The Little Veggie Pop Up (by Ella)

I'm delighted to have another guest post from my very gorgeous niece Ella, who's 16. So far, she has written on Barcelona and Whitstable. Today, she's closer to home, in London, and her mind's on food.....

"Whether you live in London, or have visited, you will know that a Pret a Manger can be found on almost every corner, especially in the centre of the city.

I thought I was perfectly happy with occasionally popping into Pret for a packet of popcorn and a hot chocolate. That is, until I discovered the Little Veggie Pop Up. As a vegetarian, I sometimes feel limited in restaurant and food choices - in particular when grabbing a sandwich or a quick bite - but Pret's Little Veggie Pop Up may turn out to be the answer I didn't even realise I was looking for.

Located in the heart of Soho, the cafe offers a wide range of vegetarian and vegan foods for all meals of the day. As you approach, you are instantly attracted to the bright green exterior which advertises the healthy aspects of the cafe as well as highlighting its vegetarian and vegan offerings.

Then, as you enter, you are greeted with the typical Pret interior - the cash point, dozens of delicious looking home baked goods in front of you and the fridges to the left. But in this Pret, there is a difference.

Instead of the typical ham sandwiches, egg sandwiches and just about every other sandwich filling you can think of, you find an assortment of extremely healthy and intriguing vegetarian and vegan foods, alongside ready to blend smoothies. My friend enjoyed an Asian Tofu Salad and I was tempted by an intriguing sounding vegan artichoke, tapenade  and olive baguette.

The atmosphere was busy and lively - no different to a regular Pret - and the customers ranged in age, as well as being both Londoners and tourists.

In the end, I went for a mushroom and avocado sushi salad (£4.20), along with a pot of edamame beans and a spicy chickpea yoghurt bowl (which I took home and put in the fridge, only to later find my meat-adoring mum had already devoured it!). The sushi salad was absolutely perfect - the combination of mushroom and avocado may not sound like a dream come true, but it somehow works, and the flavours complemented one another really well. Each item I bought was appropriately priced and sized, leaving me with no complaints.

So, if you are in the mood for something light, healthy and enjoyable then Pret's Little Veggie Pop Up is the place for you. I preferred it to normal Prets, but you have to enjoy vegetarian food to do so - the quality of food isn't necessarily better, but is no less.

The Little Veggie Pop (on Broadwick Street, London W1) was originally planned to be open just for the month of June, but due to its popularity it will remain open for the entire summer. I'll be going back again soon."

MORE ON FOOD!

5 Cool places to eat in London

Vegfest - enjoying vegan food.....