Vegetarians

[StraferJack]

re: demand being there. Someone posted the fact that Indian Mischief is doing well as proof. But to me that's a sign of the demand not being there. Observationally, it's a small restaurant that is more often empty than busy

Pubwise, I think the Capital pubs are pretty good at avoiding the "one veggie dish, and that's goats cheese" syndrome - the Bishop for example has several dishes

http://www.thebishopeastdulwich.com/media/1105/food_menu_bishop.pdf

[East of Dulwich]

I'd just like to back up the point about Indian Mischief. The food is fantastic, vegetarian, has a lovely garden out back where you can sit on warm evenings, and the people who run it - part of the SMBS/Cheese Block Clan ? are really laid back and friendly.

Highly recommended.

( http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/indian-mischief )

[StraferJack]

My comments about Indian Mischief shouldn't be read as criticism btw - people speak very well and I like the people behind it a lot. I just wish it was busier

[haruki]

I'm a vegetarian, and though I agree with some of the above (goats cheese) I'm inclined to disagree overall. The UK is by far the easiest place to be a vegetarian that I've ever been, from obvious things like the breadth of veggie-friendly food, to subtle things like food labelling.

In ED specifically, we're spoilt for choice:

6+ cafes, for breakfasty stuff

Who-knows-how-many Indian restaurants

3 Italians

2 Turkish

2 Thai

Burger place

All of them have a good vegetarian selection. Now, I'm not saying they're good, but that's a whole other issue.

Even looking at pubs you've got the Bishop which does a great veggie range, including a good Sunday roast option.

It seems the problem really comes with places like the Palmerston and Franklin's, who by virtue of their smaller menus have less choice. It's usually not vegetable lasagne or risotto though, so I don't mind so much. At least they put the menu online so if you don't like it you don't have to go!

[Jeremy]

Vegetarianism is a choice. It happens to be one I admire in some ways, but when you make that choice you do so knowing full well that you're restricting your diet and deviating from the cultural norm. 1-2 dishes on a menu of say 8 mains is simply in proportion with demand.

Also, while there are certain clich?d veggie dishes such as lasagne, risotto, goats cheese tart, etc, after a quick glance at the websites for a few local restaurants, I failed to find any of these.

[the-e-dealer]

When I was a child the choice for veggies was always an Omelette. Then it was Veg Lasagna. Now it seems to be anything with Goats Cheese. Yuk. Bring back the omelettes! I'm sure Goat will go out of fashion - at least I hope so. Its true most restaurants and bars make an effort now - even if it is Omelette and Lasagna and I'm glad thats the case. I once went for a meal at a pub in Churchdown. I wanted chips with my Ploughmans and was told in no uncertain terms I had to have fish and chips. they wouldnt even hold the fish so - I know its a waste the fish went in the ashtray! Silly people I was quite happy to pay for the fish without having it.

[DaveR]

"DaveR, there is an accepted fallacy that the demand is not there. There is the demand - really, there is. But if you're repeatedly disappointed and as oimissus attests to, you simply give up. Moreover, as a non veg, sometimes you just fancy a non meat/poultry/fish alternative that has had the same thought and skill and is as delicious as the kobe beef, fillet mignon, cornish game hen/posh kiev or dover sole/monkfish. Just saying that it would be nice for non meat eaters to come away not feeling like they've drawn the short straw - again."

re demand, I just don't know, but I'm not entirely persuaded. Me + my friends does not necessarily = a sustainable market.

re kobe beef and dover sole, I'm not sure I get your point. Neither of these call for more than elementary skill from the cook - they are just exceptional quality raw ingredients. The veggie equivalent would be something like a perfectly grown rare breed plain roasted carrot. I'm not sure how many people would order that.

[the-e-dealer]

Uncooked veg of a delicious sort might be an Artichoke or asparagus. Vine Tomatoes Spring Onions and Cheese and Apple are pretty good ! And ofcourse Veggie Sushi.

[Penguin68]

Eggs (and cheese) can be unacceptable for some types of vegetarian - either because it is against their principles, or because they don't like them, it, they don't/ it doesn't agree with them.

