St Pauls
After months of seeing everyone under the sun on social media go to the Ivy Asia I finally found the perfect time to go to and try The Ivy’s latest concept right before caught the matinee production of Anything Goes in the Barbican. The pieces fell into place as St Pauls is right round the corner.
Of course, the decoration is over-the-top but fabulous, the pink or green crystal inspired floor tiles are just the beginning, Sakura blossoms (fake of course) trees ‘grow’ around the tables and Samurai statues are everywhere to be seen – including the men’s toilets (I am told) and a live DJ sets the tunes. House music was the soundtrack to our meal – taking me way back to my youth 😉
O.K, I won’t bore you any longer. They have plenty of vegan options in the menu – the concept is to share dishes, they encourage you to pick 2-4 per person. I picked two small dishes:
- Avocado, cucumber and asparagus maki roll (the only vegan roll option)
- Spinach & mushroom gyoza, served in a fragrant ginger dashi with black truffle
For my main meal, I had the Yasai Chahan, served in a clay pot with glazed Japanese mushrooms and black truffle.
I wasn’t sharing as I went with my non-vegan husband, so I think I could have only chosen a small dish and a main and it would have been sufficient. Nonetheless, I did eat it all up and to be honest, they were delicious.
At first I was disappointed that the only vegan sushi roll was so basic but it tasted so fresh it was actually really nice. The dumplings were served in a super tasty dashi, and if I didn’t have any manners I would have picked up the bowl and slurped it all – I didn’t, of course.
I didn’t have dessert, because the only vegan option has Mango and that is my Kryptonite – ugh! But I would consider this to be a vegan friendly restaurant and would love to go back and try some of the other options.
As I Eat It... 