Inspirational brothers call time on an unhealthy life with V.Or.V
Published On Saturday 28 Dec 2019 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
Two Sheffield brothers that rose through the ranks to manage some of the city's largest and liveliest chain pubs have turned their backs on the world of mainstream lager and junk food menus to launch an alternative.
Matt and Nick Burgess - who became the face of bars like West Street's Varsity and Champs on Ecclesall Road - became disillusioned with their careers and lifestyles after spending time traveling and working in Melbourne - long known as one of the foodie capitals of the globe and a recognised pioneer in plant-based restaurants.
After months of work, their eagerly awaited V.Or.V. is now open to the public for the first time in the historic Wharncliffe Works, on Cornish Place in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield.
Matt and Nick Burgess have designed and managed the entire refurb and design process for the Victorian building with breath-taking results.
Matt Burgess said: "It has been our dream for the last couple of years to launch a venue that is a breed apart from the many vegan and vegetarian cafes around Sheffield.
"We wanted to create something with an intimate, restaurant feel at night and, by day, more of a coffee bar and meeting place."
Melbourne is renowned for its plant-based restaurants that are popular amongst meat eaters who fancy a healthy alternative.
Nick Burgess said: "We're very much about accessibility - we're a quality restaurant, with quality locally-sourced food and quality service, that just happens to be veggie and vegan.
"You won't even notice the fact meat is not on the menu when you taste the outstanding flavours in our food."
Former Great Gatsby head chef Danny Lynn is another person that has turned his back on the mainstream bar scene of the city centre and joined the brothers.
He has spent the past few months working on the extensive menus that include sharing platters and tapas, evening menu, brunch & lunch, kids' menu and more.
V.Or.V. also features a range of beers from local brewers such as Abbeydale brewery, with plenty of vegan and gluten free options available.
The restaurant offers a large range of quality, low alcohol drinks; it prioritses re-usable items and even its uniforms are vegan.
V.Or.V. is flanked on either side by the newly opened Saw Grinders Union and Kelham stalwarts The Milestone.
Last year the brothers tested interest in the area with their popular pop-up bar Khristmas Island which was situated in the Wharncliffe Works building.
| Sheffields newest concept bar set to blend Barbados sun with industrial cool A lush slice of the Caribbean is arriving in Kelham Island at the end of this month as the citys first ever Caribbean Garden Bar opens its doors. With a £500,000 investment, Read The Article | |
| Meet The Derby Restaurant Playing Cupid This November Romance is on the menu at one of Derbys most stylish restaurants, where a Breeze partnership is transforming weekends into First Dates moments. Nicco Restaurant Read The Article | |
| Luke Evans Bakery Unveils Fresh New Look One of the oldest family bakers in the East Midlands has unveiled new updated branding and livery to reflect its heritage and quality. Derbyshire-based Luke Evans Bakery has also Read The Article | |
| Derbys Cathedral Quarter Hotel opens its doors this Christmas to help tackle loneliness in the city A Derby hotel is staying open this Christmas so people feeling lonely over the festive season can book a break and find new friends. Read The Article | |
| The Bakewell Tart Shop celebrates third consecutive Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award The Bakewell Tart Shop has once again been recognised among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide, after being awarded Tripadvisors Travellers Read The Article | |
| The Ashford Arms Named In The Top 1% Of Restaurants Worldwide By Tripadvisor The Ashford Arms - a historic 17th-century country inn with rooms in Ashford-in-the-Water, near Bakewell in the Peak District - has been Read The Article | |
| Sheffields Food Heritage Book Launch Draws Crowds to Stannington Library People from across Sheffield made the journey to Stannington Library this week to celebrate the launch of The Unsung Flavours of Sheffield - a new book Read The Article | |
| The Miners Opens Its Doors: A Café, Deli & Wine Bar Celebrating Local Produce and Community Spirit A new chapter begins for one of Edwinstowe's most cherished spaces, as The Miners officially opens its doors this week. The Read The Article | |
| The Cupola in the Peak District Wins Central England Prestige Award for Self-Catering Accommodation The Cupola Kitchen and Rooms in Stoney Middleton has been named Self Catering Accommodation of the Year Read The Article | |
| The Hide Opens Its Doors - Chatsworth Escapes introduces new affordable Peak District hotel Set in moorland on the edge of Chatsworth Estate, The Hide opens its doors this week, providing an affordable yet stylish base for those looking Read The Article | |