MY topic for discussion is the parlous state of restaurants in this city. I refer specifically to restaurants at the upper end of the market and the absent-minded way in which they fail to cater for vegetarians.

It seems like a very common-sense business decision as far as I can see to offer a variety of options (two would be a start) to vegetarians in order to attract them into a restaurant. Additionally, the profit margin is better on non-meat dishes.

I appreciate those cooking may be critical of those who do not eat meat, but put this to one side and think about your professional reputations!

I imagine it is extremely off-putting for vegetarian tourists who are willing to part with large sums of cash (apart from possibly the carnivorous French) when they are greeted with an advertised choice of one, which is often a meat dish with the meat simply removed - shame on you Caf Rouge. It may also be worth adding for the confused that fish dishes are not vegetarian.

Whilst there is, no doubt, some damn fine cooking to be found in this city, if you are vegetarian you probably need to go some way to find it, and indeed to be provided with anything approaching the choice we carnivores enjoy.

I challenge those restaurants who think themselves to be of such quality to branch out - shiny stars and better business or black marks, the decision is yours.

Nick Wharton,

McHugh Court,

Heslington, York.

Updated: 10:32 Tuesday, November 15, 2005