Lunch Spots In Richmond, Va?

[pamelaD]

Hi all,

We will be visiting family in Richmond over Labor Day weekend. I have not been there since being diagnosed in late Feb. We are planning on going to the new Bonefish Grill (gluten-free menu). My husband insists on going to Ruth Chris Steakhouse (instead of Outback- gluten-free menu; or Flemings- which has a mention on the Richmond GIG site as gluten-free friendly). I called Ruth Chris's today to make a reservation and the hostess I spoke with was totally clueless ("can you spell 'gluten' for me?"). I faxed them my standard info on celiac and gluten-free restaurant food and am keeping my fingers crossed.

Anyway.... to my real question: Our fav lunch spot in the Fan has always been the Strawberry Street Cafe, but I have a feeling they might not be all that gluten-aware. Any other lunchy spots in the area that you have had good/easy gluten-free experiences at? Cary Town, Shokoe Slip, The Fan, near VCU?

I don't post here much, but read the forum every day over my lunch hour and have gotten so much great info!

Thanks!

Pam

[GEF]

Hello Pam,

I'm embarrassed to say that even though I'm right here in Richmond, I haven't had enough experience with the restaurants yet to help you personally. I'll call the Richmond GIG tomorrow and see if they recommend any that aren't already listed on their site.

Enjoy your stay here!

Gretchen

[lovegrov]

Here's what Ruth's Chris said 8 months ago.

Appetizers/Soups/Salads

_ gluten-free

_ Barbequed Shrimp

_ Shrimp Remoulade

_ Shrimp Cocktail

_ Onion Soup (WITHOUT croutons)

_ Ahi Tuna (WITHOUT sauce)

_ All salads (WITHOUT croutons)

_ All salad dressings (EXCEPT Ranch --outside source)

_ NOT gluten-free

_ Mushrooms with Crab

_ Crab Cakes

_ Lobster Bisque.

_ Gumbo is questionable due to outside source for roux.

_ Ranch dressing (outside source).

Entrees

_ gluten-free: All entrees (EXCEPT Stuffed Chicken Breast) would be acceptable. Steaks are only seasoned with salt, pepper and butter.

_ NOT gluten-free: The Stuffed Chicken Breast is questionable due to Ranch dressing.

Sides

_ gluten-free

_ All potatoes (EXCEPT Au Gratin and French Fries)

_ All vegetables (EXCEPT Creamed and Au Gratin)

_ NOT gluten-free

_ Au gratin Potatoes

_ French Fries (which are fried in the same oil as the Onion Rings)

_ Creamed and au gratin vegetables

Desserts

_ gluten-free

_ Chocolate Sin Cake (The chocolate sin cake does not contain any flour in the ingredients.)

_ Berries with Cream

_ NOT gluten-free

_ Cheesecake

_ Banana Cream Pie

_ Apple Crumb Tart

_ Cr

[GEF]

I'll call the Richmond GIG tomorrow and see if they recommend any that aren't already listed on their site.

I did call today and spoke with a woman at the GIG and she didn't know of a particular restaurant downtown/fan/vcu area that anyone had either a good/bad gluten-free experience with... however, she did mention that pretty much all of those restaurants have chefs and are usually very willing to accomodate dietary requirements.

Sorry, I tried to save you some work, but wasn't much help.

Gretchen

[pamelaD]

Thanks Gretchen for calling for me! I guess I'll do my best, as usaul. I'll probably hit a Ukrops and have lunches at my in-laws... I actually found a gluten-free list on the Ukrops website.

And Thanks to 'lovegrov', too, for the info on Ruth Chris. I will take this with me when I go. I also plan on calling them a few days in advance to see if they have any questions for me.

