“We cater for vegetarians”

How many times have you seen that on a restaurant’s website? Yep, loads. How do they “cater for vegetarians”? They have a pasta dish and something with aubergine in (I don’t like aubergine much).

But at least the veggies amongst us are “catered for”.  Google “Vegan restaurants near me” and what do you get? Well, very little.  But, times they are a-changing, and although I couldn’t find any dedicated vegan restaurants in my local area I was surprised and sceptical to see Toby Carvery amongst the ones claiming to have a vegan menu.  Really, a carvery?

So, with my full sceptic head on I checked it out, and sure enough, they have a vegan menu. Does this mean no more going to the carvery with my meat-eating friends and just having a pile of vegetables?  Don’t get me wrong, I love vegetables, but sometimes it would be great to have a vegan meal that had a little more imagination.

Further investigation was needed so I checked out their menu, and they have 4 vegan choices and 3 vegetarian, yes one of them was aubergine but I realise that’s personal taste.  Not bad for a carvery.

But of course, the proof is in the mushroom and ale pie as they say.  So, there was only one thing to do, yes you’ve guessed it, it had to be tried. 

And I’ll be honest, I had set myself up for disappointment, but my preconceptions were unjustified.  The Roast Mushroom & Ale Pie, “Vegan roasted mushroom & ale pie with parsley shortcrust pastry and puff pastry lid.” Was exceptionally good.  The pastry was crispy, the pie full to the brim with mushrooms and there was certainly a good warm tang of ale.

If you would like to try it for yourself:

https://www.tobycarvery.co.uk/restaurants/east-of-england/theoldforgestevenage/carverymenu

So, perhaps things are improving, being a vegan is more accepted, less ‘odd’ and the big companies are getting wise to it.  After all, there are over 54,000 vegans in the UK and although Britain, in general, is a long way from being like Brighton, where there are dozens of vegan restaurants, we seem to be moving in the right direction.

If you want to hear more about vegan experiences around the country, the good, the bad and the scary, and see some easy vegan recipes you can keep following – Don’t Get Mean Get Vegan.