The Grill at Hacienda del SolWe could not recall the last time that we had gotten really dressed up, and went out to a 5-star dinner just the two of us, and enjoyed what is formally called a "Date Night". Of course, the name of our venue choice, which includes the word "grill" suggests that we may not be entirely thrilled with the menu, but the reservation was made obligingly by the staff with the knowledge that we had "special dietary needs". They also guaranteed us a table with a lovely view. Maybe it was not exactly a special occasion, but a "long-time-coming" date night is no small thing.
We donned our finest apparel and jewelry, and set out for our 6:45 dinner reservations. When we stepped out of our car, and handed the key to the valet, it was a gorgeous October Tucson evening. The last remnants of indigo and orange lingered in the sky above the grounds, and the temperature was a pleasant mix of the remaining warmth of the day and the subtle desert night chill. Decorative lights were strung along the path to our dinner.
The hostess greeted us, and next an older gentleman led us to our table sans the "lovely view". Our back corner booth was not exactly what we expected. Guy requested a table change, and we were subsequently moved into another corner, also sans the "lovely view", but at least neither of us had to stress our lumbar spines at a booth table for four.
Next, our waiter introduced himself and said, "I understand that we have some special dietary needs tonight." What is so special about vegetables, we wanted to ask? Streams of inappropriate comebacks quickly flooded our minds. We kept quiet . . . but seriously!
How about this for a special diet: 9 months gestation time for a calf, which is subsequently ripped from it's mother minutes after birth. Then, 6 to 12 months of nutrient-rich grains (oh, and don't forget the antibiotics) are fed to the cow until sufficiently fattened. The cow is then led unwillingly to the slaughterhouse to face the ultimate act of cruelty and disrespect for life! A metal rod is shot through its skull, its hindlegs are chained and yanked up to the ceiling, and its abdomen is slit from end to end as the "factory" quickly processes all of its body parts for human consumption. But prior to consumption, the flesh must ironically first be cooked and slathered with vegetable-derived sauces and spices to make its taste appealing. Those are some special dietary needs, indeed.
The night went on and on with the bizarre slights from the servers. Naturally, having chose "the Grill" for its ambiance and well-regarded service, we remained superficially pleasant, but silently disgusted by the presence of items like Foie gras and veal scallopini on the menu. The servers, though, could apparently not return the same courtesy. We particularly liked the comment, "Well, I was going to offer you some dessert, but. . . well, we could certainly bring you some fruit." Last time we checked, our freezer was filled to the hilt with delicious dairy-free ice cream flavors like coconut milk cookie dough. Not to mention, cocoa powder is delicious on its own, and does not actually need to be tainted by the fat and secretions of animals.
We paid our $250 dinner bill, and remained complacent. After all, it is a beautiful place to have dinner, and we shared a good bottle of pinot noir and interesting conversations with our sizzling HOT dates! We almost made it out of there with our value systems intact.
But as we waited at the valet station, one of the valet parking attendants dealt the final blow to our integrity. He asked what we had for dinner, and we told him that we had meals prepared specifically for us because we are both vegans. We politely informed him that the food was delicious and that we were very pleased. Next, he asked us one of our very favorite questions: "Where do you get your protein?". It was an unbelievable evening.
Without delving too deeply into our medical and scientific backgrounds, and without divulging details about digestive proteases and hydrolysis and protein biosynthesis, we simply stated that our bodies are able to provide for us with the right combinations of foods and complex carbohydrates. He then proceeded to tell us that he is a personal trainer, and that, really, our beliefs were only true to some degree but that we needed to eat protein. We then told him that it had been years since either of us had eaten meat (and we look so protein-deficient, don't we?). Yes, but really, what would 2 physicians know about metabolism and biochemistry anyway? No need to bring up the Krebs' cycle with this dude.
As our car pulled into the valet circle, and we walked to it after our pricey dinner, our valet parker/personal trainer said, "Well, if you worked out really hard you'd need to eat protein." It would have been a great time for Guy to show off his rippling biceps and his six-pack abs! But we got into our car, and it seemed that the only thing to do was remind ourselves, "People know not. And they know not that they know not."
We donned our finest apparel and jewelry, and set out for our 6:45 dinner reservations. When we stepped out of our car, and handed the key to the valet, it was a gorgeous October Tucson evening. The last remnants of indigo and orange lingered in the sky above the grounds, and the temperature was a pleasant mix of the remaining warmth of the day and the subtle desert night chill. Decorative lights were strung along the path to our dinner.
