It seems vegan is the newest diet to take hold of London and beyond. Chefs, vegans and non-vegans, are creating tasting menus and matching those with vegan wines and cocktails. Circus in Covent Garden is serving a completely new vegan tasting menu too.
What is vegan? According to Wikipedia: ‘Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A follower of either the diet or the philosophy is known as a vegan (/ˈviːɡən/ VEE-gən)‘.
And just to make clear, I am not a vegan. As always, I am curious and want to try everything. My philosophy is you must try before you say that you don’t like it!
In that spirit, I went along to try the new vegan version of the tasting menu at Circus, a place I wanted to visit for a while. Circus is offering not only excellent food and drinks but also a sparkling cabaret show.
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu is a four-course menu, which is sharable, that includes a glass of vegan prosecco for each patron. This menu has been created by executive chef Andrew Lassetter, who has worked in hospitality in London and abroad for a few years. This Pan Asian spiced menu is very imaginative, colourful, beautifully presented, and very delicious.
As a meat eater, the absence of meat didn’t bother me the slightest. The entertainment of the night was excellent and mesmerising. The cocktails were original and quite pleasing.
Circus in London
The Vegan Tasting menu at Circus
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Banh Trang Rolls
A few nibbles before the main event….enjoyed with Prosecco
Nori Poppadums with Chilli garlic & plum sauce
Edamame, Sea salt & soy mirin. Served on ice
Banh Trang Rolls, Avocado, cucumber, carrot, mint, coriander vermicelli noodles, sweet chilli sauce & toasted peanuts, these morsels were so pretty but lacked a bit of seasoning
The entertainment at Circus – aerialists to fire-eaters, dancers to drag and more…
SMALL
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Crispy Cauliflower & Four Bean Salad
Crispy Cauliflower & Four Bean Salad , Mangetout, green beans, runner beans, edamame, cherry tomato & red nahm jin – this dish was delightful the Thai dipping sauce lifted the whole dish
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Date & Water Chestnut Gyoza
Date & Water Chestnut Gyoza Spinach & red sweet vinegar – I love gyoza, that was a winner nice combination of flavours
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Truffle & Mushroom Spinach Parcel
Truffle & Mushroom Spinach Parcel Yuzu soy – this little morsel could’ve been a little bigger, it was very tasty!
Fire-Eater at Circus
LARGE
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Chilli Crusted Tofu
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Chilli Crusted Tofu
Chilli Crusted Tofu Morning glory, sweet tamarind, bean sprouts, mint & coriander salad – I just love this dish, textures, little heat and so pretty. The tofu hidden underneath the morning glory and bean sprouts made a gorgeous presentation
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Quinoa & Pomegranate San Choy Bau
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Quinoa & Pomegranate San Choy Bau
Quinoa & Pomegranate San Choy Bau , Cashew nuts, cauliflower, lemongrass & ginger served in lettuce cups – light, pretty and delectable
— Selection of sides served —
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Morning Glory
Grilled Asparagus with sweet soy reduction
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – Smoked aubergine and miso
Smoked Aubergine, white miso, palm sugar & chipotle chilli – this dish is always so good, aubergine and miso such a fabulous combination.
Circus Vegan Tasting Menu and Show in London – card tricks!
The entertainment at Circus – aerialists
DESSERT
A sweet refreshing finale: Mango Sorbet Eaton Mess : Honeycomb, strawberry, raspberry, aquafaba meringue & Thai basil syrup
Cost:
£65 – £75 a head for this tasting menu including the entertainment.
Bookings with the Vegan Tasting Menu must be made at least 24 hours in advance, and a £15 per person deposit is required to secure the table.
Circus London,
27-29 Endell Street,
Covent Garden,
London, WC2H 9BA,
United Kingdom
Hours
Mon: Closed
Tue: 18:00 – Late
Wed: 18:00 – Late
Thu: 18:00 – Late
Fri: 18:00 – Later
Sat: 16:00 – Latest!
Sun: Special occasions only
Disclosure: I was a guest of Circus. All views are my own.
