Dining Out in London - Cookies and Scream

Cookie Dough Balls Shake - Cookies and Scream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Cookies and Scream, because it's just that good! I had this spot on my list for must-visit vegan spots in London and it was reconfirmed when my London-based friend said how delicious it was. I went to the Camden Lock Market after my slight disappointment at Borough Market for the lack of vegan options. Camden was a lot more crowded and dirtier than I expected. It's got a sort of punk rock vibe going on and the streets are overrun with souvenir shops and wandering tourists. I shuffled around in the food tent area for a while searching for Cookies and Scream until I finally had to ask for help. Turns out it's actually tucked away inside, with a permanent stake in a small building called the Dingwalls gallery area. This dessert bar is not only vegan, but also gluten-free! When I discovered them I realized I wasn't alone in my excitement. The other customers were equally overwhelmed by the looks of the freshly baked, heavenly treats for sale. The staff works in a tiny kitchen area right behind the counter and I commend them for working wonders in such small quarters.

Tiny Kitchen Space at Cookies and Scream

I ordered a Chico Cookie, which was a large peanut butter cookie with chocolate chips. It was super moist, gooey, and rich. I greedily also ordered a liquid dessert, the Cookie Dough Balls Shake thanks to a tip from Fat Gay Vegan and got a Gosh! Brownie to-go, which of course lasted a total of four hours post-visit. As I was drinking my shake all I could think was how unhealthy it must be because of how incredibly sweet and creamy it was, and I got a kick out of the "low-fat" label on the menu board. The huge chunks of cookie dough made it a more exciting and indulgent treat. Excluding my minor stomachache from all the (unrefined) sugar, my only complaint was that the baked goods were a little too moist and fell apart pretty easily. 

It was worth it, whatever damage Cookies and Scream did to my diet. Thank you for the delightful desserts, I will miss you back in the states!

Low-Fat Shakes?! Don't mind if I do...

  

Cookies and Scream

The Market Hall

Camden Lock Place

London, UK NW1 8AF

Cookies and Scream Website

Dining Out in Maine - Silly's

Tofu in a Dinghy - Silly's Restaurant

I'm so glad I got the chance to try Silly's! My boyfriend and I stopped in on our drive back from a great weekend in Vinalhaven. It was another instance of me quickly researching on my phone for nearby vegan-friendly places and stumbling upon a gem. It reminded me of Friendly Toast, with it's quirky, retro decor, including old school lunch boxes for menu holders, and friendly staff. The diner-style menu is large with numerous options for vegans that all sounded delicious - it was tough to pick! They note that there are separate gluten-free and vegan friers to prep the food. I love how open and honest this place is - check out their website for info on how they source their food - almost everything is homemade and local! 

We arrived there right before the end of Sunday brunch, which included some amazing vegan dishes, but I opted for lunch instead. I was in the mood for some junk food and threw caution to the wind by ordering their famous Fried Pickles for an appetizer and Tofu in a Dinghy for my entree. I was determined to get a milkshake when I saw the long list of vegan-friendly options, but sadly I stuffed myself and couldn't do it. 

Milkshake Menu

The Fried Pickles are normally vegetarian, not vegan, because they are coated with buttermilk, but the waitstaff immediately offered us the option of making them vegan and it sounded like that was a common request. The dill pickle slices were coated in spicy breading and served with a homemade, creamy spice dip. I loved that I could enjoy a dip like this, since usually any kind of dip, sauce, or dressing that even looks creamy is off-limits. Yum! It was my first time trying fried pickles and despite a minor stomachache from all the excess oil I give it a thumbs up! I guess they could have been a little crispier, but the flavor was there.

Vegan Fried Pickles - Silly's Restaurant

My waiter had suggested Peace, Love, and Veggies for an entree, which sounded delicious and likely the healthiest dish on the menu, but again I was not holding back for this meal, so Tofu in a Dinghy was my choice. It was essentially an order of Pad Thai with Tofu rolled up in a tortilla and then fried - yeah, once again, I did not hold back for this meal! Here's the real description: Thai ginger peanut sauce, rice noodles, fried tofu, vegan mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, scallions in a flour tortilla deep fried in a chimi style, served with mandarin oranges and fresh baby spinach on the side (which sadly got ignored). I killed the whole tortilla, after already diving into the Fried Pickles, turned down the milkshake at the end, and then rolled myself out of there, happy and full! Thanks, Silly's.

I can't wait to go back! There are so many more things I want to try here :)

Silly's Restaurant

40 Washington Avenue

Portland, ME 04101

Silly's Website

Silly's Menu - PDF

Dining Out in Boston - FoMu

Cookies & Cream Pint & Carrot Cake Ice Cream - FoMu

I scream, you scream, we all scream for vegan ice cream! Okay, maybe only a few of us do, but I'm one of them and I was so happy when FoMu* opened up in Allston earlier this year. Prior to becoming vegan I was a huge fan of the frozen yogurt (fro-yo) shops that were popping up on every street in Boston. Once dairy was out of my life so were my options for a convenient, tasty cold treat. So I thought. Thanks to FoMu I have easy access to some delicious dairy-free ice cream flavors (which is certainly dangerous). 

On my first trip to the ice cream shop, located right next to Deep Ellum in Allston, I got the cake batter flavor and my boyfriend got the cookies 'n' cream. At the time all the ice creams were coconut milk-based. We both really enjoyed it and it was definitely comparable to real ice cream, but you could taste the subtle coconut base. The second time I went back and ordered a mocha bean smoothie with almond milk (made with espresso and chocolate ice creams. I would really call this a milkshake). It was creamy and yummy, but the guilt factor set in quickly because the large portion certainly wasn't "healthy". The third time, at the end of October, was the best, with fall flavors on the menu and newly added nut-based ice creams. I got the carrot cake ice cream and it was unbelievable. I got worried that it wasn't vegan because of how rich and delicious it was (I should know better by now...). There were generous chunks of actual spiced carrot cake in it. I inhaled my serving. 

I highly recommend FoMu. The owner and his staff are friendly and helpful. It's great to see that they've been revamping the menu options as they gain popularity. They even sell a few baked goods from nearby vegan bakeries like Veggie Galaxy and Sabortooth Bakery.

*Before the shop opened I heard it was going to be called NoMu ("no moo") but when I chatted with the owner he said there was a last minute issue with the trademark. Faux moo is still cute though!

FoMu

481 Cambridge St.

Allston, MA

FoMu Website