[EclecticRebel]

I only became vegan this last week...wow...actually it's been over a week now (it has been very easy!!). But, before I did, we had made plans to meet friends at a steakhouse next Friday when we are in the Boston area. It's a group thing that really can't be changed now, unfortunately. We are going to Hilltop Steakhouse in Saugus Ma. I'm absolutely disgusted (the very sad thing is...this was MY idea of a place to meet - plans were made over a month ago...well before I knew that I was going to be vegan!!!).<br><br><br><br>
Their menu can be found here:<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.hilltopsteakhouse.com/restaurantmenu/?PHPSESSID=175aa5f93a80a2816b17478943386bce" target="_blank">http://www.hilltopsteakhouse.com/res...17478943386bce</a><br><br><br><br>
Ick.<br><br><br><br>
I don't do salad (can't stomach lettuce). I know I can get baked potatoes (will bring my own vegan margarine...hubby already said that was fine when I asked him if that would be weird...and he's omni...what a sweetheart!).<br><br><br><br>
I am also allergic to garlic, so that makes sautees a bit hard (it has to be one of the worst allergies for a vegan to have...sigh!). And onions too (basically any food with sulfur - cabbage, eggs (wich I do not eat anymore), onion, garlic, leek, etc).<br><br><br><br>
If some of you wouldn't mind looking at the menu and offering suggestions, I would SO very much appreciate it!!<br><br><br><br>
Thank you!<br><br><br><br>
Crystal

 

[bluegold]

Try ringing them , explain you are with a large group (they will see $) . Tell them your needs and see what they come up with .<br><br>
If nothing, ask if you could bring your own dish .<br><br>
I have always had amazing help from management/owners/chefs re my vegetarianism .

 

[rabid_child]

You can always eat before you go, or when you get home, and just enjoy the company of your friends.

 

[EclecticRebel]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>rabid_child' date='09 July 2010 - 10:20 PM' timestamp='1278728450' post='2671534</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><br>
You can always eat before you go, or when you get home, and just enjoy the company of your friends.<br></div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
I wish I could do that...unfortunately we'll be in Boston for the day for a photo project and will be stopping on our way home to Maine, so that's really not feasible. I will, however, pack some vegan bars and fresh fruit, so I won't "starve".

 

[victroiamarie]

I agree with bluesand. Call in and ask what they can make for you. The following article might help too. I found it on the web a few days ago, so glad I'm getting to use it. <img alt="" src="http://www.veggieboards.com/newvb/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/06-07-10-the-vegan-takes-on-the-steakhouse-and-wins-how-to-dine-out-anywhere-without-losing-your-principles/" target="_blank">Don't Call Me Tofu! The Vegan Takes On the Steakhouse and wins!</a><br><br><br><br>
Good luck! <img alt="" src="http://www.veggieboards.com/newvb/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[EclecticRebel]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>bluesand' date='09 July 2010 - 10:16 PM' timestamp='1278728172' post='2671530</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><br>
Try ringing them , explain you are with a large group (they will see $) . Tell them your needs and see what they come up with .<br><br>
If nothing, ask if you could bring your own dish .<br><br>
I have always had amazing help from management/owners/chefs re my vegetarianism .<br></div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br>
I did email them and they told me to look at their menu online. Yea...real helpful. Sigh.

 

[victroiamarie]

That's not very helpful... Try calling them, and speaking to someone personally. You might even want to ask to speak directly with the chef. If they tell you to take a look at the online menu again, explain to them that you already did so and couldn't find anything that meets your personally needs along with your taste buds. I highly doubt they can turn you away. Their job is to satisfy you, and you shouldn't stop until they do.

