I do love my meat, but… I mean, who am I kidding: I just love everything edible. Especially if it’s a bloody good vegetarian restaurant like The Gate in Islington.
Launched in 1989 by Adrian and Michael Daniel, brothers of Indo-Iraqi Jewish heritage, The Gate first opened in Hammersmith and has been considered London’s premiere vegetarian restaurant for over twenty years. Its Islington eatery is a must-go, wether you’re a vegetarian or not. 
With an extremely friendly and attentive staff,The Gate is so busy on a Friday night you will find yourself waiting for a while – but it’s a pleasant wait.
So, what exactly do you eat in vegetarian heaven?
Starter:
Start out with a vegan twist on a great starter: vietnamese spring rolls filled with smoked tofu, cucumber, mango mint and alfalfa sprouts and served with soya dip (£6). Fresh and fruity and wrapped in different types of paper, these rolls are far from what you will eat in every Asian restaurants. Try the pink beetroot roll and you’ll be convinced!
Main:
Get the zingy aubergine teryaki (£14), made with char-grilled aubergine layered with coriander pesto, roasted red peppers, shitake mushrooms and horseradish, coated with crispy breadcrumbs and served on stir-fried noodles with a pickled ginger and mango salsa. Crunchy and delicate but with a slightly spicy twist, this dish is a triumph of innovative cuisine. 
Sides:
The polenta chips with garlic aioli (£4) won’t leave you disappointed. Chunky and tasty, they’re the perfect end to an awesome meal.
Pictures: The Gate, Carolina Are