If you want to offer a veggie option - you have to consider whether that option, in itself, won't be acceptable.

I know a number of vegetarians who not only won't eat meat or fish, but also won't (matter of taste) eat, say, pasta, or rice, or have anything with capiscums or chile or, say, green beans or tomatoes or tofu. Eating out, (or indeed in) with them can be a nightmare.

Far from being omnivores (which is what, as apes, we are) they appear to be 'virtuallynothingvores'. Although other veggie friends can be less demanding, more amenable (actually eat most things that aren't meat or fish).

[the-e-dealer]

If you join the Vegetarian Society you promise not to eat Fish, Flesh or Fowl. The Dictionary definition is

vegetarian (ˌvɛdʒɪˈtɛərɪən )

Veggies who eat Cheese and Eggs and sometime referred to as Lacto Vegetarians.

Definitions

noun

a person who advocates or practices vegetarianism

adjective

relating to, advocating, or practicing vegetarianism

(cookery) strictly, consisting of vegetables and fruit only, but usually including milk, cheese, eggs, etc

[KidKruger]

This is an area I was going to touch on earlier in the thread, the spectrum of versions of vegetarianism means there is not one way to cater for all. It's a bit like making provision for 'religious people'. Sounds great in theory, but loads of stumbling blocks in practice.

[James]

Vegetarians don't eat animals. Vegans don't eat animals or animal products. What's complicated about that?

[KidKruger]

James just read the thread above - generally the term is understood (and enacted) in different ways by different people.

Regardless of whether you think you've grasped it.

No-one said it's complicated. It's just not as definitive as you'd like to believe.

[the-e-dealer]

Yeah since the 70's If I said I was a veggie the food provider has understood my request. Its really not hard.

[edw]

Nothing complicated about the concept. But even with only those two minority factions to satisfy, it is hard to come up with a menu that has something to please everyone and doesn't stretch the kitchen beyond its limits or result in a lot of surplus food that may end up going to waste.

That's before you start worrying about nut allergy sufferers, pregnant mums, people who are just plain fussy, etc, etc...

[the-e-dealer]

Egg and Chips

Spaggetti Napolitan

Veg Chill

Veg Curry

Tortila

Veg Stew

Welsh Rarebit

Buck Rarebit

Casserole

Yorkshire Pud and Veg

Asparagus with Eggs

Quiche

Paella

Massala Dosa

Bean Stew

Veg Toad in The Hole

Veg Fritters

Veggie Burger

Pesto Pasta

Margarita Pizza

Pancakes /With Sauce

Stir Fry Veg

[KidKruger]

Salad.

Works every time.

[the-e-dealer]

Beans on Toast!

[Sue]

Surely it's not too hard to put on a menu something with, say, tofu or soya or chickpeas.

Or halloumi, much as I detest it :))

[Jeremy]

But Sue, all the local places already DO have a veggie dish. I think the issue is that people want multiple veggie dishes to choose from. Something which may not be realistic.

[Sue]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> But Sue, all the local places already DO have a

> veggie dish. I think the issue is that people want

> multiple veggie dishes to choose from. Something

> which may not be realistic.

xxxxxxx

Sorry, I was responding to The E-Dealer's post, as his list of veggie dishes sounded quite boring.

I should have made that clear :(

[the-e-dealer]

Is there nothing there I can tempt you with?

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Jeremy Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > But Sue, all the local places already DO have a

> > veggie dish. I think the issue is that people

> want

> > multiple veggie dishes to choose from.

> Something

> > which may not be realistic.

>

> xxxxxxx

>

> Sorry, I was responding to The E-Dealer's post, as

> his list of veggie dishes sounded quite boring.

>

> I should have made that clear :(

[the-e-dealer]

Findus Cheese Crispy Pancakes!

[Sue]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Findus Cheese Crispy Pancakes!

xxxxxx

Ah! Now you're talking :))

ETA:

If the irony (or whatever it was) in your previous post passed me by, then DUH.

[the-e-dealer]

I was proposing stuff that poorly trained chefs could do. One of my faves is a gado

gado pie . Like fireworks on the pallette !