Kitchen Sanitarium, Riverside Centre, 145 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Australia in April couldn't be further from the reality of Britain in September. However, my parents are about to make the trip that I made in April and because they are vegetarians (kind off) I thought it my job, as their daughter and a food blogger, to post my best Brisbane find. 

Up until finding Kitchen Sanitarium I was struggling to find places with choices, or that one option on the menu that was strong enough to be...well...the only veggie option on the menu. 

We were introduced to this place by my ever so beautiful cousin from Brisbane who works near-by. It is very much a lunch haunt with it's deli bar, minimal table service, and small outdoor eating area. It's also refreshingly kid free - or was at the time. Not that I have an issue with kids, but sometimes you need to eat without them flinging a dangerous amount of their lunch  in your direction. 

The restaurant is totally vegetarian, plus the drinks and food menus tell you how the food will benefit you. I had the lentil and five bean chilli which is apparently great for 'sustained energy, chronic disease prevention and anti-ageing'. 

The effects have worn off now...but I felt so full of beans that I almost unregistered with my GP. 

Price: $110.00 AUD (approximately £64.73) for 4 x mains, 4 x fresh juices and service charge
Veggie Friendly: 5/5
Food: 5/5 
Service: 4/5 
Atmosphere: 4/5 

Izakaya, Albert Cuypstraat 2-6, Amsterdam 1072CT, Netherlands

"I'm vegetarian, will I..."

"We have vegetables, tofu...everything. Don't worry, we'll see you tonight at 7.30." 

After a cursory attempt to dress for dinner, we left our room at the Sir Albert - a boutique hotel in Amsterdam - and avoided the rain by eating at Izakaya, the hotel's Japanese restaurant. 

The low lighting, sleek black walls and wood floors of the hotel are partially left behind. Opening up into a long row of diners, plus group tables on the side. Think Wagamama's with extra panache. 

The hostess's advice to refrain from worry did not amount to nothing. There were a suitable number of options available: a splattering in the starters and a sprinkling in the mains. 

Deliberating over wine was purposefully drawn out, interspersed by helpful tips from our waiter - a particularly jovial breed of man. 

He warned us off the tofu tempura and suggested I opt for the Mushroom Toban. Both suggestions were heeded, and the evening was the better for doing so. I like dehydrated tofu - the kind that Cauldron do, minus their marinade. The tofu that was served around me was fresh and wobbly - suitable for some, unsuitable for me. 

The mushrooms, sizzling in their clay pots, produced a watery 'gravy' that was strong in flavour. It is advisable to have rice with this dish as the meal increases in saltiness the more you eat. I don't know how this works but I was told that it's something to do with how long the mushrooms stew in the soy sauce and spices added to them.  

The evening ended with a note of madeleines with creme fraiche and marmalade; and mini meringues with strawberry ice cream, fresh fruit and small cubes of marshmallow which  I dutifully avoided - oh how I loath thee gelatin. 
Despite a belly groaning in pain from toban overload, I annihilated dessert...annihilated. 

Price: Approx. 100 EUR (83.66 GBP) for 2 glasses of white wine, 2 x starters, 2 x mains, 2 x dessert and service charge

Veggie Friendly: 3/5

Food: 4/5

Service: 5/5

Atmosphere: 4/5