| Author |
Message |
    
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 986
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:23 pm: |     |
The other day when I was in town I noticed the American Fare sign (or maybe it was an awning?) was gone. Thought it was a bit curious. This morning I noticed a sign in the window that said American Fare, and underneath it said Terra.
Anybody know what that's about? Jamie? Just curious. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3465
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:32 pm: | |
I ate there Saturday night. Same menu but totally new staff. Appetizers and dessert were good. Entrees a bit mediocre. |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 2024
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:36 pm: | |
Alg, that is so funny we ALMOST went to American Fare. I left a message for them on thursday or friday, but they didn't call back. So we went to Verjus instead... |
Agent Orange
Citizen
Username: Agentorange
Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 1:26 pm: | |
It appears that they are reformatting. New inside, outside, and such. The new chef/owner is keeping the highlights of the old menu (apparently he and the former chef/owner worked together) and is also adding his own flair. From what I saw yesterday, it looks like they are doing a nice job inside. Can't wait to check them out again. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1005
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 1:36 pm: | |
See, now, I had no idea there was a new chef/owner. Hmm, new flair and old menu highlights. Looking forward to that.
I've noticed they are working inside, but haven't had a chance to stop and look. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 414
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 1:37 pm: | |
I hope they make the menu more varied and interesting to me (a vegetarian who eats fish, dairy and eggs). I have checked out the menu, and while I can hobble together a meal there, I never want to spend that much money on a menu that offers me so little. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1006
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 2:09 pm: | |
AlleyGater, I am also a veg who eats fish, and it seems to me there have always been at least two or three choices on the menu for me. Of course more would be nice, but considering they usually only have a fairly small number of entrees, I guess it could be worse. I find a lot of restaurants have a very limited number of things I can eat. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 416
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 2:25 pm: | |
Well to make matters worse, I have all sorts of stupid food preferences. Unfortunately I don't care for Salmon which as we all know if the de rigeur fish at every restaurant that has just one fish option. That usually leaves me with eating a bunch of side dishes. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1008
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 3:51 pm: | |
Ah ha, now I understand the problem.
Luckily for me I really like salmon and every other fish. But I have been to many a catered party where the host has no comprehension of the fact that there are folks in the world who actually don't eat meat, and I to have been left with salad and whatever meatless side dishes are available. IMHO, it seems to me that in this day and age it's really not that unusual for people to not eat meat for a variety of reasons. And yet so many people just don't seem to get that! |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 688
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 5:01 pm: | |
I would not expect my vegetarian friends to cook meat for me (because I am an avid meat eater) at their parties. Nor do I feel obligated to cook special protein filled entrees for those who choose to accept my dinner invitation! My house is not stocked with tofu and protien powder. I serve very little fish...mostly shellfish.
I have a friend - a vegetarian - who complained at dinner the other night at an Indian restaraunt that she could eat nothing. The food was too spicey and she did not like rice! I mean really.
Those who have special diets should brownbag it if they are not at home or be happy to eat corn chips. |
Tom Kerns
Supporter
Username: Tom_kerns
Post Number: 51
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 5:02 pm: | |
Does anyone know if Ed (old? owner/chef) is still affiliated with the place? |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 654
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 5:20 pm: | |
But there are so many special diets in the world, and so many degrees of vegetarians, not all of whom eat fish...We try to cater to all of the diets that we know of when we invite guests. However, honestly, the medical needs come first, the religious needs second, and other preferences third. We make sure that everyone will have plenty to eat, but not necessarily that there is a main dish for each special need.
At our typical house party for relatives:
- Everything is kosher (house rules)
- Special marinade and gluten-free cake for the celiac(s) in the family
- Chicken cooked with a little lemon/olive/ whatever doesn't trigger the aunt with migranes
- Onion/garlic/diary free food for those with problem sensitivities
I remember one cookout with both beef and chicken, and thus 4 marinades, which my dear husband grilled in a downpour for something like two hours...I think that we also made some veggie kabobs, but I'm guessing you'd count that as a side dish, but the vegetarian cousin seemed content. We also had two different birthday cakes (one yummy, one gluten-free).
I think that we all do the best we can, but there are so many diets of preference these days (from vegetarian to Atkins) that you really can't please everyone.
As someone with food preferences of my own (no pork or shellfish), I know that occasionally I'll end up at a party where I can't eat much...in general, I think that that is my issue, rather than my host's. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 4540
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 6:06 pm: | |
I don't eat meat very much at all (if I weren't too lazy to cook, I'd still be a vegetarian, but I eat what gets cooked for me). When I go to parties, I never expect a veggie entree. I'm very happy if there is salad and more than one veggie side dish to eat.
In fact, I often end up with sides only, since veggie lasagna seems to be a popular entree & I don't like ricotta cheese. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1010
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 6:18 pm: | |
Well, gee whiz, kmk, why don't you tell us how you really feel. 
Silly me, when I have a party, I try to take in to account a wide variety of preferences for my potential guests. I have cooked meat for folks I know who would like to have it, namely my husband and his entire carnivorous family. But, actually, I was talking about catered parties, where the host has to cook nothing and can offer a choice of 4 or 5 main dishes. I don't thinks it's unreasonable to offer one fish, in addition to beef, chicken and pork or whatever other meat they so choose.
