Picky eaters at restaurants

So, I'm going to dinner tonight with my mom, at Mangia Mangia, which is sort of known for it's difficult head chef who will refuse special requests.
I am a little pre-emptively embarassed, as my mom is one of those people who always have to change something on a menu item.
I am of the mentality that the chef knows better than you, and if you don't like an item as it comes, get something different. Though I also understand my mom's POV- she's paying for it, make it how she wants...

I thought it might make for an interesting topic here.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

Stick with Burger King....

Have it YOUR way

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

I went to a place in Astorai for brunch.

they had all sorts of menu items that contained eggs but..

they would not make plain scrambled eggs for a 7 year old girl.

I never went back there.

I can't eat broccoli. but if I see something that is PERFECT for my but needs to have the broccoli excluded and you won't do it...just b/c you WON'T...I will hate you forever. b/c you just want me to suffer. and that is mean.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

My feeling is that I'm paying, so if there's an ingedient that I don't like, or can't eat (due to dietary restrictions), then it shouldn't be a problem to leave it out.

My DH and I both keep Kosher to a certain degree. Since I don't eat pork, if I want penne a la vodka, I will ask for it without proscuitto. I may look on the menu for something that comes only with ingredients that I like and will eat, but that may not always be available.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

I've never been a pick eater. And I guess that the fact that I was a veg for 15 years and would often dine out with friends/dh/family that were carnivores, it just made me an expert in what to order/not to order. I always made out okay and I always found something on the menu that I enjoyed.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

I can never go there.

Chef needs to be flexible. People have allergies, people have restrictions because of health issues - sure they could go somewhere else, but that's tough too when you are the picky one and everyone (or someone) wants to go to a certain place. You don't want to sacrifice someone else's enjoyment because you're picky or have restictions.

I just took this somewhere else.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

Totally didn't even think of you.
This is why it's a good post.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

i am a picky eater (i get nauseous easily, even before PG), and often if i go to a nicer restaurant there just isn't a choice on the menu that will work for me if i can't eliminate an item or two. i try to be as easy going as possible but i would not go to a restaurant knowing in advance that the chef was totally inflexible.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

I don't think I've ever ordered something different from how it is on the menu.

I do ,however, think its ok to ask to change 1 or 2 things, especially if its an extra.

Although, I totaly mock my cousin for ordering the *Mexican* chicken sandwhich, and then asking for no jalepons, no sour cream, guac on the side, therefore taking all the Mexican out of it.

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i'm a total modifier.

its very rare when i don't say "can you not put this---and put this instead?"

but i make sure i'm as nice as can be about it--have no problem paying extra if it necessary---but i am very weird. like i hate all things that are like 'toppings' and stuff with food---like lettuce, tomato, onions, mushrooms, peppers, pickles, artichokes, etc.

so that is why i always have to modify.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

I have never been to a restaurant that refused a request i have made.
My FH makes requests alot, as he is really picky, and the only time they say they cant do it, is if its already been premade.

Re: Picky eaters at restaurants

I am a picky eater (and I don't eat meat) and just always make sure I ask for things super nice and it usually isn't a problem. If it is I order something else even if it wasn't my first choice.