Upscale Dining at The Omni Collective, Peckham
Sometimes I feel like I’m confessing a big secret when I tell people that I am both vegan and gluten-free, as though my ethical choice and gluten-intolerance is something to be embarrassed about. I know it’s not, but it is something that requires education and sometimes an explanation around - hey, I didn’t know what gluten-free meant until I went gluten-free. Alas, I know there are many like me - I’m in a Facebook page with 16,000 other gluten-free vegans in the UK!
In London, there are a plethora of places that accommodate those who are vegan and those who are gluten-free, yet it can be tricky to find places that accommodate both. So, I am creating a series to highlight the restaurants that not only accommodate my dietary requirements, but celebrate them with amazing food.
Nestled in the heart of Peckham Rye, The Omni Collective is an upscale plant-based eatery that specialises in sharing plates. Upon entering the restaurant, you are greeted with ambient lighting, lounge music, and kind hospitality,
The relaxing atmosphere of the restaurant lends itself well to the natural wine list and their creative gastronomic creations, each emphasising vegetables whilst filling your stomach to its content. The restaurant offers an “All-in” experience where guests can dine through each one of their seasonal sharing plates for just £40.
All in menu, November 2023.
The menu is not inherently gluten-free, but Omni’s team did not hesitate to ensure that we had substantial and delicious gluten-free substitutes that complemented the rest of the ingredients as well as the holistic dining experience. For example, we were served buckwheat crepes instead of focaccia and the Jerusalem artichoke was made in rice paper dumplings instead of tortellini, etc.
Dining at Omni is a great way to explore upscale plant-based cuisine while indulging in an enhanced culinary experience. My palate was surprised by the unique flavour combinations through the evening. Among the most notable were carrots encrusted with furikake and served with creamy tahini; the crunchy furikake melted into the soft, cooked carrots and the saltiness of the seaweed was mellowed by the tahini, each bite blended middle eastern and Japanese influence deliciously.
My favourite dish was the katsu sliders. Sandwiched between moist, buttery gluten-free bread and purple cabbage, the application of the Japanese sauce was used to create a unique, savoury experience.
I’m not someone who usually opts for lemon-flavoured desserts, but the lemon sorbet with mezcal was a special dessert that I kept going back for. The smokiness of the mezcal added an element of heat that contrasted the cold lemon sorbet. I was impressed by the creativity of these dishes, and it made me want to be more innovative in the kitchen myself.
The atmosphere and the sharing plates create an intimate experience, making Omni the perfect place to visit for a date or to catch up with your best friends. Their £40 All-in experience is only £20 Tuesdays-Fridays 5-6.30pm, which is honestly unbeatable for the high-quality food, service, and experience. They’re now taking bookings for Christmas and Veganuary - make your reservation here!