A tip about Celiac friendly restaurants About This Page:

[katydid]

Do not avoid table service restaurants because their regular menus seem to be off limits due to gluten issues. The restaurants where I had the most choices were the ones I was most afraid I would have problems with.

Biergarten- the chef was very helpful and there were lots of things to eat on the buffet, plus the chef made extra things gluten free for me. He also sent me away with a bag of pre-packaged gluten-free desserts to go!

Boma- the chef went over the whole buffet with me and even explained why or why not I could have each dish. I never thought I could have a creamy soup, a battered calamari salad or a Casava cake. This is in addition to many meats, potatoes, and salads.

Ohana- I got my own gluten free salad, chicken wings, gluten free rolls, and I could also eat the shrimp and steak skewers. The waitress brougt fresh skewers to me first and then offered more to the rest of our party. I felt very safe and cared for here! They also offered to make me dessert but I was too stuffed to partake of that. I ordered espresso instead.

Whispering Canyon Cafe- I ordered the skillet after confering with the chef. I had my own salad and cornbread. Warm tender CORNBREAD! and it was good! I was able to share in all the items on the main skillet. I felt like a regular diner here.

Narccoossees- like any signature restaurant, you will be pampered here. The chef specially prepared a whole yellow-tail snapper without flour for me. It was outstanding, as was the roasted corn relish, the fingerling potatoes, and for dessert the key lime creme brulee.

Le Cellier- I had less choices here, the seafoods I would have ordered as entrees were off limits. But the Fillet Mignon with the mushroom rissotto was to die for. Since I could not get seafood for my entree I splurged and got the mussles in spicy coconut broth for an appetizer. Yum! Maple creme brulee was great but I was to full to eat more than a few bites.

So don't be afraid to try restaurants that might see to be heavy on floured dishes or have many dishes with soy sauces. The Chefs at the Table Service restaurants are very knowledgable and accomadating! Be sure to have your allergy noted on all your reservations and you will be treated well.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Thanks for the great info, Sounds like you had Wonderful meals!
Now I am hungry!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Deberlee]

Originally Posted by katydid

Do not avoid table service restaurants because their regular menus seem to be off limits due to gluten issues. The restaurants where I had the most choices were the ones I was most afraid I would have problems with.

Biergarten- the chef was very helpful and there were lots of things to eat on the buffet, plus the chef made extra things gluten free for me. He also sent me away with a bag of pre-packaged gluten-free desserts to go!

Boma- the chef went over the whole buffet with me and even explained why or why not I could have each dish. I never thought I could have a creamy soup, a battered calamari salad or a Casava cake. This is in addition to many meats, potatoes, and salads.

Ohana- I got my own gluten free salad, chicken wings, gluten free rolls, and I could also eat the shrimp and steak skewers. The waitress brougt fresh skewers to me first and then offered more to the rest of our party. I felt very safe and cared for here! They also offered to make me dessert but I was too stuffed to partake of that. I ordered espresso instead.

Whispering Canyon Cafe- I ordered the skillet after confering with the chef. I had my own salad and cornbread. Warm tender CORNBREAD! and it was good! I was able to share in all the items on the main skillet. I felt like a regular diner here.

Narccoossees- like any signature restaurant, you will be pampered here. The chef specially prepared a whole yellow-tail snapper without flour for me. It was outstanding, as was the roasted corn relish, the fingerling potatoes, and for dessert the key lime creme brulee.

Le Cellier- I had less choices here, the seafoods I would have ordered as entrees were off limits. But the Fillet Mignon with the mushroom rissotto was to die for. Since I could not get seafood for my entree I splurged and got the mussles in spicy coconut broth for an appetizer. Yum! Maple creme brulee was great but I was to full to eat more than a few bites.

So don't be afraid to try restaurants that might see to be heavy on floured dishes or have many dishes with soy sauces. The Chefs at the Table Service restaurants are very knowledgable and accomadating! Be sure to have your allergy noted on all your reservations and you will be treated well.

Ooooo, this is indeed good news! We have reservations at the several of the restaurants that you listed, and as the celiac in the family, I am very excited to read about those meal choices! Especially at places like Boma where they have food other than standard American fare. Woohoo! I can hardly wait!

Thank you sooooo much for posting this! (We're also going to Whispering Canyon Cafe because I had read about their skillet meals, but your bit about warm corn bread was very exciting! Yippee!)

[Sandra Bostwick]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post that very informative review.

That is the kind of experience that makes me proud to be so devoted to all things Disney.

[bfth]

I always like to hear about positive experiences.

Although we are not doing the Biergarten this trip, it's something my husband wants to try and I've shied away from it due to my allergies. Now, reading your feedback, I think it would be something I'd like to try (let's just hope the same chef is there -- it's the chef who can make or break the experience).

[Deberlee]

Originally Posted by bfth

I always like to hear about positive experiences.

Although we are not doing the Biergarten this trip, it's something my husband wants to try and I've shied away from it due to my allergies. Now, reading your feedback, I think it would be something I'd like to try (let's just hope the same chef is there -- it's the chef who can make or break the experience).

