What’s the Punch Line?
31 Oct
A Canadian, three Italians, and a Polish girl walk into an all-vegan Chinese restaurant in North London. Sounds like the set up to an awesome joke, eh? Well, it’s not. It was how dinner started last night with a few friends at the Loving Hut in Archway.
My vegan coworker, Fib, swung by work on her day off yesterday with a crew of vegan Italians in tow. They were heading out for Chinese food and, since I was almost finished my shift, invited me to come along. All-vegan Chinese with mock meat options for days? Hell. Yes.
This place was really Chinese.
This Loving Hut could not be more different from the one in Camden Town. I don’t know how this franchise works, but the only constants between the two were the fact that they were completely vegan, the Loving Hut logo on the ceiling, and the TV on the wall playing creepy Asian shows (though it didn’t command your attention at this one [read: it was turned down]).
The menu was a veritable smörgåsbord of mock meat dishes that goes on and on for pages. It was intense. Do you want duck? Chicken? Fish? Pork? Prawns? Shrimp? Beef? It was crazy.
We all ordered. They brought out these tea light-lit cheese graters to keep our food warm.
They served up our dishes and we dug in swiftly. We wound up picking off all the other plates and sharing the joy. Everything tasted absolutely fantastic!
I ordered the Kung Pow Chicken! EXCITEMENT!
Fabio ordered one of their sizzling dishes and it came out doing just that. It smelled freaking wonderful and we were all instantly jealous, but soothed ourselves with our own amazing dishes.
Oh, my stars! This food! We had stuffed mushrooms and spring onions with noodles and…and…so much. We cleaned those plates dry and sat back, full to bursting.
Yes, Archway is a bit of a jaunt up the Northern Line, but it’s ALL VEGAN CHINESE FOOD! Stuff your excuses in a sack and get your peking duck up to the Archway Loving Hut ASAP.
Loving Hut — Peking Palace
669 Holloway Road Archway, London N19 5SETel: 0207 281 8989 / 0207 281 5363
Hours: Mon-Fri 12-3pm & 6-11pm / Sat-Sun 6-11pm
P.S. This is my last post for Vegan MoFo 2011! Thanks for coming along for the ride, my darling readers. My stress level is much lower than it was at the end of MoFo last year, and I have my new city to thank for that. Thanks for a first good month, Londontown! Here’s to many, many more.
Glad you enjoyed it! My favourite Loving Hut is in Edgware – it used to be called Mr Man. Its awesome. I know Edgware is a little far out (or a lot), for most people but it’s defo worth the trip
xxx
VEGAN DUCK?! VEGAN DUCK?! I WANT IT.
jalhfahdfjalfjdahflgjalfafad (most intelligent comment ever)
We need to go there when you come back!
Um, totally let me know when you go back my North American comrade! I live nearby and we can make where-to-eat lists! Ahh, there’s the stomach rumble! =)
Jhenn