Post Punk Kitchen Forum

Yes! I do remember him saying something the first time I went there years ago. I was really surprised!

Dudes! This is pretty much one week from happening! Did someone actually manage to get in touch with the restaurant? Do we have other plans or info. (aside from Bun ditching us (!) to go visit to vegans in Scotland (!!!))?

Hey guys! I definitely want to meet up, but I've been out of the loop with traveling, studying and the beginning of the new school year. Where and when is this happening again?

I don't care where we eat!

I ate at Sunshine and told them I was vegan and the brought me a veg platter. The salad had cheese on it and the lady rushed out, apologized and brought me some fresh salad without cheese. No, I didn't double check about the nitter kibbeh, but I was well aware of that fact when I went there and trusted them to give me vegan stuff when I explained my dietary needs. For what it's worth. But I'm up for eating anywhere!

Saturday the 8th @ Utrecht. Other details need discussing!

(I wish Sunshine were as amazing as Adis Ababa in Amsterdam, but I'm happy for any Ethiopian. Or whatever else people want.) (But someone else needs to be the ringleader for this.)

Also, pickledtreats! At last! We get to meet!

Indeed! I don't really know Utrecht (except this one bra shop near the station that I always go to). Is there anyone who knows Utrecht a bit/well who can suggest some places to go/things to do?

Let's get organized!
1) Can we get a roll-call of who's coming?
2) What time are we meeting, and where?
3) What is there to do/see and who wants to do/see what?
4) Where do we want to eat? Pickledtreats' experience at Sunshine sound promising, so I'm assuming that's still on the table.

I'm running off to work right now, and heading to Belgium tonight, but will be able to go online a bit this week, so I can maybe see what's worth a look-see in Utrecht (besides plus-size bras) and drop some suggestions. Any and all input would be greatly welcome!

Reading through the thread, it sounds like the following people have stated interest:

muffinpants
pickledtreats
Veg Eric
cornelie
lepelaar
lutin
gnoe

??Paloma
??fisticuffs

(and Bun, but she'll be elsewhere).

I've only been to Sunshine since I've only been to Utrecht once, but I'm down for eating anywhere. There are a few options on HappyCow. I know we talked about Soy, but didn't someone say there's nowhere to sit in there?

http://www.happycow.net/europe/netherlands/utrecht/

Also, are we going for lunch or dinner? Many places don't open until 4 or 5 p.m. even on Saturday. That would help solidify a time for us to meet.

As for things to do, I'm down for anything that involves hanging out and getting to know you guys! Casual strolls, window shopping (I'm on the look out for a new bag), English book shops, cafe/terrace sitting, etc.

Shall we do the same thing as last time and meet before lunch-time at the train station?

Utrecht has beautiful botanical gardens. They are in the Uithof area, so not really near the centre, but easy to reach by bus. (They do have a butterfly greenhouse, so maybe not entirely vegan proof.)

Here's a list of museums in Utrecht. I'm kind of intrigued by the museum of contemporary aboriginal art.

We can also do another boat tour.

If nobody wants to call Sunshine, I guess I can have a go and prove I've conquered my phone phobia. It's just that I've not made vegan inquiries at a restaurant before, since I don't eat out often and usually get the vegetarian option in omni restaurants, so I might not be the best person for the job. However, if you trust me, I'll give it a try...

I trust you! The gardens sound lovely. Ditto the aboriginal art. I'd rather not another boat tour, unless the folks moving there (muffinpants?) really want it. And, meeting in time to have lunch aaand dinner together sounds nice. Unless fisticuffs joins us, I'll have the longest train ride. So .... let's not meet before 11?

Quickie from work: I row on Saturday mornings, so the earliest I could make it would be around 12. Anytime noon or after would work for me.

Back to work!

1- I'm coming, unless something unexpected happens.
(leaving for Switzerland-Italy-Austria on Monday morning, plan to be back Friday evening)

2- Assuming most of us come by train, I'd suggest the central station, like at/near the station cafe? (near track 4 if I remember correctly)

3- Town center is nice to walk along the canal, the Dom (church/tower) could be interesting, there is a environmental friendly office supply store in city center. Visiting a museum or just shopping is fine by me.

I won't be at home this week, so I'll check on Friday what the plans were made and will see you all on Saturday.

Do you mean Bureaubewust? I've been wanting to have a look there, they seem to have a lot more than just boring office supplies. It is near the train station, so we can easily go there if the others are up for it too.

Yes, that's the one I had in mind.

Cool!

I'm not coming!

Less cool. :(



Oh crepe. There goes my paycheck.

Any update from Sunshine?

I called Sunshine, and the guy on the phone thought vegan meant gluten free...

So I asked them whether their vegetarian options had milk or butter etc. and I didn't get a very clear answer, probably because he did not understand why I was asking. Then I asked specifically whether they cooked in oil or butter and he said the vegetarian dishes are cooked in oil, while the meat dishes are cooked in butter. This was the first clear answer I got from the guy. From what we know about Ethiopian cuisine in general and looking at their vegetarian menu, I'd say it's probably okay. I hope this is enough info for you to decide whether or not you feel we can eat there.

I told him we might come on Saturday with a group of 7 vegetarians who don't eat butter and that I would call to confirm later in the week.

I'm still planning on coming (along with my husband) assuming the cold I've come down with has gotten better by then! We haven't really seen or done anything in Utrecht yet, other than buy bikes, so we are up for anything.

Nice! Thank you so much for calling, Cornelie!

When I was there, the person I was speaking with knew what vegan meant. However I understand other people are more strict about this. I usually trust restaurants and hope for the best, but I don't have allergies to worry about if anything is cross contaminated.

So is our only other option Soy?

We could take a vote? Sunshine sounds fine to me - I have the same restaurant expectations as you, pickledtreats.

Thank you so much for calling, Cornelie! Maybe you can teach me how to get the courage to call other places when I have vegan questions!

Sunshine sounds good to me too. It looks a lot more centrally located than Soy too. (Although I still really want to try Soy sometime!)

Any thoughts on lunch? There's a Bagel and Beans, but it looks like it's not that close to Centraal Station. I've seen a few references to Maoz online but I can't seem to find an address for it. There is a place near the Domplein called Falafel City, though. Any other thoughts?

I checked the Maoz website and there doesn't seem to be one in Utrecht. Bagels and Beans is okay, but the only option is a hummus bagel.

I vote Sunshine! I can call and make the reservation and explain our vegan-ness. I think the only thing we can get is the vegetarian platter, but we could order a few of those.

I'll wait to see the other votes, though ;) Just offering to make the call since I don't mind stumbling through calls like this.

I'm up for Soy, too!

I think the problem is that both places open at 4 and we need a place for lunch.

Alternatively (!) we could just make a picnic of it, if the weather's good.
Looks like it could be cloudy (not rainy) & 23? That's ok? Ish?