Eating at a SAD resturant being RAW~ What a challenge.

[swiddweas]

DH and celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary lastnight by going out to this very nice, upperclass Mexican Resturant near the Beach. The view was beautiful, but the food was questionable. The only thing I could order was a bowl of guacamole and a bowl of salsa. They didn't have any raw veggies they would serve me! :mad: except chopped onions and salsa. So I told the waiter to please give me a large bowl of salsa and guac. When he brought the food, DH got this huge serving plate full of cooked mexican food of all kinds. I got this teeny tiny little bowl of salsa and guac. I mentioned to the waiter that this was "it" for my dinner, so would he please give me a larger bowl of guac. He brought back a cereal bowl half full of guac and said" you're gonna actually eat all of that?" I mean, here, by DH has this HUGE platter of food, and I some raw food in a little bowl. The waiter thinks MY food is alot?? Just because it's raw? Or just because it's guacamole and nobody eats that much guac because they eat cooked food also?

That was annoying. Just the way he looked at me when he said it. Like he couldn't believe I could eat that much food! HUH? I should have said, " well, why don't you ask everyone else that ? They all have at least twice as much food as I do, yet I will be full on this tiny amount?"

Am I being too sensitive here? What is so "too much" about having a bowl of guacamole and salsa? Doesn't anyone else eat raw food there but me? DH just couldnt believe it, eaither, LOL!!



Pattye

[ReneeSC]

Pattye,

At that point, I would have called the manager over and explained to him the situation. I'm sure he could have had a little discussion with his "waiter" in his "upper class" restaurant, and brought you a TANK of guac, or would have made you a plate full of tomatoes and avocadoes ...and the garnishes they put on the plates.
Do you have any of those cards that ask the chef to give you everything raw? Heck, for the peace I'd get.. I'd slip 'em a 5.00 or more just for the asking. Also, there's always calling ahead of time and letting them know you'll eat all of the lettuce they could cut.

You were treated rudely. The waiter shouldn't have opened his mouth.

[SamuelWilson]

Well, well, well, I think everyone knows how I handle these situations. Just as a reminder, I am the guy who ignores people at the dinner table when they ask me where do I get my protein. When I say ignore, I mean total silence, no matter how many times they ask me. I act as though they are a ghost and they do not exist. It works to. Most the time they apologize for asking me, but I still do not make eye contact or even acknowledge their apology.

I would have loved for a waiter to try that line on me. I did have a waitress ask me several times if I only wanted a salad with no dressing, only squeezed lemons. I politely told her, if you ask me one more time, I am going to get up and walk out. After I said that, I went all silent. She basically ended up having a conversation with herself as I ignored her. She went to get a manager even though I never requested one. The manager got the same treatment. At the end of my dinner, they comped my salad (didn't charge me). Sometimes silence is a great tool.

I do not recommend this approach as silence can be perceived as being rude. However, it works for me. I would like to add that I have had people inquire with me about my food choices and I am happy to share information with them. It all depends on how they ask, if they ask like they think it is stupid to only eat a salad, then they will be treated accordingly.

Pattye, I just felt bad when I read how you were treated in that restaurant. I don't have much pity for restaurants which do not treat their customers well. Personally, I would have terminated that waiter. If you warn them and coach them, they just end up being rude to another customer at a later date. There are too many restaurants out there to have to tolerate poor service.

[ReneeSC]

Samuel, Darlin', you're so cool you scare me sometimes!

[RawFoodieMom]

Am I being too sensitive here? What is so "too much" about having a bowl of guacamole and salsa? Doesn't anyone else eat raw food there but me? DH just couldnt believe it, eaither, LOL!! Pattye

I think it is simply because guacamole is a condiment when it comes to SAD food, and SAD food eaters cannot fathom anyone eating differently than they do. To them eating a bowl of guacamole and salsa as a meal would be like eating a bowl of ketchup and a bowl of mustard. I think that's why he couldn't grasp it.

Debra

[swiddweas]

Surprisingly, after the initial questioning, the manager appeared and HE was the one that looked at me strangely when i asked for some raw veggies. He said, "no, we don't have any veggies I can cut up for you." Then he thought about it and said," but i can cut up some onions and tomatoes for you if you would like". DH and the manager are friends/business associates, so I didn't want to challenge the manager at all or make a scene, so I simply said,"yes, please cut up some tomatoes and onions along with the guac."


I think it is true that they think it is a condiment, not a meal. i guess if I were to walk in their moccassins, it WOULD look stange if someone ate just that, but I wouldn't say,"that's ALOT of guacamole, you gonna eat all THAT?"

Bahh humbug.


thanks for your imput, everyone. :D

[ReneeSC]

You've GOT to be kidding me! He's a business associate/friend? Wow

( shakes head )

[swiddweas]

Yes, not only is he a business associate, but when we went to leave, he jokingly said to DH when we went up to pay, "Give me your Visa, that's all I'm interested in!" and he laughed and DH laughed and so did I, so it ended up well, however, it is still uncomfortable knowing that the only one in the entire restruant except for your spouse knows that you eat differently then every one else. DH suggested that we call up first to ask before we go. That way, we will know what we are into ahead of time. It's just annoying to have to do that, ya Know?

