August 19th, 2011
Delaware Beaches, Two Restaurants Taking Food Allergies and Intolerances very seriously, Big Fish Grill, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Blues, Lewes and Bethany Beach
Are you thinking….there she comes again!! Oh, well. You know what happens? When it hits you or your family, then you spring into action, just like anything else.
I got an e-mail from Sharon who every year visits the Delaware Beaches. The difference this year is that she has been diagnosed with celiac disease. No gluten (wheat flour or its derivatives); so….how about Grotto Pizza, a favorite of hers? She read my post on Grotto’s new addition to their menu. You got it, Gluten Free Pizza!!
I don’t know Sharon but I know that brought a smile to her face. She wanted to know more. I sent her a not so short e-mail with additional information on our restaurants that are sensitive to the customers with food allergies and intolerances.
I know how hard it is to go to a restaurant and at the mention of the word “gluten free”, the glaze clouds the eyes of a waiter. It just happened to me this week. It is not her or his fault. On this day and age, as celiac disease is at the forefront of food allergies, restaurants need to inform their staff about this and other food allergies and intolerances because there is a difference, and it is important.
“A true food allergy causes an immune system reaction that affects numerous organs in the body.” It can be severe or life-threatening. An intolerance or sensitivity is less serious. It is limited to digestive problems.
It is evident that eating out is getting easier when you have a food allergy. I have seen the improvement.
The response of some restaurants varies. Not on purpose. There is a lot of ignorance and there is also the chef that has a concept of his dish in a specific way. To change it would completely ruin his masterpiece.
Two restaurants that are rising above the rest, here at the Delaware Beaches, are Big Fish Grill and Bethany Blues. These two restaurants, by far, are the best I have encountered, anywhere, regarding their handling of customers with food allergies. Kudos to them!!
Big Fish Grill
I am a habitual customer of this popular restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. There is always a line but I have a tip for you. If you go through the entrance of the Tiki Bar, you can grab a high top or sit at the bar without the assistant of a hostess. The service is just as good there. I, actually, prefer it.
I questioned if the crabcakes had any fillers. She said “just a little bit for binding”. Oh, it is just that my husband has a gluten allergy. I left it like that. I turned around and the Manager was there wondering who had the gluten allergy. Only the Manager at Big Fish will come and talk to you about an allergy.
After the food is prepared, she will inspect the dish; then the food will be brought to the table by him or her.
Big Fish is located at 20298 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-FISH. Website? www.bigfishgrill.com.
When visiting the website you can click on Menu. On the right hand side you will see all the menus available for each allergy. Dairy Free, Egg Free, Garlic Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Shellfish Free.
On that evening, just sitting at the bar, my husband enjoyed, worryfree, a Thai Wrap and some gorgeous shrimp.
I usually order their House Salad, which has wild greens with tomato, gorgonzola, walnuts and maple walnut vinaigrette. Then, I have them top it with their caramelized Atlantic Salmon. It is delicious. I can’t get enough of it.
Bethany Blues
This restaurant and music venue takes its customers with food related allergies very seriously, as well.
Bethany Blues is located at 18385 Coastal Highway, Lewes, and in Bethany Beach you can find them at 6 North Pennsylvania Avenue. In their website, www.bethanyblues.com you can click under Menu, then click under Allergy Concerns. You will get plenty of info. there.
Again, at Bethany Blues, the Manager will come and talk to you about your food related allergy.
Bethany Blues, I am coming back; just waiting for the Second Season at the Beaches, which is fast approaching.
Even though there plenty of other restaurants that can accommodate you at the Delaware Beaches, these 2 really do stand out.
Let me know what you think…talk to you later…
Tags: Bethany Beach, Bethany Blues, Big Fish Grill, Delaware Beaches, Food allergies, Food allergy Menus at Big Fish Grill, Gluten Free, Gluten free awareness, gluten free menus, Restaurant, Restaurants, Restaurants with Food Allergy Menus, Reviews
Very educational thanks, I presume your current audience could very well want considerably more stories like that maintain the great content.
Thanks so much for the comments to my blog. Having someone in your household with food allergy issues makes you more aware and pro-active.