Gluten Free Garden

I have avoided restaurants for the past month because of the restrictions of my elimination diet, the LEAP Program.  Since I am traveling this week I did venture out to restaurants twice.  I am a fundraiser for higher education and I frequently meet alumni for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

My first attempt was at a sushi restaurant called the Sushi Den in Denver which came highly recommended by an alumnus, because the fish is flown in from Japan daily. I decided that since I can eat salmon I should be able to make due.  I ordered Copper River King Salmon nigiri (my favorite!). Now, this was cheating because nigiri is raw fish on sushi rice (which contains rice wine vinegar).  I’m not supposed to eat rice or vinegar and ordering salmon sashimi (just raw fish) would have been a better choice.  I also tried the pickled ginger which is a big no-no.  I left the restaurant with the familiar stomach symptoms, but it wasn’t severe.

My other restaurant attempt was at Citron Bistro, another alumnus recommendation.  I called ahead and asked if they could cook me a steak in foil to avoid cross-contamination with no seasoning.  The hostess told me that they would be happy to accommodate.  The server was very kind and patient with my order: new york strip steak cookd wrapped in foil with green pepper and onion, no seasoning.  I could not order a plain baked potato as their potatoes were already seasoned with black pepper (a spice I react to).  My steak came out and looked a rather strange (grey in color as it had not been seared) but was absolutely delicious.  For dessert the chef thinly sliced a plain pear which I rather enjoyed.  Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that I had eaten something I shouldn’t have, and I had to go back to the hotel to sleep it off.  Sigh… the risks of eating at restaurants!

If you are avoiding severe allergy, intolerance and/or food sensitivity reactions, I would advise avoiding restaurants.  Even when taking appropriate cautions, cross-contamination is often unavoidable.  If you do find a restaurant that can accommodate your diet requirements successfully, then by all means reward the staff for it!  Please remember to tip well, especially if the staff has gone above and beyond to help you eat safely and enjoyably.