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Veggie Vigilante: Eating Green without Turning Green
1:05PM ON
08/01/2008
BY
Daily Dose
A new feature, forthcoming. You can email VV at hollaback@veggievigilante.com.
Veggie Vigilante: Rhode Island’s Guide to Eating Green Without Turning Green.
Yes, I’ve turned green with disgust, along with various shades of other hues, while dining as a vegetarian at certain Rhode Island restaurants. I’ve also turned red at being informed after an awkward inquiry at a fancy downcity restaurant that my only dinner option was pasta glazed with . . . butter. And I’ve turned ghost-white when what I thought was a mushroom in my vegetarian stew turned out to be a slimy clam. Those are two things that just shouldn’t be confused.
Of course, it’s not all so bad. There are many places around here that keep us veggies in mind on the menu, or at least are sensitive enough not to be totally bewildered if asked to make something a little special for the vegetarians out there.
So ultimately that’s the goal of The Veggie Vigilante — to get our great city and surrounding communities to be more affable to vegans and vegetarians, even if just a little bit. Also, I find no greater pleasure in praising those people and places that do it right. As a teacher, constructive criticism is my specialty, so I can dish out some of that too. And there will be veggie-related news, observations, and whatever else I can possible come up with. My hope is that this will perhaps urge and inspire some of Ocean State’s dining scene to wake up and realize that being vegetarian-friendly ain’t that hard.
** To all meat-eaters: Just so you know, this is not an anti meat-eater column. All I’m saying is, wouldn’t it be nice if you could go out to dinner with your vegetarian friends and not have to worry if there’s something on the menu that they can eat?!?
August 1st, 2008 at 1:58PM
Pete Says:
Brilliant idea. This town has become less vegetarian friendly in the past few years
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August 1st, 2008 at 2:40PM
Vegan Says:
Go VV! Keep fighting the good fight!
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August 1st, 2008 at 4:31PM
weisenheimer Says:
Yes! A place for me to bitch about having to eat nothing but appetizers - or sometimes only french fries or just beer - at otherwise progressive eateries around Providence. My wife (currently my only steam-valve release) will be grateful too… and maybe some of our towne’s restaurateurs will take notice.
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August 1st, 2008 at 5:21PM
Jessica Ramsey Says:
This is a great idea for a column! Can’t wait to see what you write.
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August 1st, 2008 at 5:45PM
Shriram Krishnamurthi Says:
Go for it! Can’t wait to see what you produce!
A few restaurants in Providence have become much better (Chez Pascal over the past few years, and very recently, Oak). But cluelessness still persists widely, and especially as you get out of town into the rest of the state.
Worse are the places that think that once you’ve slapped a pasta dish onto the menu, you’ve done your job? (Or even worse, the ones whose pasta dish is something w/ chicken, but you can leave the chicken out…but you’ll still be paying for it.)
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August 1st, 2008 at 6:17PM
Alex Says:
Awesome! I look forward to reading these reports! I’ve been living in Providence as a vegetarian for almost 25 years now and it has not gotten any easier to dine out!
I totally agree with Shiram! I can’t tell you how many times I have ordered the Chicken Fettucine Alfredo, minus the chicken….and I hate that dish!
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August 1st, 2008 at 7:49PM
Jen D Says:
Alright - a place for veg ranting - bring it on!
I’ll share my recent restaurant episode and warning. I’m vegan and live in N. Prov and have been a big fan of Twin’s pizza, not that they have vegan cheese or good toppings, but because the pizza itself was always good without cheese. Great even. I thought specifying “dairy allergy” was enough, but on my last visit I sadly learned that the pizza I have been enjoying for years has milk powder IN THE CRUST. You think you’re safe with pizza crust, but no. So big vegan points go to Nice Slice on Thayer st. for having vegan cheese and tons of great toppings - even faux meats.
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August 4th, 2008 at 8:03AM
JS Says:
American food is usually the most difficult for non-meat eaters. It’d be nice to be able to order something aside from salad and french fries. Even Stanley’s slapped a veggie burger on their menu.
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