Eating out on holiday

[Bet]

Just returned from two weeks holiday - first week in Cornwall and second week in Devon. Thought things might start to get easier in restaurants by now but still the same old story. Didn't manage to visit one restaurant where they could check any of their ingredients for me.

The first one we went to said they didnt have time to check and then when I pushed came back and said that they bought the sausages in so didnt know what was in them!!! I asked for an alternative ie a chicken quarter or some sliced meat but they didnt have any. They charged me for a full childrens meal which included a drink even tho' they only provided chips and when I complained they got really stroppy with me before giving me the refund they obviously knew I should be given. The next three restaurants couldn't help with the sausage ingredients either (or the sorbet on the pudding menu) but did offer a suitable alternative for the sausages - either ham or chicken. We finally struck lucky in Devon with a restaurant who would provide smaller adult portions for most meals so finally my daughter had a good meal out - roast beef, roast potatoes etc. However, returning on our last night of the hols they didnt have any roast beef but offered ham instead - 3 large slices appeared with chips even tho' we said a small portion was all that was needed and this came at a price - it seems if you do finally get what you want its expensive because this is a good excuse to charge more.

Have to say was very disappointed. Cant say restaurants attitudes to dealing with people with food problems seems to be changing at all - ignorance and a 'cant be bothered' attitude still seems to prevail.

[Copper]

The biggest problem appears to be the amount of food bought in and they have no idea what the ingredients are!

[Bet]

Thats about it Copper, I just find it amazing that even all this bought in food has no ingredeients listed on it. Call me cynical but I'm sure its more the case that the restaurants cant be bothered to check rather than the information isnt actually on the packaging?

[matt]

the other problem being no one wants to take responsibility to say what they have offered is dairy free. either due to lazyness / fear or just syupidity.

[cnc]

Matt, having spoken to the manager of a restaurant about dairy free foods, they told me that they couldn't guarantee it was dairy free, after some girl had a nut reaction in Pizza Hut having been told that it was a nut free environment, so other companies have decided to cover themselves and refuse to guarantee anything, as its just too expensive for them to risk being sued. Its a shame, but I can kind of understand why they do it.

However, ingredients should be listed on all packaging in my opinion, its not difficult is it?!

[matt]

it's why when i stop for a bite to eat at tesco's cafe or something with my daughter i always buy something out of the shop not the cafe. i know they have signs up but they also have another one saying they can't guarentee dairy etc free. fine just you can't have it both ways.:angry:

[Broxine]

Its pretty sad now that everyone sues for everything - I have to agree with Claire that it's often not the restaurant's fault they just have to cover themselves, but at the same time a lot of them could be a lot more friendly in the way they do it.

[Broxine]

And also you have to be aware that when waitresses or waiters are extra helpful they may just be saying what you want to hear to get a better tip! I have had confessions from a friend that used to work part time in a restaurant that none of their vegetarian meals/vegan meals were actually vegetarian or vegan!!! Apparently they never had any complaints - in fact she often had compliments from the customers at how good the vegan meals were - I thought it was appalling but she said she would never confess to the customers what she knew was going on in the kitchen as the tips where so great when they thought they were getting exactly what they asked for... it has made me VERY suspisious and paranoid when restaurants seem to provide answers a little too quickly!

[matt]

staff lying in resturants? as if.

not something that worries me as i'm paranoid so assume that i'm being lied to anyway!:o

[Nic]

After Pizza Express blatantly lying about there being milk in the pizza bases (better that way around, I suppose) I'm not surprised.

Having said that, I go to Devon a lot, and I find I have less problems down there than in London because many of the pubs are moving towards local and even organic food, which means its all sourced locally and cooked in their kitchen. Which means that they do at least know whats in it, as opposed to having to trust to their reading of the ingredients on the packet (and how many of them will know what lactose is), or asking them to bring the packet out to me.

If you're there again, I can recommend a couple of excellent, non dairy friendly pubs in South Devon.

Nic

[matt]

ah the slow effect of rik stein. atleast a celeb chef who's actually achieving something.