VEGING WITH VIDHANI

Trans-Mongolian 2011

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Episode 1 - Beijing

"Faking it"

Vidhani discovers what it really means to eat in an exclusive Vegetarian restaurant in China.

Review: Pure Lotus Beijing
Location: In the Courtyard of Tongguang Building, The West of Agriculture Department, Changhong Bridge, East Third Ring Road, Beijing
Rating: Amanita phylloides

Episode 2 - Leaving China

"From Zinfandel to Marmite"

The travellers settle into the first leg on the train on the way to Mongolia. The Vidhani malnutrition avoidance plan is revealed.

Review: Capital M Beijing
Location: 3rd Floor, No. 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street (overlooking Tian'anmen Square), Beijing
Rating: Morel Mushroom
Website: link

Episode 3 - Train to Mongolia

"Why we veg"

Vidhani meets a fellow vegetarian and it becomes clear that not all vegetarians are the same.

Episode 4 - Near Ulaanbaatar

"Mon-ger-lia"

The travellers have a traditional Mongolian experience and enjoy the local hospitality.

Episode 5 - Train to Irkutsk

"Recon"

Vidhani and the Meatosaurus compare notes on Ulaanbaatar.

Review: Luna Blanca
Location: Apt M100 Tourist Street, Chingeltei District
Rating: Field Mushroom
Review: Hazara
Location: Peace Avenue 16, E of Central Ulaanbaatar
Rating: Field Mushroom
Review: Veranda
Location: UB Mart Center, Ulaanbaatar
Rating: Morel Mushroom

Episode 6 - Train to Irkutsk

"The people you meat"

Hanging out in the carriage corridors and meeting interesting people is the order of the day.

Episode 7 - Lake Baikal

"Welcome to Siberia"

There's more than tranquility to be found near the deepest lake in the world.

Review: Baikal Chalet
Location: 75 Gudina Str. Listvyanka
Rating: Amanita phylloides

Episode 8 - Train to Yekaterinburg

"Disappointment"

Vidhani discovers that expectation can be the enemy of satisfaction.

Review: Cafe Podlemore
ul Gorkogo 31 Listvyanka
Rating (Cafe): Button mushroom
Rating (Restaurant): Amanita phylloides
Review: Studio Coffee
Location: 1A Zhelyabova St, Irkutsk
Rating: Button mushroom

Episode 9 - Train to Yekaterinburg

"Veging with a vegan"

Valentina introduces Vidhani to the simple pleasure of eating Vegan noodles.

Episode 10 - Train to Moscow

"Down with Capsicum"

Vidhani and the Meatosaurus hit low spots in their journey.

Review: Mamma's Big House
Location: Lenina ul., 26
Rating: Amanita phylloides
Review: Sverdlovsk (Marins Park) Hotel
Location: 106 Cheluskintsev Str.
Rating (Breakfast): Amanita phylloides

Episode 11 - Train to Moscow

"Let it flow"

Vodka is not what is flowing in the cups of Vidhani and the Meatosaurus.

Review: Noble House
Location: Hyatt Regency, 8 Borisa Yeltsina Street
Rating: Field mushroom

Episode 12 - Moscow

"Fish in chips"

Culinary excellence reaches new heights. How high can it go?

Review: Cafe Pushkin
Location: Tverskoy bulvar 26A Moscow 103009
Rating: Morel Mushroom

Episode 13 - Moscow

"The day after they night before"

As he prepares to leave Moscow, Vidhani reflects on an intense 24 period of eating.

Review: Sky lounge - Mojito o'clock
Location: 22nd floor 32a Leninsky Prospect Moscow
Rating: Field Mushroom
Review: Varvary (Barbarians)
Location: 8A Strastnoi bulvar Moscow
Rating: Truffle Mushroom
Review: Kafe Mart
Location: Petrovka ul 25
Rating: Field Mushroom

Episode 14 - St Petersburg

"Weighing in"

The trip reaches its conclusion with an appraisal of the nutritional outcome of the epic journey across the world.

Review: Maki cafe
Location: Glinischevsky pereulok 3 Moscow
Rating: Button Mushroom
Review: Cafe la chatte
Location: Veliky Novgorod
Rating: Best coffee in Russia!
Review: Napoli
Location: studencheskaya ul. 21/43 Veliky Novgorod
Rating: Amanita phylloides
Review: The Idiot
Location: 82 Moika EMB. St. Petersburg
Rating: Button Mushroom