I am a coeliac, not by choice but by necessity. I cannot eat anything containing gluten or else I have a fatal anaphylactic reaction. I then have 20 minutes to self administer adrenaline via an epipen that has a 50% chance of malfunctioning. Good job I always carry two epipens with me.
Tonight I asked for the gluten free menu and the waiter duly complied within moments. I proceeded to order a gluten free pepperoni pizza. It took 30 minutes to arrive, by which time all of my fellow dinners had finished their meals.
When the pizza arrived, not only was it not pre cut with the pizza wheel it did not contain any pepperoni!! When I complained I firstly told by the chef that pepperoni means peppers in a Zizzi restaurant. Having drawn to his attention that pepperoni is on the gluten free menu and that was what I had ordered he then told me that vegans do not eat meat!! He refused to understand the difference between gluten free and vegan diets. A disaster waiting to happen. Another Pret A Manger in the making.
The pizza was taken away and then brought back five minutes later with pepperoni added - not a fresh pizza. Being reheated the pizza base was burned and inedible.
When will people in charge of food preparation understand that being a vegan is a matter of choice and is a voluntary act. Being a coeliac is not a lifestyle choice, but a death sentence that could be inflicted by the ignorant or non caring.
A very poor culinary experience. A shame because the waiter service was impeccable.