Hello fellow veggies!
Just wondering if anyone has come up with any interesting ideas on eating at restaurants. I've been a vegetarian for 6 years and I've noticed that most vegetarian options at restaurants are either stir fry or veggie lasagna. While both are good, it gets a little tiring after a while.
None of my friends are veggies so I often end up eating at steakhouses (blah!) and other non-veg-friendly places.
I know it's usually possible to ask for things not on the menu, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any good tips or tricks to share?

Think outside the box and encourage others to.

Call ahead of time. If it's a good restaurant, they will work with you and create something for you. Once there, speak with the waiter and ask for help. Tip well! That's about it,

Maybe ask about getting a veggie plate, you know, like 3 or 4 different side dishes on one plate. Hope that helps!

How about trying to get your friends to go ethnic! Ethnic cuisines tend to have more vegetarian options (Ethipoian and Thai being my faves.) Just beware in Chinese and Mexican restaurants. Make sure they aren't using chicken broth in the dishes you order.

I'm hungry right now, so this is a great question. I try to get things made with olive oil vs. butter. not necessarily low cal ... but I add a salad and take home a doggie bag.

* Salads ... I love restaurant salads!
* Baked Potato
* Tofu Pad Thai
* Veggie Sushi
* Veggie Pizza
* Mushroom Ravioli
* Spaghetti and Marinara Sauce
* Tomato Soup and Garlic Bread
* Fried mushrooms, artichokes, zuchinni
* Grilled veggie sandwhiches (eggplant, red peppers, basil, squash and oil)
* Veggie Tacos (careful on the beans, they use lard)
* Guacamole and Chips
* Cucumber Sandwich
* Eggplant Parmesian
* Veggie Spring Rolls

And in Thai, fish/oyster sauce as well as chicken broth is soups.

This is a great question and I'm already struggling with it. I have to go out almost once a week for work related events. If I was paying for myself I have no problem asking how dishes are prepared and all but while at professional events I'm not too keen on making a big deal out of how I choose to eat. I've started contacting restaurants ahead of time and so far they've been quite willing to discuss with me how they prepare items and what is truly vegetarian/vegan. I have a dinner at Morton's Steakhouse () tomorrow and the lady sent me an email with all their options and even offered to have the chef prepare something special if I notified them ahead of time.