 

[Fyvel]

Call during non-busy hours and see if you can talk to a manager. Ask them if they've ever served vegans before, and if so what did they serve them?<br><br><br><br>
Looking at that menu, they have things like potatoes, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and french fries. They may or may not have other vegetables available. They also have cranberry sauce and apple sauce.<br><br><br><br>
So you do have a couple of options. You could get a baked potato or plate of french fries, see if they could do you a saute (without onions or garlic - they at least have peppers and carrots and mushrooms) or even a plate of raw veg, minus the lettuce. You could get some apple or cranberry sauce for 'dessert'. Not the most exciting meal in the world, but at least there are options.<br><br><br><br>
You could always stop at a Subway or something after if you're not satisfied with what you had at the restaurant. I think the most important thing is to go and have fun with your friends <img alt="" src="http://www.veggieboards.com/newvb/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[wholefoodsy]

I feel your pain! This is a very non-veggie friendly menu!<br><br><br><br>
I see some pasta dishes that might be adapted. Chicken and broccoli with penne pasta and alfredo sauce? Order that and tell them to hold the chicken and alfredo maybe??<br><br><br><br>
Right below that I saw chicken parmagiana. Maybe you could order that (hold the chicken obviously) and instead you would have pasta with marinara sauce.<br><br><br><br>
I was surprised not to see a "side items" section on the menu with vegetables. But a lot of the meat dishes seem to mention vegetables as one of the ingredients. So you know they have veggies there. You'll probably have to special order your own creation --- in my opinion, pasta with marinara sauce, maybe some bread on the side with olive oil for dipping instead of butter? Then you wouldn't have to bring your vegan margarine.<br><br><br><br>
Good luck!

 

[GryffinSong]

I'm thinking pasta with veggies on it.<br><br><br><br>
good luck!!!

 

[zirpkatze]

they may be able to make you a special meal. i once went to red lobster and had the most delicious specially prepared dish of mushroom rice, grilled veggies (the good veggies), baked potatoes cut into fancy shapes, and a salad. tmi i think. i second everyone's advice on calling them. you may be pleasantly surprised

 

[EclecticRebel]

Thanks everyone! I will call them early next week since we will be going on Friday. I somehow missed the chicken parmesan on the menu so now know that at least noodles with sauce is an option. Great idea having cranberry sauce for dessert!!!<br><br><br><br>
Thank you again...you all have released some of my anxiety!! <img alt="" src="http://www.veggieboards.com/newvb/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br><br><br>
Crystal

 

[Hannah&amp;me]

definitely call, when I was in boston we went to atlantic fish co for dinner, and i called ahead and they did everything perfect! I ordered a salad and the waitress took off the pecans (because they were coated with sugar and butter) and gave me dry walnuts instead, I didnt even have to think about asking about ingredients bc she had it covered! Higher end restaurants will tend to be pretty accommodating if you talk to the right people. I made sure to call back and give kudos too, so the next vegan could have similar treatment <img alt="" src="http://www.veggieboards.com/newvb/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[creep]

You'd have to ask about the noodles though... usually made with eggs, right?

 

[Obladiblada]

I believe that fresh pasta is made with eggs, but dried pasta generally doesn't contain eggs. I'm guessing that they use dried pasta.<br><br><br><br>
I would check that they don't use meat broth in the marinara sauce or cook the veggies in butter.

 

[fadeaway1289]

Yep I agree to call and check and see if the pasta and the sauce are vegan. Some places also add parm cheese to their sauces. Personally I'd go for the baked potato with steamed veggies on top or see if they have some type of plain rice (no broth) and veggies. You can always add olive oil, or the marinara (if vegan) or salad dressing to it all. If the buns are vegan there's the option of a "potato sandwich" or mushroom "burger" maybe with bbq sauce?

 

[EclecticRebel]

Thanks again everyone - I hadn't thought of eggs in noodles...I will definitely check on that. I plan to call tomorrow during a non-busy time and speak directly with the chef!<br><br><br><br>

 

[Milliebert]

As long as it isn't egg pasta of course...

 

[Milliebert]

ooops... that'll teach me to notice there's a page two! lol x

 

[Dutchabbey]

I would definitely call and check but I would be surprised if this particular restaurant actually made their pasta fresh, especially the penne. Hopefully they'll be more than willing to accommodate you with a a veggie pasta dish and a side salad.