Vegans eating out

[CiderMonkey]

For any of you that are vegans - do you find it hard when eating out? I know a lot of places have 'veggie' meals on the menu but very few of them have vegan. (that i have noticed). Are you and your freinds sure to only pick places that can cater for you?

[nicola_red]

Hey CM.  Yep it is hard, particularly in restaurants that serve English food.  In pub-restaurant places I usually end up with a plate of chips or maybe jacket potato.  If I'm eating with my parents my mum tends to bully me into calling ahead and arranging a special meal, but I really hate making a fuss so if it's up to me I'll just make do.  The building I work in has a fairly upscale restaurant and last time I ate there they basically gave me a pile of roasted vegetables and salad - I wasn't paying but I think if I had shelled out �15.95 for two courses I would be fairly disgruntled with their lack of imagination.  Restaurants like that are just used to catering for a slightly older clientele who are less likely to be vegan.  Foreign food is a different thing - I've learned exactly which Indian and Chinese dishes to avoid (ie tikka masala is made with cream, chinese soup has egg in it) and I usually have no problem getting veggie curries or whatever that don't contain dairy products.  It is nicer to go somewhere that I'm aware has vegan dishes on the menu and knows what vegans do and don't eat - but sadly they are few and far between, even in a big city.

Funny story - last year I went out to eat with my parents to a pub restaurant and they were making me a curry and while we were waiting to be seated a waitress came out of the kitchen with a slightly confused look on her face and asked "excuse me, do you eat cocount milk?"

I replied "yes, as far as I know coconuts don't scream when you squeeze them" but i don't think she got the joke.