East London Hackney Pogo Cafe

76 Clarence Road,Hackney, London, E5 8HB Nearest Overground Hackney Central. Opening times Weds-Saturday 12.30. Sunday 11-9.30.

Well this was my first vegan cafe and I was somewhat apprensive.Having cycled from Camden I was gagging for a cup of tea by the time I arrived. So imagine my dismay when the place looked distinctly closed and I started thinking perhaps I should have checked opening times before setting off...

The cafe was in fact closed (see opening times above) but the lovely volunteers - yes it's a non-hierarchical volunteer run co-operative were waiting for a delivery so they let me in and I was able to try their tea and cake.

Normally they have a range of cakes but what's on offer depends on the volunteer chef on duty and what they fancy making. Unfortunately because the cafe was officially closed there were only two cakes to choose from and they were both chocolate based. I'm not really a chocolate fan but I went for the chocolate mousse cake (£2.50).

It was light and moussee and if I was a chocoholic I think even a non vegan would have enjoyed it. I enjoyed the first few bites but then was chocolated out. There were a wide range of teas but their normal boys tea (80p)was a bit weak.

My  vegan friend turned up at this point(which was a relief because up to this point I felt I was an impostor who would be outed at any minute as being a murdering meat eater). She chose the chocolate coconut cake (only £2.00 because apparently it hadn't turned out very well but it looked okay to us) and tea. She really enjoyed both her cake and tea.

Overall both cakes were good but for me the tea was weak so 3/5. The place itsself is comfy and they have lots of interesting stuff going on. The volunteers who were kind enough to serve us were really friendly so the place and the staff get 5/5. If I lived nearer I would certainly go again when they're officially open because look at what someone baked last week!

Bonus picture. On the way home I saw this.....

It's a rubbish duck- literally!!!