The Pudding Shop

Had lunch today with my vegan friend Julie in a vegetarian restaurant called The Pudding Shop. I guess to be more precise it can better be described as a "non-meat" restaurant rather than "vegetarian." They do serve fish. The menu is nicely annotated with a designation after each starter and main course of either V (for vegetarian), VV (for vegan vegetarian) or F (for fish). Nice.

The restaurant takes its name from the nickname for the Lale Restaurant in Istanbul, popularly called The Pudding Shop by the hippies who frequented it while traveling from Europe to Asia in the 60's and 70's. Just to show its street cred, the Pudding Shop in Istanbul was even showcased in one of the classic hippie movies, Midnight Express.

Although the Buddhist philosophies written on the chalk boards on the walls and the organic menu say "hippie", I'd say the decor is more "industrial / boho chic." Wrought iron chandeliers and concrete counter tops, jasmine vines winding all across the pipes below the glass ceiling and another hardy creeper covering the brick walls. It was enchanting!

It reminded me of the conservatory off the kitchen in my old house in New Jersey.

















I too had jasmine climbing up chains and at times completely covering the support rods from one side of the room to the other ...

... with bougainvillea covering the windows ...

... and climbing vines ...

... and ivy climbing up the birdcage stand. God, I miss my conservatory. As I'm sure so do Lou and Serge. It was their favorite room in the house.

But I digress ...

The menu at The Pudding Shop was extensive. Julie had one of their many salads and a Middle Eastern sampler plate with falafel balls and beet croquettes. I had their veggie burger. All was delicious.

The Pudding Shop is tucked away behind the restaurant La Cucina di Ciro on 7th Street in Parktown North.

They are open every day except Monday from 8:30 until 4:30. They serve breakfast before and light snacks after lunch too. Look for the sign in front of their small but secure parking lot.