Vegan: Eating Out...

Last night I had a badminton social meal at Taybarns. I can’t even begin to describe the sheer awesomeness of the ‘ultimate eatery,’ so, I’ll let their PR and marketing team explain.

If temptation was gonna find me. It was gonna find me there!

Now, as a restaurant worker myself, I know what it’s like to be busy, surrounded by customers, and approached by someone with dietary requirements who wants lengthy details of the ingredients and components in EVERY dish on the menu. Now, I hope I can portray this thought without sounding like a horrible person. (Here goes…!) People with allergies I can handle. If something is going to make someone violently ill, I can understand them being cautious. Vegans and vegetarians however, well, they’re not so much a pillar of morality as a pain in my backside!

Before this sparks a whole load of controversy, please note that it’s usually only when I’m at work, and under severe pressure that this thought comes to mind… usually.

I bit the bullet, risked being the irritating fusspot and approached a team member, asking if the tomato soup was suitable for vegans. She first pointed me in the direction of the chef, but then sought a manager, who then pointed me back in the direction of the same chef, who got me a folder with a list of ingredients. I tried to make a mental note of all the suitable dishes, (I was pleasantly surprised at the number of them) but seeing I was struggling, the chef allowed me to take the whole folder back to my table with me. I found the staff to be a helpful and friendly bunch who, if they did consider me an inconvenience, didn’t show it.

A servery section, all of which I was allowed!

I had a few bits of salad (avoiding the coleslaw and potato salad obviously) with a nice French dressing. Followed by corn on the cob, mushy peas, a raisin and coconut rice salad, potato wedges with a few baked beans and a couple of chips on the side.On my third trip to the buffet I had Roast vegetable arrabiata pasta.

The only suitable dessert was fruit salad. In my opinion pudding isn’t pudding if it doesn’t ooze calories, so I gave it a miss.

The all too tempting forbidden desserts! Hmmmm!

Cream, pastry AND chocolate? DEFINITELY unsuitable!

 They offer a great student discount, but I think even if I were to have paid full price, I would still feel as if I’d had my money’s worth. I would have enjoyed the experience more if I’d been allowed meat and dairy, but I still left with a full stomach.



All in all, I was a satisfied little vegan customer!