Coeliac friendly restuarants?



A

Al

Guest
I've been looking for some time to find Coeliac friendly (ie. strictly gluten-free) restaurants
in the UK with no success. No matter what I Google for I just find medical info on it and the
odd recipe.

My mother in law suffers from it and the only restaurant we can bring her to at the moment when she
visits is a Harvester, as they have a gluten-free menu (and nut-free) to compliment their normal
menu. Surely some other restaurants must do the same? I'm getting a little bored with going to the
same place all the time when they visit!!

In particular, does anyone know of any Oriental restaurants that cater for Coeliacs? I found one
once in Dublin and it was great. Very hard to explain though if they don't know what you're on about
- it's really best if they're used to dealing with Coeliacs as even the most innocent of things can
cause problems (contaminated work surfaces or oil, soy sauce, etc.).

a
 
On Sun, 8 Feb 2004 12:03:14 -0000, "al" <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk>
wrote:

>I've been looking for some time to find Coeliac friendly (ie. strictly gluten-free) restaurants
>in the UK with no success. No matter what I Google for I just find medical info on it and the
>odd recipe.

Interesting that you found an Oriental restaurant that caters to a coeliac diet, although the
condition does seem to be more common on the west coast of Ireland.

A search on

"gluten free" restaurant uk

produced a number of hits, incl.

http://www.wheat-free.org/out.html

Sometimes you have to ask Google different questions. :)
 
"Frogleg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> A search on
>
> "gluten free" restaurant uk
>
> produced a number of hits, incl.
>
> http://www.wheat-free.org/out.html
>
> Sometimes you have to ask Google different questions. :)

Thanks for the link - I had actually found that one before. Unfortunately, when you look at it, it
really doesn't have any content at all. John Lewis and "Neals Yard" are the only restaurants
anywhere near. The former is a overpriced cafe and the latter is a cheese shop from what I can see!

Back to square one ... still can't find anything at all gluten free around the London area :(

a
 
In article <[email protected]>,
"al" <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> "Frogleg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > A search on
> >
> > "gluten free" restaurant uk
> >
> > produced a number of hits, incl.
> >
> > http://www.wheat-free.org/out.html
> >
> > Sometimes you have to ask Google different questions. :)
>
> Thanks for the link - I had actually found that one before. Unfortunately, when you look at
> it, it really doesn't have any content at all. John Lewis and "Neals Yard" are the only
> restaurants anywhere near. The former is a overpriced cafe and the latter is a cheese shop
> from what I can see!
>
> Back to square one ... still can't find anything at all gluten free around the London area :(
>
>
>
> a
>
>

Geez.

Just eat at anyplace, and order wheat free food.

How hard can it be????

K (in the same boat)

--
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>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<[email protected]>,,<
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"Katra" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:KatraMungBean-
> Geez.
>
> Just eat at anyplace, and order wheat free food.
>
> How hard can it be????
>
> K (in the same boat)
>

It can be extremely hard. Most waiters have no idea what you're talking about and you rely on the
chef to know what he/she is doing and advise them correctly. It's the difference between being able
to book a restaurant that she can know there is plenty for her to eat in or the utter uncertainty of
wondering if there's anything at all you can eat (that you like). This would be especially true in
Far Eastern restaurants.

I can believe you'd make such a comment being in the same boat ...

a
 
From: {ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk (al) I've been looking for some time to find Coeliac friendly (ie.
strictly gluten-free) restaurants in the UK with no success. No matter what I Google for I just find
medical info on it and the odd recipe. My mother in law suffers from it and the only restaurant we
can bring her to at the moment when she visits is a Harvester, as they have a gluten-free menu (and
nut-free) to compliment their normal menu. Surely some other restaurants must do the same? I'm
getting a little bored with going to the same place all the time when they visit!! In particular,
does anyone know of any Oriental restaurants that cater for Coeliacs? I found one once in Dublin and
it was great. Very hard to explain though if they don't know what you're on about - it's really best
if they're used to dealing with Coeliacs as even the most innocent of things can cause problems
(contaminated work surfaces or oil, soy sauce, etc.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
I know myself being a diabetic and trying to stay legal eating out in casual restaurants is not
always easy either even with the nation wide chains. Couple of times I have gotten ill afterwards
having a dish with hidden sugar content, and yes, I did ask the waitress before hand both times if
sugar was a ingredient. The Atkins diet is being served even at the coney island restaurants here in
Michigan, I know too many business owners who main interest is more profit for them through these
fad diets than actually being certain their meals follow the guidelines being requested. Good luck
with your search.
 
