Adventures in Dining

When diagnosed with Celiac Disease 6 years ago the only other person I knew who was also afflicted was over the age of 70 and told me quite definitively, that she "hadn't been out to eat in years, it's too complicated".  I refused to let that statement be my guiding light.. I was in my early 30s-eating out was, and still is, a large part of my social life. Sure, I knew I needed to make a major adjustment to my diet for my well being, which I did and saw an immediate impact on my health, but I made a conscious decision not to allow my CD to rule my world.   Regardless of whether traveling for work, domestically and internationally or just staying around whatever town I was currently living in, I was going to enjoy trying new foods and restaurants. 

After some trial, and uncomfortable error, I learned the key to dining out with a gluten allergy, or any allergy for that matter, is to know the menu and the people at your destination. The internet and smartphones now put a plethora of information at our fingertips. And what you don't find online, a simple call to the restaurant can make your dining out experience that much easier.

A few tips to guarantee a wonderful dining experience:

1. Call ahead to determine if the restaurant can accommodate your allergy. The best times to call are 11-11:30 or from 1:30-4:30.
2.  Ask to speak to a Chef. If the Chef is unavailable, a manager is the next best thing.  Always be sure to make a note of the name of the person with whom you spoke: Its always fun to impress your friends with the name of the chef at the local culinary hot spot.
3. Upon being seated at the restaurant, let your server know of your allergy and that you had already spoken with [insert name]. They'll likely be more than happy to help you enjoy your meal.

Don't forget to leave a BIG tip as well as thank your server AND the manager for accommodating your requests. Your generosity, and courtesy, will pave the way for the next person seeking an adventure in gluten free dining.