Maggiano's

[jenvan]

Hey-good news I think! My brother and I are having a surprise party for my parents at Maggiano's italian restaurant, and when my brother went over for the tasting this week, they told him they now serve gluten-free pasta, permanently ! Woo hoo! They also told him they cook the gluten-free pasta and dish in separate pans etc of course. Now, I haven't followed up and cked on the details myself yet, so I'll let you know when I do. But wanted to put the word out... Not sure if this is company-wide ? More info to come...

[skbird]

Cool! Which one was this?

Thanks!

Stephanie

[jenvan]

One in Indianapolis Indiana, or actually the address might be in Carmel. Hopefully it will turn out to be chain-wide. I have a note into them asking... I commend those restaurants who are not afraid to serve gluten-free !

[skbird]

The closest one to me is 3 hours away in San Jose but I put it in my address book just in case...

That would be cool!

Stephanie

[jenvan]

I'll let you know. ...And my brother just called me--he said when he left the tasting that they gave him a 2 lb bag of the gluten-free pasta from Italy for me to try !! Can't wait to see what it is and try it ! Nice PR!

[jmengert]

I got so excited after I saw your post, Jenvan, that I contacted my semi-local Maggiano's (in Tysons Corner, VA), and they said that all Maggiano's now stock gluten-free pasta and to just ask my server about it. This was one of my favorite restaurants before going gluten-free--how exciting!

[jaimek]

I contacted my local Maggiano's via email and they informed me that they could not give me a list of safe foods that I could eat there:( I crossed them off of my list. Oh well.

[jenvan]

Okay, got some more info--e-mail is below. Also, their pasta is made entirely of corn, so if you are corn intolerant like me--it isn't a huge help! but still good news anyway...

jaimek-Perhaps your Magg's is just behind?? Here is the e-mail I got from them:

Dear Ms. Hutson,

Thank you for your inquiry and for your interest in Maggiano's.

Ms. Hutson, all of our restaurants now have gluten free pastas available. Please speak

with your server or the manager on duty before placing your order.

Again, your interest in Maggiano's is much appreciated and we hope we have the

opportunity to see you in our restaurant soon. It will be our pleasure to serve you.

Sincerely,

Mary Jo Robbins

Guest Relations

Ref # 407295

[Turtle]

WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Jenvan,

I went back to Cincinnati this weekend for a wedding. The rehearsal dinner was at Maggiano's.

They made me a gluten free spiral pasta dish with tomato sauce and parm cheese.

It was awesome.

The chef also sount out a gluten-free Raspberry sorbetto for dessert.

I was in heaven.....

[jenvan]

That's awesome!! I was there this weekend for my parent's surprise party and the chef was great. He came out beforehand and came up with a special dish for me to match each course of the menu. Unfortunately I can't eat the pasta myself b/c it is made from corn, but the food I did get was excellent. He gave me his card--I will definitely be going back. He knew what he was talking about, and even prepared my meals in a separate kitchen b/c he didn't want it near any ambient flour Way to go Maggiano's !

[liljules5]

saw the topic and went tonight!! It took the waiter a second to figure out what I was asking but all was good and I enjoyed having pasta at a restaurant!!! :-D

[fatherof4yearold]

Attached is what they emailed back to me, not quiet as encouraging:

June 06, 2005

Dear Mr. ,

Thank you for your interest in Maggiano's and for taking the time to write. Please speak

to the Manager of your local Maggiano's to inquire if they have any gluten-free pasta

available to serve. However, our policy is that gluten-containing products are in our

restaurants; therefore the risk of cross-contamination is ever present. For that reason, the

Management teams can make no guarantees that a product is gluten-free.

Sincerely,

Maggiano's

Guest Relations

Ref # 409321

Hopefully the local managers are more helpful.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Father,

In my opinion, as a former restaurant worker for 9 years, it is impossible to guarantee any food is gluten free.

Having said that, your risk of cross contamination is lower at various places.

As long as your local Maggiano's General Manager/Chef can boil the pasta in clean water, use a clean pan for mixing the sauce with the pasta, it should be a no-brainer.

Technically, every restaurant should say what your e-mail said (for liability reasons).

Call the local Maggiano's and see what they say. My experience was incredible.