Plant-based Belgian pop-up secures permanent site in Shoreditch
The 30-cover space, designed by Andreas Bozarth Fornell, of Acne Studios and Sandro – will feature non-cladded walls with a rough cement finish, a dropped aluminium ceiling and a concrete bar.
The menu will be 100% meat, dairy, gluten and refined sugar free, and has been developed by celebrity chef Matthew Kenney, owner of Santa Monica restaurant MAKE and a well-known name in the world of vegan dining. The restaurant will be open from early breakfast through to dinner and all dishes will be available to take away.
Breakfast and brunch will comprise seasonal dishes, such as quinoa porridge with radish, sprouts, chilli flakes, and seeded bread; chickpea scramble with kale, green harissa, asparagus and anchovies; and raw pancakes with candied walnuts, berry salad, mint and vanilla coconut cream.
Lunch and evening options will comprise a range of salads and main dishes such as an ‘Essence Bowl’, (quinoa, cumin sweet potato and Jerusalem artichoke cream and pumpkin seeds); heirloom tomato lasagne; and raw pad Thai, made from kelp noodles with kale, tamari almonds and lime.
The dessert menu will feature a selection of sweets, including lime cheesecake with ginger crumble; citrus glass; and cocoa gel; and raw macaroons in a number of flavours. A selection of fresh homemade nut cheeses, will also be available as a cheese board, served with raw crackers, pear chutney, pickled radish, and sundried tomato salsa.
To drink, the restaurant will be serving its own range of cold pressed juices and nut milks, alongside vegan wines and cocktails.
“Great vegan food must have three components: impeccable ingredients, refined technique and creativity” says Kenney.
“It's food that doesn't compromise on flavour or enjoyment of eating, yet maintains a high nutritional profile and uncompromising ethical standards”
The restaurant's opening comes amid a wave of emerging vegan restaurants, with plant-based burger group The Vurger Co. becoming the fastest restaurant ever to hit its target on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, and famous NYC restaurant byCHLOE announcing the opening of its first UK branch.
Essence Cuisine was created in 2014 as a pop-up in Belgium by founder Bart Roman and business partner Wim Van der Borght. The Shoreditch outpost is due to open on 4 September.
