[Thinfor5Minutes]

It is continually discouraging when I go out to dinner with my husband to try to find a decent vegetarian meal, unless we go Italian, Mexican, or Chinese. If it's only us going, we can do that; but last September, my brother-in-law organized a dinner for my sister's 50th birthday, and he was told that "vegetarian meals" were available. Well, what passed for a vegetarian meal was pretty sloppy. I do eat fish, so I was fine; but my husband eats no fish, and he ordered the vegetarian dinner. It was a few soggy vegetables and some potatoes. They didn't even bring him any bread until he asked for it. And this was supposed to be a "fine-dining" restaurant. They probably charged my BIL an outrageous price for this "meal."

My daughter is getting married next October, and the place they chose for the reception actually has some appetizing-sounding vegetarian choices listed. However, the rehearsal dinner, which is being organized by the groom's parents, has exactly one "choice:" fettuccine alfredo with vegetables. My husband does not eat cream sauces of any kind, so this place is going to be quite a challenge. Both events are near the Poconos (I live in Pennsylvania), and the place we are going for the rehearsal dinner is right smack in the middle of deer hunting country, and they look upon all vegetarians with great suspicion.

[cbmare]

So many so called upscale restaurants seem to think that all vegetarians eat are salads. I have a vegetarian daughter. I try and have created foods for her to eat when she comes over. I'm glad she started eating poultry and fish again. It does make it easier.

I had to set up a company dinner a few years ago. My boss wanted it to be at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant here in the Bay Area. You would think that someone like Puck, who caters to a very picky Hollywood crowd, many of whom are vegetarians, would have a decent vegetarian menu. We had 2 people from India who are strict vegetarians for religious reasons. I explicitly requested that they have a variety of food for them and a few other vegetarians that would eat cheese. I was promised that they would have a selection. Nope! They had to choose from a couple of items on the menu. They didn't even have vegetarian appetizers. For crying out loud! Not everyone wants to eat pizza as the only appetizers.

I feel for you. So many people think vegetarians eat rabbit food raw and nothing else!

Is there some way you can call ahead and arrange for something? It may seem rude for you to do that, but at the prices these places charge, they should be willing to accomodate.

I know what you mean about vegetarians being looked down upon. I'm not one, but I've done a great job of cutting beef down in my diet. People look at me funny as well when I don't want to sit down to a steak! I'd much rather have fish. I'll take the surf, hold the turf, please.

[willmakeit]

DH and me went for a wedding to this really upscale restaurant and I guess the meals were very expensive (prime rib etc...) and for us...they just brought a plate of some grilled veggies...no seasonings, no bread, no dipping!!! I feel sorry for the host as they probably paid the same amount as theirs for our dinner!