Friday, September 17, 2010

Vegie Bar, Brunswick


Vegie Bar is a Melbourne institution that needs no introduction. Situated in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, its bustling, cosy interior lifts the spirits immediately on entry. Vegie Bar's philosphy is to provide healthy, affordable vegetarian food in a fun environment, and they certainly deliver on that promise.


I visited Vegie Bar for a friend's birthday recently. Because Vegie Bar is so popular, on entry, you put your name down on a table list, take an "animal" (in my case, a Zebra), and go out the back to a cosy bar area to wait until your table is called.

Our party of five didn't have to wait long before being seated. The tables are packed in pretty closely, but because the vibe of the place is so upbeat, everyone is good natured about it and take it in their stride. The wait staff are friendly and efficient, and our meals come out quickly.

I ordered a vegetarian Moroccan tagine with cous cous, pictured at the top of this post. The serving was huge, and the flavour of the dish was fabulous - just the right level of spiciness. Everyone else at our table was happy with their picks as well.

My downfall came in ordering dessert. I was already quite full after my meal, but as these things happen, someone suggested dessert. I had been eyeing off the bread and butter pudding in the cakes cabinet since we came in, so I needed no persuading to order a dessert. Now this was no ordinary bread and butter pudding:



It was cake-like in its elegance and stature, and as well as berries inside, it was accompanied by a cacophony of berries on the plate. Some were still a little frozen, but no matter - nothing could detract from the glory of this pudding. Unfortunately, this mammoth and glorious dessert tipped my capacity over the edge (that must surprise some of you after seeing my recent Sydney post!), and I was uncomfortably full for the next day or so. Let that be a warning to you - order a dessert to share (but don't skip it, because it is devine!).

If you are looking for a fun, casual, affordable place to dine in Melbourne, Vegie Bar certainly fits the bill.
Vegie Bar
380 Brunswick St
Fitzroy VIC 3065
(03) 9417 6935

13 comments:

Beth said...

What a great meal! I love tagines, and I can never say no to a fruit dessert. Even if I'm going to be uncomfortably full the next day.

Gloria Baker said...

Laws of the kitchen this look delicious!! gloria

Barbara Bakes said...

The dessert does look like it would be worth being uncomfortable for. Love the word cacophony. I must use it more.

natalia said...

Ciao ! the dessert looks delicious !

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

This dessert sounds phenomenal Cakelaw! :O I'm fascinated by it! Will you try and recreate it here? :)

Cakelaw said...

Hi Lorraine, perhaps I should give it a go - I always have lots of stale bread!

Anonymous said...

Your meal sounds delicious. That's one giant dessert! It can be hard to agree on something to share for dessert though.

Unknown said...

Hi,

wow...amazing ...looks so yummy...

Dr.Sameena@

www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

Johanna GGG said...

love the vegie bar - and would love to have helped you with dessert - I never try bread and butter pudding when out but that looks good - in fact you may not be surprised to hear that on occasion I have been to the vegie bar just for a piece of cake - they are always delicious

Conor @ Hold the Beef said...

I second Lorraine's suggestion!

I have the opposite problem to you when going nuts on a dessert I couldn't fit in in the first place - overly hungry the next day. I think my body thinks it's always going to be fed like that and then gets unhappy when faced with a normal amount of food.

Unknown said...

Mmmm... that desert is calling my name. How could you not have room for desert? Its what I look forward to the most. You never get a no from me when it comes to that, doesn't matter how full I am LOL.
*kisses* HH

Juliana said...

Wow, the place sure sounds good...the dessert looks awesome :-)

Emma @CakeMistress said...

Moroccan flavours are so gorgeous. I can't wait to try the Vegie bar and their tagine. Can't believe I haven't been there before!
Will take your advice and leave room for dessert too :)