To ask to cancel…

[Lastqueenofscotland2]

Before anyone starts, I’m aware this is a major first world problem.

I don’t think I am being unreasonable but I do think DP will be disappointed…
We’ve, for a special occasion, booked at a very smart restaurant which only offers a tasting menu.
Not our usual thing but felt it was a celebration. When we looked at the sample menu it all looked incredible, this was a while ago due to how far ahead it gets booked out, and now the autumn menu is out and I had a browse as I was excited.
I’m really not a fussy eater but I have two things I cannot eat, one of them features really heavily on a third of the courses and isn’t something that can be swapped out and if I just didn’t eat that item I’d be leaving essentially 90% of the course.

I really resent paying that much to not be able to eat those courses.
I think DP will be really disappointed as it was for a special occasion and we won’t be able to rebook for months, but I don’t think I’m being unreasonable to shell out a small fortune when I know I’ll not be able to eat a third of it?

Can you not phone and see if they can do an alternative? I have done this before due to allergies and it’s not been a problem

Call them and see what they can do, otherwise rebook for winter.

Just contact them as pp suggested list allergens as the reason they should accommodate you if they don't they are too pretentious and I'd just cancel 😃

I would double check with them - I have allergies and we went for a very expensive tasting menu and they accomodated this

Is it an allergy? Because if it is I’d at least try and see what they say? It’s worth a go.

It’s not an allergy it’s egg which I’m not allergic to but the taste/smell/texture really makes me gag, it for some reason features so heavily on this menu!

I’m really not a fussy eater and will force down most “dislikes” to be polite, but egg I just can not eat. But I suspect it might be an ingredient in some other things (like the desert!) so I don’t want to say I’m allergic and get something shite for pudding…

Can I just say courses XYZ arent for me, can you do anything?

This is par for the course with fancy restaurants that do tasting menus - it's a bit of a gamble but there are very few things I won't eat (can't think of anything tbh!). They will almost definitely have an alternative vegetarian course for example, or be able to swap out one ingredient for allergy reasons. I once went with a friend who was low FODMAP and she had to ask for no tomatoes etc, they were really accommodating.

Phone them and discuss it.

Tell them you are intolerant of egg, which is true if it makes you sick.

Usually places have a vegan menu these days, so I’m sure they can swap in the vegan alternatives for those courses that feature egg

If you chose to book a restaurant with only a tasting menu, and you’re too picky to even try dishes with a common ingredient like eggs, I think you are being unreasonable.

Ask in advance if they have a vegan alternative for the specific egg dishes you don't like, and be honest about the fact that you simply don't like eggs, or suck it up and tell them you're allergic to eggs and deal with the fact that you might get a different pudding. I can guarantee you that if it's a good restaurant their egg-free dessert will not be 'something shite' though!

Generally speaking, I've found most places that do tasting menus to be pretty accommodating about that kind of thing, provided people don't take the piss, and I don't think 'I'm really sorry, but the one thing I cannot make myself eat is eggs... is there any chance of swapping those courses for something else?' is taking the piss tbh.

Just say its an eggIntolerance which the gagging Is, it's not as if you aren't keen you have an adverse reaction to egg.

I’m the bane of my family’s life as my palate isn’t adventurous for some tasting menu food I don’t do seafood I don’t raw due to the flavour and textures whenever I go it’s like a bushtucker trial were I force myself to have a taste (generally I’m drunk to be able to do this) then I frisbee it across the table for someone else to eat

it’s egg which I’m not allergic to but the taste/smell/texture really makes me gag, it for some reason features so heavily on this menu!

I mean, it's a staple that's integral to the western diet. It's to be expected. I can't eat another dietary staple due to serious intolerance. I'd never book something as random as a tasting menu without accepting there was a good chance I couldn't eat at least half of it, probably more.

I'd be looking for another restaurant TBH. I was going to suggest rebooking to a la carte but you've said they only offer this tasting menu, so the chance of them being able to give you something else instead of the things you can't eat is slim to none.

A good restaurant should be able to accommodate.

I would phone and at least have a conversation. I am sure they will be helpful. Egg is a very common allergen, it's unlikely you'll be the only customer that is affected.

Please don't do this! so many people say they have allergies that it minimises restaurants response to real, life-threatening allergies. Just say you don’t like it!

Yeah the op isn't going to do this..

Agree with others suggesting you call/email and discuss it with the restaurant. Egg isn’t an unusual allergy and although you’re not allergic you clearly have an intolerance given your strong involuntary reaction to it. Any good restaurant will be able to provide an alternative given notice.