Want to get cosy with a vegan? Join the club!

Even if you’re not a full-on vegan, more and more of us are
adopting vegan vibes, even if it’s the flexitarian option of a plant-based diet
a couple of days a week. And it’s so mainstream now that even the most die-hard
carnivores will know a vegan or too. They may even socialise with them.

It’s great that so many eateries are providing more vegan
options and what we loved about Cosy Club, which has won plaudits for its vegan
dishes, is that you can choose like-by-like plates. So, we did, and in a
completely unscientific approach, voted on whether we preferred the meaty dish
or the vegan version.

Cosy Club does what it says on the tin with a rustic room
and bar in the Corn Exchange, all gnarled word that looks a little hewn, throws
and a bit hygge basically. We got cosy immediately welcomed by wonderful
service, particularly our waiter Rory, and settled down for the unofficial
vegan challenge.

It’s a small chain and the prices reflect this, great for a
catch-up with mates, lunch when you’re hitting the shops and maybe the odd,
well-lit tinder date, with mains from just under a tenner. It’s brunch and
breakfast, trendy burgers and tapas style dining if you prefer.  

Prosec is just under £27 and house wine a pound less, making
it a good, quaffing place without breaking the bank.

There’s a special vegan menu and as we’ve said, this mirrors
the main menu with clever plant-based versions and we found that they can, in
fact, work better than the meaty type.

Our only disappointment was a sharing Mediterranean platter
to start which sounded great on paper but had a too hefty price tag of £13.95
when it arrived. It wasn’t bad, just a little like the stuff you can get two
for three in supermarkets deli’s and we did feed this back.

The rest of the meal was excellent value for money, and we
tasted the classic burger vs the vegan option.  The vegan burger texture was a little mushy,
but this was a great flavour and, we both preferred this to the meat version.
The flavours were more pronounced and delicate, without that heavy meaty feel.
Not that the classic wasn’t good, you’d be pleased with both dishes, but vegan
won the day this round.

Then, we tried the vegan Thai green curry alongside the chicken
version. Both dishes were good, tangy and spicy, presented prettily with plenty
of sides. It was close, I preferred the chicken one, while Sam preferred the
vegan.

And that I think is what is good about the Cosy Club offer,
everyone can cosy up and tuck in without feeling like an afterthought. Vegan or
meaty or if you’re just feeling a bit vegan for the night.

To book and for further information, visit https://cosyclub.co.uk/location/manchester/.