Central London

Events, special offers, new products, website features, competitions, special menus, Veg Week challenges
new activities will be added as soon as we hear about them so keep watching!

Quick links to postcode areas:

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Pogo Cafe
76 Clarence Road, Hackney, London E5 8HB. Tel: 020 8533 1214
All week - put any questions you may have about vegetarianism and veganism into our "agony aunt" box. We will have a starter pack of information available including recipe booklet and tasters.
May 23: 6pm onwards. Polish Night celebrating cruelty-free Polish food.
May 24: Introduction to Vegetarianism and Veganism Day, 12.30 till late. Will include free tasters of veggie food. 12.30-lunch and tasters. 2pm "why vegan" film with Benjamin Zephaniah. 2.30pm discussion. 4pm cookery demo. 4.30pm questions. 7pm "why vegan" film and vegan cookery video. 8pm discussion and questions. 8.30-9.30 food.
May 25-27: special offer. Get a main meal for just £4 between 4 -6pm.
May 28: 3-5pm Try Chrissie's delicious all-vegan cream teas.
May 29: Vegetarian Week Special Breakfast from 10am with croissants, health smoothies, or an alternative full breakfast.

Tower Hamlets School Catering Service
Contact: Moustapha Bennadi, Toby Lane Council Offices, Toby Lane, Stepney E1 4DN. web: www.myschoollunch.co.uk/towerhamlets/parents/
Special menu & information: we will prepare a dish from the NVW recipes every day. The Week will be advertised through posters, assemblies, school newsletters and our website. We will also be organising a children's competition with prizes.

Pinsent Masons (Law Firm)
Woodbridge House, Aylesbury Street, London EC1 0ER
Have ordered nvw promotional materials.

Reuters Ltd
Fleet Street, London EC4P 4AJ
Ordered NVW promotional materials for their 8th floor kitchen


Shish Restaurant
313-319 Old Street, London EC1V 9LE. Tel: 020 7749 0990 web: www.shish.com
May 23-29: Special menu. In addition to our usual range of delicious vegetarian dishes from the Shish Classics and Seasonal menus, we will be serving up a specially created menu for National Vegetarian Week for £6.99 with a select list of mezze and main course Shish including the special roasted vegetables and braised mushroom shish with salsa verde. The menu at Shish is inspired by the ancient Silk Road and is a very informal dining experience with many of the dishes created for sharing. Dishes on the Classic menu include Lebanese Aubergine Salad, Uzbek tomato & coriander salad, Spinach & Cheese Borek, Falafel Wrap and of course the delicious Halloumi Shish. Fresh vegetable and fruit juices are also made to order to complement your meal. See website for opening times.

The Organic Delivery Company (Food and Drink Guild)
68 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY. Web:www.organicdelivery.com
Information. Will be including the NVW fliers in their organic vegetable box deliveries.

City and Islington College
Spring House, Holloway Road, N7 8JL
Information. Will be making National Vegetarian Week the May feature on their learning centre display board.

Fresh and Wild
37 Church Street, Stoke Newington, London N16
May 22: 2.00 - 4.30pm, Russell Rose, author of "Veggie and Organic London" will be signing copies of the book.

Marcus Garney Library
Tottenham Green Centre, 1 Philip Lane, London N15 4JA.
Will have National Vegetarian Week information.

The Swan & Pyramid
High Street, London N12 8QR.
Has National Vegetarian Week promotional materials.

Edinboro Castle (pub)
57 Mornington Terrace, London NW1 7RU
We will be promoting a special vegetarian menu all week, displaying veggie facts around the bar and giving out mini recipe booklets.

Fresh and Wild
49 Parkway, Camden Town NW1
May 28: 12noon-2.30pm, Russell Rose, author of "Veggie and Organic London" will be signing copies of the book.

Shish Restaurant
2-6 Station Parade, Willesden Green, London NW2 4NH. Tel: 020 8208 9290 web: www.shish.com
May 23-29: Special menu. In addition to our usual range of delicious vegetarian dishes from the Shish Classics and Seasonal menus, we will be serving up a specially created menu for National Vegetarian Week for £6.99 with a select list of mezze and main course Shish including the special roasted vegetables and braised mushroom shish with salsa verde. The menu at Shish is inspired by the ancient Silk Road and is a very informal dining experience with many of the dishes created for sharing. Dishes on the Classic menu include Lebanese Aubergine Salad, Uzbek tomato & coriander salad, Spinach & Cheese Borek, Falafel Wrap and of course the delicious Halloumi Shish. Fresh vegetable and fruit juices are also made to order to complement your meal. See website for opening times.

