Vanimal

Vanimal isn't exclusively vegetarian. Management here don't know what they are doing. For example they were unaware that booze and especially wine is usually is manufactured with e.g. beef / pork gelatin, fish extract or crustacean shell:-

https://www.vegsoc.org/alcohol

They were unaware cheese usually contains slaughtered animal rennet:-

https://www.vegsoc.org/cheese

I did highlight these points numerous time to management and suggested vegetarian brands. They are pretty unreceptive. I wouldn't be surprised if management are non vegetarians who have opened a restaurant simply trying to profit from the increasing vegetarian market.



Updated from previous review on 2016-08-03

VANIMAL is a new breed of vegetarian restaurant in Kennedy Town. It‘s locate nearby Kennedy Town MTR Exit C, behind the Dorsett Hotel. Below is my THREE good in this restaurant;First impression: The restaurant design & atmosphere are beautiful and I feel so relax and comfortable when I came in.Food: Ordered their signature slow-cooked egg, Paella and Pakora. First, the portion is great and good for sharing. Second, the food ....OMG, it is very tasty and yummy, I like that.Service: They are very friendly, and professional, visited every tables for ask guests feedback.Summary: I‘m a picky customer, so that‘s why I always complain and find out restaurants mistake. I believe that there is no perfect in the world, if VANIMAL can able to reduce the price in their menu, then I would say it is a PERFECT ones.

First some corrections: This restaurant does not serve meat. You can see their menu on their website: http://www.vanimal.com/

Vanimal is a fancy looking place situated in Kennedy Town, not a typical vegetarian restaurant. It's quite pricey too. Service was very attentive and pleasant.

My friend chose serving of Craft beer + Vakitori, which includes craft beer of your choice and three vegan Vakitori skewers. These skewers were really small, but tasty.

I chose sparkling wine and three individual Vakitori skewers. These skewers were much bigger portions. Everything was well-prepared, except the eggplant was slightly undercooked to my taste. But in general everything was really tasty.

If you want to eat a full meal here, prepare to pay quite a lot. But this is also a nice place to stop and grab a drink and have a small bite.

upscale space. I tried four of the grilled skewers - shishito, tofu, shitake, sweet potato - they were all tasty bites. bill was around $160 with a beer, they add 10% gratuity. if you were wanting a full meal and drinks it could add up quickly.

Beautiful restaurant and I really want to like this place.

I liked:
- I tried the Potatoe Dual, Croquettes, fried tempura vegetables and a squash soup. They were all yummy.
- Beautiful restaurant.
- All the dishes are designed to be shared.

What I didn't like:
- Why do vegetarian restaurants feel the need to serve really bad beer? Granted, it's organic and ethically sourced but is it too much to ask for a normal vegetarian meal and good beer. Just a decent draught beer please.
- I went while it was still new and the service staff didn't seem very professional - had to request certain foods and drinks twice and the explanation of the foods was minimal. Trusting this will change as they settle into the neighborhood.