E’woke – The Vegan Cafe, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad

Restaurant Name: E’woke – The Vegan Cafe, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad
Phone: +919494941661
Address: 1-5-B/36, Armed Forces Colony, Kapra, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad 500094 India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 10:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1000
Cuisines: European, Middle Eastern, Asian, Desserts, Italian, Beverages
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Work Friendly, Vegan Options, Indoor Seating, Pet Friendly, LGBTQIA Friendly, Free Wifi, Outdoor Seating, Desserts and Bakes

First things first — veganism is not a fad diet followed by the yuppies anymore. It’s a lifestyle — a conscious way of living that ensures your food or consumer choices don’t adversely impact the life of any other sentient being. But of course, food is a major aspect of anyone’s life, vegan or not. But can you give up meat, fish, eggs, milk, honey even, and yet enjoy a meal that’s worth writing home about? Well, to find out, we headed to E’woke, the newest entrant on the block when it comes to vegan gastronomy. Tucked away in Secunderabad’s hip suburb, Sainikpuri, this elegant eatery is like a breath of fresh air for plant-based foodies in this part of the town.

E’woke – The Vegan Cafe, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad: Decor

Spacious, well-lit, and in one word, adorable! The interiors are simple and elegant, with a large beautiful outdoor patio that’s perfect for al fresco dining in the evenings. The seating is spread out to allow for ample room between tables, perfect for those who like to spend long hours sipping on a mocktail and nibbling on some tidbits. They also have a small indoor seating area.

Food:

The menu offers everything you might have on your mind — be it a cheesy pizza or pasta; a hearty burger or a healthy bowl; a filling sandwich or some sinful desserts — all plant-based, of course. We started with a summer roll: chilled rice sheet rolls stuffed with fresh veggies and crispy tofu, served with a peanut butter sauce. The roll was delightful, but it begged for a lighter sweet-sour sauce, as the thick peanut sauce overpowered the otherwise delicate dish. We quickly moved on to their signature blue tribe burger. It was hearty alright, with a house-made mockmeat patty that had a subtle smokey flavour, which went well with the dairy-free cheese. Must say, the burger did manage to mimic the flavours and textures of its meaty counterpart. The cheese in particular was impressive; we could never have guessed vegan cheese, without a hint of milk, could be just as yummy.

Then came a half-and-half of pesto and sundried tomato pizza and the vegan bolognese pizza. Oh boy! This New York-style thin crust was perfect, with all the right flavours, be it the pesto or marinara sauce base, and again, some yummy vegan cheese.

For a Hyderabadi who loves his meat and knows his food, the menu was a delight! The vegan haleem, for instance, is an absolute winner; a must-try for vegetarians too. Also loved the delicious coastal meal bowl, the gluten-free pesto edamame fettuccine and the innovative Quinoa ke kebab from the new glutenfree menu that they are set to launch soon.

To round off our meal, we dug into a sinful parfait made from coconut whipped cream, mulberries and homemade muesli. On the first bite itself, I was this close to heaven, but the chewy muesli pulled me just a wee bit back; would love to try the same with some caramelized nuts (Tip: ask for this option; the young chefs seem happy to experiment and oblige).

You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy a meal here; it’s a delight for anyone who wants to tuck into a good meal. The secret to E’woke’s success lies in the creativity, accessibility and affordability of the food on offer. But most of all, it’s the passion with which this young team of restaurateurs and chefs, all novices, are running the show that’s heart-warming. I, for sure, am going back for more.

Safety Measures:

• Fully vaccinated and well-equipped team.
• Physical distancing and wearing masks is mandatory.
• Clean and hygienic.