So it happened! I ATE MEAT!
NOT because I wanted to, but because it was fed to me without my knowledge. It was only 1.5 bites but it still urked me. I went to a popular Italian restaurant in downtown Edmonton for lunch with some co-workers and ordered the gnocchi with pesto. Knowing full well what pesto is I still asked “Pesto has no meat right?” cause you never know what some restaurant might do to put their own spin on something. She said “Right, no meat”.
So we sat down a when the dishes arrived at our table the gnocchi was covered in green pesto and there was a heaping plop of red mixture on top. It had a very odd looking texture so I asked her again, “This is vegetarian right? No meat?”. She was all smiles and nodded “Yes no meat”.
So I had my first bite, just gnocchi and pesto. Then I had my second bite, gnocchi, pesto, and some red stuff. Tasted good and tomato like. Then as I took my third bite with lots of the red stuff something didn’t feel right. The texture was very wrong for vegetable. As I was coming to the realization that ground beef was in my mouth the waitress returned and said “You ordered Pesto Bolognese right?” to which I replied “NOPE, just PESTO”. “Well that is Bolognese and Pesto, is that OK?” She was looking a bit panicked and for some reason wouldn’t take my dish with her to the kitchen to get my new order of just gnocchi with just pesto.
As things unfolded I realized that much of the staff there were new Canadians and didn’t speak much English. So I was faced with my first vegetarian dilemma. In my particular situation with my reasons for becoming a vegetarian, and the fact I had such a small amount there was no real reason to kick up a big stink and rake her across the coals during the holiday season. So I just let the whole thing slide.
When I got back to the office though and still to this moment I don’t know how I feel about the whole thing. What if my vegetarianism was because of religion, what if it was because I am allergic, what if I took great offense to meat? As it turns out, it is just a life, health, and environmental reason I am a vegetarian.
What are your thoughts? How pissed off should I be? Is it all relative or is it just wrong?
Loading ...
Can I vote again I am in a different mood now.. THE BASTARDS!!
Reply to this comment
That sucks! But I think you did the right thing, as they say there is no use crying over spilt milk. Hopefully that women will learn a lesson and be a little more careful when people ask her specific questions about the food she is serving from now on.
Reply to this comment
You should have had them bring you the dish you ordered, which would not have been too much to ask. Their foremost desire should be to make sure you are properly served for the legitimate reasons you gave. Do you think this is one of those instances where Canadians are generally nicer and more accommodating than Americans? I think so.
Reply to this comment
admin Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Ooops I can see that I wasn’t very clear in that sentence. I did have her bring me the dish I ordered. I kinda lumped that in with the statement that she wouldn’t take the dish away. She brought me my replacement meal in a to-go box.
PS Jimmy – I didn’t make your corn soufflé recipe yet, but out of the blue a co-worker made some, a bit different than yours but very tasty. I still plan to make yours soon.
Reply to this comment
jimmy Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
It is one of those ultimate comfort foods, particularly if you like corn.
Reply to this comment