Twickenham and Surrey Vegetarian and Vegan Group (Local Contacts)
May 21: Social event. Celebrate National Vegetarian Week early with a meal in the afternoon at one of the South Indian Vegetarian restaurants along Drummond Street, Euston. But first, meet 11am at Camden Tube Station for a browse round the market/canal lock. Details from Paul & Martina, 01372 844368.

Merryfield Early Years Centre
Sultan Street, Camberwell, SE5 0XG. Tel 0207 703 3260
Information. We will be creating an information display for parents at the centre, and handing out the National Vegetarian Week fliers.

The Moving Venue Caterers
Unit 10, Deptford Trading Estates, Blackhorse Road, London SE8 5HY
May 27: we will be holding a special tasting lunch for some of our key vegetarian contacts to show the variety of dishes they have on offer. Invitation only, but invitees will include representatives from the Science Museum, The Victoria & Albert Museum, London Film festival, NSPCC, the Cordon Vert Cookery School and several food writers. Menu includes Roasted Pimento Tart; Chinese Parcels with Plaum Sauce and Hoi Sin; Baby Vegetable Feuillete; Truffle Polenta; Aubergine "Cannelloni" and saffron Jus; Rhubarb Tart with Creme Fraiche Ice Cream; Dolce Italiano; Dark Chocolate Fondant. The Moving Venue Caterers are applying for Food & Drink Guild membership.

The Union Jack (pub)
225 Union Street, London SE1 0LR
has ordered nvw display materials.

City Cafe
30 John Islip Street, SW1P 4DD. Reservations phone 0207 932 4600. web: www.citycafe.co.uk
May 23-29: Special menu. Will be introducing an innovative new veggie menu for the week devised by executive chef, Peter Lloyd. Dishes will include Jerusalem artichoke and wild garlic soup, cepe mushroom tart with caramelised endive, pickled walnut and grape salad, Gorgonzola and cavolo risotto, carrot and lettuce gateaux with sauce jacqueline. If the weather's good, al fresco diners can spill out onto the Cafe's fabulous terrace in Side Street, the capital's first-ever street conceived as a work of art.

House of Commons Cafeteria
1 Parliament Street, SW1A 0AA
Some of the catering managers recently attended a Cordon Vert course organised by The Vegetarian Society. They are planning an interesting and lively display in the cafeteria and self-service restaurants for National Vegetarian Week.

Imperial College
Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ
We will be making a feature of vegetarian dishes in the 3 main restaurants at the college.

Royal Brompton Hospital
Sydney Street, London SW3 6HZ. Tel: 020 7351 8434/8432
Will be putting on a special veggie menu in the staff restaurant all week, introducing sandwiches from Cranks. Open to staff, patients and visitors.

The Fifth Floor Cafe, Harvey Nichols
109-125 Knigtsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
Will will be doing a special vegetarian offer for the week, plans still being finalised. Also using the NVW logo on their menu.

The Natural History Museum
Darwin Centre, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. web: www.nhm.ac.uk/darwincentre
May 24: 2.30pm. National Vegetarian Week: Plant Eating Dinosaurs. Who says vegetarian sare soft?
May 25: 2.30pm. National Vegetarian Week: Locusts. Not all vegetarians are gentle on the environment.
Free. All welcome. Live webcasts too - check out their website.
May 27: 2.30pm, a talk on vegetarianism by a Veg Soc speaker. Free, open to the public.

See also South-West London

W postcodes

Babylon at the Roof Garden
99 Kensington High Street, London W8 5ED. Tel: 020 7937 7994 web: www.virgin.com/roofgardens
Special menu: Babylon's Head Chef, Oliver Smith, has created a special, inspiring, herbivorous menu for National Vegetarian Week. This year's gourmet dishes include creamed Jerusalem artichoke soup with mushroom foam; spring vegetable, herb and saffron tagliatelle with lemon oil and gremolata; tart of sweet roasted onions with truffled cheese; lime, chilli and tequila sorbet; aubergine, mozzarella and ratatouille capresse. Diners can enjoy breathtaking views over the roof gardens whilst enjoying lunch, or in the evenings, move on to the Roof Gardens Private members club for a charge of £10 per person.

