V-Spot
Comments
-
I used to live in Asia, and it always amused me when vegetarian western friends of mine would order a "Vegetarian Soup" that would turn out to be full of pork or beef. When they'd question it, the waitress would innocently point out that the soup did indeed have plenty of vegetables in it too.
I think many a vegetarian has met his/her demise in the far east. -
escap wrote: I hear you. Similarly, I can't eat vegetables but I miss broccoli like you wouldn't believe, so I fashion my hamburgers into broccoli, carrots and other vegetable shapes and then eat them that way. It's not like the real thing, but it's the best that I can do.
Heh.:roll:
I actually can't eat raw broccoli because it makes me break out in hives, and I wish I still could (I didn't develop the reaction until I was in my 20s). Fortunately I can eat cooked broccoli. But if for some reason I couldn't (or decided not to) eat even cooked broccoli, or, say, spinach, or potatoes, I would miss them like crazy, and definitely try any substitutes that I could find... -
escap wrote: [quote=terra]For vegans, eating meat is just not an option (or rather an option on the same level as cannibalism--would do it to survive, but not otherwise). But veganism is not about asceticism or self-deprivation. I get the best options available to satisfy the culinary tastes that I acquired as a child and young adult. I still love the taste of meat, but would never eat the real thing just because I like it.
I hear you. Similarly, I can't eat vegetables but I miss broccoli like you wouldn't believe, so I fashion my hamburgers into broccoli, carrots and other vegetable shapes and then eat them that way. It's not like the real thing, but it's the best that I can do.
My husband on the other hand was raised a vegetarian, and since he has never tasted meat, his quest is not the perfect fake steak, but a perfect fake "cheese" pizza. He wants to reclaim the memories of his own childhood comfort foods that he misses. But again, he would never eat the real thing for ethical reasons.
Elena
I think your tongue-in-cheek analogy is at least a little bit flawed, but I can see that it may be amusing if one hasn't given much thought to the ethical aspect of food consumption. However funny it may be, it is a personal ethical choice to commit to a certain lifestyle. The mere fact that because killing and horrid exploitation of human animals is generally frowned upon in most human societies while the same acts aimed at nonhuman animals are considered accepted agricultural practices does not absolve one of personal responsibility for one's actions.
As for traveling to places in the world where the concept of veganism is absolutely foreign, it is a matter of being prepared. We once had to survive on cheapest bread and raw vegetables for six weeks in one Eastern European country where the term "vegetarian" covered anything with a minute amount of plant matter in it. That definitely wasn't fun and certainly aggravating (especially when not being able to communicate too well). We wished we had done more research ahead of time. -
well, in terms of human v. nonhuman animal treatment - this is why I choose organic meats and/or meats from ethical slaughterhouses. I was a cognitive science and math major in college and studied a lot of Temple Grandin's work (for those who don't know about her, google her name - she's really amazing and has done a lot of work trying to make slaughterhouses more ethical).
with respect to foreign countries - research is definitely important. I have a long history of learning how to say "I am allergic to and will die if I eat eggplant" in various languages. -
alafairnadia wrote: well, in terms of human v. nonhuman animal treatment - this is why I choose organic meats and/or meats from ethical slaughterhouses.
I'm interested to hear your method for determining which slaughterhouses are ethical.
For anyone who is vegetarian or vegan and may be travelling there is the vegan passport. -
Isa wrote: [quote=alafairnadia]well, in terms of human v. nonhuman animal treatment - this is why I choose organic meats and/or meats from ethical slaughterhouses.
I'm interested to hear your method for determining which slaughterhouses are ethical.
For anyone who is vegetarian or vegan and may be travelling there is the vegan passport.
you can take a look at this:
http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2004/12/dr_temple_grand.html
it's not pretty. generally, kosher meat or organic meat from a slaughterhouse that is aiming for more humane treatment of animals fit the standards that, for the most part, Temple Grandin outlined. obviously, it's not easy to determine these slaughterhouses/meat "brands". but what is obvious is meat quality. and the slaughterhouse, as Dr. Grandin (among others) points out, is very responsible for quality because adrenaline and blood flow affect tenderness and flavor. -
alafairnadia wrote: well, in terms of human v. nonhuman animal treatment - this is why I choose organic meats and/or meats from ethical slaughterhouses. I was a cognitive science and math major in college and studied a lot of Temple Grandin's work (for those who don't know about her, google her name - she's really amazing and has done a lot of work trying to make slaughterhouses more ethical).
