Category: Brighton

Vegan Review: Purezza (Brighton and London)

On By ClareIn Brighton, london1 Comment

When we decided to head to Brighton we asked our friends for recommendations for a place that didn’t just serve ice cream. She told us to head to Purezza and we ended up doing that twice because they also have a Camden branch and we needed more pizza.

In Brighton Kate ordered herself the Couch Potato without the aubergine. It had the stunning smoked mozzarella, shaved seitan, and smooth, creamy garlicky mayo. Thumbs up from us.

I went for the cheese steak calzone with more of that amazing seitan, onion chutney and mozzarella. It also had red and orange peppers when I think it would have been a little better with green. Still I loved it.

We rolled up to the Camden branch the next evening. Dark by the time we got there but thankfully with one table left for us. It was busy. We had to wait a little while for the food. We ordered a cheese board to start. I was expecting a couple of different textures but it was more like the same cheese with four different flavours. One was super garlicky and Kate gobbled it down, another full of chilli and that was my favourite. But I don’t think we’d order this one again.

For the main course Kate had the margarita. We were disappointed with the margarita (I say we because I have never refused a bite of anything): the tomato sauce was a little too sweet. And she regretted not paying extra for the smoked cheese.

Speaking of extra stuff I ordered the green supreme with extra salami on top. I wish I’d asked for the salami instead of the sausage crumbles. I found the sausage crumbles to taste a bit too much like stuffing. I enjoyed the greens and the smoked mozzarella so much. The chillies a little less. They broke my tolerance.

We enjoyed both our visits to Purezza and I’d recommend both, but Brighton was the better one for us. Though it could just be because it was less busy. Whichever one you visit though I recommend the smoked mozzarella. That stuff is amazing.

Vegan Review: Artbox ✕ Pusheen (Brighton)

On By ClareIn BrightonLeave a comment

I wasn’t originally going to post this review because the day after our visit the cafe closed for re-theming, but we actually had such a positive experience that we’re going to recommend you go even if you can’t get giant ice cream sundaes any more. It reopens tomorrow (Saturday 9th) with a Winter Wonderland Theme.

Everything in the cafe comes decorated with Pusheen and pals. At least Stormy and Pugsheen. I didn’t see any Bo, which is slightly disappointing. Bo is my fave. Anyway. All your food and drinks come decorated with little Pusheen bits for you to take home. If you’re like me you’ll be impressed by this regardless of the quality of the food and drink in question. A little Pusheen on my Summer Sunrise (£4)? Yes please.

A Pusheen stencilled into Kate’s hot chocolate (£3.50)? Also yes. But they were also pretty good drinks and the staff aren’t shy with the marshmallows.

Then came or sundaes. Most of the sundaes and the waffles on the menu could be made vegan and we hope this continues. Kate had lavender, rose, and vanilla ice cream on hers (Flower Garden, £9). Each of them richly flavoured and looking gorgeous with sugar flowers and Pusheen on top.

Mine was kiwi, apple, and coconut (Pusheenosaurus, £9). The apple was my favourite, so fresh and bright. As we were eating we couldn’t help but reflect that the quality of these sundaes was miles above the dessert we had at Farmacy the night before. For one thing they tasted of something, they weren’t melted, and the flowers and the apple flavours would have easily fit in with Farmacy’s seasonal/home grown ethos.

As well as all the Pusheen bits that come with your ice cream there’s also a boutique downstairs for all you Pusheen merchandise needs. And we did take a little Plusheen home with us and well as three cards, some stickers, and a necklace. Food and merch combined cost much less than the entire meal we had the night before at Farmacy. For cuteness, quality of food, and the price it wins hands down. And we really can’t wait to see the Winter Wonderland menu.