Eating Out This Valentine's Day?

Sunday is Valentine’s Day! One of the most popular ways to celebrate is a romantic dinner for two at a swanky restaurant (have you made your reservations yet?)

It seems to me that this becomes a big problem for those of us who need to eat gluten free. The problem is even bigger when you take into account that surprise and romance are so interwoven. What should you do when your sweetheart hands you a bouquet of roses and says, “Are you ready to go to dinner?”

What you should never do (My first reaction) is to burst into tears and slam the door screaming, “You just want to contaminate me!”

In all seriousness, this can be an awkward situation. One that can (luckily) be overcome. Drawing from personal experience, I have put together a few tips to get you through your Valentine’s Dinner, not only uncontaminated, but blissfully happy as well.

I do caution you, this is advice only. Please do not take these tips so seriously as to let your guard down. Restaurants differ so much that it would be impossible to tell you what is safe to eat at each one. Please take this article for what it is; Things To Keep In Mind.

The Pre-Planned Date

I have been married for awhile. Though my husband knows that I like romantic surprises, he also knows that eating at new restaurants takes some preparation. Due to this, we always plan our dinner dates together. In a situation like this, it is easy to plan your meal ahead of time to ensure date night success.

To start, find a restaurant with a gluten free menu in your area. For this, you can check the locations page here on Gling, or check the Gluten Free Registry.

Call the restaurant you have chosen (now! Today!) to ask if you can get a reservation and/or what their Valentine’s Day procedures are. (There are a lot of restaurants that won’t take reservations for Valentine’s Day due to the high volume, but it’s good to ask.) While you are on the phone, let them know about your gluten free status. Tell them when you are planning to come, and even what you are thinking about ordering. Get the name of the manager on duty that night and ask that they be notified of your visit.

This may seem like planning-overkill, but as a former waitress I can tell you that Valentine’s Day is insane in a restaurant! Any preparation ahead of time is a good idea.

When you get to the restaurant, ask for the manager by name. Alert them of your presence. After that, you can enjoy your meal. The planning you have done in advance will pay off in the way that, with your worries being taken care of, you can enjoy the time with your sweetheart.

The Surprise Date

This is a completely different animal, but still very doable. Before we get to the what to do portion, let me take you behind the scenes of a restaurant on Valentine’s Day.

What you see- The dining room is serene and romantic. Servers arrive smiling at tables and deliver delectable dinners to starry-eyed lovers who barely notice they are there. The server is happy. The take note of the fact that a drink needs refilling and quietly slip away, where they are promptly forgotten by the diners.

What You (hopefully) Don’t See- That smiling server has five tables. Each one needs something, and they have to remember what it is. In the kitchen, food is flying off the grill and out of pans at the speed of light. Orders are put up on a counter where the server must compile them and get them to the right places. Managers are barking orders, cooks are cranky and servers are holding on by a thread. (Please, don’t think of this negatively. I’m not insulting the restaurant industry here, just trying to provide some realism.)

Now we enter the surprise “Allergy Guest”. Believe me, your server wants to take care of you. They want nothing more than for you to eat (without getting sick) and leave with a smile on your face. This can be harder than anyone who has never been a server can imagine.

I got into more arguments with chefs while watch-dogging special orders than anything else. It wasn’t that they didn’t care, they just didn’t appreciate my nagging :)

All this background has been offered up to help you understand the list of suggestions I am about to offer you. Here is where your expectations, and the restaurant’s reality meet to provide you with the safest meal possible.

When you first arrive and put your name on the list (or claim your reservation), let the host know about your needs and ask to speak with a manager.

When the manager arrives, tell them about your gluten free needs. Be polite and ask for recommendations, suggestions and advice about ordering.

Important At this point, you have a 90% chance of being told that they will do their best, but they can’t “guarantee” your safety. Please don’t take this personally. Legally, most managers have to say this for corporate reasons. The correct response from you is, “Thank you, I appreciate you looking out for me.” Congratulations! Your understanding and polite attitude has earned you an ally in the kitchen!

After this, your next step is making sure that your manager and server have connected. Let your server know about your severe reactions and how they can help. (Yay! Ally #2)

Place your order based on recommendations (or your best judgment) and enjoy your date. At this point you have done everything you can to ensure your gluten free status.

Your Best Judgment

If you find yourself in a situation with no gluten free menu and a staff that is not allowed to offer suggestions (again, legal reasons), you have two choices: either leave or use your best judgment in ordering. If you choose to stay, these tips may help.

Go for the grill! Grilled chicken or steak are often your best bet. Pair it with a baked potato and vegetables.

Ask about additions.- Restaurant foods are often rubbed, sprinkled or brushed with flavorings. Make sure you know what they are. Even if the corporate office has directed the staff not to suggest menu items, they can still tell you the ingredients.

Make It Plain- If any of the additives concern you, ask for your food to be prepared plain (unseasoned) and cooked on a clean grill.

Be Patient I’m not suggesting that you tolerate rudeness or bad attitudes, but do be patient. Understand that cleaning a grill on such a busy night may take awhile. Plan on doing a bit of extra gazing at your sweetheart while you wait.

I wish you all the most wonderfully romantic dates possible this Valentine’s Day!