We never thought we would find a vegan havan in New Plymouth. This place has a small-ish buffet, you pay by plate and there are some extras like pies and "sausage rolls"... and fantastic deserts. It all comes at a reasonable price.
Pros: Great Food, CheapI was in town for 1 day and at 4pm with only breakfast inside, so I had 1 large plate of different things, 1 small plate of different salads (with fruits too), a mango smoothie (huge 2 glasses size), carrot juice, pot of nettle tea, a vegan "cheese" cake and a chocolate bliss ball. The big plate had a canelloni (just googled it to spell it right), spagetti with mock chicken, a few curries (one with lentils), potato & vegies, and something kind of aubergenie or else veggy thing (sorry I am not a chef) with help-yourself soy and tomato sauce on everything. So, basically, I nearly stuffed myself. I liked some things more than others (I didn't think any were "greasy"), but it's the only VEGAN place in town, so I am not picky. The cheesecake was yummy and the smoothie great. The place itself was very neat, staff cheerful and the loo immaculate.
Pros: vegan, smogasboard, cheerfulIt's great to find a vegan restaurant in New Plymouth. The staff were friendly, and the options for dining (various bowl and takeaway container sizes, pick what you want from the buffet) are great. However, I found the food quite greasy and a little bland. Also, some of the dishes had been quite heavily picked over - there was only sauce left, no mock-chicken in it - and this was only at 12.30 (so not even close to the end of lunch). The food in the bain-marie was not as hot as I would have liked (it should be hotter for food safety reasons).
I was sad they were not open for dinner the night I was there.
My vegetarian family are tired of doubtful assurances that eating-places use animal-free cooking oils, and of dining with carnivores. So we were astonished, in this city where vegetarians are as rare as hens teeth, to find a vegan one. Previously there were only eight so-called 'vegetarian friendly' ones.
They don't even use honey!
Apparently the sole branch of this chain in New Zealand at present, it was certainly bold to expect to flourish here; but they seem to be thriving, and good luck to them.
The advantages of self-service are obvious, no waiting, and getting exactly the meal you want. The food is nutritiously balanced and very healthy, and staff pleasant and helpful beyond mere politeness. A refreshing change from the modern trend towards waiting hours for tiny portions artistically arranged on the plate by 'prize-winning chefs' (or in other words, pretentious and expensive rubbish).
Smallish groups (20 to 30) can meet here by arrangement, choosing their own meals. The attention to detail is not lavished on furniture or decor, but quality of things such as tea and water. The giant milk shakes are a delicious speciality.
This chain has peculiar but rather fascinating spiritual overtones, but these are, like Hare Krishna restaurants, not at all 'pushed'; most diners indeed seem to be unaware of them.
The premises are rather plain and not large, but this does not worry me (as a Libran); the food is delicious and well-cooked. The system of self-filling a bowl of selected size at a low and set price works well. The place is relaxed and informal, and we definitely recommend it, to those who appreciate this image.
It's nice to sit down to a meal without worrying what it died from!
This business supports the service that HappyCow provides :o)
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