As susan says, people don't eat meat for a whole host of reasons that have nothing to do with being vegetarian, including health reasons. Kudos to you, BTW susan, what a lot of work you do for your lucky guests!  |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 689
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 7:04 pm: | |
Sorry to vent...
I recently had to cook for a friend of my husband's. She had recently become married to a Jewish woman and converted to Judaism. I was aware of the need to have a Kosher meal in their honor.
Then the phone calls began rolling in. She was also vegetarian, allergic to wheat, all sugar (except honey?), and they would like some meat for their toddler (kosher chicken) so no dairy (obviously) could be used in the meal. Her spouse was allergic to rice and shellfish.
GIVE ME A BREAK!
We had Thai with coconut milk, rice on the side and no nam pla (fish sauce...might have shell fish) I did sneak in some brown sugar into one of the sauces. When I found store bought Kosher macaroons for desert I was given the evil-eye for being such an idiot. Duh! wheat!
Sorry to rant but never again. I completely understand medical concerns (but really ALL sugar?) I also understand religious limitations...my pots and pans may not live up to some people's religious needs. But when people choose special diets "just because - it's icky" I (obviously) loose it when they complain. Life does not need to be so complicated. SIMPLIFY, be flexible or eat at home.
Susan 1014 you are a saint.(Or the Hebrew equivalent.) |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 655
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 8:00 pm: | |
The key is that no one in the family ASKS us to cook special food for them. We know their medical issues and choose to go out of our way to help them out. We know that some of them would have to bring their own food or not eat if we did otherwise (and my husband is head cook and mensch on this one...I'm just chief bottlewasher!)
If people started calling up with all the lists and special requests, I think we'd just suggest that the party should be at their house, and ask what we can bring...or ask them to suggest a restaurant that can meet their needs. |
bearstew
Citizen
Username: Bearstew
Post Number: 6
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 10:07 pm: | |
no, Ed is no longer affiliated with Afare,but , Pete who worked w/him is thenew chef/owner. We have been to the place whenpete was cooking and we loved everything. It will be new, new name, new menu new staff but I think,IMHO that we can count on the same excellence we've had there before. |
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 917
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 9:22 am: | |
AlleyG
how can you be a "vegetarian that eats fish"?
What's the difference between you and a "vegetarian that eats beef liver"?
I don't think either are "vegetarians" |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 424
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 11:08 am: | |
Drew, I COMPLETELY AGREE. I could see how many people would be confused and have every right to NOT call me a vegetarian. But it's the easiest way to explain what I eat. I am a vegetarian that eats fish, dairy and eggs. Also it isn't THAT uncommon. I've heard other people call it a Lacto/Ovo/Pesce Vegetarian in the past.
I am not ANTI-MEAT, and I hate when people harrass me about my vegetarianism when I don't harrass them about their carnivorism (or omnivorism as you guys call it). I personally would have no problem whatsoever if someone said they were a Vegetarian who partook of Liver (cause as we all know they go very well with a nice bottle of Chianti and some Fava Beans). I have met many vegetarians who use the disclaimer that they like a good steak a few times a year or eat chicken regularly. I sometimes giggle to myself that that isn't a Vegetarian too. So i don't think your question is outrageous at all. But with all of my own food quirks, I will NOT be the first one to cast any culinary stones. I didn't even mention yet how I don't like a TON of vegetables (including the Vegetarian Option du jour - Portabello Mushroom -- yet another reason to eat fish).
KMK: If I was entertaining guests I would consider it my obligation to find out their food quirks and try to cater to them. My wife and I had a blast cooking for our friend who had EXTREME food issues. Was it a bit irritating? Sure, but it was also a bit fun. We both saw it as our obligation to do since we knew of her food issues BEFORE we invited her. We could have just as easily gone to a restaurant, and no one would have been offended.
I never expect people to cater to my food issues (all of which are preference related, none medical). I understand that if I'm going to be picky, I may go hungry AND miss out on the good stuff. I feel like a big rear-end when I go to a foreign country and then act like an American. I feel similarly when I go to someones house and my food becomes an issue. For instance, I hate when my mother in law dotes on me because I hate the extra attention thrust upon me or when someone cooks something special that I don't like (ie, Portabello Mushrooms or Eggplant). I have occassionally brought my own food (like veggie burgers to a Bar-B-Que) but I usually prefer to just scavenge all the side dishes.
Please also note, that I can usually find something to eat at EVERY restaurant I go to. I never complain about what type of restaurant my wife or friends go to (including Steak Houses). That is where eating fish comes in REALLY handy for me, because I can usually eat SOMETHING at almost any place. I was NOT complaining that more restaurants should cater to vegetarians. I will admit that I was hoping that someone from American Fare would see my post and consider offering some different options. I PERSONALLY didn't care for the menu there. If a restaurant is cheap and I don't love the menu, I will often go to it anyway just to try it out. But American Fare was moderate to expensive and that made me NOT want to try it. Is it unrealistic to think that an overly picky vegetarian should try to have some influence over a local restaurants menu readjustments? Well yeah, but I'm just stupid enough to give it a try. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 690
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 12:20 pm: | |
Maybe dinner guests should qualify their acceptance to dinner with their list of approved foods?