Would you consider those slaughterhouses ethical if they were "processing" human beings for other beings' food consumption?
with respect to foreign countries - research is definitely important. I have a long history of learning how to say "I am allergic to and will die if I eat eggplant" in various languages.
The question is whether there is any valid reason to draw the line between human and nonhuman animals when it comes to specific actions (and that doesn't mean granting votes to chimpanzees as many people are so fond of pointing out). Unless one is a deeply religious person, it is somewhat difficult to imagine that, based on all the science we have now, and all the genetic evidence as to the relationship between human and nonhuman species, and most importantly, other species' ability to suffer and exist for purposes other than those related to human, one could be comfortable with discontinuous mode of thinking about ethics. -
Hey, did one of the moderators delete my post?? :x :x I posted a mildly sarcastic remark, all meant in good fun, and it seems to have disappeared. Can we chalk this up to a mysterious system glitch, or was I censored??!! If so, can we censor-ees at least get a PM reprimanding us or something, just so we know?
-
I believe it's important for people to be educated about the issue, and I hope very much that society becomes more compassionate and civilized. But I think every person has to make their own decisions, and I'll wager five bucks that no one's ever changed anyone else's mind about anything on an Internet forum.
-
laura wrote: I believe it's important for people to be educated about the issue, and I hope very much that society becomes more compassionate and civilized. But I think every person has to make their own decisions, and I'll wager five bucks that no one's ever changed anyone else's mind about anything on an Internet forum.
I agree absolutely. Each one of us is only responsible for one's own actions. No one can change the world or others (or should want to)--we can only change ourselves.
Anyway, I believe it's quite clear where I stand on the subject, so I shall spare everyone further vegan drivel. -
i don't believe extremes to be healthy
though i practice them quite often
human beings when starving for food
have been known to eat the bare walls
i can't imagine that before chowing down on a slab of plaster
i'd say no to a cheeseburger -
No argument here. If I had to survive, I would eat meat or any other animal product and would kill the source of the meat with my bare hands (or any other implement). Any vegan or vegetarian that thinks that he would rather die than kill another being is either deceiving himself, or has never given it a thought (I have hard time believing in saints in general). Thankfully, very few people at least in this society currently face this choice.
-
there was a report in the news last week
about how pregnant female vegans
have a {don't quote the numbers} 30% less chance
of having twins than dairy/meat eaters
women accumulate a certain hormone fed to the animal
and it accumulates in their system
resulting in twins
or something like that... -
quijibo wrote: there was a report in the news last week
yeah. estrogen. I do try to stick to organic meat! the mass produced crap is ... crap.
about how pregnant female vegans
have a {don't quote the numbers} 30% less chance
of having twins than dairy/meat eaters
women accumulate a certain hormone fed to the animal
and it accumulates in their system
resulting in twins
or something like that... -
Subject: The V-Spot
Hello everyone, I am the owner of The V-Spot and I want to say that I do appreciate all of the criticism. I just have a few comments. We have made several changes already and will be making more very soon. We have already made improvements on the salad and plan on adding others to the menu. Although I do not want to remove any of the vegan junk food items from the menu (as I am vegan for ethical reasons and not for health) I am adding more healthy vegan food. We currently serve brown rice/whole wheat buns for burgers and also have quinoa w/ mixed vegetables and kale and will soon be adding polenta with a mushroom ragout (more specials will come in time). The burger is def in trouble as i have had difficulty finding approriate vegan bread and the cooks are having trouble making the patties as I had specified. These problems will be changed within the week and the burgers will also be served with a small salad. The one thing that I did disagree with was about the sauces. The tomato sauces are all homemade sauces which I presonally think taste much better than what you can find store bought. I think tofutti sour cream tastes great but I am going to change the salsa. Well just wanted to let everyone know that it is a work in progress and that i am very open to advice, oh and not that this is anyones problem but mine, but i am a high school teacher during the day and it has been a little difficult to handle the two things at once, but dont worry because summer is coming very soon. thanks again. -
Subject: Re: The V-Spot
Danny wrote: Hello everyone, I am the owner of The V-Spot and I want to say that I do appreciate all of the criticism. I just have a few comments. We have made several changes already and will be making more very soon. We have already made improvements on the salad and plan on adding others to the menu. Although I do not want to remove any of the vegan junk food items from the menu (as I am vegan for ethical reasons and not for health) I am adding more healthy vegan food. We currently serve brown rice/whole wheat buns for burgers and also have quinoa w/ mixed vegetables and kale and will soon be adding polenta with a mushroom ragout (more specials will come in time). The burger is def in trouble as i have had difficulty finding approriate vegan bread and the cooks are having trouble making the patties as I had specified. These problems will be changed within the week and the burgers will also be served with a small salad. The one thing that I did disagree with was about the sauces. The tomato sauces are all homemade sauces which I presonally think taste much better than what you can find store bought. I think tofutti sour cream tastes great but I am going to change the salsa. Well just wanted to let everyone know that it is a work in progress and that i am very open to advice, oh and not that this is anyones problem but mine, but i am a high school teacher during the day and it has been a little difficult to handle the two things at once, but dont worry because summer is coming very soon. thanks again.