Pam

[GEF]

Pam,

I'd be interested to know how your restaurant experience goes here in Richmond

Gretchen

[pamelaD]

Here's my trip report from our trip to Richmond over Labor Day weekend:

We ended up at Acacia in Cary Town for lunch on Monday and they did a great job! The hostess/server took my one page gluten-free-info sheet back to the kitchen and she told me they have one 'regular' who is gluten-free. They seemed to be very aware of ingreadient issues (although I passed on the balsamic vinegrette since it had mayo in it and I did not want to have to have them bring out a jar for me to read). I had a lovely portabello/aspargus salad and grilled halibut (they cleaned the grill before cooking my fish).

Sat night we took the gang to the new Bonefish Grill way out off of Hull St. Great food and fun place, but noisey. The special gluten-free menu, lik outback, had a 'gluten-free' symbol after the items that qualified (more than half). I had a shrimp app with a spicy sauce and seabass with lime/garlic sauce. Passed on dessert, although I had a bite of my niece-in-laws creme brulee.

Sunday lunch we went to the family favorite: Julians (across from the science museum on Broad). I spoke at length to the owner/manager, first about the flood news and hurricane updates, then eased into the gluten-free subject. She went over all the menu items with me, talked to the server and the kitchen. I got an 'italian' salad (brought my own dressing packet- Amy's low fat rasp vin), then broiled scallops with veggies. The plate came with cole slaw, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce, all of which I passed on, just in case.

Sunday night we again took the whole gang (9 of us!) to Ruth Chris steakhouse. They were really great there. The server told me she had read up on the info I had faxed and the kitchen was ready to make gluten-free anything I wanted. I had a nice salad (again my own dressing) and salmon sauted with garlic and dill (in a clean pan) and steamed veggies, and another spoonful of creme brulee for dessert.

I was so pleased with the whole weekend!..... until..... a little tummy pain Sunday in middle of the night, then a short case of the big 'D' the next day. Not too bad, really, and part of me thinks it may have just been a case of too little sleep, too much wine in the evenings, and too much coffee in the mornings! I have a feeling I got a tad of gluten in something at Ruth Chris, though....

Next time in Richmond we will try Flemmings Steak House or maybe stick to Outback.

Thanks to all!

And Gretchen, I hope you and yours did not get too much water/storm damage! They say more rain coming soon from Frances!

Pam

[Brandon Montgomery]

Thanks Gretchen for calling for me! I guess I'll do my best, as usaul. I'll probably hit a Ukrops and have lunches at my in-laws... I actually found a gluten-free list on the Ukrops website.

And Thanks to 'lovegrov', too, for the info on Ruth Chris. I will take this with me when I go. I also plan on calling them a few days in advance to see if they have any questions for me.

Pam

Pam, do you have a copy of your one sheet that you use when going to restaurants? I would love to have something like that, or let me know where I can get one. I have been recently diagnosed but have not had all my meetings with the nutritionist.

Also, in DC but headed to Richmond and this is how I found your post.

Brandon

[pamelaD]

Hi Brandon,

Here is the one page info that I send. I usually call and make the reservation and say that I have some 'dietary restrictions' or 'food allergies' and would like to fax them the info.

********************************************

Dear restaurant

[TinkerbellSwt]

I dont know how much this will help you as I am not sure which area of Richmond is which. The convention for the GIG is in Richmond this year. And there is one nite that we all get to go to these restaurants, regular ol restaurants and they are going to cater to our gluten free needs, which I am "assuming" so double check me, that they would be able to accomodate you too.... there they are.. they are all located right near each other.

Sine Irish Pub and Restaurant 1237 E. Cary Street

The Hard Shell 1411 E Cary Street

La Grotta 1218 E. Cary Street

Peking Pavilion 1302 E. Cary Street

Cha Cha's Cantina and Southwest Grill 1419 E. Cary Street

Sam Millers Restaruant 1210 E. Cary Street

and finally

Mortons The Steakhouse also on Cary Street.

I would think if they were educated enough to handle all these gluten free diners at once, that they would know what gluten was and how to handle it properly in the kitchen. I would of course double check, I am sorry I have no phone numbers for you..

I hope this might help some...