[RawTruth]

You didn't necessarily ask for this advice, but -- if you aren't aware what the menu is like for a "special" meal, I suggest you calling ahead or stopping in to look at the menu. If you see that there are vegetables used in cooked dishes, you can ask for those to be served to you raw. I have gone to a formerly-favorite Mexican restaurant several times since raw. I get a large order of guacamole and a salad (they have spring mix lettuce, cabbage, and wonderful salads) and combine the two. I pull flax crackers out of my purse to use instead of the fried chips to scoop up the salsa. Yummmm.

I think the key is to not go to a hardware store to buy a loaf of bread. Ya know what I mean? It's a cooked food restaurant. Unfortunately, the burden is really on us to make it work for us.

As to whether you were being too sensitive? Well, I think he was being incredibly rude in commenting on what and how much you were going to eat. I personally would have probably handled it with humor -- that's just my style. When I first went raw, I was just so totally serious!! I'd get my knickers all twisted when I could find little to eat in a restaurant. Now, I just figure it's up to me to choose where I go. And, when I do find someone who's less than helpful, I just tell them I'm weird -- yep, I do use that language. Or I sigh heavily and say "I'm one of those health nuts. You better watch out cuz I'm gonna ask for some strange things!!"

As to the manager being your husband's "friend" -- well, I'm not even gonna comment on that!!

There's a reason why Victoria Boutenko suggests we stay out of restaurants altogether during our first 6 months or so raw!!!

[swiddweas]

guess it's just someting I have to live with.

I asked the Manager if Icould have the normall cooked veggies raw, and he said, "No, they are all steamed ahead of time. Everything is pre cooked." I forgot to mention that.

Yeh, they have been friends for years, although my DH is a very social person and loves people, so practically everyone become a friend to him! :D

I forgot to mention the waiter sat us in a booth, and when I sat down, the bench tilted up and forward and I slid right onto the floor. The waiter caught my arm as I went down and then DH and the waiter had to pull me back up and out of the booth.LOL> :D

So much for an "upperclass resturant". Tee hee. Too bad DH didn't have his camera, it was a kick. That was one Anniversary we will never forget.

[rawpriestess]

It is sad to hear this story, as one of the BEST raw meals I ever had was at a Mexican Restaurant.

I gave the waitperson my little card with all my veggies on it, and they brought back this huge platter, full of fresh greens, about 5 different kinds, fresh cilantro, parsley, and tomatoes, white onion, jalepenos, tomatillos, avocado(which, I did not eat, because I HATE them) fresh black olives (not canned) several different kind of peppers, fesh raw corn, fresh brocolli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, just about everything you could imagine, it was soooo good.

And this is the BEST part, you won't believe me, but it is true, it cost me exactly $2.00 and that was it, I left them a $10 tip.

[Dandelion Girl]

I had the same comment from my boyfriend. I think I was eating a fairly small bowl of guacamole, but it may have been avocado soup. Anyway, my boyfriend said he couldn't believe I was going to eat all of that. I said this is coming from a man who regularly eats a triple whopper and two large fries and a shake? It really is hard to understand the reasoning. He even did this when I was a cooked vegan. I would order a vegetable plate with three vegetables and he would order a big entree with side dishes, rolls, and dessert and say he couldn't believe I was going to eat all the food I had. To him, it seemed like more than the huge amount of food he had for some reason. He has finally stopped doing that, but I never could understand it.

The waiter was very rude to you. I don't think you were being over sensitive at all. I think you were really restrained in your reaction to him.

[1-icurn]

hi all. What is this "card" everyone is mentioning to give to their server?

[tvillemom]

What do you all put on "the card" does it just list food? I need to do that. I'm glad to hear it works. I know Victoria Boutenko said to make one up, but I thought that was extreme, but hearing how you were treated, I guess not.
Wendi

[ReneeSC]

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4097&highlight=restaurant+card

Here's a thread where you can get an idea of what to put on your card.

[JMD]

I am sorry you had to go through that. I find it HARD to believe they had no lettuce or anything in the back. peppers or something!!!

My husband ususally asks the waiter before we sit down if they can accomodate me. I also look at the menu ahead of time on line or I call. The card idea is great too. I ususally tell myself after a crappy meal that another one is coming soon:)

Again....this will teach you a lesson and you will be prepared next time. Happy 20th Anniversary!!!

[swiddweas]

RP, what exactly does your card say, please? I am curious as to how people can word such a thing to make it truly efffective. That is such a great idea. How do others word theirs if you all have one? :cool:

Oh, I forgot, they did mention salad, but with croutons and cheese. I said that I would rather have veggies that I can use a dippers for my guacamole. He looked at me strangley. THAT'S when the fun began, sigh.

Thank you to all who gave me advice.


pattye :D

[kmik]

He... said "you're gonna actually eat all of that?" ... I should have said, " well, why don't you ask everyone else that ?

