[momxyz]

I am going out with friends at the end of the week and am still new at this game. I haven't contacted the restaurant yet to see if the are familiar with gluten-free food prep, but I have perused their menu on line.

Here's what I am thinking of.
Appetizer: shrimp coctail or cheese stuffed mushroom
Salad: Jonathan's House salad (has no croutons) w/ vinegrette
Entree: Caramelized (with OJ and triple sec) Salmon filet
Dessert: will either be too full or will have another glass of wine

I think these should be fine, but if anyone sees any read flags, give a holler. Would really like to know if anyone else going gluten-free has eaten here!

[Mtndog]

momxyz, on Oct 5 2009, 01:23 PM, said:

I am going out with friends at the end of the week and am still new at this game. I haven't contacted the restaurant yet to see if the are familiar with gluten-free food prep, but I have perused their menu on line.

Here's what I am thinking of.
Appetizer: shrimp coctail or cheese stuffed mushroom
Salad: Jonathan's House salad (has no croutons) w/ vinegrette
Entree: Caramelized (with OJ and triple sec) Salmon filet
Dessert: will either be too full or will have another glass of wine

I think these should be fine, but if anyone sees any read flags, give a holler. Would really like to know if anyone else going gluten-free has eaten here!

I've never been there so let me know how it works out.....always looking for new gluten-free friendly places around New England (and I LOVE ogunquit!)

Here's my thoughts- Ask about EVERYTHING but double check out the shrimp cocktail sauce and the mushroom stuffing. Legal Seafoods cocktail sauce is not safe (I don't know why) and I can easily see the mushrooms having bread crumbs.

Also, make sure they are aware of cross-contamination issues. You need clean prep surfaces, grills that aren't shared, that kind of thing.

Hope it goes well and tastes great! Keep us posted. have fun!

[momxyz]

thanks, Mtndog

I have emailed them and asked if they have any staff who are familiar with sources of gluten and wouldn't mind me asking a question or two..

If I don't hear back I'll call the day before we go.

If all else fails....there's the double lobster special!

[momxyz]

Mtndog, on Oct 5 2009, 02:54 PM, said:

I've never been there so let me know how it works out.....always looking for new gluten-free friendly places around New England (and I LOVE ogunquit!)

Here's my thoughts- Ask about EVERYTHING but double check out the shrimp cocktail sauce and the mushroom stuffing. Legal Seafoods cocktail sauce is not safe (I don't know why) and I can easily see the mushrooms having bread crumbs.

Also, make sure they are aware of cross-contamination issues. You need clean prep surfaces, grills that aren't shared, that kind of thing.

Hope it goes well and tastes great! Keep us posted. have fun!

here's the response I got from my email:

Greetings;

Please let us know of your requirements when you make your reservation. Our
servers are familiar with gluten free diets and will ask our chef if they
are unsure. Thanks for joining us.

so I replied with questions about the specific items I intend to order; but I was pleased with the quick reply!

[momxyz]

Good news! my contact at the restaurant reviewed all my selections and they are prepared w/o gluten!
He again encouraged me to ask any further questions when I go there.

so if you're ever in Ogunquit, check it out!

http://www.jonathansrestaurant.com/

[Mtndog]

Oh that's great!!!!!!! Have a wonderful dinner!!!!!!!!!!

[momxyz]

Dinner was Thursday night and it was great. Wonderful wait staff too. I waited two days to reply because the last time I got glutened that was how long it took for the full effect to hit me.... am happy to say everything's fine!

I am really glad I did the research ahead of time.... I was able to just relax and enjoy the company of friends.... and the food!

[Vamonos]

Glad you enjoyed Jonathan's. Looks like the key is to call ahead of time. I had a mediocre experience last year but hadn't called ahead. Even after I gave the waiter the Triumph dining card and ordered a gluten free lobster casserole with out the bread crumbs, he arrives at the table with a complimentary appetizer from the chef....served on a CRACKER, no less. ( for what it is worth, it looked beautiful!) They must have gotten some education in the past year.

If you are looking for other gluten free dining experiences in Ogunquit, try the Oarweed in Perkins Cove. They definitely get it and the view is spectacular.

The largest gluten free menu in Ogunquit this past summer was at Julie's Ristorante,
396 Main St. Tel. 207-641-2522. I can't even recall what I had, but it was nice to be able to get everyone's take out dinner at the same spot and it is close to everything in town. Delivery is also an option. If you are looking to surprise a loved one on your vacation, they offer gift baskets as well.

I have no affiliation with any of these businesses. I just love Ogunquit, too!

[momxyz]

Vamonos, on Oct 11 2009, 06:55 AM, said:

Glad you enjoyed Jonathan's. Looks like the key is to call ahead of time. I had a mediocre experience last year but hadn't called ahead. Even after I gave the waiter the Triumph dining card and ordered a gluten free lobster casserole with out the bread crumbs, he arrives at the table with a complimentary appetizer from the chef....served on a CRACKER, no less. ( for what it is worth, it looked beautiful!) They must have gotten some education in the past year.

If you are looking for other gluten free dining experiences in Ogunquit, try the Oarweed in Perkins Cove. They definitely get it and the view is spectacular.

The largest gluten free menu in Ogunquit this past summer was at Julie's Ristorante,
396 Main St. Tel. 207-641-2522. I can't even recall what I had, but it was nice to be able to get everyone's take out dinner at the same spot and it is close to everything in town. Delivery is also an option. If you are looking to surprise a loved one on your vacation, they offer gift baskets as well.

I have no affiliation with any of these businesses. I just love Ogunquit, too!

Thanks for the suggestions! Oarweed sounds partiicularly nice.

In addition to calling ahead, because I was with a large group, I tried to focus on menu selections that would be inherently gluten free (cc issues notwithstanding) so that my entree would not have to be prepared differently than usual.. I think that unless I know a restaurant specifically has gluten free options (Julie's sounds great in that regard) that's the tact I'm going to take. Study the menu ahead of time, and call ahead and inquire.