The hostess greeted us, and next an older gentleman led us to our table sans the "lovely view". Our back corner booth was not exactly what we expected. Guy requested a table change, and we were subsequently moved into another corner, also sans the "lovely view", but at least neither of us had to stress our lumbar spines at a booth table for four.
Next, our waiter introduced himself and said, "I understand that we have some special dietary needs tonight." What is so special about vegetables, we wanted to ask? Streams of inappropriate comebacks quickly flooded our minds. We kept quiet . . . but seriously!
How about this for a special diet: 9 months gestation time for a calf, which is subsequently ripped from it's mother minutes after birth. Then, 6 to 12 months of nutrient-rich grains (oh, and don't forget the antibiotics) are fed to the cow until sufficiently fattened. The cow is then led unwillingly to the slaughterhouse to face the ultimate act of cruelty and disrespect for life! A metal rod is shot through its skull, its hindlegs are chained and yanked up to the ceiling, and its abdomen is slit from end to end as the "factory" quickly processes all of its body parts for human consumption. But prior to consumption, the flesh must ironically first be cooked and slathered with vegetable-derived sauces and spices to make its taste appealing. Those are some special dietary needs, indeed.
The night went on and on with the bizarre slights from the servers. Naturally, having chose "the Grill" for its ambiance and well-regarded service, we remained superficially pleasant, but silently disgusted by the presence of items like Foie gras and veal scallopini on the menu. The servers, though, could apparently not return the same courtesy. We particularly liked the comment, "Well, I was going to offer you some dessert, but. . . well, we could certainly bring you some fruit." Last time we checked, our freezer was filled to the hilt with delicious dairy-free ice cream flavors like coconut milk cookie dough. Not to mention, cocoa powder is delicious on its own, and does not actually need to be tainted by the fat and secretions of animals.
We paid our $250 dinner bill, and remained complacent. After all, it is a beautiful place to have dinner, and we shared a good bottle of pinot noir and interesting conversations with our sizzling HOT dates! We almost made it out of there with our value systems intact.
But as we waited at the valet station, one of the valet parking attendants dealt the final blow to our integrity. He asked what we had for dinner, and we told him that we had meals prepared specifically for us because we are both vegans. We politely informed him that the food was delicious and that we were very pleased. Next, he asked us one of our very favorite questions: "Where do you get your protein?". It was an unbelievable evening.
Without delving too deeply into our medical and scientific backgrounds, and without divulging details about digestive proteases and hydrolysis and protein biosynthesis, we simply stated that our bodies are able to provide for us with the right combinations of foods and complex carbohydrates. He then proceeded to tell us that he is a personal trainer, and that, really, our beliefs were only true to some degree but that we needed to eat protein. We then told him that it had been years since either of us had eaten meat (and we look so protein-deficient, don't we?). Yes, but really, what would 2 physicians know about metabolism and biochemistry anyway? No need to bring up the Krebs' cycle with this dude.
As our car pulled into the valet circle, and we walked to it after our pricey dinner, our valet parker/personal trainer said, "Well, if you worked out really hard you'd need to eat protein." It would have been a great time for Guy to show off his rippling biceps and his six-pack abs! But we got into our car, and it seemed that the only thing to do was remind ourselves, "People know not. And they know not that they know not."
. . . And then can we just briefly regress
and stick out our tongues
and shout to all of those people,
"Nanny nanny boo boo!!
We still get ID'd!!
We look like we're 20!
And you are fat and ugly!"?
and stick out our tongues
and shout to all of those people,
"Nanny nanny boo boo!!
We still get ID'd!!
We look like we're 20!
And you are fat and ugly!"?
Oops!! Did we say that?
"From beasts we scorn as soulless,
In forest, field and den,
The cry goes up to witness
The soullessness of men."
M.F. Hartley
In forest, field and den,
The cry goes up to witness
The soullessness of men."
M.F. Hartley
4 comments:
What a frustrating night. Those workers were way out of line and ill informed.
OMG. WHAT a DISASTER! At least your meal was good. Cindy and I went there a few years ago and the vegetarian dish was AWFUL. We haven't been back. In reading your description, I'm glad. Too bad, because it is an attractive restaurant with some nice views.
.
Oh well, luckily James Beard Award winning Chef Janos is a stone's throw away from HdS, and he has the view AND a clue!
sorry to hear about your experience there. We were there many years ago and met Dr Wile there. That overweight bearded phony fits well there!
I hope you didn't leave a 20% tip. Or tip your helpful valet!
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