Morton's, the Steakhouse - NO LONGER Gluten Free Goodness!

As of February 7, 2011 I was thrilled with Morton's.  I wrote this stunning review below, and spent many a lunch and dinner enjoying Morton's.  Until yesterday.  I am still so incredibly ill from my meal at Morton's.  To be honest I am pissed, disappointed, in incredible pain, and disgusted.  I was at Morton's for a business lunch, had a caesar salad - no croutons, rib eye (specifically asked to verify the sauce and assure it was gluten free) with a baked potato (plain), and berries.  Sounds harmless... But, no.  One hour after leaving Morton's and me and the restroom bonded like I never want to bond with a restroom.  Did I advise the server I needed a gluten free meal? Yes.  Did I ask the server to confirm 100 times over that my meal would be gluten free? Yes.  Was I served a gluten free meal? Who knows?  Was I served food that gave me food poisoning? Who knows.  All I do know is that my meal at Morton's is the cause of my severe pain. I understand Morton's is recently under new management.  But, I still expect great service, including server's exceptionally trained in dealing with guests that have food allergies (which Morton's had in the past) and I expect quality food (when paying a decent price for a meal, you don't expect to be sick afterwards). I expected more from you, Morton's!  I hope Morton's new management steps up and takes a hard look at proper training, the importance of understanding the severity of guests with food allergies and the importance of quality ingredients. Until Morton's shapes up, I don't plan on returning.

THUMBS DOWN!!!

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Morton's, the Steakhouse is a great place for Celiacs! Good salad, good steak and great berries = a wonderful meal! Morton's has a great gluten free selection. Best of all, Morton's has a special $109 steak and seafood for TWO menu! We chose this menu and enjoyed it, see our images below. For $109 for two people, you can enjoy a salad, steak, seafood, side and dessert. A lot of food! (I'm also allergic to seafood, so I just had the steak). Makes for a great place to celebrate a special occasion.

I enjoyed my meal at Morton's, see the images here:

Caesar salad, sans croutons

Delicious filet!

Perfectly baked, baked potato!

Fresh berries, a perfect ending

THUMBS UP for Morton's!

Red Velvet GF Goodness??

Heartland Gourmet offer's gluten free baked mixes.  I was shocked to find Heartland's "red velvet cupcake mix" at Marshalls for $3.99!  I had to try it.  

Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks!

Pretzels are no longer a snack of the past for Celiac's.  Snyder's of Hanover has 3 certified gluten free products, including pretzel sticks, mini pretzels and tortilla chips. 

Brennan's - My Favorite New Orleans Restaurant

I love Lazone!

New Orleans is a blast.  The French Quarter's Bourbon street is as dirty as can be, garbage cans are on the street in plain site, yet, you still LOVE the place.  It's warm, very friendly, parades happen on random Tuesday's, it's a great place.  For someone like me that's gluten free, with a shellfish allergy and a distaste for seafood - me and New Orleans are not a great culinary combination.

Hands down, Brennan's, off of Royal Street, was my favorite restaurant. Lazone, the chef pictured to your right actually came out and discussed my gluten free options with me after hearing my specific allergies and needs, and created perfection for me.

Well, in full disclosure, perfection for me is chocolate + steak, with the chocolate first.

Best Gluten Free Snack Chip??

  

Lundberg Family Farms^® is a family-owned and operated business that is committed to producing the finest quality rice and rice products since 1937.   Lucky for us Celiac's, many Lundberg products are gluten free!

I went to a friends house for wine and cheese (is there a better combo?!) and was pleasantly surprised when my amazing friend advised she cautiously picked the chips and all were gluten free, especially for me!

Bunnie Cakes Hits a Home Run with My BDAY Cake!

Bunnie Cakes is my go to for fresh gluten free goodness.  Mari, owner of Bunnie Cakes makes outstanding vegan and gluten free cupcakes and thank goodness, cakes.  For my birthday this year, I called Mari and happily put in my order.  You can also order online. I asked for espresso and tons-o-chocolate!  And that's just what I got! Always thankful to Mari for bringing delicious gluten free sweetness to me!  I was able to have a happy chocolate birthday thanks to Bunnie Cakes, and highly recommend Bunnie Cakes to you!

THUMBS UP!!

Chow Down - Gluten Free Accommodating on Miami Beach!

...NOW CLOSED... =(

Brewhouse has taken over Chow Down! 

Another reminder to support those restaurants that accommodate us gluten free folk!

Chow Down Grill on 9th and Alton Road on South Beach is one of my new favorite gluten free friendly spots. During my first visit, I brought my favorite gluten free soy sauce with me and the chef was kind enough to use it, and explain how they would treat my gluten free meal differently to assure it stayed that way.  The chef then advised that Chow Down would carry my gluten free soy sauce, and welcome me back.  Their full menu is here. Since then, I've gone back to Chow Down at least 4 more times, and the promise was kept.

Need Gluten Free in Washington DC?

Chef Geoff's is know for its contemporary American Cuisine, casual sophistication, and generous hospitality, after one trip, you'll know why. I was in DC on a work trip, actually, a pretty cool one.  The Department of Commerce asked me to go to DC to teach a delegation about importing medical devices into the U.S., in compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Alright, this may only be cool to me, but, it was a success nonetheless.  When the seminar was over, I was hungry, of course, and wanted wine and steak! I asked locals for a great spot, and Chef Geoff's was the hands down recommendation. 

I was there right around happy hour, and was pre-advised that the happy hour specials are great.  This was definitely public knoweledge as the bar was packed, not even one empty seat for lil' ol' me!  The hostess was a doll and sat me close to the bar, and advised I could still order the happy hour specials, as long as I also ordered from the menu.  Not hard to do!  Check out the dinner menu here, and guess what? They have a special gluten free menu (with prices) and it's below (although if you want to see it clearly, just click on the gluten free menu above).  I was so impressed that they had a gluten free menu, all knew what gluten free was and took it seriously, so I ordered away!

Gluten Free Water View Dining in Destin

I was with colleagues traveling to Fort Walton Beach, and of course, am always looking for a good gluten free meal.  Marina Cafe was recommended, and I am oh so glad it was!  It is a very warm restaurant and has terrific water views.

Now, for the food...  As you know, I'm a steak lover and will never turn down a filet (unless I'm ill).  I was thrilled to hear the sauce was gluten free and they would happily substitute lyonnaise potatoes for gluten free potatoes.  Check out the full menu. 

Rudi's Gluten Free Giveaway - For Gluten Free Beat Fans!

 

Rudi's is making it's way St. Petersburg's upcoming Gluten-Free for Life Expo on March 24! Rudi's has kindly offered one of my lucky readers a terrific prize!! Two free product coupons and a Rudi’s reusable bag! How are you eligible to win, you ask?!