A comment from the US -- Extremely hard! Celiac's not only have to be concerned about wheat but
wheat, barley, rye and oats (mainly a contamination problem). Additionally, food cooked in utinsils
that have had gluten products cooked in them also are unsafe (IE baking utinsils where there is
debris baked onto the pans, iron wear where there is gluten cooked onto the utinsil) it all leaches
out into the food that's being cooked.

How hard is it? I was in the hospital in Aug. and went without food for 60 hours because the
hospital could not supply a gluten free diet and until I instructed them on how to do it. I had to
call a friend to go to the supermarket and pick me up some rice cakes and some coldcuts from a brand
I know is GF.

2 years prior, the same thing is a hospital. I said, gluten free. They said, What is that? The
doctor sent back 3 meals because they were not gluten free. Again, I had to call up someone to
bring me food.

I watched as I had Chinese dish prepared to my specifications -- no soy because it contains wheat.
They did. Except they were also cooking someone elses meal, dipped a dipper into the soy and dropped
droplets all over mine moving it to the other meal.

In a restaurant, they automatically put on croutons after I specifically said no gluten, no bread
etc. It came with croutons. I said I can't eat that. They simply went over to the counter and I
watched them take out the croutons!

Hard -- yes extremely hard.

BTW, I had no symptoms from gluten. I just stopped absorbing my prescription drugs and had become
lactose intolerant. It took 18-months on a GF diet for the lactose intolerance to clear up. I can't
take the chance of someone contaminating my food -- my life depends on having a non-destroyed small
intestine in order to absorb the required medications.

> Geez.
>
> Just eat at anyplace, and order wheat free food.
>
> How hard can it be????
>
> K (in the same boat)
 
In article <[email protected]>,
Katra <[email protected]> wrote:

> Geez.
>
> Just eat at anyplace, and order wheat free food.
>
> How hard can it be????
>
> K (in the same boat)

Pretty hard. Wheat hides.

Most soy sauce has wheat in it, for example.

Miche (also in the same boat)

--
If you want to end war and stuff you got to sing loud. -- Arlo Guthrie, "Alice's Restaurant"
 
In article <[email protected]>,
"al" <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> "Katra" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:KatraMungBean-
> > Geez.
> >
> > Just eat at anyplace, and order wheat free food.
> >
> > How hard can it be????
> >
> > K (in the same boat)
> >
>
> It can be extremely hard. Most waiters have no idea what you're talking about and you rely on the
> chef to know what he/she is doing and advise them correctly. It's the difference between being
> able to book a restaurant that she can know there is plenty for her to eat in or the utter
> uncertainty of wondering if there's anything at all you can eat (that you like). This would be
> especially true in Far Eastern restaurants.
>
> I can believe you'd make such a comment being in the same boat ...
>
>
>
> a
>
>

Yes,

You CAN believe it because I'm not a coward and know what to request at an eating establishment. :)

Special requirements are just that, and MOST chefs don't want their food to be put down the garbage
disposal because the customer was unable to consume them! They have more pride than that. :)

Just put your foot down. Silly. ;-D And don't be afraid to let them know about your handicap... It's
more common than you think.

When I did some studying on wheat intolerance, it turns out that 20%, or one in every 5 people,
are intolerant to wheat protiens!!! It's ever so common and it is yours (and my) job to
eductate people...

K.

--
Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<[email protected]>,,<
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&userid=katra
 
al <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> It can be extremely hard. Most waiters have no idea what you're talking about and you rely on the
> chef to know what he/she is doing and advise them correctly. It's the difference between being
> able to book a restaurant that she can know there is plenty for her to eat in or the utter
> uncertainty of wondering if there's anything at all you can eat (that you like). This would be
> especially true in Far Eastern restaurants.

