
Top Tip:
Ask staff for vegan sweet options!



Dundee Vegan Festival

Wednesday 21 November 2018

Nutcrafter Creamery
Operation Icing
Dundee Vegan Festival
Blushberry Botanicals
Jist Jute
Sugar Noir
Decadently Pure
Sea No Waste
Almighty Foods
Considerit
Cool Jerk Vegan Pies
Missy's Vegan Cupcakes
Nutcrafter Creamery
Another year, another fantastic Dundee Vegan Festival. Just like last year, the festival had been moved to an even bigger venue!! This time, split over five floors and they did not disappoint. Starting on the ground floor with the café and food bank donations/collection point we were greeted by friendly volunteers of the festival and as I had my little vegan with me they pointed me towards the lift…up to some super tasty food and amazing vegan products. The first floor was the market floor which was full of vegan goodies including Blushberry Botanicals, our favourite vegan beauty brand, Jist Jute, Sea No Waste, Decadently Pure and The Health Store. There were so many vegan businesses with a huge selection of goodies and gift ideas, perfect for the lead up to Christmas. The second floor was definitely our favourite…THE FOOD COURT…I ended up in a food coma after a massive cinnamon roll/donut from Considerit Chocolate and a cookie sandwich from Missy’s Vegan Cupcakes, Jilly had baked lemon cheesecake from there too and both were DELICIOUS. There were so many vegan goodies on offer including the delicious Face Plant Foods, Nutcrafter Creamery (which had the tastiest battered halloumi), Dundee's own Roaming Vegan Baker, Cool Jerk Pies, Almighty Foods and much much more. The third floor was the space for the speakers, unfortunately we didn’t make it along to any of the talks (I was occupied with a poorly toddler and Jilly was super busy at the Dundee Urban Market with her business) but I did get a chance to go up to the third floor where there was a kid zone, which was perfect, pushing the pram around a busy market can be stressful so having somewhere for us to sit and play was very welcome. There was also a quiet zone in the basement, which is such a thoughtful addition as it allows people to take some time out if it gets too busy, It would be great to see this at more events. The third Dundee Vegan Festival was, once again, an amazing day full of delicious food, friendly people and a lot of donations to the Dundee Food Bank. We cannot thank Barry, Jamie and the whole Dundee Vegan Festival team for their tireless efforts to bring this wonderful festival to Dundee again.

Blushberry Botanicals + Giveaway

Sunday 4 November 2018

Blushberry Botanicals is our favourite indie vegan cosmetics brand! Based in Aberdeen, all of their products are handmade in small batches using the finest natural ingredients. We're excited to share a little bit more about their products and even more so because we have a goody-filled gift box to give away!

I have to admit that we're biased as Blushberry Botanicals is run by my Mum, Lorraine, and I worked on the branding, packaging and photography. But we wouldn't share a post like this if we didn't genuinely love the products.

Blushberry Botanicals was launched in October last year, initially with a range of lip butters and hand creams, but has since expanded their offering to include cream deodorants, face masks, cleansing balm, face scrubs, foot balm, nail oil and facial oil. Most recently they have launched a range of aromatherapy bath soaks! Everything is made with natural, vegan ingredients (mostly organic) and with plastic-free packaging.

I think I've tried all of the products now, but I couldn't choose a favourite! Some are my go-to for daily use but they all still feel like a treat to use. The lip butters come in such yummy flavours, with new 'prosecco' and 'Irish cream' just added to the range. I love the facemasks and new bath soaks for a luxury pamper session (candlelit bath!) and the coconut and lime scrub smells good enough to eat! Falda is a natural deodorant convert and has been telling everyone about her favourite; lavender and lemongrass. It has such a fresh but calming scent and is super nourishing but really works!

Blushberry Botanicals will be at the Dundee Vegan Festival on 17th November with all of their goodies this year! To celebrate we're giving away a mystery gift box worth over £30! Gift boxes are available online and can be made up at the event too. To enter head to our Instagram, make sure you're following us and Blushberry Botanicals and then tag a friend in comments. We'll be picking a winner at random on 15th November, and the prize must be picked up at the festival. Good luck!
Find Blushberry Botanicals:

Shop Local - Winter Markets

Thursday 1 November 2018

We're sure you all know about the upcoming Dundee Vegan Festival, which is super exciting, but we thought we'd put together a wee guide for other upcoming events happening in the city on the run up to Christmas. Of course, these markets aren't exclusively vegan, but many have vegan business owners and products on offer and it's so great to support independent local businesses too. Plus check out the ones marked with ★ as we're involved in organising these events!

Dundee Vegan Festival
Saturday 17th November
Abertay Student Centre | 10:00-17:00
The Dundee Vegan Festival is back and bigger than ever for its third year, we can't wait!

 Urban Market
17th & 18th November + 15th & 16th December
West Ward Works | 11:00-17:00

 Dundee Ministry of Craft
Saturday 24th November
Steeple Church | 11:00-16:00
★ Coca-Cola 5by20 Exhibition & Trade Show
Friday 30th November
Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa | 12:30-17:00
Falda has been working on the social media promotion of this event which is showcasing the work of some incredible businesses in and around Dundee and all run by women. Falda has been working on the social media promotion of this event which is showcasing the work of some incredible businesses in and around Dundee and all run by women.

 ★ Etsy Made Local
Saturday 1st December
Wasps Artists Studios | 11:00-19:00
The first Etsy Made Local Dundee, put together by a team of Etsy sellers with Jilly as one of the organisers. The market will include goody bags, a Christmas decorations workshop, pop up photobooth, evening drinks and live music. Look out for Jilly's illustrated vegan collection! Roaming Vegan Baker will be here too.

 Xmas Vintage Market
Saturday 1st December 
Roseangle Kitchen Cafe | 11:00-16:00

 Crafted at DCA
Saturday 1st December
Dundee Contemporary Arts | 11:30-17:30

Makers for Maggie's Christmas Market
Sunday 2nd December
Maggie's Dundee | 11:00-16:00

Verdant Works Winter Fayre
Sunday 2nd December
Verdant Works | 12:00-16:00

We're looking forward to doing our Christmas shopping at these markets! Which are you planning on going to?
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