A Celiac Braving the Boca Restaurant Scene: First Watch

I very rarely eat out.  This is actually quite sad because I am a self-proclaimed foodie and, as much as I enjoy cooking, I really love for somebody else to do it for me every once in awhile.

A recent discovery of mine, thanks to the Find me Gluten Free App, is a place called FirstWatch.  This is a chain that promises to take your food allergies seriously, so I decided to seriously give it a try.  It is a breakfast and lunch place only, so I'm still on a quest for a good dinner joint.  I'd love some recommendations in my comments…yes, I mean it!

The place has the feel of a refreshed diner.  More modern, cleaner, fresher.  Less Grease.

 They have a separate Gluten Free menu, but you can discuss all your individual needs with the server, who will *hopefully* convey your needs to the chef, who will then look after you.  My issues are not solely gluten, but soy and dairy as well.  They did some checking for me to make certain I'd be safe.

FirstWatch Chicken and Cherry Quinoa Power Bowl sans dressing

My Husband's Gluten-filled breakfast

Notes for the chef

Cobb salade sans dressing, bread and Blue cheese substituted with goat

Greek Fetish Omelet sans Bread

This menu can also be found at FirstWatch.com

Daughter's Hot Chocolate (Contains wheat starch)
She proclaimed it to be the best hot chocolate in the world

Everyone was happy with their food.  Was it spectacular?  Do I dream of it at night?  No, but it sure beats Denny's.  My hunger was satisfied and I didn't feel like a heart attack waiting to happen afterwards.  The only real complaint was over the coffee.  A breakfast place should have really good coffee, just saying!  It came out quickly, but tasted very fresh.  Fast, inexpensive…and you can let somebody else do the dishes!


XO, Ami

Eating Big in Boca: Brio Tuscan Grille

It was our first Valentine's Day in Boca Raton.  A Thursday night.  As newcomers, we didn't get too adventurous in our dining choice.  We wanted safe.  Brio recently announced their new Gluten Free Menu.

Safe.

At least, that was the hope.

At the top of the Gluten free menu, it stated that people with allergies needed to notify the server.  My confidence wavered slightly.  It would seem that this menu was created for those who chose to go gluten free...not for those of us who had to.

Still...like I said...first Valentine's Day in a new town.  Big changes here, people.  I looked forward with optimism!  Plus, the server was notified that I was not, in fact, on a fad diet...please don't poison me.

We ordered cocktails and bread was served.  No gluten free options, darn it.

I ordered the Pasta Pomodoro.  It really was lovely.  Pesto, tomato, pine nuts-- all glorious!

We took our time over dinner, savoring the flavors as well as the conversation.  Service was decent, not outstanding, but as well as expected.

Then it began...

a deep, thumping pain in my head.  The later it got, the worse it hurt until finally I couldn't even stand being with myself!

Valentine's evening...as good as ruined.

I got glutened. Mildly.

This is all speculation, of course, but the only answer I can come up with is, the pasta must have been boiled in the same water that regular pasta was cooked in.  Alas, I may never know.

Finally, after about 36 hours detoxing, I was back to standard issue Ami.

Would I go back?  Perhaps, but I will be more forceful when explaining my needs and fears of cross-contamination.  The food was good, service adequate.  However, there is a great big world of restaurants in Boca!  I think next time, I'll try something new.

XO, Ami