Va Va Vegan!
La Sala have always been known for a vast menu that caters to all… something for everyone. Well now they truly live up to that reputation following the launch of their new vegetarian & vegan menu. Gone are the days of one vegetarian option appearing on a menu and vegans having to visit vegan-only restaurants. More and more eateries are offering a vast variety of options for plant-based diets. La Sala have teamed up with ‘Beyond Meat’ offering plant-based meat meals like you have never seen before. Beyond Meat believe there is a better way to feed the planet and by shifting from animal to plant based meat we can address four growing global issues; human health, climate change, constraints on natural resources and animal welfare. With a mission so prevalent in today’s world we had to see what the hype was all about!
To start our Beyond Meat experience we commenced with the Beyond Steak Tartare boasting Ground Beyond Meat, Capers, Gherkins, Olives & Traditional Spices served with Hand Cut Fries, Mixed Salad and Vegan Bread. So, what is Beyond Meat made of you might ask? Protein, fat, minerals, carbohydrates and water are the five building blocks of meat, Beyond Meat sources these building blocks directly from the plants to create delicious, mouth-watering plant-based meat. They use a variety of plant proteins such as peas, mung bean, fava bean, brown rice and sunflower to deliver greater or equal levels of protein than their animal-based counterparts. The minerals used deliver the nutrients you expect from meat, such as iron, and wake your taste buds with each bite. Their blend of carbohydrates helps hold the ingredients together providing just the right amount of texture. Plus, the natural flavours and fruit and vegetable-based colours deliver a meaty taste without using GMOs. This combined with the fats; cocoa butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil and canola oil are what create the juicy plant-based burgers, beef and sausages that sizzle in the pan, yet all with less saturated fat than their animal counterparts. To put that fact to the test we tried the Vegan Hot Dog topped with Caramelised & Crispy Onions, stewed Red Cabbage, Salad Leaves and Almond Mayonnaise and served with Patatas Bravas. While a hot dog might be something you associate with a trip to the movies or the feria, this was an experience in itself and as a meat eater I was thoroughly impressed and swiftly moved onto the equally impressive Beyond Vegan Burger on a Burger Bun topped with Tomato, Red Onion, Salad Leaves & Chipotle Mayonnaise served with Coleslaw and Hand Cut Fries. Beyond Meat claims to deliver the meaty experience without the compromise, and this alongside La Sala’s talented kitchen team seems to be a match made in heaven.
Following our Beyond Meat journey we sampled two other plant-based alternatives on the menu; the Chickpea & Seitan Stew made with Mixed Vegetables, Tomatoes and Garlic served with Quinoa and the Jack Fruit Curry with Coconut Milk, Red & Green Peppers, Baby Corn, Shitake Mushrooms and Broccoli served with Basmati Rice. The latter was our designer’s absolute favourite and provides a delicious alternative to the Beyond Meats. She even went as far to say that she, despite being a meat eater, she didn’t miss meat from her meal and would be returning within no time for the Jack Fruit Curry again, proving that you don’t need to be a fully-fledged vegetarian or vegan to enjoy the new dishes.
So, if you are hoping to have a few meat-free meals or even days but don’t want to sacrifice your evenings out, now you don’t have to. Live music… unbeatable atmosphere… value-for-money…sophisticated décor and now plant-based perfection. La Sala really does have it all.
www.lasalabanus.com
