Dining Veg*n in Non-Vegetarian Restaurants

If you are not near any veg*n restaurants, here are some tips for dining out.

• It is usually easy to find veg*n selections in restaurants offering international cuisines, such as Indian, Ethiopian, Greek, Italian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Asian (Thai, Cambodian, Chinese, Vietnamese). Please note that in some Asian restaurants, dishes listed under the vegetarian section may contain fish sauce. Ask your server, and see which dishes can substitute soy sauce.
  
• In addition, most restaurants in urban areas now have at least one veg*n selection. If not, they usually can accommodate a request to make something nice for you, such as sautéed or steamed vegetables over rice or pasta, baked potato with a mixed veggie salad, or a roasted vegetable platter. Often these impromptu dishes can be surprisingly wonderful!
  
• If you are not certain that a restaurant has veg*n selections, call ahead and ask if they can provide a veg*n meal. This will help them to be prepared and ensure a smooth dinner, especially if you are dining with others.
  
• Ask questions of your server before ordering, and make your wishes to avoid certain foods and ingredients clear when ordering. We cannot expect that all servers and kitchen staff are experts in vegan criteria, so some friendly clarification in advance should avoid misunderstandings.
  
• If the restaurant staff has served you an excellent meal and/or has made a special effort to accommodate your requests, express appreciation for their job well done. This can encourage good feelings about providing for veg*n guests.

Bon Appetit!