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Members Present: Jacki, Melissa, John, Vasilios and Helen

Today, we met up at Gopal’s Pure Vegeatarian Restaurant, Sherwood.  Whilst surveying the large array of meals on offer we met up with two fellow Orthodox Christians, subsequently discovering they were also vegetarian!  We were very happy to have Emmanuel and Tamara join us for our take-away picnic at Sherwood Arboretum.

1. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at the arboretum.  It was a beautiful Brisbane winter’s day.

2. Helen brought along some ‘not too tricky’ famous vegetarian trivia questions, which, of course the group blitzed. We also enjoyed a game of Bocce, despite some questionable tactics by some group members!

3. We discussed the possibility of looking into the logistics of travelling to Melbourne to participate in an all EnglishHoly Week and Pascha. (Possibly in two years time)

4. We also discussed the possibility of attending Pascha at the Antiochian parish in Caboolture.

5. A reminder for Helen to post the photos of our t-shirt and bag.  John received a compliment  today for our ‘Want To Save The Planet’ t-shirt.

6. Vasilios is to send a reminder to Melissa about her logon details.

7.  Melissa and Jacki have been using Quinoa in place of cous cous with success.  Melissa is going to post their recipe for Quinoa.

8. Vasilios is going to source copies of ‘Food Inc’ and ‘The Corporation’.

9. Our next meeting will be held at Vasilios’ and Helen’s place with a pot luck lunch and a viewing of ‘Food Inc’.

Level 1, 500 George, St, Sydney NSW

Wherever you go, it’s the same Wagamama experience: the long benches, high level of ambient noise, waiters who jot down your order on a paper place mat and return to make another mark after they’ve asked how you’re enjoying yourself , and a  resolutely modern menu are universal. At this outlet in downtown Sydney the raw salad is a winner, its spinach leaves and mesculin with slices of cucumber, carrot and red onion coming with a non-assertive dressing and virtually bursting with health…for those wanting a hit of sodium, the miso soup is recommended. The spicy yasai itame offers tofu, zucchini and broccoli on a bed of rice with plenty of chilli and ginger and a wedge of lime to give it even  more lift, while the ramen soup with tofu and vegetables comes in a very big bowl. Most of the vegetarian dishes are vegan, except for the desserts, these being dairy-based and so fine for vegetarians but not vegans. The food is contemporary and never quite what one could imagine eating at home, and you may leave having paid a little more than you expected…but hey, the experience.