yay!
thanks for posting danny!!
the quinoa with kale sounds good
i'll be by tonight/tomorrow for dinner
in disguise :shock: -
Subject: yummmm!!!!!!!
i'vve eaten at the V Spot about 6 times since they've opened and have gotten consistently good food! I agree that they need to add more "healthy" options to the menu, but I talked to the owner and he assured me that the restaurant is always changing and he takes everyone's comments into consideration. It sounds like it's going to be more of a half and half type of thing now---half healthy, half comfort food.
The pasta with vodka sauce, the emapanadas, the chicken chopped sandwich and the chicken parmesan are some of my favorites!!! Also, the desserts kick ass!
I don't know...I've had some really good meals there and the one thing I wasn't super crazy about in the beginning was the tofu scramble (which is not from a mix) because I thought it was a little dry. but I decided to try it again this past weekend, and seriously, it was awesome! I just think the V Spot needs to iron out a few kinks and tweak the menu a bit and everything should be fine. -
Subject: Re: The V-Spot
Danny wrote: Hello everyone, I am the owner of The V-Spot and I want to say that I do appreciate all of the criticism. I just have a few comments. We have made several changes already and will be making more very soon. We have already made improvements on the salad and plan on adding others to the menu. Although I do not want to remove any of the vegan junk food items from the menu (as I am vegan for ethical reasons and not for health) I am adding more healthy vegan food. We currently serve brown rice/whole wheat buns for burgers and also have quinoa w/ mixed vegetables and kale and will soon be adding polenta with a mushroom ragout (more specials will come in time). The burger is def in trouble as i have had difficulty finding approriate vegan bread and the cooks are having trouble making the patties as I had specified. These problems will be changed within the week and the burgers will also be served with a small salad. The one thing that I did disagree with was about the sauces. The tomato sauces are all homemade sauces which I presonally think taste much better than what you can find store bought. I think tofutti sour cream tastes great but I am going to change the salsa. Well just wanted to let everyone know that it is a work in progress and that i am very open to advice, oh and not that this is anyones problem but mine, but i am a high school teacher during the day and it has been a little difficult to handle the two things at once, but dont worry because summer is coming very soon. thanks again.
Danny, the latin touches are great! please never remove them. i was not a fan of the burgers and did not find them filling enough. i'm glad you are addressing the issue. i am very glad you are part of the neighborhood and will continue to support your restaurant! best of luck to you. -
We went last week and it wasn't terribly great, but I am optimistic. The people were very nice, but the service took way too long. The food was fine, but by time we got it we were so frustrated by the wait that I can't really remember what we ate.
We will probably try again and want to support a vegan restaurant in the area. -
It's not bad. There are kinks to be ironed out, but it's a nice to have as an option. There's something about it here, along with photo of backyard area: http://gowanuslounge.blogspot.com/2006/06/v-spot-welcome-new-addition-to-fifth.html
Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
- 40K All Categories
- 27.1K Neighborhoods
- 5.1K Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
- 7.1K Prospect Heights
- 2.3K Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy
- 8K Park Slope
- 549 Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick
- 442 Flatbush/Midwood/Ditmas Park
- 657 BoCoCa (Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens)
- 151 Red Hook
- 104 Gowanus
- 304 Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst
- 130 Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay
- 270 Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Downtown
- 598 Windsor Terrace / Kensington
- 673 Greenwood Heights and Sunset Park
- 749 Brooklyn and Beyond
- 6.3K Stuff
- 86 Brooklyn Back When
- 1.2K Brooklyn Pets
- 257 Brooklyn Kids
- 241 Brooklyn Eats
- 51 Brooklyn Booze
- 3.6K The Lounge / Random Stuff
- 611 Brooklyn Politics
- 122 Brooklyn Sports and Fitness
- 111 Brooklyn Photos
- 339 Site Issues
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 6.2K Listings
- 1.1K APARTMENTS and REAL ESTATE
- 1.3K Sales Openings Events
- 2.3K The Classifieds