Experiences With Moroccan Food - Marrakesh Restaurant

[Emily Elizabeth]

I need some advice. My husband and I went to Marrakesh, a Moroccan restaurant in DC, on our first official date back in 2001 and have been going for special occasions ever since. Our 5 year anniversary is coming up in June and I would really like to go there, but I don't want to get glutened and therefore prolong the healing process (diagnosed with Celiac Disease on 5/15).

I called the restaurant and the person that I spoke with had not heard of gluten. When I explained what it was she told me there were just a few things to avoid. She said that everything was fresh so there would be no additives.

Have any of you been there before or to a similar restaurant? Do you know what things to avoid when eating at moroccan restaurants? I have pasted the menu below and italicized what the restaurant suggested that I not eat:

The Three-Salad Platter (no bread)

Cooked Eggplants in Tomato Sauce

Cucumbers and Bell Peppers in Mediterranean Seasoning

Oasis Carrots with Coriander

The B'Stella

Layered Pie with Chicken, assorted nuts, almonds, eggs, parsley, and onions

Topped with Confectioners sugar and traced with Cinnamon (omit)

Chicken with Lemon and Olives

Marinated Berber Beef Shish Kebab

Couscous Grand Atlas Topped with Vegetables, Chick Peas, and Raisins (omit)

Basket of Fresh Fruits

Hot Mint Tea with Moroccan Pastries

Any help or advice would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[CarlaB]

Once I went to a Morrocan restaurant and ordered salmon ... it was supposed to be served on couscous, so I asked for it without the couscous. I clearly told them I was allergic to wheat (which is what couscous is).

My dinner came out on couscous. I sent it back. They came back out within a short time ... they had just moved the salmon to another plate ... it still had couscous remnants on it.

I sent it back AGAIN, waited FOREVER for a fresh dinner. Hubby was finished LONG before I was served. No apology. No compensation. Never went back.

I truly hope your experience is better than mine! It was not the same restaurant as the one you mentioned.

[Emily Elizabeth]

Yikes! I think I would definitely cry if that happened to me on my anniversary (especially with the emotional state I am in right now). I don't know if it's worth taking the chance. I really want to have a special evening though and have no idea what to do. it seems that everything involves dinner. Maybe a steak at Ruth's Chris steakhouse? They should be able to handle a gluten free request I would imagine. Ugh. I can't wait until I am feeling healthy again and I have a better handle on this new lifestyle.

[CarlaB]

Actually, I had just flown into town after being away, it was late, I was tired, and I believe I did cry!

Here are restaurants with a gluten-free menu, that might make it easier. It's hard to eat out, especially when you're new to this.

Mitchell's Fish Market

Bonefish Grill

Outback Steakhouse

PF Changs

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Carrabas

Maggianos (no gluten-free menu, but chef comes to table)

I have eaten at Ruth's Chris. I don't remember all about it, but I did talk to them about ingredients and got a good, gluten-free meal.

If you eat at the Moroccan place, you might want to go in there before your anniversary and talk about exactly what you'll be ordering. That way if you aren't comfortable with it, on the actual night you can go somewhere else.

[Emily Elizabeth]

Actually, I had just flown into town after being away, it was late, I was tired, and I believe I did cry!

Here are restaurants with a gluten-free menu, that might make it easier. It's hard to eat out, especially when you're new to this.

Mitchell's Fish Market

Bonefish Grill

Outback Steakhouse

PF Changs

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Carrabas

Maggianos (no gluten-free menu, but chef comes to table)

I have eaten at Ruth's Chris. I don't remember all about it, but I did talk to them about ingredients and got a good, gluten-free meal.

If you eat at the Moroccan place, you might want to go in there before your anniversary and talk about exactly what you'll be ordering. That way if you aren't comfortable with it, on the actual night you can go somewhere else.

Thanks for posting this list. That is very helpful. I'm glad to hear about Ruth's Chris too. That sounds promising. Of course my husband thinks we should try all of these restaurants beforehand, just to be sure=, then chose the best one - I know that's his stomach talking!

[CarlaB]

I would definately recommend trying all of them beforehand!!! How fun would that be?!

Are you in Atlanta? Wildfire has a gluten-free menu there and they even have gluten-free buns for their hamburgers. I'm not in Atlanta, but I've heard about it.

Risotteria in NYC has a great gluten-free menu, awesome breadsticks, pizza, and carrot cake! Maybe you need a TRIP for your anniversary!!

Be sure you do talk to them when you go to Ruth's Chris so that you can determine what's safe. I did go over everything I ordered with them. Any time I've eaten at an expensive restaurant, I've always been well taken care of.

[Emily Elizabeth]

I would definately recommend trying all of them beforehand!!! How fun would that be?!

Are you in Atlanta? Wildfire has a gluten-free menu there and they even have gluten-free buns for their hamburgers. I'm not in Atlanta, but I've heard about it.

Risotteria in NYC has a great gluten-free menu, awesome breadsticks, pizza, and carrot cake! Maybe you need a TRIP for your anniversary!!

Be sure you do talk to them when you go to Ruth's Chris so that you can determine what's safe. I did go over everything I ordered with them. Any time I've eaten at an expensive restaurant, I've always been taken good care of.

I'm near Washington, DC. Wow... the Risotteria in NYC sounds amazing! Maybe we do need a trip. That's an exciting idea! I feel much more positive now that I feel like I have some fun options. Thanks!

[hathor]

Depending on where you are around the District, you may want to check out Great Sage in Clarksville. Open Original Shared Link

It is the only place around here I've found that actually identifies what is vegan (thus no dairy or egg), gluten free, or soy free, or can be made any of the foregoing. The last time I went I ordered a sandwich & when I said gluten free, I actually had two choices as to the type of bread! There is a Roots grocery store next to the restaurant also that has a nice gluten free section.

Have you joined the DCCeliac list on Yahoo groups? There frequently is discussion of local restaurants.

[Emily Elizabeth]

Thank you so much! I don't know how I missed this post - I apologize for the delay! That's so funny that you mention Great Sage. An old friend of mine just told me about it this week. It turns out a lot of her friends have Celiac disease as well. She hadn't tried it yet though. It sounds wonderful! I am definitely going to check out the DCCeliac list on Yahoo groups. Thanks for your post!

Depending on where you are around the District, you may want to check out Great Sage in Clarksville. Open Original Shared Link

It is the only place around here I've found that actually identifies what is vegan (thus no dairy or egg), gluten free, or soy free, or can be made any of the foregoing. The last time I went I ordered a sandwich & when I said gluten free, I actually had two choices as to the type of bread! There is a Roots grocery store next to the restaurant also that has a nice gluten free section.

Have you joined the DCCeliac list on Yahoo groups? There frequently is discussion of local restaurants.

[Bill in MD]

Thank you so much! I don't know how I missed this post - I apologize for the delay! That's so funny that you mention Great Sage. An old friend of mine just told me about it this week. It turns out a lot of her friends have Celiac disease as well. She hadn't tried it yet though. It sounds wonderful! I am definitely going to check out the DCCeliac list on Yahoo groups. Thanks for your post!

Great Sage is truly great, as is the adjoining Roots organic market. Lots of good gluten-free stuff in both places. I've had good experiences with the Carraba's in Ellicott City, too.