Just catching up with this thread...

I love the visual on this... waiter going from table to table asking "you gunna eat all of that?" Perhaps that could be the new SAD diet fad, a restaurant with a rude waiter :p

anyway, thanks for the reminder, I've gotta go buy more avocados... to the tune of 10 at a time :) (yes, I'm going to eat them all ;) )

[Goddess_girl]

DH and celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary lastnight by going out to this very nice, upperclass Mexican Resturant near the Beach. The view was beautiful, but the food was questionable. The only thing I could order was a bowl of guacamole and a bowl of salsa. They didn't have any raw veggies they would serve me! :mad: except chopped onions and salsa. So I told the waiter to please give me a large bowl of salsa and guac. When he brought the food, DH got this huge serving plate full of cooked mexican food of all kinds. I got this teeny tiny little bowl of salsa and guac. I mentioned to the waiter that this was "it" for my dinner, so would he please give me a larger bowl of guac. He brought back a cereal bowl half full of guac and said" you're gonna actually eat all of that?" I mean, here, by DH


Pattye
I would question if the guacamole or salsa was even raw; many resturants only serve prossed (dry or canned) things and not have much fresh on hand. Mostly because it is CHEAPER.
But I dont understand why they didnt even have lettus for you.

I would have goten up and left; I worked in a few resturants and when people compain they often get "added" things i their food.
(i saw this happen at dennys and the olive garden) :confused:
SO I dont make waves; i leave and call in a complaint!

Needless to say WE dont eat out anymore

P.s. Next time also ask in they MAKE the guac and salsa with FRESH produce.
If they make fresh guac; they should have avaccados??
AND for salsa they (if it is fresh) should have all the fresh produce on hand?????

[Goddess_girl]

[QUOTE=swiddweas]

I asked the Manager if Icould have the normall cooked veggies raw, and he said, "No, they are all steamed ahead of time. Everything is pre cooked." I forgot to mention that.

QUOTE]
I have seen resturant frig's and I find that hard to believe!!
They had NOTHING...
They cook EVERYTHING in the frig? so it sits EMPTY at the end of the day?

It is probably all CANNED or in JARS; and he just does not tell people that!

[Ariannah]

I would question if the guacamole or salsa was even raw;

That's what I was thinking, too. I also couldn't believe they didn't have ANY raw veggies.

[Cinnamon]

I too am so sorry you had this experience, it is all too common I am afraid!

I have a standing once a month date with a girlfriend at a local Mexican Restaurant. I do something similar to RawTruth and take my own flax-corn crackers for their RAW salsa. The salsa is wonderful and I buy it from them in large containers every once in a while, all raw all the time!

Then I order a side salad without cheese so it just comes with chopped up tomatoes and a few other simple cut up veggies, no dressing but lemon or lime wedge on the side. Then I also get a side of quacamole (also raw) and that is my dressing on the salad.

Chips and salsa, a nice large salad with guac and I am a happy gal for a total of about $5.00!

Now this is one of the few places I do go to eat anymore, most places do not accomodate raw eating and I really prefer to eat at home.

[rawpriestess]

My card said something along these lines:

Hi, I eat only fresh raw fruits and vegetables, nothing canned, frozen or packaged.
Please use your culinary genius in creating a beautiful meal for me. Her are some suggestions for you. And Thank you in advance.

raspberries
blueberries
apple
pear
orange
banana
cantaloup
honeydew
lemon
lime
onion
tomato
lettuce
cilantro
parsley
basil
arugula
green onion
red bell pepper
cauliflower
brocolli
celery
carrot
asparagus
bok choy
bean sprouts


Or something like that.

I just guess what a chef might have in their kitchen, usually for cooking or for condiments, and list that.

I don't usually manifest challenges with the waitstaff, and I tip well, so they will always acomodate me. In Japan, when I lived there, the waitpeople, would bring in stuff for me. Of course, that was 22 years ago. LOL but fun never-the-less.

[Raw_Medic]

Thanks everyone, I needed this thread...I'm going to a birthday dinner with my boyfriend and his family this weekend and picked Olive Garden because I know they have that endless salad...now I have the motivation to ask for more veggies and stuff I eat!

[RawTruth]

Raw-Medic - don't forget to take your own homemade dressing!! And, I always bring an avocado in my purse to give the salad more substance. I matter of factly pull it and my Swiss army knife out and go to town while keeping up the normal conversation. No one has ever made a comment. Of course, you have to do it with attitude! LOL.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Raw-Medic - don't forget to take your own homemade dressing!! And, I always bring an avocado in my purse to give the salad more substance. I matter of factly pull it and my Swiss army knife out and go to town while keeping up the normal conversation. No one has ever made a comment. Of course, you have to do it with attitude! LOL.

Woman you are too much for words! :D :D :D

I've done that by the way. I went to an IHOP once and asked what kind of fruit they had. They told me they had bananas, so I asked for a couple on a plate. I pulled out a mango and my veggie peeler and started peeling it in front of everyone. Then I started in with the moaning noises, lol.

Everyone else ate their pancakes.