By contributor Claire Zakiewicz – a healthy eating enthusiast and keen marathon runner.
Rather than going to your favourite restaurant, why not follow your favourite pop up dining club? They’re usually themed and support artists and caterers who want to do something a bit different. Asparagasm is one of the larger ones in London. They have an event every month for about 30 covers in venues such as underground clubs and railway arches. Their ethos is centered on a creative, ethical, fine dining experience and, as the name suggests, a bit of cheeky fun thrown in!
There are burlesque dancers, waitresses in costume and prizes to be won. The seating arrangement encourages networking and mingling. After dinner dancing is encouraged with a DJ who plays till late. The seasonal, organic, vegan and wheat free menu is designed by Jason Loveridge. Perhaps not for ridiculously fussy eaters as it’s set, but from my experience I’d challenge anybody to say the food isn’t delicious!
‘Eats Shoots and Leaves’ was the name of their March event which I went to check out at the White Rabbit in Shoreditch. On arrival guests were presented with a delicious Absinthe based cocktail, Snake Eyes. We were then encouraged to mingle in the bar where there were some creative activities such as vase decorating and a hair stylist helping any diners who felt underdressed to do their hair in a Japanese style.
The seating was canteen style, designed in a way to meet new people and the diners were a friendly bunch.
For starters was a mung bean velouté with a dusting of powdered cep, small (very small) but tasty, and with a delicious kick.
This was followed by a salad with celeriac, pea shoots and micro cress. Delicious, fresh and healthy – although I have to admit, I was hungry and couldn’t wait for something more substantial.
The main was a winner however, a Mapo Tofu and vegetable pot-au-feu with stir-fried pak choi and spring greens served with rice. I never normally say this but it needed a little more salt but it was absolutely perfect with an extra pinch. The dishes came in huge bowls to share between 6 and there was plenty to go round. I had about 3 helpings… Oops! I liked this dish a lot.
Next came an amazing green tea and ginger granata – super delicious, icy, flavoursome, healthy tasting. I loved the hot/cold combination. But they left the best dish until last. The bitter chocolate, avocado and chili terrine with mandarin sorbet was, without exaggeration, one of the best deserts I’ve ever had. Again, there was a hot/cold combination and very healthy fresh ingredients such as pure, raw chocolate and very little added sugar (if any). To finish off we were then given delicious petit fours by Booja Booja. Perfect.
Many thanks to Asparagasm for their hospitality, it was a fun night. The food was tasty but above all, inspiring to have such a range of satisfying and delicious dairy and meat free dishes. I’ll be back and in the meantime will be cooking more vegan meals!
A 5 course meal plus welcome drink is £35. See their website for details on the next pop up: www.asparagasm.com.
Food I Fancy dined as a guest.