Maybe I am missing something, but isn't something like a salad with Russian dressing (or a
vinigarette), steak (or chicken, or seafood), with a potato and a green vegetable wheat free?
 
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:

> al <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>
> > It can be extremely hard. Most waiters have no idea what you're talking about and you rely on
> > the chef to know what he/she is doing and advise them correctly. It's the difference between
> > being able to book a restaurant that she can know there is plenty for her to eat in or the utter
> > uncertainty of wondering if there's anything at all you can eat (that you like). This would be
> > especially true in Far Eastern restaurants.
>
> Maybe I am missing something, but isn't something like a salad with Russian dressing (or a
> vinigarette), steak (or chicken, or seafood), with a potato and a green vegetable wheat free?
>

Yes, but most wheat allergic people also cannot handle potatoes. ;-)

I know my allergies, so ask for custom requests accordingly...

It's never been a problem, especially with more cooks being familiar with Atkins dieting. That makes
it even easier...

When I was in Miami a couple of weeks ago at that 4 star hotel, the chef was delighted to do a
custom order for me. I had grilled shrimp with asparagus and they were happy to substitute grilled
squash in place of spuds for me.

It was wunnerful. ;-) And Beckman Coulter was paying! They also paid for the $300.00 per night
hotel room. <G>

K.

--
Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<[email protected]>,,<
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&userid=katra
 
"Katra" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:KatraMungBean-> Yes,
>
> You CAN believe it because I'm not a coward and know what to request at an eating
> establishment. :)
>
Yeah, but it's not a matter of that. It's not me who has the problem (thank God .... I love eating
all the different types of food I can lay my hands on!!), it's the mother in law.

> Special requirements are just that, and MOST chefs don't want their food to be put down the
> garbage disposal because the customer was unable to consume them! They have more pride than
> that. :)
>
We're not talking about eating in Park Lane hotels here, just normal restaurants. It would be nice
after walking around London city all day to know of a few restaurants that were guaranteed to know
what they're talking about on such matters.

> Just put your foot down. Silly. ;-D And don't be afraid to let them know about your handicap...
> It's more common than you think.

I'm sure it is - however most people have never heard of it and those that have know little about it
I've found!

>
> When I did some studying on wheat intolerance, it turns out that 20%, or one in every 5 people,
> are intolerant to wheat protiens!!! It's ever so common and it is yours (and my) job to eductate
> people...
>

Some more than others and yes, people should know. However inviting the mother in law for dinner in
a restaurant she doesn't know when she has to go through the uncertainty and worry that the chef
will know what they're doing (not to mention whether there was much in the way of choice in the
first place) or regret it for days after is stressful. As they're only over for
2/3 days a couple of times a year, it would be good to have places where she will know this
won't happen.

a
 
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Maybe I am missing something, but isn't something like a salad with Russian dressing (or a
> vinigarette), steak (or chicken, or seafood), with a potato and a green vegetable wheat free?
>

Yes, if it's just like that. You'd be surprised to learn how often something is added to a dish
though. Sauces are usually a no-no. Deep-frying always a problem (contamination). Grilled on the
same surface as things like bread or breaded meats.

Basically no matter what you order it can be a problem unless the chef knows that it must be kept
away from gluten sources. I myself fell victim some years back by making a nice stir fry and just
before it was ready I reckoned a splash of soy would bring out the flavour better ... had to go in
the bin then!! :(

a
 
In article <[email protected]>,
"al" <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

>
> Some more than others and yes, people should know. However inviting the mother in law for dinner
> in a restaurant she doesn't know when she has to go through the uncertainty and worry that the
> chef will know what they're doing (not to mention whether there was much in the way of choice in
> the first place) or regret it for days after is stressful. As they're only over for
> 2/3 days a couple of times a year, it would be good to have places where she will know this won't
> happen.
>

I understand.... really I do. Let us hope that SHE knows what she can and cannot eat?

