Tired of the same old routine? Desperate to try something new? Here’s the answer: National Vegetarian WeekWhy you should go
This year the annual event, organised by the national Vegetarian Society, focuses on the environmental benefits of giving up meat, with a variety of individual food-related events going on around London and the UK.

Who you’ll find there
You don’t need to be a vegetarian to enjoy National Vegetarian Week – the events are open to everyone from the curious to the converted. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t admit to having had the odd flickering doubt about meat eating on the school farm trip, watching the lambs frolicking and the piglets snuffling?

Whether you want to explore the issues around becoming a vegetarian or confirm to yourself that you’re perfectly happy as a meat-eater, the National Vegetarian Week events will be enlightening, informative and pretty tasty. And it won’t be all sandal-wearing hippies subjecting you to ethical rants.

How to find it:
National Vegetarian Week runs from Monday 19th May to Sunday 25th May 2008. Here’s a selection of individual events happening throughout the week across London.

Cinnamon Club
From 1st to 31st May 2008, the Cinnamon Club restaurant is offering an exclusive garden menu of dishes made from traditional floral delicacies by Head Chef Vivak Singh.Quilon
Throughout the year a detoxing vegetarian Ayurvedic menu is avilable at Quilon. Try okra with onions or cauliflower with fenugreek amongst plenty of other vegetables, so that you feel more healthy on the inside.Kai Mayfair
Inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show, the floral menu at Kai Mayfair sees a special menu of new and varied dishes available for National Vegetarian Week, in addition to the normal a la carte menu.Oasis Healthfood
With free tastings throughout the week and a special veggie barbecue where you can try out the best veggie sausages, there is plenty to get your teeth stuck into in Croydon.Pepperton UK
The renowned vegetarian restaurant and art gallery in South London is featuring an exhibition by veggie artists, and the first 20 diners to come in on Friday 23rd May will recieve a free glass of wine and the chance to try out the vegan cheeseboard.Dragon Hall, 17 Stukeley Street
From 2:30pm on 24th May, vegetarian workshops provide you with an afternoon of free live cookery demonstrations, tips and tasters of quick and easy recipes.Taste of Greece
Try some of the best in vegetarian cuisine with the Taste of Greece Londn festival. Olives, cheeses, tomatoes and peppers are just some of the delicious vegetarian ingredients you can expect to find.Elephant Walk
From 19th to 25th May there will be a chance to bring in vegetables from your garden or the greengrocer and have them cooked as part of your vegetarian meal at Elephant Walk. Phone Kannan on 07828 037111 to confirm a place. Special vegetarian set meals are also on offer for £13.50 to £15.50 for two courses.Inspiral Lounge
Vegetarian meals are promoted all week, and there are inspiring talks on why it's good to be a veggie on Monday and Tuesday night. Wednesday is the night for funky music and vegetarian snacks, and Friday and Saturday night will see the vegan champagne in full flow. The cafe is open to everyone from 10am to midnight everday except Thursday.Odeon West End Cinema
Celebrate the launch of National Vegetarian Week with the world premiere of Meat The Truth at 10am on May 19th. The film is a challenging look at the relationship between greenhouse gases and meat eating. If you would like to book tickets, email caroline@vegsoc.org with names and numbers before 16th May.Saki
Try some unusual vegetarian cuisine during National Vegetarian Week at Japanese venue Saki. Launching a strictly vegetarian Shojin Kaiseki menu on Monday 19th May, it features vegetables, nuts, beans and seeds as its ingredients. Try out grilled lotus root with tofu or sushi with miso soup.Tea Box
Enjoy a special Vegetarian Afternoon Tea with goats cheese and sun dried tomato sandwiches, mini scones and clotted cream, and a pot of tea of your choice. Available from 12pm to 6:30pm Monday, 10am to 6:30pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 11:30am to 6:30pm Sunday for £12.50.Freddys
Get twenty percent off the vegetarian main dishes from the a la carte menu and seasonal specials all week at Freddys.Other London events