Meh.

[Bad_Rich_Chic]

Originally posted by Mr. Man
But a non-vegetarian never needs to go to a place to not eat meat? So it is better that I have a side of asparagus and cooked carrots at a fancy steak place than a meat person actually having some sort of vegetable stew once in their life? Doesn't seem quite fair to me.

Anyone with dietary restrictions may only subject others to those restrictions if those others won't notice or it can be legitimately considered a treat (for the others). If your meat-eating friends don't notice that none of the food on the menu includes meat, then groovy. (However I've noticed that some vegetarians I know seem to have forgotten what real food tastes like, and therefore think that people won't notice when taken to restaurants that serve nothing but runny curried tofu slop.) If you diet requires you to eat nothing but oysters in black truffle sauce with a nice Austrian Riesling, feel free to impose it on me any day of the week. The Mr. cannot eat shellfish or fungi, but he would have to just suck it up and pretend he doesn't mind one whit while we chow down.

The rule holds whether the dietary restriction is religious, medical or moral, and whether the restricted one is host, guest or recommending a restaurant. If you can't eat anything on offer, don't, and if you find you often can't eat anything (due to weird allergies or keeping Kosher or whatever), get into the habit of eating before you go out. You're supposed to pretend to be there for the company not the food, anyway.

That being said, if your friends are eating $40 steaks while you eat a side of creamed spinach for lack of other options and then they try to split the bill equally, I'd be pissed off.

Otherwise I suggest boning up on regular restaurants that happen to have some decent things you can eat, which you can then throw out as suggestions without fear of being labled a veganazi. If you're vegetarian and get to NYC, try Galaxy Global Eatery on Irving Place. They have some meat, but a lot of vegetarian stuff that is actually interesting enough to appeal to omnivores.

That being said, whoever insists anyone goes to ANY restaurant without alcohol is a moron.

God knows 2.

Interestingly, the various practicing mormons & muslims I've known never insist on going to places without booze. They just don't order anything with "wine sauce" in the description.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
I am not sure I know of many Canadian bike brands. I had a CCM trike as a kid. It was a quality product. So yes, capital idea.

et note that I cycled around Europe on a Norco, which I just found out is a Canadian brand. It was a very good quality bike. I own a Norco now too, which is good. So yes, get one.

There it is then! Cervello is the brand.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by Mr. Man
I think they are great, but you are correct it is a 1 + 1 = 1.9 sort of thing. They turned a bit wussy is my scientific explanation. Nevertheless, they are playing 5 RATM and Soundgarden songs on this tour so that will be cool. The live show exceeds the CD, although Cornell struggles a bit at times.

"1 + 1 = 1.9 sort of thing"

I'm using that. That's great.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
I need a ruling/ analysis

Sunday night for dinner, we're choosing between a few restaurants. first choices are restuarants with cocktails.

Anyway, because one diner is a vegatarian, we can't agree on any. So we end up in this new Himalian place. You have to take your shoes off, and you kneel at a low table- AND NO ALCOHOL.

The guy comes to take our drink order, "this tea or that tea?"

I ask if we can also order food now- it took 10 minutes for him to get over to even take the drink order. He says okay- but warns us that everything is cooked to order by him, and it takes a long time. We say okay.

No food comes out for a really long time. He has 1 woman helping him, and we get no water refill, no one checks if we want another drink- nothing. So on the way to the bathroom I ask her to bring me a tea- 15 minutes later she brings it. My wife asks for another tea right then. 10 minutes later we get the food. We're done eating about 20 minutes after that and they finally bring her tea as she gets up to leave. I stay to pay the bill, and he makes clear we've bought the tea- "Do you want it in a to-go cup?"

Anyway- bill finally comes, and as I'm paying it he says "Have a nice life!" kind of under his breath. I say "wait why do you think you'll never see me again?" He says he hopes all his customers come back, etc.

Question- I realize I behaved not in keeping with tibetian principals or some shit- I realize I should have appreciated the time to savor the anticipation of the tea and food- but what I don't know is if "have a nice life" is the simple "Fuck you" it seemed to be. Is that some Buddist parting thing, just as a wish in case you don't see them again?

I'm betting it meant "fuck you Hank," but I'm hoping whoever it was that knew "Namaste" might have a different perspective.

I think it was a karmic way of saying next time pick a place that serves cocktails.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Bad_Rich_Chic

God knows 2.

