Inspirational brothers call time on an unhealthy life with V.Or.V
Published On Saturday 28 Dec 2019 by Sticky Beak
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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.
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