Emeril's ain't Burger King.

I've been to Emeril's in the Warehouse District many times, and last time had the fine fortune to sit at Table One.

We were served six courses of the chef's choosing. Did I want my first appetizer course to be a frog's leg? Of course not.

But, out of complete and utter respect for the chef and his expertise, I ate it. I could even say I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. The Paella with Duck Confit was to die for. And so it went, with each course better than the last and a different paired wine.

Emeril's has vegetarian choices, including salads and entrees, on its menu every time I have ever been there. Their service and preparation is impeccable. It is without question that requesting a custom item in the midst of a dinner service would be inappropriate in such a fine dining experience.

Given that the patron had vegetarian choices on the menu, I would conclude that it was the patron, not the chef, who had the issue.

<The evening was still spoiled.>

Hal, You weren't even there ;-)

nanabee on Sep 23, 10 at 10:07pm
>>My husband once asked for a grilled cheese sandwich. They only had grilled cheese with ham or something. They said they could not make a plain grilled cheese sandwich. So he ordered a grilled cheese with ham (like the menu said) and asked them to hold the ham.

Is that the Five Finger Exercise scene? I thought the same thing.

Im my vegetarian phase, I never had problems eating out. There was always a meat-free salad or vegetable side dish that was perfectly adequate. Often, I would feel sorry for those ordering an entree that was heavy and slathered with a non-descript sauce, while I had a delicious baked potato.

My post has nothing to do with vegetarians. But just wanted to share. I never been to Emeri's in New Orleans, but I was at his restaurant in Miami. And that was the worst experience ever - service was shockingly terrible, bread was stale, and food was just so so. I am not very picky, and very rarely have negative experience. Actually, I can not even remember the restaurant I really disliked, except this one.

Nevertheless, here is a super-easy and truly wonderful split pea soup recipe from Emeril: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/e...ipe/index.html

I guess vegetarians can substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.

HTTY

In response to Helen's post , and completely unrelated to the original topic, I have never had better service than at Emeril's ( the original) - the service was simply sensational (as was the food).

As a non meat eater for about 40 years, I have never had this happen to me.
Granted, I don't often go to steak houses but I don't remember ever asking to be treated special or for them to whip up something not on the menu, there are always options on menus for vegetarians..imo.
I enjoyed the Emerils in Las Vegas very much !

Fresh Angel Hair Pasta with Smoked Mushrooms and House Made Tasso Cream Sauce
$10

From their menu. Isn't this vegetarian, although it includes a milk product? I assume that the OP did not mean that the friend was a vegan.

Tasso is a kind of sausage....

Oops, my bad, Tasso is a kind of ham. Sorry.

Sorry, I was not familiar with Tasso.

Many items in Louisinna have tasso cream. Pretty darn tasty too.

I just don't see how anyone could be upset for wanting something that wasn't on the menu. What they sell is what is on the menu-plain and simple. It would be nice if you wanted something different. But if you ask and they say no, then I don't see how you could be upset at all.

If it is that BIG of an issue, then you should research the menu before ever stepping into a restaurant.

What they sell is what is on the menu-plain and simple. It would be nice if you wanted something different.

Would the same rule apply to someone with a severe food allergy who happens to be in a party of six?

I would think that anyone with a severe food allergy, as in life threatening respiratory issues, would contact any restaurant he/she planned on going to ahead of time to find out if their dietary needs could be accommodated.

My limited experience is that it is not the way the individuals operate. I remember someone with a peanut allergy who would never go to a Chinese restaurant, but otherwise assumed that he could discuss the issue in situ. Another friend is allergic to any fish or seafood and capiscum. Obviously a fish restaurant is out of the question, but for the latter allergy the issue is handled when ordering. But my point is that the restaurants would accommodate that individual's restrictions by modifying existing menu item or creating a dish out of what is available in the kitchen.

I do think a food allergy is different from being a vegetarian -- one is a disability, the other is a lifestyle choice. If you're going to choose to be a vegetarian, then you have to be prepared for situations where your choice will not be accommodated.

I've had a student working for me who tried a vegetarian diet. He gave it up after a few months, but insisted that eating meat created problems at the beginning. A life-long vegetarian is, in my mind, no different than someone with an eating disorder or allergy. In the end, the issue is cultural. Even Ruth Chris' Steak House in SF offers a vegetarian entrée.