Comments on: Countering Carnivorous Habits http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits Casting a little flavor (and a few aspersions) on the world of food, drink, and life Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:59:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: SaltShaker » Blog Archive » Unidentified Frying Objects http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-84845 SaltShaker » Blog Archive » Unidentified Frying Objects Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:38:55 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-84845 [...] vegetarian dinners. I decided this time to just simply offer it as we do all our menus - I’ve written before about attempting to cater directly to the local vegetarian set who ask for more vegetarian dinners [...] [...] vegetarian dinners. I decided this time to just simply offer it as we do all our menus - I’ve written before about attempting to cater directly to the local vegetarian set who ask for more vegetarian dinners [...]

]]> By: dan http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-55421 dan Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:03:53 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-55421 I assume that there have been vegetarians here for a long time, however, I gather from talking to people here, that up until a very few years ago, the vegetarian restaurant world was either non-existent or nearly so. From comments made by various folk, it seems like most vegetarians, when going out with friends, settled for things like the fresh salads, pasta options, and pizzas. A good number of parrillas, interestingly, offer "milanesas de soja", which are essentially a breaded slab of tofu that's fried up - not particularly exciting - and I have no idea if that's a relatively new introduction or not. When I arrived in Argentina a couple of years ago, there were a few spots known for vegetarian food - mostly of the all you can eat steam line buffet style, and generally a mix of Argentine and Chinese dishes - also leaning heavily into the fried world. There were a couple of spots offering more interesting vegetarian cooking, but not many. Over the last two years more and more places seem to be opening, and some of them truly creative - places that could give the vegetarian spots in my old East Village neighborhood a run for their money. I've only checked out a limited number of them, but my impression is that they're being frequented by locals more than tourists, so there's clearly a culture here that appreciates the offering - whether vegetarians, or just folks who want something different for a change. Enough so, apparently, that the raw food vegan spot that I wrote up awhile back - verdellama - has opened up in a full restaurant setting - have to get there and check it out - and is apparently thriving, and a new <em>puertas cerradas</em> place, Diego Felix, opened up that is offering vegetarian tasting menus three or four nights a week and apparently pretty much selling out seating any time he opens. I've also noted that in more and more just "regular" restaurants, they've started to add some sort of vegetarian option - most of them are still at sort of the "veg plate" level as opposed to being something more creative, but it's at least a recognition that there's a demand. Even the press - as you know I wrote a piece for Time Out Buenos Aires on vegetarian dining in the last issue, at their request, and it's still getting positive response from folks using the guide. The Guardian UK wrote a piece in January on the topic. The Boston Globe just published something in March. So there's starting to be some recognition internationally as well that there are alternatives to steak here. I assume that there have been vegetarians here for a long time, however, I gather from talking to people here, that up until a very few years ago, the vegetarian restaurant world was either non-existent or nearly so. From comments made by various folk, it seems like most vegetarians, when going out with friends, settled for things like the fresh salads, pasta options, and pizzas. A good number of parrillas, interestingly, offer “milanesas de soja”, which are essentially a breaded slab of tofu that’s fried up - not particularly exciting - and I have no idea if that’s a relatively new introduction or not.

When I arrived in Argentina a couple of years ago, there were a few spots known for vegetarian food - mostly of the all you can eat steam line buffet style, and generally a mix of Argentine and Chinese dishes - also leaning heavily into the fried world. There were a couple of spots offering more interesting vegetarian cooking, but not many. Over the last two years more and more places seem to be opening, and some of them truly creative - places that could give the vegetarian spots in my old East Village neighborhood a run for their money. I’ve only checked out a limited number of them, but my impression is that they’re being frequented by locals more than tourists, so there’s clearly a culture here that appreciates the offering - whether vegetarians, or just folks who want something different for a change. Enough so, apparently, that the raw food vegan spot that I wrote up awhile back - verdellama - has opened up in a full restaurant setting - have to get there and check it out - and is apparently thriving, and a new puertas cerradas place, Diego Felix, opened up that is offering vegetarian tasting menus three or four nights a week and apparently pretty much selling out seating any time he opens. I’ve also noted that in more and more just “regular” restaurants, they’ve started to add some sort of vegetarian option - most of them are still at sort of the “veg plate” level as opposed to being something more creative, but it’s at least a recognition that there’s a demand.

Even the press - as you know I wrote a piece for Time Out Buenos Aires on vegetarian dining in the last issue, at their request, and it’s still getting positive response from folks using the guide. The Guardian UK wrote a piece in January on the topic. The Boston Globe just published something in March. So there’s starting to be some recognition internationally as well that there are alternatives to steak here.

]]> By: ksternberg http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-55067 ksternberg Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:07:29 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-55067 I'm also a little intrigued that vegetarian cuisine can flourish (if that's the word) in such a meat-centric place as Argentina. Glad that people like the option. I’m also a little intrigued that vegetarian cuisine can flourish (if that’s the word) in such a meat-centric place as Argentina. Glad that people like the option.

]]> By: dan http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-54913 dan Mon, 25 Jun 2007 23:28:19 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-54913 But Sally, there's no cocoa in anything for Hal to eat... what will he do? Ken, thanks! But Sally, there’s no cocoa in anything for Hal to eat… what will he do?

Ken, thanks!

]]> By: Saratica http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-53618 Saratica Sun, 24 Jun 2007 12:28:57 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-53618 OK - this is my dinner. The Beggar's Purse put me over the edge. Yummy!!!! OK - this is my dinner. The Beggar’s Purse put me over the edge. Yummy!!!!

]]> By: ksternberg http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-53040 ksternberg Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:54:43 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/20070623/countering-carnivorous-habits#comment-53040 Dan, when's your next vegeterian dinner? Oh. Sorry. The food here looks really terrific, esp. the beggar's purse. It goes a long way to show how interesting and appealing meatless cuisine can be. Dan, when’s your next vegeterian dinner? Oh. Sorry.

The food here looks really terrific, esp. the beggar’s purse. It goes a long way to show how interesting and appealing meatless cuisine can be.

]]>