Vegetarian franchise, Veggie Masters has opened a new restaurant on Lenton Boulevard in the old Bag O' Nails pub. We tried the menu to see just how good the options are.
The first thing I notice when I look at the menu at Veggie Masters is the sheer size of it. I've been a vegetarian for around six years and have given up expecting two options on a menu. You always know the options will either be curry or a limp-looking falafel
So it felt really refreshing to not just have a choice but to struggle to choose just one thing. I didn't have to have the usual conversations around what I can and can't eat with staff or ask if something is vegan or vegetarian - I could just order and feel safe in the knowledge that literally all of the menu was.
Veggie Masters may be new to Nottingham but they already have a branch in Derby and the franchise has been around for over 20 years. Fans have been known travel for miles to the Derby location to get their hands on the food including vegans from Nottingham so I had to try it.
I could have had anything my heart desired from salads to pasta to pizza but given how warm the weather is, I wasn't really feeling up to a large meal so I opted for a wrap instead. All of the options are either vegetarian or vegan so I decide I'll chance a vegan 'chicken' wrap and fries. It's here I made my first and only mistake - assuming the fries would be a side.
The food portions were massive and my large cheesy chips would have easily fed me for weeks which was a steal at £4 for the large plate I got. There was more than enough cheese too which is often a complaint with cheesy chips - it's either too much or not enough - with a lot of places opting for too little.
The staff were very attentive with one bringing over a bottle of water when he noticed I was sweating in the heat. A nice packed tram ride in the sun had meant I was more than ready for lunch, water and a sit-down.
The wrap was where Veggie Masters really excelled though as it was the closest thing I have had to chicken since I quit meat. The 'chicken' was tender, soft and marinated in spices which blended perfectly with the crisp lettuce and mayonnaise. I examined a bit of chicken twice as I really couldn't believe it wasn't the real thing. It's one of the most impressive chicken substitutes I've actually had.
Despite its busy location, the restaurant felt like a bit of a quiet oasis in the middle of Lenton as people came in for lunch and takeaways. It has a curious mix of feeling like a restaurant but also a takeaway at the same time which adds to the friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
Not only that but again the size of the portion was impressive as it was on the large side which for £5 was great value. The wrap also felt impressively light and non-greasy which was exactly what I needed in the heat. I had to admit defeat with the fries as the huge portion finally proved to be too much for me. I could have just had the wrap on its own.
I can really see why people have driven all the way to Derby in the past for this food because it really is impressive. It's not only worth the impressive food but the experience of being able to order what you want as a vegetarian or vegan and not feel restricted and that's the real treat.
