GF or GF-friendly/knowledeable restaruants? (in Seattle?)

elynne · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Seattle, WA

I've had Outback twice since being diagnosed with gluten intolerance. The second time, I got the GF menue, told the waiter about my allergy, ordered the Ceasar salad with no shredded cheese, and when it arrived - croutons! and, not thinking, I immediately ate one. *crunch*crunch* DAMMIT!! Sad

It's a learning process, I guess.

Anyway, I'm wondering if there is a central list (thread? ongoing thread maybe?) of GF-safe restaurants, either large chains (like Outback) or regional (like in the Seattle area)? Today I went to Azteca, which is very much not GF; the waiters all looked at me like I'd grown an extra ear when I asked about it, and sure enough, I'm having a reaction now (fairly mild, I'm assuming that it was a cross-contamination or otherwise minor exposure). A couple of days ago, I went to Pochi Station, and had some bubble tea. The lady behind the counter knew what I was talking about with the whole gluten thing, and reccommended that I have one kind of drink and not another, but I can't remember offhand what exactly I had, and I'm not sure if I had a reaction - my reactions are delayed by several hours, and they have fairly subtle effects.

On the other side of the coin, is there perhaps an educational pamphlet that I could print out and copy to give to restaurants I like going to? Something specifically geared towards restaurants, with some basic information, which I could discuss with the manager or waiter.

Tomorrow, I head out, down to California for two weeks of visiting with friends. I'll be taking Amtrack down and back, and I've packed a whole bag full of GF goodies along the way! Wink

Long2Play · Joined: 20 Aug 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Colorado

PF Chang's
Taco Del Mar (I have a thread about this on here)
Flying Apron Bakery
Cafe Flora
Z Tejas

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 3556 Location: Washington State

Da Vinci Cafe - 10003 Greenwood Ave N. (Used to be Kalli's Kitchen before they moved. More of a bakery than a restaurant, though)

Flying Apron Bakery (I have never been here, just heard about it.)
http://seattle.citysearch.com/profile/38724474/?brand=smx_restaurant-nc

Bonefish Grill http://seattle.citysearch.com/review/40840528

This one is opening in June in Maple Valley http://sunnyvalleywheatfree.com/.

Hope this helps!
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-Colleen

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handcart?

elynne · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Seattle, WA

Wow, thank you for the suggestions! Smile

I'm going to get the GF restaurant guide, in the thread bumped for me earlier, and I'll keep the lists on hand for other folks who have the same question. Wink

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 423 Location: Groton, MA

I found this on the web - after I got back from Seattle.
Seattle Area Restaurants Serving Gluten, Dairy, and/or Egg Free Items

You've GOT to go to Da Vinci's. The GF baked goods are better than some non-GF ones I had before going GF. The bread was ok - never going to be 100% like non-GF bread, but it was more of a consistancy thing than taste. The owner is aiming to start shipping things in September. Smile

Have fun on your trip!

--Manda
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aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10971 Location: WI, USA

Hey Manda!!

Nice to "see" you again!! Thanks for stopping by. Smile

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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

sleepinglion · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 10

I ate at the Bonefish Grill when I was in Seattle on business last week. The food was good and the server was very helpful. Thanks for the suggestion, Colleen.

Wy Laughing

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luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 423 Location: Groton, MA

elynne · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Seattle, WA

Thank you so much, Manda - I've written down the address for DaVinci's, I know exactly where-ish it is (I used to live in that neighborhood), and I'll check it out as soon as I can - maybe as soon as tomorrow. Thank you! Very Happy

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Striving to be GF since 5/06 (with occasional lapses)
http://elynne.livejournal.com

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 423 Location: Groton, MA

Enjoy a brownie or one of their DEVINE chocolate loden berry muffins for me. (Or one of each if you're feeling particularly generous...) Wink

Can't wait to go visit my BF's family again.....and Da Vinci's. Very Happy

--Manda
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elynne · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Seattle, WA

Went by DaVinci's yesterday; had a wonderful mini-pizza, a lovely orange cinnamon muffin, a flavored mocha, and bought a bag of breakfast paninis.

And then today, I had a *massive* gluten reaction. Sad

So now I have to wonder - which of the supposedly GF things I got from DaVinci's was actually not GF? Sad

I also took a couple of Advil before going to sleep - massive headache, and a vertebrae out in my neck - but I just did a search of the forums (I finally learned how to do that!), and am assured that Advil is GF. Everything else I had yesterday was GF: Morning Thunder tea, chicken & rice (home-made), steak (also home-made), grape juice, water.

As much as I want one of those breakfast paninis, now I'm afraid to try them. Sad

_________________
Striving to be GF since 5/06 (with occasional lapses)
http://elynne.livejournal.com

sarahceliac · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 189 Location: MA

The first thing that comes to mind is the flavored mocha. Yes everything is supposed to have been GF, but that was my first thought of what may have been the cause. Maybe they used a gluten pan to cook the GF muffin?
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Sarah

elynne · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Seattle, WA

I'm strongly suspecting the flavor in the flavored mocha, too. I'm going to try going by there again later this week, and ask to see the bottles.

Meanwhile, I had one of the breakfast paninis just now. Delicious! Wish me luck... Razz

I'm crazy tired, but I'm not sure how much of that is leftover gluten reaction from yesterday, and how much is the warm weather - I've always hated heat, it makes me tired. *snore*
_________________
Striving to be GF since 5/06 (with occasional lapses)
http://elynne.livejournal.com

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 423 Location: Groton, MA

shirley · Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Bellingham

I doubt that the gf reaction came from the restaurant because they are so careful, also the owner and her daughter are both gf ! I have been there several times and last week had a special order strawberry tart for a party...it was awesome and better than ANYTHING else at the party! Their bread is awesome and better than most breads - period! They have wonderful savory foods as well as the knock-out pastries. Personally, if I had a bad reaction after going there I would stop in and talk directly to the owner or to her daughter. They are wonderful folks and they would certainly want to know if anything they sold was not totally gf. They are great....

Shirley in Bellingham