Written by Cape Coral resident Nancy Skarda
Eating out with friends in the Cape should be a joyous occasion—even if you or your visitors must avoid gluten in food. With a little planning and preparation, it is wonderful to share a meal with your friends at a local restaurant.
An increasing number of adults and children are being diagnosed with gluten intolerance. Accordingly, more dine-in restaurants are becoming aware of this diet restriction and their need to accommodate it.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It can also be found in other ingredients with fancy names designed to improve the food’s texture. Avoiding gluten is critical if you have been diagnosed with Celiacs Disease or if you are gluten intolerant. In some cases, ingesting it can cause dangerous responses in a person needing to avoid it.
Being gluten free for the last six years, I have learned some tricks to dining out with ease—even in the company of a large group of friends. First, determine if the restaurant offers gluten free meal options either by referring to one of many smart phone apps such as “Find Me Gluten Free” or “Dine GF.” Using one is especially helpful when you are traveling and don’t know your way around a city.
Calling the restaurant in advance can also be a good idea. The closer you can get to talking with the person actually preparing the food, the better. For example, if the hostess answers, you should ask to speak with the chef or manager. (Call during non-peak hours when these personnel are not busy.) If they do not have a specific gluten free menu, ask them about entree choices, focusing on the ones that are less likely to contain an ingredient which has gluten in it. Then, ask if you can modify one of the choices to be certain of avoiding gluten. Make a note of your selection so you know exactly what you and the chef or manager decided on as your best order option before you arrive at the establishment.
Before you go out to dine, eat a snack so that you won’t feel uncomfortably hungry if your friends first order an appetizer (containing gluten) to share. Snacking in advance will also be helpful if the server makes a mistake with your order and you need to send it back. You can tell your companions to start eating without you and that you are comfortable waiting.
When the waiter arrives to take orders, ask to be the last one to order. Then when it is your turn, request that he come to your end of the table to speak with you. Specify that your gluten intolerance (aka Celiacs Disease) is an “allergy,” as most servers know that word and the danger associated with it.
After reviewing your meal order in detail with the waiter, put him at ease by telling him that if the chef needs to change something in your order, just let you know. With a wink, you can say, “I want this to be easy!”
When your order is brought to you, perhaps by a different server, confirm with him that it is your gluten free entree. In the rush of business during mealtime, this fact could be forgotten by the staff. Now smile, relax and enjoy your delicious, gluten free meal at one of our great Cape Coral restaurants!
