Glutened At Bonefish Last Night!

[wolfie]

I took the kids out to Bonefish Grill last night and I ended up getting glutened! I ordered Lily's Chicken (which is amazing BTW) and the steamed veggies, no butter/seasonings. I made sure that the server knew that both DS & I were ordering off the gluten-free menu. When I started to eat my veggies I thought that the carrots tasted kind of sweet, way to sweet for not having any seasoning on them. I spoke with my server who said that that "garnish" came on every plate and that there was just a glaze on it. He went to check on the glaze and it has 1 cup of flour per 6 gallons of liquid. I told him that I needed a new plate of food, that I couldn't have ANY gluten at all. He went to have it remade and I had them box to take it home. I did speak with the managers and they apologized. I told them that I was concerned that I had ordered off the gluten-free menu and made my server aware, yet a garnish with gluten was put on my plate. I didn't notice the "garnish" b/c it blended right in with my steamed veggies (both were predominantly carrots). So, I wanted the managers to educate their staff on the garnish and making sure to not put it on the plates of those who order gluten-free. It does say on one part of the gluten-free menu that this garnish has gluten, but no where on the description of what I ordered did it say that there would be this garnish, so it is pretty confusing. I also asked what else came with the Lily's Chicken, server said to pick a side, I picked the steamed veggies, no butter/seasonings.

So, if you go to Bonefish, make sure that you let them know to hold the garnish from your plate. I will go back. I eat out at least once per week and this is the first time I have been glutened from eating out. I wasn't horribly sick, but did have some pretty nasty stomach cramps and bloating last night. I feel better this AM for the most part.

[CarlaB]

Bonefish is one of my regular spots. In all the times I've been there, they've only made this mistake once, and I sent my plate back. It's a good lesson to read the fine print on the gluten-free menu because even if the servers are trained on this, on a busy night, they are likely to forget.

Also be sure there's no gravy on your mashed potatoes.

I'm glad it was only a "little" glutening for you.

[missy'smom]

Sorry you had a bad experience. I second what Carla said. They get busy and forget, even at Bonefish. I inspect my plate before I take a bite EVERYtime I dine out no matter where. I scan it for stray crumbs and peek under things to make sure. I've had to send plates back too many times. I had to send a plate back once at Bonefish too. I was with a group for an office party on a busy night. I emphasized that I was gluten-free and mentioned CC. They were going to just remove the offending item but I said that wouldn't work. Come to think of it, it might have been the garnish too. The manager took care of it and appologized profusely.I've had many safe meals there since and still feel more comfortable there than other places.

[TinkerbellSwt]

I havent yet encountered a problem at the bonefish.. and btw, I love Lilys Chicken.. it says right on the gluten free menu, do not get veggies, instead of asking for mine steamed, I just leave them off entirely, which is odd for me as I eat veggies with every meal. I am glad you only got a little bit though.. when my mom brought a plate home for me on Easter, there they were the offending carrots, but their take out plates have huge seperate sections on it for the carrots and mashed taters.. of course I found a piece of squash in my taters, so didnt eat them either, but the chicken was darned good!!!

[wolfie]

Sorry you had a bad experience. I second what Carla said. They get busy and forget, even at Bonefish. I inspect my plate before I take a bite EVERYtime I dine out no matter where. I scan it for stray crumbs and peek under things to make sure. I've had to send plates back too many times. I had to send a plate back once at Bonefish too. I was with a group for an office party on a busy night. I emphasized that I was gluten-free and mentioned CC. They were going to just remove the offending item but I said that wouldn't work. Come to think of it, it might have been the garnish too. The manager took care of it and appologized profusely.I've had many safe meals there since and still feel more comfortable there than other places.

I know....I am the queen inspector, but those sneaky carrots in the garnish looked just like the steamed carrots. I think next time I will do the mashed potatoes w/o gravy instead since it is easier to see the difference.

Bonus, the managers told me that in a few months they will have a gluten-free brownie on the dessert menu.

[mookie03]

Just an FYI - the only time i have eaten at Bonefish they brought my meal out with the garnish - i had seen on the menu that it wasnt gluten-free so i asked the waiter and he INSISTED it was gluten-free - i spoke to the manager and he took it back. But the point is, my experience was that the waiters were not well-informed about gluten - the other waiter i spoke to and asked for the gluten-free menu said "i dont know what that is but i'm pretty sure we dont have one!" SO while their food may be good and their intentions are great, i dont know how well-trained the staff is. I suggest being very assertive with your waiter or speaking with the manager when you eat there.