Food is activism!
Last month my friend Tammy York, the powerhouse behind 719woman.com, and her husband Paul invited Dave and me to dinner at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, where Paul is the General Manager. It was our first time meeting Paul (he’s awesome!) and he was anxious to see what kind of vegan dining experience I would have in their dining room.
Vegetable Napoleon with Quinoa
I ordered the Vegetable Napoleon which I believe they had to veganize by using a different stock when caramelizing the onion (ask!)
As we chatted, getting to know one another, Paul asked how I was finding dining out in Colorado Springs as a vegan. I told him I was managing quite well, but that I really missed a vegan breakfast options when dining out. “What do you mean?” he asked. I explained that getting a solid vegan breakfast at a restaurant is quite challenging (I’ll have the omelet, hold the egg and cheese, leaves you with scant sautéed veggies!). I told him about tofu scrambles, pancakes made with nut milks, etc. Paul excused himself. He returned to the table to say that Chef Savage was going to look into this.
Last weekend Tammy sent me an email. “The Cliff House now has two vegan items on the breakfast menu. Care to join me?” YES!
Here it is, the permanent breakfast menu, not a special one!
It was exciting to see the vegan menu items loud and proud on the permanent breakfast menu but it was even more exciting to order both (hey, all in the name of research!) and see them brought out from the kitchen in all their glory.
The french toast is actually thinly sliced tofu, not bread, served with cinnamon, pecans and a side of maple syrup.
The french toast is soft in the center, rather “egg-y”, actually, and Tammy said that she might not have even known it was tofu!
The tofu scramble was filled with beautiful red peppers, spinach and onion.
and served with a delectable side of potatoes and fruit.
Again, Tammy said, “This is like eating scrambled eggs!”
Huge success. The vegan and the omnivore were pleased with the vegan breakfast at The Cliff House!
And that’s the point.
When I ask a restaurant to consider adding more plant-based items to a menu it isn’t just about me or other vegans. Yes, it means vegans have something to eat but tofu isn’t a vegan food. It’s just food. Lots of people like tofu! Many people who travel are searching for breakfast alternatives and now the beautiful Cliff House is offering just that. WIN!
Tomorrow night is the second session of my vegan lifestyle class; we will be talking about staying vegan when out in the world. One of the strategies I coach is to talk to the managers or chefs of restaurants that we frequent. If you are, or I am, a regular customer they want us to come back. They want our business. So why not be direct and ask them to consider adding more plant-based options to the menu?
Sure, they might decline.
But look what happens when they say yes:
Food is activism!
Have you encouraged a local business to add vegan items to their menu? What was the result? Share your victories, experiences, or questions. Let’s help each other spread the good word!
14 thoughts on “Just ask! Vegan Breakfast now being served at The Cliff House in Manitou Springs, CO!”
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I love this post and have had many similar experiences. I think lack of confidence and fear of feeling like a “burden” often stop patrons from asking for vegan options, but I’ve almost always had great success when I do it! And it is a wonderful form of activism.
Here’s a small example: when I used to go on a ton of work lunches, I often had a hard time finding vegan options. When I simply asked for restaurants to combine two appetizer salads into a larger salad and add either rice or beans, they were always happy to–and I got a perfect lunch.
GREAT suggestion, @facebook-100001600461823:disqus! And since you probably frequented them often they became accustomed to the request, which is so great for other vegans who simply ask what they can eat. Very cool!
So true! great advice, and well said 🙂 I was just travelling in Peru, and went to a typical restaurant where they serve fixed plate lunches that are really inexpensive. All of the options listed for that day (there are usually only 1 or 2) involved meat, but I told them I was vegan and asked if I could get the salad without the egg on top, and just a plate of rice, beans and veggies (they had all of those listed as side options) and they were super happy to put it together for me 🙂 Also – once when I was younger, I asked for a peanut butter sandwich in a Moxie’s restaurant, and the server looked at me funny but they made it for me 🙂 Sometimes the best things come when you ask!
How great, @heathernicholds:disqus, that you were able to be so accommodated while abroad! And look what you did for other vegans traveling! YAY!
What a smart manager, I am so impressed that they added two items to their permanent menu! Breakfast is always the trickiest for eating out and this makes me so happy to see!
Exactly, @betterwithveg:disqus, such a tough meal to have out!
Saw your post from Gena’s Facebook page; it is so awesome that the chef from that restaurant added those permanent items! I wish more places would consider that! I haven’t been able to do what you did but I always suggest things on suggestion cards and hope the chef/managers read them.
Thanks for stopping by, @TryingToHeal:disqus! I think leaving suggestions is a great way to advocate for change!
These both look wonderful, beautiful pictures! That Napoleon looks delicious too. I’d never have thought of making french toast with tofu… hopefully the chef had fun creating these. Good job!!
I thought the tofu “toast” was pretty clever, @twitter-464809434:disqus! I had leftovers and served it in a flour tortilla with vegan sour cream (love sweet and savory) SO GOOD!
This is awesome JL, and so inspiring! Since moving back home to Santa Barbara I’ve faced the same predicament – where’s a girl to get a good vegan brekkie??? There isn’t a single tofu scramble in this whole town.
There’s a restaurant in my neighborhood which is known for it’s veg-friendly fare, and my friend has already talked to them about vegan breakfast options. But htis was just the extra motivation I needed. I’m making it my mission to seek out hte manager and have a friendly conversation. 😉
Thanks for the kick in the pants!
@sayward:disqus, I am so happy this post helped encourage you! Please let us know how it turns out!
I can’t wait to try both! Thanks, JL! You’ve inspired me to “just ask” more often.
Can’t wait to hear what you think, @disqus_6g50DKcvNB:disqus!