Vegetarian options in restaurants

[CrackersDontMatter]

This isn't strictly an aibu, so I know I am being unreasonable to ask here but I know that the vegetarian options on menus are often unimaginative and disappointing (mushroom risotto, goats cheese tart anyone?) Can I ask what any vegetarians out there like to see as an option and perhaps what has been your favourite vegetarian meal in a restaurant, particularly in high end places? I've had a few friends and my SIL go vegetarian over the past year and I'd just like a better idea to help me choose a venue for a big celebratory meal later this year. None of the veggies are local to me so I can't really ask them for a recommendation!

If it's a high end place, I just want to see something interesting with seasonal vegetables.

If it's a mid range place then I'm usually happy to see something with haloumi.

I think when eating out in a group of veggie and meat eaters, Indian or decent tapas is the way to go.

Thanks ThymeLord. Better not say too much about DM.

Remember the advert "This isn't just food..."?

Someone up thread mention the Terre a Terre cookbook. You could also check out their website and menus for ideas about what interesting vegetarian food looks like:

terreaterre.co.uk

I'm guessing that places like Bistro 1847 or Greens in Manchester would be similar.

omg mary no need to be so wound up over a vegetarian menu when you're not even veggie lol.

I agree that I'm so fed up of the classic mushroom and caramelised onion stuffed tart shite.

Even just the combo of mozzarella tomato and basil/pesto is quite nice because it makes a change and its more universally liked than say goats cheese and mushroom etc.

vEGAN thanks for the heads up. Belfast isn't actually too bad for veggies and vegans is it. I loovee Boojum

The lack of thought for vegetarians is one reason I won't stop eating fish and chicken. There are often veggie starters like soup (though who knows what stock they use) but main courses are usually really boring or things I don't like. It does not help that I am a fussy eater and eg don't like goats cheese or mushroom risotto.

One of the best meals I ever had was in France at a restaurant with no veggie option. They gave me a plate of all the vegetable sides so ratatouille, green beans with garlic, roast carrots, creamed spinach, sautéed potatoes. It was delicious and varied and fresh

I'd be very happy with something like this especially if I was having a starter and dessert and so didn't need a massive main course.

I went to an expensive restaurant in Beckenham in SE London a couple of weeks ago (an overrated Italian, those of you who live in the area might know where I mean - we go there because the in-laws like it) and had a veggie cannelloni which tasted of nothing. Very disappointing. My starter was a prawn cocktail - not veggie but tasted ok.

Thanks for the suggestions for Mexican. I do like Indian but DH doesn't so I usually only end up in an Indian if I'm going out with friends.

Oh and I had halloumi for the first time a few weeks ago and didn't like the texture. I am really really fussy.

The only thing that really suits me is pasta and pesto I think ;)

Thank you teaandtoast That is very close to where we'll be (It's a Roman weekend at the Lunt Roman fort which I have to attend).

Some Muslim and Jewish people avoid meat when they eat out in order to be able to follow religious dietary requirements. Not everyone who orders a vegetarian menu option is vegetarian.

Halloumi can be a bit...squeaky Mulledwine I find it really nice with sweetcorn salsa blobbed on, or a chilli oil (or both!). Although I must admit I didn't like it when I first tried it.

Watch out for too many dishes described as "vegetable [thing]". Good places will mostly specify which vegetables. Places that expect you to be happy with "vegetable sauce", "rice with vegetables", "vegetable pizza" are usually throwing any old thing from the kitchen on it and deciding it'll do.

Haloumi prepared right is food of the gods. Badly done can be like rubber.

Agree with PP's saying that people think of veggie food as 'other'. The number of people who've said to me, "oh, I couldn't eat vegetarian food!" What, like egg and chips, tomatoes, carrots, crisps, cake? It's just like normal food but without the meat FGS!!!!!

You've touched a nerve here, OP.

I'm happy with anything that isn't:

• Penne arrabiata
• Risotto
• Lasagna
• Cheese ravioli

TBH, any pasta-based veggie dish is probably severely lacking in imagination.

I'm not fussy. I just want to be able to choose something I fancy as opposed to one of two dishes on a menu I can actually eat. And I no longer eat at places that treat me as an afterthought or an inconvenience.

Just weighing in to agree with pp about wanting more options.

I've always loved veggie food and have been eating less and less meat over time (as have many other people I know). I think lots of people would appreciate great veggie dishes, not just vegetarians/vegans.

And at the idea of 'weird veggie food', sounds like the kind of thing my DF or ILs would say. They're always going on about how it isn't a meal without meat; drives me mental.

And thanks for all the restaurant mentions; I've made a list!

Turkish restaurants are usually vg for veggies - stuffed mushrooms, veg moussaka, etc. I also like veg lasagne, veg paella, mushroom and spinach tart etc.

I am generally lucky to find one vegan choice on a menu which is generally a curry, failing that I have chips or a side salad. On the odd occasion have had a veggie burger which have not been very nice at all.

More choice would be lovely especially more tofu dishes or a decent stir fry.

What always gets me about the 'only 2% are vegi' statistic, or indeed similar statistics like exit polls is where do they get their data from. I've never been asked.

When I think of my friends the vegis out number the meat eaters but that is because they are the kind of people that I'm friends with.

Who do they ask? They are going to get different results if they stand outside a butcher than outside a healthfood shop.

The best way to go about it is to make sure there are a good few (5 or so) options for veggies.

When you find that place do let all the other vegis know. 1 option is standard.

That said many of the chains are getting better with whole separate vegi menus

As mentioned upthread I have friends who eat vegi when out as the meat won't be kosher or Halal.

What always gets me about the 'only 2% are vegi' statistic, or indeed similar statistics like exit polls is where do they get their data from. I've never been asked

I don't think you know how statistics work. Why would you have been asked?

The best way to go about it is to make sure there are a good few (5 or so) options for veggies

5 options for vegetarian food? And presumably 2 of them vegan (you wouldn't want to leave them out).....how big are the menus in the places you go?

Turkish food is great, imam bayildi springs to mind yum yum

@elphame

I'm away in Coventry this weekend...

try fusca.co.uk/ in Warwick if you can get there...their meals are awesome [try the pakoras - to die for]...

I think it's probably quite regional and variable in what restaurants have on their menus. Somewhere like Brighton, the percentage of vegans/vegetarians/pescetarians/part time vegetarians must be a lot higher than the average. Most of the restaurants have a good range of options to cover those possibilities.

My personal favourite is Japanese food, hot tapas style rather than just sushi. You usually get lots of vegetarian options assuming you like tofu!

God yes I hear you.
I don't eat fish or goats cheese so I really struggle!
I don't know what the answer is but I agree it's shit