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Located upstairs in the Old Fire Station Stables, just opposite the Guildhall, Pulse is one of the City’s coolest café-bars. With an airy, open-plan layout and funky furnishings that have a dash of retro, 1960’s Pop Art design, it is also unique in being one of the only exclusively veggie eateries in Norwich.
If you’re a devout carnivore, don’t stop reading just yet. Pulse may be meat-free (with some menu options even being - shock horror - vegan in their nature), but the food they serve is of a quality so rare that you’ll be forgiven for forgetting that it’s vegetarian. Clever use of flavours, textures and ingredients along with dishes inspired by cuisine the world over may just have you changing the way you think.
Personally, we go to Pulse on a regular basis (I am myself a Veggie, so it makes a lovely change to be able to choose anything off the menu). For a daytime coffee and cake (homemade and delicious) it is convenient and always has a chilled vibe. For evenings, we’ve experienced both intimate romantic candlelit meals and dining with a large party. Last year a group of about 12 of us went to Pulse after my Baby Shower. Mostly non-Veggies and a variety of ages, everyone had a good time and left feeling sated. The prices aren’t too bad either.
As well as being vegetarian, organic food is used wherever possible, making Pulse a healthy and tasty option. Example offerings include such temptations as Thai Curry with Sweet Potato, Bok Choi and Broccoli, served with Coconut Rice, Leek and Potato Pie with a Cheshire Cheese and Chive Sauce and homemade pizzas. During the day, Pulse serves ample panninis, wraps and bruschetta with outrageously tasty fillings. With starters and lighter dishes such as Kashmiri Coconut, Pumpkin and Courgette Spring Rolls with a Peanut Sambal Dip (which are delicious) and puddings like Banana and Chocolate Trifle with Roasted Hazelnuts and Fresh Raspberries the problem I usually find is choosing what to have.
Being a bona-fide café-bar, Pulse is fully licensed and stocks a great selection of organic beers and wines, as well as mouth-watering soft drinks. On warmer days (if we ever get any) you can sit in the sheltered sunlit courtyard at the front. Very continental.
Organic, veggie, reasonably priced… There must be a downside I hear you thinking… Perhaps you have to check your soul in at the door in return for such a virtuous experience or something like that? Not so (well, not the last time I visited) - perhaps aside from the stairs (which make visiting with a pushchair or if you’re a bit dodgy on the legs a bit difficult, which is a shame as its ideal for daytime Mummy-meets), I’ve never found a drawback with the place. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, the food is delicious and the venue has a definite heart without being in-your-face, over-the-top ‘trendy’ (read: shouty, loud, pretentious). If your looking for a new experience in dining out for 2009 or a wicked place to get coffee or an after-work aperitif, isn’t it time you checked your Pulse?
This month, Pulse (in conjunction with Rainbow Wholefoods) will be involved in Fair Trade Fortnight, which takes place 23rd February - 8th March. Call or pop in for further details about planned events.
Pulse Cafe Bar.
The Old Fire Station Stables, Labour in Vain Yard,
Guildhall Hill, Norwich, NR2 1JD.
Tel: 01603 765562.
www.rafflesrestaurants.co.uk
Open 7 days: Mon 10am-6pm, Tue-Wed 10am-10pm, Thur-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 11.30am-4pm.
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