While I was considering becoming a vegetarian/vegan my biggest concern was dining out. Well, I am happy to report that my first few experiences have been good.
My first meal out was in a wee spot in Waikanae. I feel bad as I have forgotten the name of the place and they were very accomodating.
The only vegetarian meal offered on their menu was a cheesy rice risotto. Being vegan, I am unable to eat cheese and the chef was, apparently, not very keen in taking the cheese out. Instead, they offered to prepare something especially for me. I received a chick-pea salad, roast beetroot, some other form of beetroot, hummus, and roast kumura with spinach. It was delicious. And despite the best efforts of the chap sitting next to me, I resisted his offer to try some black pudding. Although, to be honest, coagulated blood didn’t do much for me when I was eating meat!
The next experience was the Roxy Cafe in Wellington. Again, the only vege option was a rice risotto. As soon as I mentioned I was vegan the waitress offered me a tomato sauce version of the risotto. It was excellent! Thanks Roxy!
The biggest test was last night when I went to my old flat to farewell my old flatmate as he heads off to Christchurch to live. The agenda? A Brazillian BBQ! If you have never met a Brazillian, let me assure you that the emphasis is on meat! Chicken hearts, big slabs of beef, animals were turning themselves in at the backdoor! I am glad to report that I was satisfied with a couple of vegetarian sausages. In fact, I was grateful for the excuse not to eat chicken hearts!
What I found interesting is how disgusted I was with the whole affair. Only five weeks after giving up meat, the sight of its preparation and consumption was physically off putting. Funny to think that just last Christmas I was happily downing meat in the exact same situation; I even had one of the aforementioned chicken hearts; they are as bad as they sound!
I am sure I will run into some more difficult situations in the future, but, so far, it has not been as difficult as I expected!