Sir, – I could not agree more with Ronan McEvoy (November 18th) regarding the ubiquitous mushroom risotto as the vegetarian "choice" on many restaurant menus in Dublin. I would like to extend his appeal nationwide and beyond the Christmas party season. Risotto and most pasta dishes would not be served as main courses in their country of origin, so why here?
Please, chefs, give us a little more fun (but not fungus) on our night out. – Yours, etc,
URSULA EGAN,
Ballincollig,
Co Cork.
Sir, – I note with interest the letter appealing to Dublin chefs to stop serving mushroom risotto as the only vegetarian option for the main course.
May I respectfully suggest that the writer reads restaurant menus before taking his seat?
If it is too late and he is already seated, I would further suggest that upon spying a lone fungal option that he up sticks and takes his euro elsewhere? This approach is likely to be more effective than writing to your august publication. – Yours, etc,
EOGHAN DALY,
London.
Sir, – In the past few months I have noticed the relentless promotion of mushroom soup as the soup du jour, every jour, on the restaurant menus of Limerick, be they five-star hotels or simple cafes.
A change of vegetable is most desirable – variety being the spice of life, especially in culinary matters. I hope we can all have a mushroom-free Christmas, if not a white one.
It would make a welcome change for diners generally. – Yours, etc,
RONNIE MADDEN,
Limerick.