eating out

I’m an interior designer so I appreciate a cleverly put-together interior! Unframed Ice Cream has an amazing new store and I love it! Oh, and did I forget to mention they have delicious vegan ice cream! 

Unframed Ice Cream

Unframed is a Cape Town-based artisanal Ice Cream Company that makes dairy ice cream, vegan ice creams, and sorbet. I love that they have quite a few vegan flavours and so far the two I thoroughly enjoyed were the vegan turmeric latte and vegan vanilla. I highly recommend you try them. This unframed shop is in Woodstock, at the Woodstock Quarter, 187 Sir Lowry Road! I’m totally obsessed with the simplicity of the interior design and I love the herringbone tiles! Unframed also has another location at 45C Kloof Street in Cape Town. 

Have you tried any of the vegan ice cream flavours? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below! If you’d like to see more places where I have eaten, have a look here. New eating out spots posted regularly. And be sure to look here for local markets and festivals I love.

Let’s get Social!

Be sure to follow Unframed Ice Cream on Instagram and Facebook. And follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with my posts! If you end up trying this ice cream store, after reading about it for the first time here, please tag me and let me know what you think. Remember to hashtag it  #thegreenveganchick

I was recently invited to attend the new vegan summer menu launch at The Courtyard Café and was blown away by Chef Michael Keating’s incredible creations!

The Courtyard Café

The Courtyard Café is one of my favourite eating out spots! I’ve been there quite a few times, and I have tried quite a few of their vegan options, including their amazing vegan burger (see blog post here). When I received my invitation to attend their new vegan summer menu launch I immediately RSVP’d, as I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Chef Michael Keating has a obvious passion for food, and has become a master at creating unique vegan dishes. The Courtyard Café is very lucky to have him on the team. At The Courtyard Café they even make their own (awesome) bread, pasta, almond milk, hummus, pesto, salad dressing, etc. After the event we each got a goodie bag full of their products, so we could enjoy them at home.

The courses

When we arrived at the Courtyard Café, we were treated to champagne, various delicious hors d’oeuvres, as well as some delicious juices (green, red and orange). The most memorable were the crumbed mushrooms and the red beetroot juice. The 1st course included a trio of chilled soups: avocado gazpacho, borzcht, and butternut and orange; and 3 salads: quinoa, waldorf carpaccio, and panzanela. It was wonderful to taste the various flavours of soup – the avocado was my favourite. The salads were all wonderful, but the quinoa salad inspired me to try emulate it at home.

The second course consisted of pasta arribiata, the Chef’s stacked slider, and a lentil and aubergine moussaka. Each item was delicious and definitely something I would order again and again. For the last course, we were treated to an almond chai latte panna cotta, a chilled beetroot cashew cake, a dark chocolate brownie with banana ice cream, as well as brilliant millionaire’s shortbread. I’m not kidding when I say it was all mouthwateringly delicious!

Throughout the event the meals were paired with lovely Catherine Marshall Wines, which are also all vegan.

Where are they?

The Courtyard Café is literally in a courtyard which you enter through a passage on the ground floor between the Artvark gallery and The Kalk Bay theatre on Main Road. They are open from Monday to Sunday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Look out for the A-frame café sign that is usually on the roadside.

Have you been to The Courtyard Café yet? What was your favourite vegan dish? I’d love to hear from you – please comment below! If you’d like to see more places where I have eaten, have a look here. New eating-out spots are posted regularly. And be sure to look at my directory for a list of all the awesome green & vegan products I have found locally as well as the local markets I love.

Let’s Get Social!

Be sure to follow The Courtyard Café on Instagram and Facebook. And follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with my posts! If you end up trying this vegan eatery, after reading about it for the first time here, please tag me and let me know what you think. Remember to hashtag it  #thegreenveganchick

If you want to indulge in some gluten free, cruelty free waffles then be sure to head on over to Jessy’s Waffles in Gardens, Cape Town.

The creation of Jessy’s Waffles

Jessy knew she wanted to create a food business and was originally planning on a food truck. Then one day, while experimenting with a vegan waffle recipe, she realised she was on to something. Jessy perfected the recipe over a few months, and started selling her waffles at a market. Now she has a very cute little spot in Dunkley Square where many vegans and non-vegans go to get their waffle fix.

Vegan Waffles and more

Jessy’s Waffles sell an amazing range of savoury and sweet waffles as well as flap jacks, ice cream sundaes and milkshakes. You can also build your own flapjacks and waffles. My non-vegan boyfriend and I each ordered a waffle, his was a cinnamon waffle with blue berries, chocolate sauce and chocolate ice cream.  Mine was a vanilla waffle with berries, cinnamon sugar and vanilla ice cream.

We gave each other half of the others so that we could experience both types. I have to say the cinnamon base is amazing and the vanilla is delicious. The portions are huge, so much so that both of us could not finish. Well we didn’t complain as we both had the rest at home later that day.  We will most definitely be back to try the flap jacks and milkshakes. 

Location?

Jessy’s Waffle’s is located at 58 Barnet street, Dunkley Square, Gardens, Cape Town. You can contact them on 087 470 0139. They are open on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s from 9am to 6pm; Thursday’s to Saturday’s from 9am to 9pm; and Sunday’s from 10am to 3pm. 

