I got pasta at an Italian restaurant...It was great. The vegetables that they used to decorate the outside of the plate were fresh! I wanted to eat them but I don't know if it was proper etiquette. Someone took a lot of time carving them just so.
2006-12-29 10:06:03 · 9 answers · asked by Jel 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
within reason YES you can eat the garnish. they are made of edible products and YES someone took a LOT of time to carve them. it's often wasted food so.... eat up! also on a lot of garlic or seafood dishes and such - the parsley was put there for a reason -TO BE EATEN -parsley is a natural breath deodorizer!
2006-12-29 10:09:21 · answer #1 · answered by Marysia 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Carving food is definitely an art. Some are very nice to look at, and if they were put on your plate for you, by all means, do eat them. Any chef would appreciate the compliment that you not only enjoyed eating what they prepared, but enjoyed looking at it, too. It goes with the experience and is part of the presentation. However, if they were put out on a buffet, the first thing you should consider is how long have they been there? How long ago were those carved? If you have any doubts, ask a waiter. Its an issue of safety.
2006-12-29 10:22:59 · answer #2 · answered by Hoolia 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Hi there, if it is on the plate then it is part of the whole dish. The way in which the vegetables/garnish are prepared is for the presentation, visual effect. To please the appetite of the 'eye' will follow through to the physical appetite. Also, I follow the theory if I am paying for it then I can eat it or not eat it, my choice.
My youngest daughter loved parsley and would ask for everyone's parsley garnish when out, I saw no reason to refuse as it is a very healthy food.
2006-12-29 10:23:12 · answer #3 · answered by sag_kat2chat 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Chefs have a general rule of thumb...nothing should be put on the plate that is not edible!
You can eat it...that is what is there for, but it was arranged because the kitchen staff took pride in the overall presentation so you could enjoy it on many levels, visually as well as it's taste.
Enjoy!
2006-12-29 11:12:18 · answer #4 · answered by seaelen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a little odd and maybe not the peak of etiquette but I say if it's edible, why not? Just don't eat the umbrellas they put in your drinks or the little country flags in pieces of meat. Those are made from paper and wood and can cause all sorts of problems when eaten.
2006-12-29 10:08:53 · answer #5 · answered by Ryan 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would go ahead and eat them if you like. They are a part of the dish, and very nutritious to boot. Plus, they would otherwise be wasted. Not to mention that some garnishes(like parsley)actually are there to serve a purpose(freshening your breath).
2006-12-29 10:48:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
many times they garnish with salad leaves and so forth. that's definitely there to be eaten. Orange/Lemon i think you're meant to squeeze over your fowl/fish/and so forth. i'd devour the watermelon as i admire all styles of melon!
2016-12-15 11:02:07 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some instances, yes. It's even expected.
2006-12-29 10:53:11 · answer #8 · answered by ericscribener 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can eat them.
2006-12-29 13:39:56 · answer #9 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