There’s no doubt that restaurants have had to well and truly up their game in relation to dietary requirements over the last few years.
Sure, from a legal perspective, they have always had various responsibilities, but let’s not forget that these dietary conditions are becoming more understood than ever before. In fact, if some reports are to be believed, the number of people being diagnosed with coeliac disease has increased fourfold over recent times.
However, while you should be able to trust restaurants on delivering you a gluten-free experience if you require, there are still some things that you should do before you plan your meal out. As such, if you’re based in London and desperate for the ultimate gluten-free dining experience, whether it is Covent Garden or across town, let’s get started.
Do your research
Whether you are a seasoned expert on coeliac disease or newly diagnosed, the best way to make sure that you can enjoy a great gluten-free meal out is to do your homework.
Yes, there are some great restaurant guides that can help you through the process of finding somewhere suitable but try and get some feedback from friends and family about their experiences as well. If you know of someone who has been in your position and was happy with the outcome of their visit, ask them for some advice.
You can also make your research more structured as well. For example, most restaurants have menus uploaded online. Take a look before your visit and see if the establishment is suitable for your dietary requirements. The worst thing you can do is arrive unprepared and realise that you can only eat a fraction of the menu. Talk to people, and do your own research, to give you the best possible start.
Make your dietary requirements clear
Once you have done your research, it is important to make your needs clear to the establishment. It is not enough to ask if they have a gluten-free menu. You need to make it clear that you are coeliac and that you need to be treated accordingly.
This is where you can use the information that you have gathered from your research. For example, if you know that the restaurant has a separate gluten-free menu, make sure you ask for this. At the same time, inform them that you can (or sometimes cannot, depending on the severity of your condition) deal with any cross-contamination. In other words, some dishes might technically be free of gluten, but in some cases, the restaurant might need to know that it has to be prepared in a different area to others.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Once you have made your dietary requirements clear, you should not be afraid to ask questions.
If you are not sure about something, make sure that you ask the staff. For example, if you are not sure about the ingredients in a dish, make sure that you ask the chef or waiter. They should be able to tell you whether or not the meal is safe for you. All establishments should have documents that outline all of the ingredients in a dish and any dietary ramifications.