Cafe Quebec
25 New Quebec Street, London, W1H 7SF
Has ordered nvw display materials.

Chai Pani (Food & Drink Guild Member)
67 Seymour St, W1H 5BW. Tel: 020 7258 2000
May 23- 29:Special Meal, We will have a different "themed" day every day from 23rd to 29th May, eg a mango day, peas day, paneer day, yoghurt day, where a special thaali will be prepared (starters-dessert). Please enquire at restaurant to find out the daily theme.

Food and Drink Federation's Vegetarian and Meat-Free Group
May 19: The FDF is hosting a meat-free BBQ for the press in the run-up to the week. It will bring together leading food manufacturers, retailers, givernemnt officials and health promotion and consumer organisations to discuss key issues affecting the sector. Event includes presentations on key diet and health trends and vegetarian nutrition issues. By invitation only.

Mantra
48 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 5BF. Tel: 020 7439 6868. Web: www.mantrasoho.com
May 16 - June 5: Special offer. all our food is vegetarian, traditional and Indian fusion, anyone quoting National Vegetarian Week will receive a 10% discount and some goodies to take home.

Shish Restaurant
71-75 Bishops Bridge Road, Bayswater W2 6BG. Tel: 020 8208 9290. web: www.shish.com
May 23-29: Special menu. In addition to our usual range of delicious vegetarian dishes from the Shish Classics and Seasonal menus, we will be serving up a specially created menu for National Vegetarian Week for £6.99 with a select list of mezze and main course Shish including the special roasted vegetables and braised mushroom shish with salsa verde. The menu at Shish is inspired by the ancient Silk Road and is a very informal dining experience with many of the dishes created for sharing. Dishes on the Classic menu include Lebanese Aubergine Salad, Uzbek tomato & coriander salad, Spinach & Cheese Borek, Falafel Wrap and of course the delicious Halloumi Shish. Fresh vegetable and fruit juices are also made to order to complement your meal. See website for opening times.

Steam (UK) Ltd
8-10 Lower James St, London W1F 9EL
Has ordered nvw display materials.

YWCA Central Club Cafe
44 Portland Place, London W1B 1NE
We will be serving lots of vegetarian lunches during the Week.

Planet Organic (shop)
22 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ
Has ordered NVW promotional materials

VMM (Vegetarian Matchmakers, Seedling Symbol holders)
Tel: 0207 039 0059 web: www.veggiematchmakers.com
May 24: VMM celebrate National Vegetarian Week by hosting a speed dating event.
Vegetarian Matchmakers (VMM) and Xfactordates have teamed up to offer all veggies aged 23-35 a night of flirtatious fun at a speed dating event exclusively for vegetarians and vegans in the London WC2 area. The event is open to the public and costs £25. For further information please visit the VMM website

The following schools in the area will be promoting National Vegetarian Week:

Cardinal Hinsley High School, Harlesden Road, London NW10 3RW.
City of London School for Girls, St Giles Terrace, Fore Street, Barbican, London EC2Y 8BB.
Crofton Secondary School, Manwood Road, London SE4 1SA
Downhills School, Philip Lane, London N15 6JT.
Hartley Primary School, Hartley Avenue, East Ham, London E6 1NT.
Heaver Farm School, Dinsdale Gardens, South Norwood SE25 6LT.
John Loughborough School, Holcombe Road, Tottenham N17 9AD.
Peckford Primary School, Dornfell Street, London NW6 1QL.
Queen's College, 43-49 Harley Street, London W1A 8BT
Shacklewell Primary School, Shacklewell Row, London E8 2EA.
Stockwell Primary School, Kay Road, Stockwell SW9 9TG.
Thomas's London Day Schools, 28-40 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3JB.
Whittington Primary School, Higham Hill RS, Walthamstow E17 5OX.
Willowfield School, Tavistock Avenue, Walthamstow E17 6HL.

complete list of participating organisations 2005