Vegetarian Food at a Nightclub

Every socialite must, by definition, socialize.  Vegetarians and vegans are no exception.  While I would love to socialize at a farmer's market, much of the meat-eating world does not.  A popular place to see and be seen is a nightclub.  And, people often hit the club early to eat or find somewhere in the vicinity to eat.  This can be an issue, if you are not a card-carrying carnivore (say that three times fast).  Most late night spots are thinking more about satisfying the drunken masses than they are about supplying the earth/health conscious.  But, there are options if you know what to look for.

• Pizza - Sorry vegans, but I've been referred to more than once as a cheese pizzatarian.  Pizza is scrumptious and readily available at late night eateries, hold the meat.  Cheese pizza is the only true pizza anyways.
• Greek/Mediterranean - These restaurants are popping up everywhere trendy. Hallelujah!!!  Hummus, felafel, feta salads, tabouli!!!  These are all delicious, relatively healthy, vegetarian and trendy.  It's a win-win.  WARNING: if you order the stuffed grape leaves, you are smart, but you also must ask if they have meat.  On rare occasions they do. :(
• In the club - This is the hardest place for a vegetarian.  If you are at a top-notch club, they will have a full menu.  But, at smaller clubs, you must be resourceful.  Try to find a salad or pasta dish that you can order "hold the meat".  Otherwise, you may be able to order a vegetarian side dish (fries, yum).

If you can't drag your friends to a good veggie spot, don't stay home, improvise!

Chain Restaurants

I am not a huge fan of chain restaurants (what vegetarian is?). But, vegetarians learn quickly that they are popular among the business crowd and must be tolerated for the purpose of socializing.  While it is difficult to always be the person who picks the meeting place, it is easy and convenient to make suggestions.  Here are some of my favorites, by cuisine.  They are not all "up-scale", but being a socialite does not mean you have to be pretentious (don't judge me).

• Asian: Pei Wei - fast, friendly and delicious food.  You can have anything with tofu and they'll let you know if the sauce is vegetarian.
• Italian: Any place - pastas, pizza, eggplant parmigiana.  It's the food of the gods.  Just try not to be too messy and watch the garlic breath. Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden, and Carrabas are all acceptable chains for entertaining.
• Mexican: Tijuana Flats is awesome - plenty of stuff without meat.  Moe's Southwestern Grill and Chipotle Grill are both good and offer tofu as your filling.  WARNING - at Mexican restaurants, always ask if your rice is cooked in chicken broth and whether or not the beans are cooked with meat.  You will often find that one type of beans is and another is not.
• American: Outback Steakhouse offers a surprisingly good veggie burger.  Believe it or not, Denny's has awesome veggie burgers and I hear reports that some are now using Amy's brand (yay!).  Johnny Rockets offers the Streamliner.  Just make sure you tell them not to cook it in a pile of burger grease.  Ruby Tuesdays has a decent avocado quesadilla, fresh guacamole and chips appetizer, and vegetarian minis (little black bean burgers with barbecue sauce and fries).
• Sandwiches: I hate Subway (you always leave smelling like a, well, Subway), but if you are into that sort of thing, they have a veggie sub (salad in bread).  I prefer the veggie sub at Quiznos - mushrooms, olives, guacamole, peppers, etc.  Jimmy John's has an AMAZING gourmet veggie club, if you eat/like cheese (lots of provolone, my favorite).
• Other:  I have to mention Panera Bread Company.  They have vegetarian soups and salads that are tasty and healthy.  This is a good place for the sophisticated ambiance.

I know that none of these are exactly China Grille, but real movers and shakers need to eat at places that are quick and convenient.  I'll make some classier recommendations another time.  Just be glad I didn't talk about Taco Bell...yet. Feel free to post any of your favorites or critique mine. :)

What's wrong with hippies?

I often tell people that "I am not a hippie".  So, what's wrong with hippies?

Actually, nothing.

I am a big supporter of free will.  But, the fact that so many vegetarians/vegans are "hippies" does a lot of PR damage to vegetarianism.  Most people have a distaste for what they view as a subculture that is strange at best.  For most of us, working in corporate America is a reality.  We shop at Wal-Mart and drive whatever car we were able to afford at the time, and we have lunch meetings and dinners with our friends and family, who are mostly meat-eaters.

I think that it is important to challenge the common perception of vegetarians and present an example to "everyday people" that vegetarianism can be just a simple choice of diet, which does not necessitate a complete lifestyle change, the alienation of family and friends, nor an advanced degree in Yoga.  Vegetarianism is healthy, it is humane, it is good for the planet, and it is a good decision for anyone. 

If you are what people consider a hippie, please don't be offended.  You are probably a good person, but just not good publicity for vegetarianism.

Vegetarian Socialite

Somewhere out there, there are vegetarians living in a campground, growing their own food, playing drums and weaving straw hats.

Then, there's me.  I am not a hippie.  I do like to camp and hike from time to time, but, I work in an office, drive a lot, play sports, go to clubs and eat in every restaurant with the decency to provide at least one meat-free dish.  I eat cheese, as I am addicted to pizza, and I eat cookies that I know (somewhere in my hidden subconscious) were made with eggs.  I won't eat any flesh, but most of my friends and family do...and I'm okay with that.

This blog is for those vegetarians who have chosen not to rage against the machine.  It is for those who just want to peacefully coexist with the majority, without compromising our own standards.  I will post about dishes, good and bad, that I've had at popular restaurants.  I will offer quick meal suggestions and make recommendations of all types for vegetarians on the go.

I hope that others will do the same.