the essential “Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide”

I’m sure many of you are now familiar with this book: Triumph Dining’s The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide, as it has now been reviewed on several blogs. 

You probably already know that there are over 4,700 restaurant locations listed alphabetically by state, and that it has gluten-free lists and menus from over 80 chain restaurants across the United States. 

But did you know that the first four chapters are devoted to HOW to eat out?  This book isn’t just about WHERE, but HOW.  It gives you easy to understand tips on what to do before you go out to eat, who to talk to when you get there, and what to tell them.  This is what I was really impressed by.  And this is what has really helped me presently.

For me, I knew that when I received my book, there would not be that many listings for Chattanooga, TN.  I think I’d already found all the major chains (P.F. Changs, Outback, Carrabbas, etc.).  (On a side note, I was glad to see that my favorite “special occasion” restaurant — St. John’s Restaurant — was listed.  It’s fabulous!)  Of course, with all its listing for cities all over the country, it will be great when I travel.

Another bonus, are the Triumph Dining Cards which come with the book.  I already had a small set of five, which I have used with success at both American and Mexican restaurants.  I’ll have to wait for a trip to a big city to try out some of the more exotic cuisines.  But they really are great to have.

In case you are wondering, no, I’m not getting paid to write a favorable review.  I just think that everyone should be able to eat out safely, confidently, and comfortably, and this book along with the cards, allow you to do just that. 

In the introduction, Ross, the president of Triumph Dining, talks about how he was afraid to eat out when he was first diagnosed, and how he was often making excuses for not going places with his wife, his friends or his colleagues.  Celiac disease can often be very socially isolating.  People may choose not to eat out, or not eat out often, but this should be a choice, and not a limitation imposed by fear or anxiety. 

I love good food, and I love to go out to nice restaurants with my husband.  I also love to go to the local pub with my friends for a drink after work (so I’ve had to switch from beer to wine).  While I may not go out as often as I used to, and I may need to plan ahead a bit more, I still get to take part in the same social activities that I did before. 

Now, I’m relatively confident about eating out, but I’m usually just among friends or family, so I don’t worry about getting my “technique” down to an exact science.  I had the chance, though, last week, to hone my dining out skills under a much more stressful situation — a very important job interview.  Eek!  With tips learned from the book and by using the Dining Cards, I had no trouble ordering, I had a lovely meal, and (I hope) the interview went well.  Here’s what I did:

   1.  When I learned I was being taken to lunch, as I asked the recruitment coordinator where we were going to go.  I explained that I have a food allergy and that while this did not preclude me from eating anywhere, it made it easier if I knew in advance where we were going.  She was more than happy to oblige, and even told me that if the particular restaurant was a problem, I could suggest somewhere else.

   2.  I looked the restaurant up online, and found that they had an online menu.  Very helpful, because then I called, and asked to speak with someone in the kitchen.  I explained that I could not eat wheat/rye/barley/oats, and asked if this was a problem.  We then talked about some of the various things I could eat.

   3.  I was told to tell the server when I got to the restaurant of my allergy.

   4.  We got to lunch, and I found something on the menu (okay, so I picked it out before we even went) that looked safe.  I told the server of my allergy, told him what I would like to eat, and gave him my Triumph Dining Card for the kitchen to look at.  This took very little time. 

   5.  The waiter came back a few minutes later and said that something in the salad was off limits (I forget what now), but offered something that they could substitute.  (And I got my card back.)

   6.  We ate lunch.  Turned out that one of the people I was interviewing with has a family member with celiac disease.  I guess I really didn’t need to be nearly as nervous as I was.

   7.  I was even able to have dessert – creme brulee.  yum! 

 

So really, I guess what I am try to say is that you should get this book and get out there and eat!

And for more information about Triumph Dining, visit their new blog: Triumph Gluten-Free!