Estella

Eating out takes some finesse & often is best to take something along if possible. Realize your son has definite likes & this is going to be part of your challenge. I realize he's likely honed in to various things due to texture, taste, temperature & other sensory "cues" that are comfortable for him. However, you want to make pizza at home for your son, check out Senza brand as it's free of many of the major allergens & produced in a dedicated facility: http://www.senzaglutine-glutenfree.com .  Senza as well as Conte's (http://www.contespas...m/specialty.htm) also has frozen raviolis available. You can e-mail either & they are kind as well as helpful with any questions you might have.  Both Senza & Conte's also sell in a few retail stores (check with co. for possible retailers in your area).  You also can shop with Senza online with free shipping.  Bob's Red Mill or Pamela's brands have pizza mixes & if you go to www.vitacost.com you can check out some of the major gluten-free company products. You can check out the ingredient lists as well as read reviews of the products that might help you get started.  I have no interest in any of these companies or products... it's just my "go to" ideas I've developed for myself. Hope this helps in some small way. 

Red Robin is one of our "go to" places here in Toledo area. Both locations are great & I just ask for their food allergen menu when I enter. They bring one of their updated ones printed from online that covers all the major food allergens & what can be ordered. Asking for the specific menu from the hostess is my 1st step in letting them know I have special food allergen needs. They alert the wait staff who we have found to be well trained. Once I came across a trainee who was going to take my order without writing it down... guess he figured he was young & likely thought he had a great memory! I kindly requested he please write my order down as I could become VERY ill if it wasn't sent into the kitchen correctly. He pulled out some paper & didn't take long for the manager to arrive at our table to make sure of my order. Was the only time I had even a smiggle of an issue with wait staff at RR before or since. If I ever have questions the staff is knowledgeable & thoughtful enough to recheck with the manager if they are in doubt about something they question or I ask about. I'm ovo vegetarian but hubsters loves a good burger... I don't usually eat french fries so that is where I MAJORLY indulge (sometimes at least 2 reorders) in their bottomless fries. If I've not quite hit my veggie needs that day then I'll also have a small side salad. However, my heart sings with my fill of RR's fries (sans Red Robin seasoning, of course). Know others have had a less that positive experience at times but we have found it consistently a safe place, as long as one calls ahead with questions on dedicated fryer, etc. plus allows the staff know kindly their needs when entering. You can go on their website & sign up for a Red Robin Royalty card or get one @ local RR then sign up on net. You'll get RR e-mails re: specials, notices of new menu items & you even get a FREE Gourmet burger for your birthday! I entered hubsters birthday so we're heading there next month to "celebrate". This month it's an "out of pocket" visit to Biaggi's for a gluten-free dairy-free pizza for my special day! Enjoy... life is just tooooo short!

Baked spaghetti squash smothered in slowly sauteed candy sweet onions, gypsy peppers & garlic. Had it last week & left us craving more. Just seemed perfect for a cold rainy week-end.

Yes do give quinoa a try! There isn't tons of flavor to it but it picks up flavor of the other things plus adds texture. Just make sure to rinse it REALLY WELL before cooking to prevent a bitter taste after cooking. Also, don't forget dried fruit if you like it......craisins, raisins (dark, golden or mix the 2), apricots, dates, figs, etc. Doesn't take a lot but they do add some dimension to flavor. Would suggest you also head over to Google & type in something like "tossed green salad ideas" or any other word combos that come to you. Up will come sites with some great ideas you likely never considered. Also sites like food.com , allrecipes.com & tasteofhome.com can provide inspiration for new ideas. Can also find salad dressing recipes on these sites as well. Enjoy!

Biaggi's in Perrysburg (NW Ohio)... located in Levis Commons shopping area. I'm gluten as well as dairy-free & their pizza is even delicious even with out the cheese! Biaggi's also gives you gluten-free bread & your own dipping oil. I'm not huge into pasta dishes but they have lovely selection & they have their gluten-free menu online. Have eaten there numerous times & they have a high regard for gluten-free customers so have never once gotten sick. Both NW Ohio Red Robin locations have dedicated fryers & respect highly their "food allergen" clientele. One is on Monroe Street across from Westfield Mall & the other is outside of Maumee in Shops at Fallen Timbers. Not sure about the Monroe St. location but know the one in Maumee now offers gluten-free buns for their burgers for an additional 99 cent charge. I'm ovo-vegetarian so I just pig out on their bottomless regular fries or sweet tater fries. They also have gluten-free menu online. Whether at Biaggi's or Red Robin, just ask hostess when you enter for Gluten-free menu, too. Have heard Amie's Pizza on Central Ave. in Toledo has gluten-free pizza but have never personally eaten there so can't fully vouch for it. There is a 5 Guys located on Central Ave. in the same shopping center as Costco (old Westgate area) & we're trying that before long. Nice area & there are 2 health food stores (Bassett's & Fresh Market) close if you're in the mood to "browse" All the restaurants aren't far off Interstate so precious little additional driving to hunt them down. Enjoy!