Vegetarian Restaurants prove that Vegetarians LOVE meat!

1. 0

   Sophia Angeliqueposted 11 years ago

   What is it with vegetarian restaurants that they cannot serve a baked potato, a vegetarian curry, a rich minestrone, or a fruit salad?
   
   They will give you a 'chicken' burger made from tofu (soy beans). They will give you a 'steak' sandwich made from tofu (soy beans). They will give you a slice of 'cheesecake' made from tofu. And so it goes.
   
   I would love to go to a real vegetarian restaurant, where all the traditional vegetable dishes of the world are served. It doesn't exist. For some reason, vegetarians cannot get the taste of meat out of their mouths.
   
   You think I'm wrong?
   
   Go to any store and you will find 'cheese,' 'bacon,' 'turkey sausage,' etc all made of tofu.

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2. 93

   wildernessposted 11 years ago

   What else would you expect?  The human race evolved eating meat; learning to eat meat was a prime factor in the development of that brain we are so proud of.
   
   The human body needs meat, and although we have learned to provide the nutrition that meat used to give with specific plants transported long distances and with piles of artificial chemicals they body still wants it.  The result is that we like meat, and the result of that is that "meat" is what sells.  We buy what we like.

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3. 74

   jacharlessposted 11 years ago

   Commercial Vegetarian food service purveyors, generally, are restricted in what they can package given the nature of perishable food stuffs -most especially vegetation. Soy is the most stable of items, so is often used in many food-stuffs catered toward Vegetarian and Vegan diners. It was adopted quickly into the mainstream food world by Japanese/Korean influences noted in sushi/sashimi restaurants, with little alternatives to fish/meat items.  However, nearly every restaurant I was chef at, worked in, or went to, offered quite a large selection of non-meat, non-dairy dishes, beyond the steamed veggie plate or double-stuffed baked potato. Even so far as a Glatt Kosher Hookah Bar in Brooklyn, if you can believe that.
   
   As for the LOVE Meat. I think more, they love the smell of cooked meat -everyone does- especially roasted or open fire meats. It is a very distinct scent humans cannot abandon 100%.
   
   I do not know your location, but in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco and Seattle, have seen very exciting and challenging items on their menus for V's in the last decade. I used to love making  items like Truffled Panko-Wild Mushroom Mac N Cheese or Smoked Beet Carpaccio with Indian Pickle {much like lime pickle only lots of veggies and herbs} even Couscous Tacos, 10 Alarm Tapenade, etc.
   
   James.

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4. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   A lot of vegetarians like the taste of meat.  Why is this surprising?  They don't want to eat animals for ethical reasons, not flavor reasons.

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5. 91

   rmcrayneposted 11 years ago

   I am not a vegetarian, but I sometimes eat vegetarian for weeks, or even months at a time, for health reasons.  Animal protein just doesn’t agree with me sometimes. 
   
   When I go to a vegetarian restaurant, I am looking for a great vegetarian dish than I could not make at home.  Therefore, as much as I love pasta, I tend to stay away from pasta dishes in restaurants when I’m looking for something different.  I have ordered “vegetarian” meatloaf, burgers etc.  Yes, I would love to find a “vegetarian hamburger” that had taste and texture approximating a great beef patty.  I think texture is a crucial aspect of our food preferences which has not yet been addressed here. 
   
   When I go to Austin for business, I often go to Veggie Heaven, which serves Asian-inspired dishes.  I will order dishes with tofu.  In general, I eat tofu sparingly.  I stay away from TVP and seitan, which don’t sound healthy or appealing to me.  I have made a few veggie patties, from vegetables and grains. 
   
   At home I prepare Italian, Mexican, Turkish and Indian veggie dishes.  These dishes have no ingredients intended to simulate meat.  I find that I usually have to serve these dishes with rice or pasta to feel satisfied.  Potatoes and eggplant are also pretty satisfying.  I can be satisfied with a big salad if I include chunks of avocado.

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6. 0

   Sophia Angeliqueposted 11 years ago

   So why I can't I get a simple baked potato or a vegetable curry at a vegetarian restaurant? I'm in San Diego.

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