Vegetarian-Friendly Menu Items

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Comment by FohBoh on July 18, 2009 at 11:27pm

Hi!
On behalf of everyone here at FohBoh, we want to thank all of you for taking part in this active, exciting community! Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that Vegetarian-Friendly Menu Items is a featured group today! If you haven’t already, take a moment to write up a new blog post, start a new discussion or invite more friends to join your exciting group. Once again, thanks for participating in the FohBoh community. We look forward to hearing more from you!

Best,
FohBoh Community Development

Comment by Tony on May 19, 2009 at 2:09pm

Thank you for the suggestions!
I will share this with my development team.

Comment by Sarah on May 17, 2009 at 5:04pm

Hi Tony, that sounds good. Also, to some being vegetarian includes not eating eggs and fish and for others it doesn't. So I don't know if they can say what exactly their definition of vegetarian is your site (eg, no meat or fish vs no eggs, meat, or fish) but that would be helpful.

Comment by Tony on May 17, 2009 at 1:34pm

Thank you for checking it out Sarah,
Yes, we still don't have a specialized vegetarian restaurant yet.....
I understand what you mean by "definition of vegetarian" as some dishes (such as salad) may make you think it is vegetarian but it could turn out to be not (the salad could be "Chicken Salad").

We are hoping that restaurant will take advantage of the tag system, because if restaurants really want to emphasis their dishes are really vegetarian, they can simply add a tag "Vegetarian".
It will also be helpful if they want to advertise dishes that are designed for people with certain allergies. For example, they can add a tag such as "nuts free", "non-dairy" etc

Comment by Sarah on May 17, 2009 at 10:20am

Thanks Tony, I took a look but didn't see any restaurants that have the tag yet, is that correct? I think another thing that might be helpful is if the restaurants include their definition of vegetarian, because different places (just like people) have different interpretations...

Comment by Sarah on May 17, 2009 at 10:17am

Great article, Paul! As a lacto-vegetarian, I just want to be able to know what I can eat at a restaurant. I am not asking restaurants to change their menus for me, I just want to be able to know which items fit within my dietary restrictions. Too often I hear one thing from one waiter, and then another thing from another. I created my blog (www.goeggless.com) because I am trying to collect the correct information from restaurant heads so people can easily know what they can eat in a restaurant. Unfortunately, this task has proven to be more difficult than I thought it would be, I don't hear back from many of the places I email. Do you have any tips on how it can be easier to find out what foods are without eggs, meat, or fish at restaurants? Dairy products are fine.

Comment by Tony on May 13, 2009 at 2:55pm

Hi Sarah,

I am involved in a website development called MenuSpotlight.com

It is a restaurants listing site that allows restaurants to create profile and post their entire menu as individual dish posts.

Restaurants can add tags to their dish posts to emphasize their Vegetarian / Vegan dishes if they offer them.

Site visitor can then click on the tag to see a list of dishes and restaurants that offer those vegetarian dishes.

We are working hard to go live this month (hopefully next week) so please stop by and spread the word to restaurants that offer vegetarian menu.

Comment by Paul Paz on May 13, 2009 at 9:36am

Hi Sarah...
A little twist to you new group.
Restaurant people have a tendency to marginalize vegans (vegetarians et al) which does not make for a very hospitable environment for these customers. I caught this article below and thought it appropriate for this new group.
Thoughts, anyone?
Paul


Vegan etiquette
Sara Jelley Denver Vegan Examiner May 11, 2009
http://www.examiner.com/x-6041-Denver-Vegan-Examiner~y2009m5d11-Vegan-etiquette
In honor of National Etiquette Week (May 11-15), I thought I’d share my thoughts on Vegan etiquette, from a recent veganism convert. “Veg-etiquette” can sometimes be straining, as conflicts often lead to discussing animal rights and meat-eating, which is always a sticky subject. We all need a reminder sometimes that respect for others is what makes the world go around, and although we have our differences, everyone deserves respect and to be treated with proper etiquette. Hopefully the people around you will respond in kind.

For omnivores:
When talking to a friend who is vegan, please refrain from opening the conversation with something relating to his vegan lifestyle. Being vegan is not the all-encompassing facet of his personality, and he would probably rather discuss his weekend than talk about the latest news in the tofu industry.
At a gathering: don’t apologize for not making vegan food if you had no idea! It’s not your job to worry about what vegans eat if they don’t make it a point to tell you ahead of time and ask that you include vegan food. You don’t have to research it, and its ok to ask questions! Don’t feel bad; it just makes your vegan friend feel singled out even more. When in mixed company, serve food that is just as mixed. A little meat for the omnivores and a variety of savory vegan dishes that compliment so that everyone has something. However, consider that a huge turkey leg feast might be a bit tough for a vegan to handle being around.
Don’t put the decision of what or where to eat all on the vegan party. Vegans don’t like being told, “Well, you’re the one that it will be hard to find something to eat for. You choose the restaurant.” Chances are there is something veganiz-able at most any place you go. So please, you choose the restaurant if you’d like! Just not the steakhouse where the motto is “No vegetables allowed”.
Every vegan is different! Just ask how they feel about there being meat and animal products at the same table. Communication is key from both sides.
It may make sense to you, but stray as much as possible from the “Humans are omnivores” talk. Someone who has decided not to eat meat or dairy probably did not make that decision based on their beliefs about human biological history. It can be great fun to have a discussion about why someone made these decisions, but it is better not to come at it from such an angle. Be curious and inquisitive, not assuming.

For vegans:
You don’t need to apologize either! When at a restaurant, simply state your needs and if they cannot be met, compromise and order something else. Don’t push the issue too hard. Telling a waitress “You all are insensitive for not having any vegan options on the menu!” is just unreasonable. As vegans, we have set ourselves up for occasional sacrifices and we are definitely scrappy enough to scrounge up some food we can eat, even at a steak restaurant in the middle of the Colorado prairie. This can happen often, and we must learn the ways of survival. But maybe not quite Bear Grylls-style; he will eat anything that’s not made out of rocks.
On the same note – remember the P’s and Q’s people are always talking about? A little smile and a “please” can go a long way.
Order last when in a group. The waiter will invariable have to double check on some ingredients for you, so while they are back there, let them just hand in the rest of the party’s order. Then, without making your friends wait to order, the waiter can sneak back and let you know subtly and personally that everything on that veggie burger plate is in fact, vegan.
Don’t preach- ever. Unless you have a degree in Vegan Nutrition and are in front of a group of vegan wannabes, or you are an ordained minister.
When it comes to children, parents’ rules always trump your own beliefs. If you watch other people’s kids, perhaps suggest to them that it makes you a bit queasy to be cooking meat, and ask if you can make them a vegetarian meal when you are the care-giver.
Cook food that is “normal”. Sometimes the texture of seitan is not tolerated well by those who are not used to it. If they want to try it, then by all means serve it up, but don’t force it.