Wood Wharf welcomes a newly opened vegan restaurant Mildreds and Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, a win win not just for plant based diets.

I’m no vegan, in fact quite the opposite, game, nose-to-tail, fin-to-gill kinda diner, the one that would make even most acclaimed unpopular cuts consumer uncomfortable.

I believe lives matter and if one chooses to eat meat no part of an animal should be disregarded, we became very picky eaters, it’s a fact.

That’s not to say that the standard should suffer in the process, quite the opposite in fact, quality and origin matters the most.

Perhaps this is not the most compelling introduction for a vegan restaurant but the point I’m trying to make is quality and balanced diet is what’s important.

Too many pretend vegan dishes out there and definitely way too many unhealthy ultra processed animal dishes too.

Mildreds doesn’t need induction though, it’s been a firm player on Greek Street since 1988.

Back then most believed vegans only eat lettuce, hopefully most of us are past the stereotype by now.

If anything I’d argue it’s the “all diets” restaurants that add rabbit food to the menu, from the overused grilled brocollini with almond flakes to charred hispi cabbage.

While I’m no stranger to the cruciferae family. I think the sides menu of some establishments could do with a facelift.

But if one was to attend Mildreds they’ll find a lot more than a spring broccoli side, the menu is vibrant here offering both comfort and healthy dishes.

With some stereotypes cleared lets get trying, everytime when temperatures drop I’m naturally drawn to soup dishes so a Sri Lankan curry is my first choice.

I’m told the spicy ramen has high spice marks so sadly that’s not for me. But first a few sides like padron peppers, corn ribs and teriyaki cauliflower cups.

The peppers are made like Galicia intended to, firm but with burnt edges and smokiness from the salt.

While the corn ribs are the best I’ve tried and since the corn ribs trend began. Mostly are either heavy on the BBQ rub or dried out to the seeds.

But these are just right, with a satisfyingly oily coating, the kernels are juicy and plump that sit on a surprisingly good partner – coriander salsa.

The cauliflower cups don’t disappoint either, it’s not quite the classical teriyaki sauce I expected. Rather the florets are coated in something resembling a thin layer of breadcrumbs.

They are piled on with fresh herbs including mint and carrot daikon pickles on individual lettuce leaf, a bit like a little taco, it’s a wonderfully filling snack.  

For drinks as it’s Sunday I’m after an energy boosting juice, apple, ginger and carrot ticks the box, it’s earthy with a just the right hint of ginger spice.

There is also a great wine list, biodynamic, organic and unfiltered wines, orange included can be found here.

Perfect timing since, I’ve recently started compiling my own orange wine list of restaurants, I’m adding Mildreds to it for their good wines by glass.

The bar seating is conveniently located on the ground floor for those keen to enjoy a few drinks.

It’s in fact a very pleasing on the eye space with clean pastel pink décor, settled in Mallow walls overlooking the Wharf and the leaping humpback whale made out of the blue plastic ocean waste.

As mentioned Mildreds does comfort as well as healthy dishes, one of their long standing signature dishes is a beetroot burger.

Served as any other traditional burger with side of skin on fries and brioche bun, tastebuds won’t be able to tell you the brioche is eggless and in fact vegan.

Weirdly it feels like a wholefoods but also a comfort dish all in one. For the third course there’re a lot of tempting dishes to choose from the popular pistachio cheesecake to a chocolate fudge cake.

The latter is paired with a pistachio sauce so it appears I’m ticking both of my dessert cravings. I haven’t tried the famous Matilda chocolate cake but I think this one is not too far behind.

A rich, dark chocolate colour and a balanced bitterness that enhances the premium cocoa, while velvet buttercream layers add creamy contrast. Perhaps the bar stools downstairs are for the orange wine and this cake.

Vegan food has come a long way, whether one chooses to visit Mildreds for a healthy boost or for a hearty dish. Either way it’s convenient that Mildreds has now made its presence in the East eliminating the need for a trip to city centre.

Mildreds, 12 Park Dr, London E14 9ZW, United Kingdom