Barnstaple, North Devon’s main town, now has a vegan ‘caff’ down Maiden Street (an alley filled with pirates’ ghosts, I wager).
Opened in December (pic above added in March), the Owl Vegan Café serves dishes that make me happy such as braised tofu with roasted carrots and three greens.
I am not a vegan because I love organic cream, cheese and fried eggs.
But not in excess. Too much dairy and I end up hallucinating cows and butter churns (thank you, Raymond Briggs). My body has a tantrum and gives me a runny nose – a classic sign of dairy sensitivity.
Luckily I love eating plant foods. For some reason, when I am munching on brown rice (with olive oil and fried garlic) or my favourite vegetables, I feel soothed as I eat.
That’s how I felt eating the trio of spring greens, kale and spinach. Grown in nearby Tapeley Park with organic principles, they were served braised.
I confess I do a lot of butter-smothering to my veg – need to know more about this vegan alternative.
I love an eatery with something to read. I read a witty gritty piece by Andrew Murray in the Morning Star. I liked it because it agrees with my (anti-war and dubious about Nick Cohen from the Observer) point of view.
I had to order a vegan trifle to celebrate.
The Bird’s custard was made with soya milk, the vegetarian lemon jelly crystals were from Just Food and the fruit was real and fresh cut-up cherries, kiwi, and juicy pineapple. Kind of healthy kid’s food.
Time to catch my bus to the Atlantic sea coast. I strode off feeling light.
Real Food Lover 