CLOSED: My Kitchen

Our party was one vegan, two veggies and one omnivore. All of us were impressed with this restaurant which has a friendly atmosphere and serves food that (quite unusually these days) seems to be prepared freshly and to make use of seasonal and possibly local (forgot to ask!) produce.

It is quite vegan-friendly although I had a slight initial miscommunication with the chap who was serving about not wanting butter with my soup. Although vegan dishes weren't marked on the menu board, two or three starters and two or three main courses actually were vegan (I didn't get as far as pud).

The soup (leek and roots of some kind, can't remember exactly what) was exceptionally tasty and so was the chickpea and coriander burger, served with IIRC ciabatta, salad and sweet potato wedges.

A two-course lunch for four with mostly soft drinks but also one glass of wine, four coffees and one dessert, came to about £80 before service which I thought was fair value especially considering that the portions were very generous. (You can walk them off on the beach afterwards.)

The restaurant was full, don't know if it was because it was Mothering Sunday but probably a good idea to phone first. If I lived nearer I'd be in there all the time!

I absolutely love this restaurant. Before the current owner took over, the eatery was run as a cafe but Stuart - who has a real passion for vegetarian cooking - has given it a makeover and injected a touch of class.

The food is to die for and there are tons of options for vegans, as well as veggies. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, there is a tapas menu for just over £10 that I can highly recommend but on other nights, the food constantly changes depending on what's in season. The Beer-Battered Halloumi with Chunky Chips also comes with the thumbs up. Yum!!

You won't find anything quite like My Kitchen anywhere else in Essex and I should know - I've spent years looking! My meat-eating boyfriend enjoys going just as much as I do, which says a lot.

Expect generous portions and service with a smile. You'll love it!

We went to My Kitchen before back when it was still Cafe Pulse. The food then was gorgeous, but the atmosphere was a little too... "studenty", I suppose. Was very pleasantly surprised to see how it has changed. It's brighter, more airy - classier without feeling snobbish.

We were made to feel hugely welcome from the moment I phoned to enquire about a table right to the moment we left, with the chef (now also the owner) chatting with us as though we were old friends.

The food was faultless. Absolutely divine. It came out piping hot and beautifully presented and we weren't kept waiting for too long.

I had the falafel starter and it was far and away the best I've ever had - perfectly spiced with a melt-in-the-mouth texture. Dan had the sweet potato wedges with sweet chilli sauce and he was equally impressed.

Just as I was starting to think that nothing could have beaten the starters, the main course was served and it absolutely blew me away. Dan had the mushroom and cashew pie, once again he was very very happy with his choice. I had the mushroom risotto (listed on the menu as containing Parmesan but the chef offered to do a vegan version topped with toasted cashews... how could I resist?!). Risotto was a favourite of mine before I went vegan and I hadn't had it since. I was not disappointed. It was absolutely stunning. I only wish I'd been able to finish it, the portion was huge!

Sadly we were both too full to sample the desserts, but we'll be back again and again so perhaps next time we'll skip the starter and have a main and a pud instead!

This is an excellent vegan-friendly vegetarian restaurant, probably the best in Essex. They make superb tarts and desserts. The chef checks on the customers and makes recommendations, which adds a great touch. I've been to many vegetarian restaurants around the world and this is definitely in the "very good" category. The food usually comes from local producers, which makes for seasonal variation.

I simply love this place, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and amazing food. Have been many times and have never had anything to complain about. My birthday dinner was devine, the owner created the most delicious off-menu dinner for myself and my husband. It was to die for. Not another restaurant like it.

Cafe Pulse has a very friendly atmosphere and offers good quality vegetarian and vegan food. I have eaten here on a few occassions and the food has always been fresh, tasty and wholesome. Although it is not the cheapest place around the prices are good for what you get and the quality surpasses the other local restaurants.