The woman that I cooked for had been in my home 5 years ago. She was a single, heteosexual, Christian, meat-eater at that time. I knew she had had some life-style changes but I was not given a clear picture of the food limitations until the night before.
My question - honestly - is why do people limit their diets voluntarily? Love of animals? Repulsion? Health benefits? Is it most often a mental or physical choice? Is there ever a thought that "I will allow myself to eat everything...some items in moderation?"
FWIW: I stongly dislike olives. I will eat them if served however. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 426
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 2:56 pm: | |
kmk: you are a better person than me. I however won't eat olives if they are served to me. I'm not sure how eating things in moderation is even an issue when you dislike something. I do however try things that I hate (but never meat) occassionally just to be open minded (and sometimes just to appease my wife) or convince someone else to not be so close-minded.
As for why people will limit their diets voluntarily, the answer for me is that I was a picky eater when I was a kid and am a picky eater now, and that has NOTHING to do with me being vegetarian. The reason I became a vegetarian was because I was living with vegetarians for 2 years straight when my girlfriend (now my wife) who I always shared meals with (you know "halfsies") told me that for health reasons her doctor suggested going vegetarian. Since I was already "almost" a vegetarian for 2 years it really was no sweat for me to do and would allow us to still share dishes with each other -- and I did want to support her to be healthy. About 6 months later when my girlfriend went back to meat, I found it hard to follow her. The idea of putting meat in my mouth seemed almost repellent to me. I guess at that point I understood and already (probably unconsciously) had adjusted and committed to the lifestyle change. Also keep in mind that while it originally had little or nothing to do with my choice of becoming a vegetarian, I LOVE ANIMALS and hold a very special place in my heart for them. I never mention the politics of animals (I eat fish and wear leather so don't want to be a hypocrite or to let politics rule my life as I've seen it do to many well-meaning vegetarians) when I talk or am asked about my vegetarianism but I suspect it is something that floats in the back of my head where I continue to ignore it. And just for the record, I usually joke and say that "fish can't smile" when asked.
As for other people. Well, I'm sure your going to find millions of answers to your question. But most answers you'll find are going to be typical things like: Meat tastes gross, Meat is murder, Meat is unhealthy, I feel better when I don't eat Meat, I eat so little Meat already why not, etc.
There is a whole political side to not only the killing of animals but the lack of ecological sense involved in the breeding of animals for food. And for ideologues that might be their reason. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3491
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 3:10 pm: | |
I could never choke down an olive. ICK! |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 1723
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 4:43 pm: | |
When I was a kid my mom taught me how to grill one of those frozen steaks. And I loved them RARE.
So one day I grill up a steak, cut it up and was sitting on the porch eating with my fingers (maybe there wasn’t clean forks or something, not sure), but the Vet came up from the Barn to use the phone. He took one look at the steak and said “I could sow that together and make it walk outa here” Man I love beef.
|
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 481
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 6:22 pm: | |
Brett - I'm right there with you buddy! Give me a good rare steak any day. In fact, at my parents' house, when the steak is served to me, I often joke by sticking my fork in it and letting out a loud "Moooooo!" |
Agent Orange
Citizen
Username: Agentorange
Post Number: 18
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 3:12 pm: | |
anyway, checked the menu outside Terra today...and there are not only 2 appetizers for veggie lovers (or is it animal lovers?) there are also two salads, and 3 main courses and one special. that's a total of 8 different plates...I think that beats out every other spot in maplewood village.
CHEERS!
|
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 39
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 4:40 pm: | |
My daughter is a vegetarian for the "ethical" reasons that she found when she was guided to some websites about the mistreatment of some animals who are bred for food. I continue to cook meat in our home and she eats what she can pick out of our meals and adds her own protein etc.
Never would she expect someone to cook specifically for her but has been pleasantly surprised at going to homes for dinner to find that they made something especially for her.
She really felt that her hosts/hostesses cared about her and her cause.
If I know in advacne that someone has a specific like/dislike or dietary restriction I always try to do something that will fit into their lifestyle....but KMK- bless your heart...that sounds like the dinner guest from hell!!!!!!!!!
How were you able to cook for her without a kosher kitchen?
|
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 7276
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 5:55 pm: | |
Miss Manners says that if you are a guest and your host offers you something you don't eat or like, the response is "no thank you" i.e. "I don't eat that." It's so simple, because it avoids the uncomfortable discussions. Eat the other stuff you can eat.
She also says it's OK to ask if there are preferences or restrictions, but all you have to do is your best. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 692
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 8:32 pm: | |
BGS,
I told her that my kitchen is not Kosher and assumed that since they did accept the invitation they would know about the pots and pans. We did, however, buy frozen Kosher ground turkey at Kings. When I got the "protein for the toddler" instructions it was after sunset on Friday and my attempt to visit a Kosher butcher was in vain!
I learned an enormous amount about myself, cooking and life in one meal! |
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