Eating Out--Dairy and Meat Free

When we first turned vegan a year ago, we cut out almost all eating out--mainly because Clayton was on a strict diet with no cheating. Now we aren't so strict--him especially--but I still like to adhere to my diet as much as possible. Frankly, I don't want the overt dairy and meat anymore--so it isn't a temptation to me. But I'm not going to sit and fret over the one egg in a batch of cookies--a batch of which I'm eating only one cookie. I'm happiest when we find a restaurant with lots of veggie options or at least more than two options.

Fortunately we have big-city amenities like a wide varieties of restaurants. It is heaven when I can sit in a totally vegan restaurant and order whatever I want. I'm not a freak there. My requests of no cheese, no meat, no whatever are not met with shock and disdain. Also in a big city there are lots of veggie-friendly ethnic restaurants. I just have to be careful of added ingredients like fish sauce, chicken broth, and lard. Mmm...

Yesterday we had brunch at one of our favorite veggie restaurants. Their breakfast burrito is stuffed with black bean chili, corn, and delicious tofu cubes. Potatoes and fluffy whole wheat vegan biscuits are on the side. I usually get the pancake special for the day and Clayton and I call "splitsies" in the middle of our meal and switch. You know, something sweet and something savory. The days I work at our remodel house I usually break at a local Mexican place--just typical Mexican-restaurant-in-the-South restaurant. But, their V1 is fabulous! I've been there enough now that the server justs asks me, "V1 sin queso?" Si, senor! Bring it on! The enchiladas are stuffed with grilled squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and onions and covered in tomatillo sauce with fresh onions and cilantro.

The Laughing Seed is a veggie restaurant in Asheville. We recently feasted there:

vegan corn and shitake mushroom cakes,

I had the breaded seitan sandwich with housemade tartar sauce and french fries with jalapenos and onions,

Clayton had the vegan Cuban sandwich with seitan.

I'm still dreaming about my sandwich--it was out of this world delicious! And those fries--a splurge--were spicy and crispy and wonderful. I topped it all off with their Pooh Bear smoothie: peanut butter, banana, soy milk, and cinnamon. Did I mention I was trying to load up on calories? This was the place to do it.

However, if you can't find a great vegan restaurant, find some great friends who will cook it for you!Here is Steve making us his famous fried potatoes and scrambled tofu. I told him I needed to get a photo of him in the kitchen to boost my readership here!
Tofu, potatoes, and real eggs in the back--so everyone is happy. And Erin made her yummy banana pancakes--talk about hospitable people!

Sometimes it isn't possible to eat at an exclusively veggie place. I try to do my best off the menu. I am happy as a lark with beans, rice, fresh guacamole, and pico de gallo; or a good marinara with pasta or gnocchi; or rice or noodles with tofu and veggies. In nicer places that usually have all meat dishes and appetizers, I scan the menu for what the side offerings are. The kitchen will usually put together a plate for me with whichever sides I choose and usually kindly respect my wishes for no butter or cheese. I pair that with bread and a salad and end up satisfied by the end of the meal. When dining with other people, I try to be discreet in ordering and not make a big deal out of it. I like to order when everyone is involved in conversation and don't even notice what I order or don't.

Do you have any eating out tricks?