Afternoon tea difficulty

It’s very weird a good hotel doesn’t do a vegetarian afternoon tea, I’ve literally had dozens of them up and down the country and there’s ALWAYS been a veggie option and frequently now, a vegan one.

I know you don’t want to out them but you could to warn others as it’s fucking odd

Can you ask them not to put the cucumber on the cream cheese? That’s what I’d do as I hate cucumber and won’t eat anything that it’s touched. Or does she not like cream cheese?

Joking! 😁

Why wouldn’t you say where it is?

Anyway it’s not the point but how could anyone ‘hate’ cucumber? There is no taste off it, it’s like water? Some really fussy people here!!

Would she eat wafer thin ham Barbara ?

Cancel the tea and go somewhere else!

The thing with hotel afternoon teas, even the posh ones, is that it's something of a conveyor belt of visitors, and they prep everything in advance to assemble quickly. Yes it seems like they won't accommodate one tiny request but it's possible they get asked alot and might just have a blanket ban on it, as its cheaper and more efficient for them to offer their afternoon tea as standard as part of their business model.

I don't think that's being batshit nasty and ridiculous, they're just asking is there really no vegetarian option, as it does seem highly unlikely as most places do offer one.
When there's a veggie in your group, it's.a bit off to go to the one place that doesn't have a vegetarian option as well when there's so many more places that do.

Third time this week - shit customer service

But this is the UK where our garages sell sandwiches that were made in a factory last Tuesday and freshly prepared food is outnumbered 10:1 by chains selling UPF shite.

I've not frequently the lovely sounding deli counter at the rural petrol station in Ireland, but have found the same in Spain, every garage seems to have a nice cafe attached selling reasonably priced freshly cooked food.

That's just a Chef being arrogant (year of experiencing working in that industry!). Not surprised that it's a 'prestige hotel' and this is why I really dislike some of them.

I hope you have it all sorted now.

There isn't one. I've just checked. Seriously. I've read it three times. There's a range of sandwiches for meat eaters, three different choices, but only cream cheese and cucumber for vegetarians. None of that is vegan. Which isn't relevant to us but will be for others. So those fusspots who don't like cream cheese are stuffed!

Easily solved. Don’t go. Go somewhere else that has cheese sandwiches/vegan stuff/whatever on their menu so you won’t need to be entitled and have them adjust their menu for people who don’t like things/have certain diets/have allergies.

I do get their stance as where does it end once they start agreeing to fussy people. Sally doesn’t want the cucumber sandwiches but wants her portion swapped out for cheese. Gloria doesn’t like scones, so you want 2 scones swapped out for 4 macaroons. The cheese sandwiches is just the start of a slippery slope. Much better for them to refuse and you book with someone who has cheese sandwiches/vegan/gluten free/whatever the problem is on their menu. That’s the beauty of many different eateries with different menu’s, you go where the menu matches what people WILL eat, vs having restaurants build menu’s around individuals, and realistically, it’s all a choice, no one is forced to go anywhere.

They really aren't

The idea that anywhere "prestige" in this day and age only offers cream cheese sandwiches for veggies and no vegan options at all is quite unbelievable

I think they do make them the night before, or early on the day, then they are refrigerated for several hours. That's why the bread always has that slightly different texture.

I don't think many establishments are wildly cutting piles of sandwiches at 3pm.

That is what a non-fussy vegetarian would order, rather than insisting that the only thing they can have in a sandwich is cheese.

Exactly.

And I agree, why not just get the cream tea bit? I quite often do that as the full teas are huge. She can always have a cheese sandwich at home first if she really can't make it through an afternoon on scones, cream and tea.

A hotel afternoon tea is really designed as a social crutch to facilitate spending time together chatting. There are various things to pick at, usually several fillings of sandwiches or types of cake, in a communal presentation so that people can have as much or as little as they like while sitting chatting.

If you really don't like bits of it, just have the other bits.

Where are you eating that they don’t make their sandwiches fresh on the premises each day??? 😱

If anyone tried that here in Ireland, they’d be out of business in a jiffy.

Even our rural petrol stations have proper deli counters where food is freshly cooked and prepared.

I would imagine the hotel do not want pics on social media of something looking like it’s out of a school lunch box on a hopefully beautifully arranged stand of sandwiches and cakes.

And stop saying fussy. She's a vegetarian

She's a vegetarian AND she's fussy. If she literally only eats ONE type of sandwich filling, out of the countless other non-meat things you can put into a sandwich, she is really bloody fussy.

Most places provide a whole afternoon tea that is completely vegetarian and includes several different types of vegetarian sandwich. That is what a non-fussy vegetarian would order, rather than insisting that the only thing they can have in a sandwich is cheese.

Any 'prestige' hotel can offer a fully vegetarian afternoon tea, and probably also a vegan one.

They've warned you in advance that they are unable to accomodate your request, so I think it's a little unfair not leave a tip (if tipping is standard for you and the service on the day is excellent). I think it's fair to state on a review that they were unable to accomodate a special request or show flexibility re the afternoon tea menu.

Are you going to a hotel? Most offer several afternoon tea menus, including a simple version of just scones and tea. Would it be an option for your friend to choose this? Or could you all just order a variety of sweet and savoury dishes from the à la carte menu to share? It's really not appropriate for your friend to take her own food to a restaurant. If you're both unhappy with what's on offer, why not choose an alternative venue?

I’m sure this fussy approach is a recent thing as I don’t remember my mother or grandmother ever fretting about fillings.

Absolutely it is. I actually hope it is just a fad.

ETA I think some people feel it demonstrates how switched on and effective they are.

I think not providing sufficient vegetarian options is both surprising and disappointing - it's really unusual for venues to only have one veggie dish on a menu. I absolutely hate cucumber so wouldn't like that being my only savoury option. I really don't think you can bring your own food though, I'd be looking for somewhere else to go.

I don't know about a joke, but it sure ain't chic! 😂

Honestly, can she not just have a few scones?