It's off the s'kale.
It's off the s'kale.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we, the people of 2021 are more concerned with what we put in our bodies than at any other time in history. Diets and eating trends have come and gone, but the one solid dietary trend that has only gone from strength to strength is plant-based eating.
We now find ourselves with vegan options at most, if not all of our cafes, restaurants and eateries, so it was to be expected that at some point, someone was going to have that light bulb moment and open an entirely plant-based eatery. And that they did. Whilst there is a handful of venues falling under this banner in our city, you’ll no doubt be happy to learn that as of today, there is one more to add to the collection, Plants & Me of Southport!
Occupying a space on the southern end of busy Scarborough Street and only steps away from the Southport South tram stop means finding this little gem and finding your way home is not likely to cause any issue.
Once inside, you’ll feel an industrial/minimalistic vibe, but then you’ll notice these guys take their position on plants seriously too; with greenery-backed bench seating and an entire feature column dedicated to plants. But not just any plants either, rare and endangered species which in time you will be able to buy and then take home with you. Food and plants to take home in the same place — this is a new concept, people!
Great care is taken to produce a vegan menu that hinges on whole foods and using ‘mock meats’ as little as possible. A lot of work from the culinary wizards behind the scenes — with a peppering of love — has created dishes that you simply won’t find anywhere else, all tied together with a subtle infusion of Asian influence: most notably Japanese cuisine.
For example, you could start things off with Pinwheel House Gyozas with cabbage, ginger and mushrooms, before setting your sights on a Slow Cooked Japanese Curry of seasonal vegetables. Perhaps the most imaginative part of the menu is their desserts. With particular attention made to The Frozen Garden, smoked ice creams are topped with frozen (edible) botanics and sprinkled with candied mixed berries and cashew biscuit crumb. If one dish has the potential to turn anybody vegan, it has to be this one, people. Take note!
Drinks-wise, the venue is waiting for their liquor license approval — so until then, they will be operating under a BYO capacity. Fear not though, once they have the license approved, they promise to conjure up some incredibly complex and fantastic vegan cocktails just for you. And if their food menu is anything to go off, we can’t wait to see what they come up with.
Operating for breakfast, lunch and dinner and with three different menus, we can see Plants & Me on a collision course with some hungry plant eaters out there. From where we are standing, we can certainly see everyone — meat-eaters included — leaving with a smile on their face.
Where: 4/20 Scarborough St, Southport
When: Everyday 7am — 2.30pm | 5.30pm — late
Words by Alex Mitcheson.