Where: Here East, the lovely-even-in-winter canalside stretch of quality bars, cafes and restaurants on the Stratford/Leyton side of Hackney Wick. Narrowboats bob, coots sail by, and runners blur past – all while you’re gobbling something plant-free at one of Mother E20’s big windows.
What: A home-made juice pulp burger (£8) at a vegan caff whose aim is to be zero-waste. It’s made with all the stuff that would otherwise be chucked out at the end of a busy day whizzing up healthy concoctions for all the sweaty regulars who pour in from the gym next door.
Why: It’s really good: a sturdy wholemeal bun with a patty that’s moist with the fruitiest tang, and quinoa to give it a nutty, earthy weight. There’s also a big layer of squelchy avocado, lashings of coriander vegan mayo, curls of kale and purple kohlrabi sprouts. In short, this is a meat-free burger that doesn’t need a hit of seitan whatsoever (or a chickpea in its sights, either).
Don’t: Be in a rush now. Ours took ages to eat, as it proved quite messy with two hands – and then a little tricky to mastermind with a knife and fork so we settled for small rabbit bites until the damn thing was gone down the gullet.
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Notes: The tables are very wobbly so don’t sit down or get up too hastily otherwise you’ll come a cropper. There are also beers, juices and other hot mains, as well as sarnies and good coffee.
Finally: Like most plant-based cafes it’s 100% doggy-friendly. Shame my 14-year-old Jack Russell wasn’t having any of this juice-pulp-patty malarkey. Still, you can’t teach an old dog etc etc.