I'd make some phone calls if I were you. Call around to different places and see if they
understand. :)

If they don't understad Coeliac disease, you can bet by now they understand "Atkins" and that will
solve your problem. Trust me. <G>

Atkins diet is most freindly to Coeliac disorder (and IBS too for that matter!).

K.

--
Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<Katra at centurytel dot net>,,<
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&userid=katra
 
In article <[email protected]>,
"al" <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > Maybe I am missing something, but isn't something like a salad with Russian dressing (or a
> > vinigarette), steak (or chicken, or seafood), with a potato and a green vegetable wheat free?
> >
>
> Yes, if it's just like that. You'd be surprised to learn how often something is added to a dish
> though. Sauces are usually a no-no. Deep-frying always a problem (contamination). Grilled on the
> same surface as things like bread or breaded meats.

Lots of folks don't understand Coeliac disease... The wheat intolerance is pretty total. Most, if
not all, gravies and sauces are made with flour, and any breaded item is OUT. A lot of salad
dressings also have flour as a thickener. Breaded chicken and seafood, same thing.

>
> Basically no matter what you order it can be a problem unless the chef knows that it must be kept
> away from gluten sources. I myself fell victim some years back by making a nice stir fry and just
> before it was ready I reckoned a splash of soy would bring out the flavour better ... had to go in
> the bin then!! :(

You are sensitive to soy? Interesting. I must watch that. So far, so good tho'.

--
Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<Katra at centurytel dot net>,,<
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&userid=katra
 
"al" <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> We're not talking about eating in Park Lane hotels here, just normal restaurants. It would be nice
> after walking around London city all day to know of a few restaurants that were guaranteed to know
> what they're
talking
> about on such matters.

> I'm sure it is - however most people have never heard of it and those that have know little about
> it I've found!

>
> a

If most people have never heard of it why would you expect to find a restaurant that caters to it or
even knows about it?

Kathy
 
In article <[email protected]>,
Katra <[email protected]> wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:

> > Maybe I am missing something, but isn't something like a salad with Russian dressing (or a
> > vinigarette), steak (or chicken, or seafood), with a potato and a green vegetable wheat free?
> >
>
> Yes, but most wheat allergic people also cannot handle potatoes. ;-)

Are you serious or joking?

Miche

--
If you want to end war and stuff you got to sing loud. -- Arlo Guthrie, "Alice's Restaurant"
 
"K. Reece" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> If most people have never heard of it why would you expect to find a restaurant that caters to it
> or even knows about it?
>
> Kathy
>

Well if the Harvester chain have and a Chinese in Dublin, then there must be quite a few more. At
the very least (and often is the case), restaurateur's who's family has been touched by it are
likely to be sensitive to it. And when I say it's not very well known about - I don't mean it's
virtually unheard of!!

Anyway .. back to my original question - I was just wondering if like minded people could point out
some good places they'd been to in the London area. There must be a few of you out there!!

a
 
Katra wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>, "al"
> <{ask_me}@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
>><[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>>
>>>Maybe I am missing something, but isn't something like a salad with Russian dressing (or a
>>>vinigarette), steak (or chicken, or seafood), with a potato and a green vegetable wheat free?
>>>
>>
>>Yes, if it's just like that. You'd be surprised to learn how often something is added to a dish
>>though. Sauces are usually a no-no. Deep-frying always a problem (contamination). Grilled on the
>>same surface as things like bread or breaded meats.
>
>
> Lots of folks don't understand Coeliac disease... The wheat intolerance is pretty total. Most, if
> not all, gravies and sauces are made with flour, and any breaded item is OUT. A lot of salad
> dressings also have flour as a thickener. Breaded chicken and seafood, same thing.
>
>
>>Basically no matter what you order it can be a problem unless the chef knows that it must be kept
>>away from gluten sources. I myself fell victim some years back by making a nice stir fry and just
>>before it was ready I reckoned a splash of soy would bring out the flavour better ... had to go in
>>the bin then!! :(
>
>
> You are sensitive to soy? Interesting. I must watch that. So far, so good tho'.

A lot of soy sauces have wheat in them; I'm not sure if it's malted or fermented or what.

Bob