Interestingly, the various practicing mormons & muslims I've known never insist on going to places without booze. They just don't order anything with "wine sauce" in the description.

If you take your child out for their birthday, and they pick a place, you really shouldn't veto it "Because mummy and daddy really need an alcohol drink."

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
Please stop by my office if you have any love at all for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Stop by the house if you have love for Mounds, Kit Kats or Almond Joy.

I had one trick-or-treater. He may have been the cutest wookie I've ever seen, though.

He was supposed to be Bilmore, but there's only so much Brylcreem can do against Houston humidity.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
I call bullshit on everything you posted from 2001-2003.

I call bullshit on everything Thurgreed's posted since then.

[Mr. Man]

Originally posted by Bad_Rich_Chic
If you can't eat anything on offer, don't, and if you find you often can't eat anything (due to weird allergies or keeping Kosher or whatever), get into the habit of eating before you go out. You're supposed to pretend to be there for the company not the food, anyway.

I generally agree. However, I think it's kind of BS that people can't "suffer" and find something with a mixture on the menu, or at least be aware they should keep that in mind. Case in point is our friend who is deathly allergic to shellfish. You are saying I can recommend we go to an oyster bar and he's supposed to have a grilled cheese at home and just sit there and drink? Seems like I should find a different seafood place with oysters on the menu so we can both enjoy.

Of course that rule does not apply to meeting new people or work dinners where someone else is in charge of the choice, as making a fuss over food while in the process of getting food is bad form (other than on the FB of course). To the extent that is your point, I am on board.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by taxwonk
I think it was a karmic way of saying next time pick a place that serves cocktails.

Why would anyone even entertain going to a restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol? WTF? Unless you're bringing a bottle of wine to a byob, there's no reason to get within sight of a restaurant without a liquor license. I'd be offended and put off that someone even asked me to eat at a restaurant without having at least the option of ordering a drink. Thats fucking rude, even if the inviter is a recovering alcoholic.

[Bad_Rich_Chic]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
when taking your child out for their birthday, and they pick a place, you really shouldn't veto it "Because mummy and daddy really need an alcohol drink."

Well, fair enough, or God knows Rumplemeyers would have gone out of business long since. But, damn man, isn't that what flasks are for?

[greatwhitenorthchick]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Why would anyone even entertain going to a restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol? WTF? Unless you're bringing a bottle of wine to a byob, there's no reason to get within sight of a restaurant without a liquor license. I'd be offended and put off that someone even asked me to eat at a restaurant without having at least the option of ordering a drink. Thats fucking rude, even if the inviter is a recovering alcoholic.

I took my boyfriend once to a brunch place that did not have a license. I didn't realize it at the time.

Shame on me!!

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
If you take your child out for their birthday, and they pick a place, you really shouldn't veto it "Because mummy and daddy really need an alcohol drink."

Thats why I keep a bottle of icy Ketel One in the freezer at all times. Anyone asks me to do something atrocious, I sock back three fast shots and nobody's the wiser. Odorless, clean, and just enough to make the thoroughly annoying drudge ride that is a modern professional's existence seem tolerable... palatable even.

BTW, Belvedere sucks. Garbage. You can taste the rotting potatoes.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
I took my boyfriend once to a brunch place that did not have a license. I didn't realize it at the time.

Shame on me!!

It trust you offered penance with two blow jobs instead of one.

BTW, brunch and lunch are accceptable non-alcohol events. I was talking about dinner.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Bad_Rich_Chic
Well, fair enough, or God knows Rumplemeyers would have gone out of business long since. But, damn man, isn't that what flasks are for?

It was the curve ball choice walking down the street. We were thinking a sushi/Japanese Tapas place that has alcohol. If I ever do go back to the Tantric place I will bring a flask. Would that hurt my karma?

edit: not to mention, since they didn't bring the drinks we did order for about 1/2 hour, it wouldn't have made a difference if they did have alcohol.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
I took my boyfriend once to a brunch place that did not have a license. I didn't realize it at the time.

Shame on me!!

We went to a Mexican restaurant in Anaheim and when we ordered beer, we were informed that they had just lost their liquor license. I think we left and went somewhere else. Because if you lose your liquor license, how careful are you going to be with other things? I mean, really. A Mexican restaurant with no booze? Why even open?