We're scheduled for Biergarten in our first night! Sure hope it goes well. We've visited the German restaurant here at home and I've had terrific luck with finding gluten-free options. The chef makes the difference there, too, just as you said.

I'm planning to do a gluten-free dining review for every place that we eat. Our reservations are also at Boma, Liberty Tree Tavern, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Boatrights, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Mama Melrose's, Turf Club and Le Cellier. In the 13 years that I've been a diagnosed celiac, I've never eaten all of my meals at a restaurant for so many days in a row. What a thrill!

[bfth]

At Mama Melrose's ask if Chef Ricardo Blasgrove is on duty. He is Excellent with food allergies (and I would think with celiac as well). At the WCC, see if Chef Eddie Lucier is on duty. He's another chef I would highly recommend.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by bfth

At Mama Melrose's ask if Chef Ricardo Blasgrove is on duty. He is Excellent with food allergies (and I would think with celiac as well). At the WCC, see if Chef Eddie Lucier is on duty. He's another chef I would highly recommend.

Thanks for the tip!

[Deberlee]

Originally Posted by bfth

At Mama Melrose's ask if Chef Ricardo Blasgrove is on duty. He is Excellent with food allergies (and I would think with celiac as well). At the WCC, see if Chef Eddie Lucier is on duty. He's another chef I would highly recommend.

Ooo, that's great! Thanks for the tip!

[nebula5]

Thanks for all the tips! We'll be traveling with my SIL, who is gluten-intolerant and has some other restrictions (need to check with her for specifics before we go). This will be helpful and reassuring to her.

[mechurchlady]

If it is table service and owned and run by Disney then they can handle almost any dietary request if warned in advance. They can do puree, bland, no salt, low carb, high carb, low fat, diabetic, and allergen diets as well as religious, medical, pharmaceutical, moral, and allergen/sensitivities. When told ahead of time they can plan the meals and buy special items that they normally care little stock. They also have a special diets group now that handles dietary requests.

I dream of DLR and WDW dinners as they are safe comfort foods.

[Ms_Butterfly]

Be sure to also get the list from Disney of gluten-free foods before you go. This can help in planning, especially for counter-service places. They have a list for Food & Wine Festival, too. (One of the friends coming to Disney with me can't eat gluten, so I got the list for her. I told her of some of the items on it and she is looking forward to it!)

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Ms_Butterfly

Be sure to also get the list from Disney of gluten-free foods before you go. This can help in planning, especially for counter-service places. They have a list for Food & Wine Festival, too. (One of the friends coming to Disney with me can't eat gluten, so I got the list for her. I told her of some of the items on it and she is looking forward to it!)

That is a great tip! Then you can be informed about gluten free items and know if You've been given something that you shouldn't have.

[emtpej]

Originally Posted by katydid

Do not avoid table service restaurants because their regular menus seem to be off limits due to gluten issues. The restaurants where I had the most choices were the ones I was most afraid I would have problems with.

Biergarten- the chef was very helpful and there were lots of things to eat on the buffet, plus the chef made extra things gluten free for me. He also sent me away with a bag of pre-packaged gluten-free desserts to go!

Boma- the chef went over the whole buffet with me and even explained why or why not I could have each dish. I never thought I could have a creamy soup, a battered calamari salad or a Casava cake. This is in addition to many meats, potatoes, and salads.

Ohana- I got my own gluten free salad, chicken wings, gluten free rolls, and I could also eat the shrimp and steak skewers. The waitress brougt fresh skewers to me first and then offered more to the rest of our party. I felt very safe and cared for here! They also offered to make me dessert but I was too stuffed to partake of that. I ordered espresso instead.

Whispering Canyon Cafe- I ordered the skillet after confering with the chef. I had my own salad and cornbread. Warm tender CORNBREAD! and it was good! I was able to share in all the items on the main skillet. I felt like a regular diner here.

Narccoossees- like any signature restaurant, you will be pampered here. The chef specially prepared a whole yellow-tail snapper without flour for me. It was outstanding, as was the roasted corn relish, the fingerling potatoes, and for dessert the key lime creme brulee.

Le Cellier- I had less choices here, the seafoods I would have ordered as entrees were off limits. But the Fillet Mignon with the mushroom rissotto was to die for. Since I could not get seafood for my entree I splurged and got the mussles in spicy coconut broth for an appetizer. Yum! Maple creme brulee was great but I was to full to eat more than a few bites.

So don't be afraid to try restaurants that might see to be heavy on floured dishes or have many dishes with soy sauces. The Chefs at the Table Service restaurants are very knowledgable and accomadating! Be sure to have your allergy noted on all your reservations and you will be treated well.

Thanks for that! I think they like the challenge -- making the 'regular' food may get boring...

[Ms_Butterfly]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

That is a great tip! Then you can be informed about gluten free items and know if You've been given something that you shouldn't have.

The list also has info. for a few other common allergies (I think peanut, egg, dairy, and possibly a few others), so ppl with those should also request the list. Actually, it is a set of lists - a little confusing, but that's what your flight is for, to figure it all out, LOL!

The list also included a copy of a label of allergen-free chicken they have at some places there.