To bring another "ought" into the discussion... I would have thought that a curiosity and interest in different cooking methods and cuisines would be of great importance to a chef. Most chefs I've met over the years will give anything a crack. I don't see why vegan food would be any different...
Once I was in Footscray to see a show - we went to a pub afterwards for dinner. I seriously was just expecting to get chips. The menu was huge though (and mostly in French!) so I just asked the waitress if there was anything without meat or dairy - she pointed to the fish! There was nothing vegan on the menu.
But then she went and got the chef - he came out and quickly asked what I could have, got quite excited and dashed back to the kitchen.
When my vegan pasta was brought to the table, my friends were all saying "Oh I didn't see THAT on the menu, I wish I'd ordered that!"
It was great, the chef came out to see if I was happy and was really chuffed when I said I loved it - that's passion for your job! AND exactly the way people should be treated if they are willing to pay for a meal - I'll go back there (if I'm ever in Footscray again!)
I'm *fairly certain* it was the Station hotel.
That is great! Before I was vegan and lived in the west area, I went to The Station Hotel heaps - really good service!
In a sandwich bar in Austria we were told, "But with no meat and no cheese, there can be ... no sandwich". The Existentialist Sandwich Maker leads a profound life.
Aside from that though I'd have to echo what others have written. With a nice smile and lots of manners most places try their best to serve something good.