Have you been to Jessy’s Waffles? What is your favourite waffle? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below! If you’d like to see more places where I have eaten, have a look here. New eating out spots posted regularly. And be sure to look at my directory for a list of all the awesome green & vegan products I have found locally as well as the local markets I love.

Let’s get Social!

Be sure to follow Jessy’s Waffles on Facebook and Instagram. And follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with my posts! If you end up trying this vegan eatery, after reading about it for the first time here, please tag me and let me know what you think. Remember to hashtag it  #thegreenveganchick

The Courtyard Café in Kalk Bay recently updated their menu to include even more vegan options. I tried their new vegan burger and have to say it is one of, if not the best vegan burger I have ever had! 

My vegan mom and I recently spent a Sunday afternoon in Kalk Bay. We browsed the shops, bought plants (#plantaddicts) and afterward, I suggested we stop at The Courtyard Café for lunch. I had been there before and had the pleasure in meeting the chef who told me a little about the new vegan items that they were going to add to the menu. 

If you haven’t been, The Courtyard Café is literally in a courtyard which you enter from the ground floor between the Artvark gallery and The Kalk Bay theatre on Main Road. They are open from Monday to Sunday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Look out for the A-frame café sign that is usually along the Road.

The café has both outside and inside areas, and if you want a view of the Main road and the ocean then I would suggest you grab a table in the outdoor seating area that is right above the entrance to the café. Inside there is a cozy seating arrangement which is the perfect place to read a book, have a vegan date ball and sip a vegan coffee made with their very own almond milk (if they have any left).

What makes the new menu so great is that there are multiple vegan options for breakfast and lunch as well as for dessert. After each ordering, a G&T, and browsing the menu, both my mom and I wanted to try the vegan burger and was completely blown away! Have you ever had such a great meal that you literally mmmm… with every bite? Well, this is one of those meals.

The burger consists of a homemade vegan patty made with lentils, barley & mushroom; which is topped with rocket, tomato, pickled red onions, homemade vegan mayo, and the most delicious homemade vegan pesto. Served in a vegan roll, with potato crisps on the side together with a warm tomato relish, which I want to buy in bulk and eat every day for the rest of my life!  The combination of flavours is truly amazing. I will definitely be back to try it again. And I definitely want to try the vegan omelette, vegan french toast, vegan falafel pita, and every other vegan item I have not tried yet. The chef is a vegan genius and the café is now my new favourite spot in Kalk Bay!

Have you been to The Courtyard Café? What is your favourite vegan dish? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below! If you’d like to see more places where I have eaten, have a look here. New eating out spots posted regularly. And be sure to look at my directory for a list of all the awesome green & vegan products I have found locally as well as the local markets I love.

Let’s get Social!

Be sure to follow The Courtyard Café on Instagram and Facebook. And follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with my posts! If you end up trying this vegan eatery, after reading about it for the first time here, please tag me and let me know what you think. Remember to hashtag it  #thegreenveganchick

On a recent trip to Durban, we stopped for lunch at the 100% vegan Oh My Soul Café, who recently won their legal case against fast-food giant, Chicken Licken.

“The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.”

Hippocrates

oh my… soul café

Oh My Soul Café is located in Durban and is a 100% vegan café that promotes living a cruelty-free life. Large vegan banners with the Oh My Soul Café logo draws your attention as you get closer to the café. Their logo consists of a blue mandala with a very cute flower headband wearing cow in the center. Below the mandala are the words Oh My Soul Café  with their slogan ‘be kind to every kind.’ Upcycled plastic bottle chickens and chicken ‘footprints’ lead you inside.

The café has an unexpected barn style shabby chic interior. As you enter you can’t ignore the large ‘this is just the Veganning’ blackboard, full of vegan quotes and info about the negative health, environmental and ethical aspects of factory farming. The rest of the walls are full of quotes like “in a world where you can be anything, be kind”, “kindness changes everything”, “be cool, not cruel” and “kindness is free sprinkle that stuff everywhere” There is no mistaking that the café promotes the vegan lifestyle which as the vegan society states “…is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”

The café seems to be a very popular spot as the tables starting filling up as we explored. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the café has a small shop section where they sell a mix of toys, decor and vegan products including vegan marshmallows. The glass fridge in the café boasts a delicious looking selection of vegan desserts whilst the vegan menu has a great selection of breakfasts, lunch items, waffles, shakes, smoothies as well as Vurgers. Their menu caters to all vegans as well as those who enjoy cruelty-free vegan meats. We were in the mood for something sweet and decided to try their waffles. I had a Mango Chia smoothie and the Dark Aero Fudge and Nice Cream waffle, whilst my boyfriend had a Triple Berry smoothie together with The Nutter and Nice Waffle. As always we tasted each other’s orders and can both say that everything was delicious. 

“Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul.”

