NIA and Animal Defenders Vegan evening
Holland House – Ocean Lounge
There are no two ways about it – Holland House/Ocean Lounge is a favourite of ours.
The food is always of a high standard, the service is generally better than many other places on island and the situation is one of the best.
I do not know much about the hotel side of things, so I can’t comment as it is on the lovely deck and restaurant area where we hang out. There is a large bar at which we generally gather before going into dine, service with a smile is de rigueur here. The gatherings happen quite frequently as various groups choose the Ocean Lounge to hold their functions. Holland House works with all functions and events in a remarkable way, the chef is tops (no matter who is in the kitchen at the time)
Last week we went to a fund raising event held by the vegan group to raise funds for NIA and Animal Defenders. Holland House were great in holding this event and the chef produced a great repast.
The menu was of course a vegan menu. Nothing wrong with that at all but what throws one when dining out or in fact wanting to try a dish that is totally without any animal in it is the fact that it is called by a common (animal) name.
This was the general drift through the conversation at the table.
Our first course was a vegan crab cake served on a bed of fresh salad. It was all very delicious but why call it “crab cake” when it is not.
Our second course was vegan steak with zucchini risotto and red onion compote. Now our taste buds work along with our minds, “steak” – it should taste like steak, but it seemed to be nut based. It was tasty, but it jarred enough that the mind and taste buds did not cohabit. The onion compote was excellent, the other sides were crisp and disappeared down the hatch but the “steak”?? Why not call it what it is – nut patty with red onion compote and zucchini risotto.
The dessert was chocolate mousse with red fruit sauce. This dessert was not top of the favourite list. However, it was a mousse, it looked chocolaty and was topped with an exquisitely fresh raspberry and sprig of mint. It did not pretend to be something it wasnt. There are many recipes for chocolate mousse made without animal fat or eggs that are very acceptable using avocado or tofu; what this mousse was made from was hard to tell for the lay-vegans at the dinner.
The entertainment for the night was absolutely fantastic. Singing, jokes, dancing and chatting was top-draw. One felt the love in the room. The people who attended were a great group to be with, the wine was superb, the reason for the event was for a great cause and the venue did not disappoint!
Night time view from the deck across Great Bay to the harbour.
I agree! Name it for what it is.