Fine Dining, Gluten-Free
Most people enjoy eating out now and then; it’s fun to forget about kitchen duty and head for a favorite restaurant. For people who eat a gluten-free diet, though, eating out isn’t always easy.
Many restaurants serve food that’s laden with gluten and fat. And though some are happy to cater to special requirements, others don’t want to be bothered. It can be a challenge to find a restaurant that offers a great gluten-free meal; but the challenge can become a pleasant experience--with a little preparation
If you want to insure a good experience, call the restaurant beforehand. Talk with the chef—not a waitress or the manager. The chef is the only person who can address the issue authoritatively, because s/he is the person who will prepare the food. Ask what gluten-free dishes the chef can prepare—and then ask questions. Do the vegetables have a sauce? Is the meat breaded? Will the chef use fresh oil instead of oil that’s been used to cook meals containing wheat? These questions will reassure you--and provide guidelines for the chef.
Get to the restaurant before you’re really hungry, and talk with the chef again. There’s a chance that your food will be prepared by a different chef; and even if you spoke with the same person before, it helps to meet face to face and insure that s/he understands your needs.
Always be polite! If you’re courteous, the staff is more likely to want to please you. And afterwards, if they did please you—if your meal was prepared safely and gluten-free—let them know! Promise to return often, and tell them that you’ll spread the good word.
Some people carry a card printed with the details of their diet—including the symptoms they suffer when they eat wheat. The card can include basic instructions for gluten-free cooking, providing the chef with a handy check-list. Diet cards are available at several Internet sites; or you can make your own.
If you’re forced to eat at a new restaurant without advance preparation, talk with the chef and request a very plain meal: sautéed meat and steamed vegetables, for instance. No, it won’t be the best meal you’ve ever eaten in a restaurant; but it will be healthy.
The good news is that many restaurants are beginning to cater to gluten-free eaters. In fact, some restaurants are now registered as being gluten-free, and more are hopping on the band wagon. Glutenfreeregistry.com registers gluten-free restaurants; you can search their site for a gluten-free restaurant near you.
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