Pythagoras

oh my… legal case

Chicken Licken, the fast food chain that sells chicken to the non-vegan masses, have accused Oh My Soul Café of infringing on their trademark “Soul”. Chicken Licken use the word Soul often, especially the term ‘soul food’. After doing some research I discovered the term ‘soul food’ originated in the 1960’s, when Afro’s peeked in popularity, and refers to the typical foods such as fried chicken eaten by the African Americans of the Southern US. To me, that is very similar to the entire Chicken Licken ‘Soul Food’ concept.

Oh My Soul Café, on the other hand, is completely against animal cruelty, don’t sell animal products of any kind (100% Vegan), and use the word soul as a direct connection to the fact that all animals on this earth have souls, just like humans. Be kind to all kind is their slogan, because they believe that all animals, including chickens, cows, sheep, fish, and pigs, have the same right to live their lives as we humans do. It is so clear, once you enter their café that they aim to create awareness and make a difference in a horribly cruel world. 

“If they breathe they live, if they live they feel, if they feel they love, if they love they are aware. If they are aware they have a soul.”

A.D. Williams

I was very happy to hear that Oh My Soul Café won the case, but Chicken Licken has since appealed the judge’s decision. They are still insisting that Oh My Soul Café remove all use of the word soul. Chicken Licken state that because the word soul is used in the name of a vegan café it is confusing their chicken eating non-vegan customers and harming their multi-million dollar brand. Say what? The two brands are literally on opposite ends of the ethical spectrum. There can and never will be any confusion between the two.

Chicken Licken claims that this ‘confusion’ has damaged their brand. I honestly don’t think that is possible. But I do know that people all over the world are becoming more aware of the negative health and environmental effects of animal products. And more and more people are making the connection between animal cruelty and the direct connection to the food on their plate. Because of this, there has been a massive increase in vegan sales all over the world, whilst meat and dairy sales have dropped. Many people, like me who use to eat chicken and other animal products, have changed their ways and opted to live a life where we stand up for what we believe is wrong, even if it means standing alone. The world is changing, and we won’t be standing alone anymore.

I stand with Oh My Soul Café. Do you?

“When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.”

A.D. Williams

oh my… location

Oh My Soul Café is located at 68 Adelaide Tambo Dr, Durban North. They are open on Monday-Thursday from 7am to 6pm; on Fridays and Saturdays from 7am to 7pm and on Sundays from 7am to 4pm.

Please show your support, follow them on Facebook and Instagram and please tell your friends/family in Durban to stop by and show their support too.

What do you think of the legal case? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below. If you’d like to see more of the places where I have eaten, have a look here. If you’d like to see what other green/vegan products I have found, browse my Directory.  New products posted regularly.

Let’s get social!

Follow me on facebook and instagram to stay up to date with my posts! If you end up trying this vegan eatery, after reading about it for the first time here, please tag me and let me know what you think. Remember to hashtag it  #thegreenveganchick

Lekker Vegan have opened a NEW branch in Kloof Street, and they have added 2x NEW delicious items to the menu: Lekker Messy Gatsby & Lekker Swahili Bunini. 

Last week, I attended the launch of the new Kloof Street location where Lekker Vegan launched 2 new items on their menu. I had so much fun at the launch, and, as always, the vibe was awesome! 

Lekker Vegan is the perfect vegan restaurant and takeaway if you want amazing vegan junk food. They have a great selection of vegan burgers, wraps, toasties, snacks, desserts, and even have really good vegan soft serve.

New Lekker Swahili Bunini

This new bunini is a merging of the Lekker Cheezy Bunini, and the Lekker Chick’n Bunini. It contains vegan chick’n pieces, mayo, vegan cheddar cheese, tomato, spring onion and sesame seeds on a toasted burger bun. I am so in love with this – I have ordered both of the originals in the past, and this new combo is a great blend of what makes both awesome.

New Lekker Messy Gatsby

The Lekker Messy Gatsby is a ginormous new gatsby. It is loaded with vegan juicy beefy & chick’n strips, crispy chips, lekker cheese & satay sauce. It also chock full of lekker garlic & spicy sauce, lekker lettuce & tomato, red onion, and asian pickled cucumber.  In the past, I have tried to eat just half a gatsby, and I could only finish half of that – this one is big enough to share with 3 or 4 friends.

NEW Lekker Vegan in Kloof

The second location in Kloof Street is the perfect spot to hang out lunchtime, after work or after going out for the evening. They are located below the Checkers, off the parking lot, and are open 7 days a week! Their trading hours are Monday to Thursday 10 am to 10 pm, Friday & Saturday 10 am to midnight and Sunday 11 am to 9 pm. You can also order from Lekker Vegan via Ubereats.

The other Lekker Vegan branch in Zonnebloem, where I have tried many of their items – see post here – remains a favourite food spot for me. Have you been to either of the Lekker Vegan branches? What is your favourite vegan junk food? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below. If you’d like to see more of the places where I have eaten, have a look here. If you’d like to see what other green/vegan products I have found, browse my Directory.  New products posted regularly.

Let’s get social!

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with my posts! If you end up trying one of these places after reading about it for the first time here, please tag me and let me know what you think. Remember to hashtag it as: #thegreenveganchick

© the green vegan chick. All images & content are copyright protected. Please follow my Sharing Policy if you would like to use or share any part of this post.