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• Catered for really well, for our vegan lunch

Update - Jan 2018 The Red Lion now now a delicious 100% vegan Sunday roast!!!! The Red Lion pub, in the heart of Leytonstone, East London, is owned by the Antic chain that also have a similar style pub in Leyton. The decor is vintage, with wooden floors & although very spacious, most evenings it is packed. They also have a big outdoor area, which is great in Summer. However, after a very bad eating and customer service experience we had there in the Summer of 2014, we were put off eating there for some months, but last weekend, when friends were over from the U.S and as the pub itself is so nice, we thought it would be worth a second chance. My partner and I are vegan and our friends are meat eaters. Due to our experience last time, I thought I'd ring a week in advance and find out what vegan options there would be available for us. I was told that there would be the usual vegetarian option of 'Five Bean Chili, sour cream and corn bread' on the menu, which ordered without the sour cream, it would be suitable for vegans and that on the day we were going, one of the specials would also be vegan! This dish was called 'Butternut squash, hazelnut, mushroom fricase with rice'. Very delicate in taste and presentation, it was absolutely delicious! I was very happily surprised. Everything on the plate was cooked really well & for dessert, the chef made us something that wasn't on the menu! It was battered, deep fried Brambly apple rings, dusted with sugar, with golden syrup as an option to dip or pour. My friends, who ordered from the standard menu had the 'Buffalo Mozzarella in Carrozza Passat' and the 'Five Bean Chilli' & everyone enjoyed what they had ordered. As for drinks, they have an ever changing selection of west coast pale ales, ciders and IPAs on tap, as well as all the usual spirits and mixers. My main tip for any vegans or people with special dietary requirements coming to eat at the Red Lion, would be to give them as much notice as possible and I think that then, you'll be very pleasantly surprised :) Updated from previous review on 2018-01-27