Loving Hut is a vegan institution: it's one of the few places that omnivores have heard of (if they haven't heard of LH, they probably haven't heard of anywhere else), and it's a good, safe choice for taking those omni friends of yours out for their first meal at "a vegan restaurant". The menu has absolutely structure or theme: there's a vague Asian-inspired thread running through part of it (there's wantons (cream-cheese filled), black bean beef (not called that, but that's what it's aiming for), Chinese pan bread, Peking "luck", etc), but there's also lasagna, Garlic Butter cutlet (cous cous with mixed veggies topped with two cutlets (or what, we do not know) and garlic/herb butter), and other (somewhat odd?) menu items. Everything is distinctly Westernised (oddly) and will not offend those indisposed to Asian cuisine but, as a consequence of this, don't go expecting any sort of authenticity in any of the dishes, regardless of their origin (the satay sauce seems to contain no peanuts, or at least certainly tastes like it doesn't; the red sauce in the lasagna is almost certainly from a jar... you get the idea). Also, don't even THINK about touching the desserts or coffee: the coffee is absolutely horrendous, the ice cream is gross So Good, and the desserts... I can't even talk about it. I do have a soft spot for the Choc Banana smoothie, though.
Even if you aren't sure about what you've ordered, make sure you clear you plate, though: staff with sometimes (a little too eagerly) inquire as to why you didn't finish your meal ("Didn't you like it?"). You have been warned.
And now that we're on service: WHAT SERVICE. Sometimes, your entrees will beat you to your table, and you'll be in and out in under 30 minutes, but a few times we've gone there we've waited and waited and been presented with our order sporadically and in no particular order. One night, I was dining with two others and the food came out thusly: 1's entree came out, 10 minute wait, my entree came out, 15 minutes wait, 1's main came out, my main came out, 10 minutes wait, 2's main came out, 5 minute wait, 2's entree came out. Thankfully 1 was a very slow eater, otherwise we would've just had to sit there and watch 2 eat. Fun times.
BUT DON'T LET THAT PUT YOU OFF. Loving Hut is a good, solid feed for those days when you're just a little too exhausted to cook and, for we vegetarians and vegans, when you really just can't be bothered getting into arguments with servers about not wanting meat/cheese/eggs and, more annoyingly, WHY you don't want to eat them (seriously, I don't need to hear about your vegetarian nephew who is now paleo: just give me the food). The food won't blow your mind, but when you just need to fill up your tank with an OK feed, this is your place. Staff are always friendly (as above, sometimes a little too friendly), even if service is very inconsistent (thankfully, there are a number of new servers who have excellent service, so pray that you go on the night that they're there!).
Recommended menu items: lasagna, garlic butter cutlet, Peking luck, cream cheese wanton, salt and pepper mushroom.
Aside from the food, they also sell some (random) groceries: a few fake meats, some fake cheese, and recently they've started selling the Nushie ice cream.
Oh, and you may notice what's happening on the TV and some of the pamphlets around: fear not! It's run by a religious group but they never mention it and will certainly never try to push it on you. And seriously, watch the TV for a little while: it's an experience no other.
Go in with no expectations (for both food and service) and an empty stomach and you will not be disappointed. read more