London Edit: Redemption Bar, Shoreditch

Redemption Bar Shoreditch

There is a huge problem with social media. That is, the ability to disappear down a rabbit hole of mouth-watering, tastebud-popping food accounts on Instagram and Pinterest. Since trying to source all the vegan food and places I have to visit, hours disappear to god knows where. Plus, I feel hungry a lot of the time. Still, it’s only fair to share right? On the windiest, sleetiest, most miserable Sunday, Pete and I ventured to Shoreditch for a pre-birthday lunch at Redemption Bar.

Now, whilst I am super desperate to get my mitts on all this glorious vegan junk food I keep seeing all over the place, I’m not so keen to undo all my running and gym work. Redemption Bar offers up the perfect solution. Serving vegan, sugar-free and wheat-free food alongside an alcohol-free bar, you could be forgiven for thinking this sounds like the most boring place on the planet. I promise you though, it’s anything but. I mean, they have angel wings outside!

Redemption Bar Shoreditch

With two outposts (the other is in Notting Hill), it’s a cosy, stylish destination, all teal velvet banquettes, big windows and plants galore. Plus, the totally on trend neon sign. Perfect for us Instagram addicts. The staff are all super friendly and seem to genuinely care about where they work and what they do. In London I sort of get used to sometimes surly behaviour. It makes all the more difference therefore when a warm smile greets you, especially after being swept in through a winter storm.

‘But what about the food?’, I hear you ask? Well. Redemption Bar has a number of different menu options depending which time of week you’re going. We tend to be mainly weekend types just because it’s not always easy to go straight from work during the week. Also, who doesn’t want brunch, right?

As soon as I saw the menu there was only ever going to be one choice. I am obsessed with the magic of jackfruit, hearing rumours of it’s meat-like taste and texture. My choice was the pulled barbecued jackfruit and superslaw with a side of sweet potato fries and it was utterly divine. Very messy to eat mind you, but the flavours and texture were just incredible. It’s only my second taste of jackfruit but I’m going to eat it wherever I find it on a menu. People keep asking me about being vegan and whether I feel restricted. The answer is 100% no. How can it be restrictive when it’s opening my mind and palette to so many new foods? Besides, I haven’t eaten red meat in around 15 years so you definitely stop missing it after a while.

Pete opted for the ‘buff burger’, offering an incredible protein-filled mix of beans and mushrooms, also with slaw and sweet potato fries. We chose the apple mockjito and a crantini to drink, all of which add to the feeling that you’ve had a naughty but virtuous meal at the same time. Alas, no room for pudding, but doesn’t that sound like the perfect excuse to go back?

Just to clarify – this isn’t a review/collaboration. I wrote this post about why I want to include more varied content on my blog moving forward and love to share new finds, especially for anyone who might be trying or considering a vegan food lifestyle (I specify vegan food as I haven’t yet made the full transition in other areas of my life). Main meals start from around £9.75 and I saw people taking bits away in goodie bags so it’s definitely got a laid-back vibe and not at all pretentious. I can’t wait to come back and give it a big thumbs up.

Redemption Bar Shoreditch

Redemption Bar Shoreditch

Redemption Bar Shoreditch

Redemption Bar Shoreditch

Redemption Bar Shoreditch

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2 Comments

  1. January 26, 2018 / 7:44 am

    IT looks delicious! I’m planning a trip to Portabello Rd in a couple of weeks so I will see if I can try the Nottinghill Branch. I just need to persuade my meet eating companions.

    • Lins
      Author
      January 29, 2018 / 9:21 pm

      Most definitely, Pete is a full-on meat eater and he enjoyed it 🙂 X

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