As seen in Women's Lifestyle Magazine, November 2012 edition.
As food allergies mysteriously blanket our planet with new statistics (and let’s face it, new problems) more vendors, groups and restaurants are learning to accommodate. In fact, some restaurants have told me that at least 20% of their patrons every month make food allergy-related requests and I’m sure that these percentages are growing.
When it comes to food that is safe for multiple allergies, however, there is good news and there is bad news. Consumer 
As seen in Women's Lifestyle Magazine, November 2012 issue! See full issue at www.womenslifestyle.comdemand is pushing food suppliers to not only offer more allergen-free choices, but also to better understand how food is grown and processed. This is good news for everyone. I mean, who wants a bunch of dyes, petroleum, and chemicals in their food? The bad news is, that not all gluten-free menus are truly gluten-free. Not all allergen-free labels have laws or standards behind them. Not all vendors are aware of how their products can be cross contaminated with highly allergenic foods like soy, nuts, peanuts, dairy, or wheat.
There is still a huge learning curve for chefs, vendors, and Tender Foodies, but don’t fret, there is more good news. Some folks out there are doing it pretty darn well. Here is a list of my Top 11 resources to help you get your dishing done.
THE GREEN WELL
Sustainable practices, delicious food, accommodating special diets and local focus make the Green Well special. I was a member of their first Green Well Cartel, and was pleased that they actually let me in “the family”. Daring to take me on showed their desire to set food allergy standards and serve people with restricted diets. This is one restaurant where I can relax, hand them my food allergy card, and know that BOTH their chef and staff are educated. The food is always fresh, delicious and fabulous. Need to order off the menu? No problem. They have never let me resort, for instance, to that disappointing oil and vinegar caddy which I have come to (frankly) despise. Recently, the chef whipped up a basil vinaigrette that I loved so much that I went back for it the next day for more. This is why they are my “number one.”
924 Cherry Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (616) 808-3566
www.thegreenwell.com
SAFFRON'S A GLUTEN-FREE MARKETPLACE
This store is on the opposite end of town from anywhere I normally frequent. But a special trip is worth it, because Saffron’s does a lot of the work for you by researching each product on their shelves. They don’t just sell gluten-free products. They offer the best of those that are free of top allergens and label them clearly; so shopping is much easier at Saffron’s. They are also super nice folks who know their stuff.
4336 Plainfield Ave, Suite D, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 | (616) 447-9902
BISTRO BELLA VITA
Like the Green Well (and Grove), Bistro is owned and operated by The Essence Restaurant Group. Essence Group managers have implemented food allergy standards across all of their restaurants, which is very cool. Bistro’s food is consistently delicious and they have a couple of items on their menu that will still give you a foodgasm even if they are made without, say, dairy (like the Boeuf Bourguignonne and the Steamed Mussels). It’s a great place for a business lunch downtown, too. They do cook a lot of seafood, so if this is your allergy, give them a buzz a few days before your visit to be sure they can accommodate you. Ask to speak to the manager.
44 Grandville Avenue SW, #100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | (616) 222-4600
www.bistrobellavita.com
SAN CHEZ BISTRO
A national pioneer of the gluten-free menu, San Chez was one of the first places to “get it”. They have strict policies on serving people with food allergies, they know their ingredients, and their food is delicious. If your allergies are super complex (like a spice allergy), however, I haven’t found a great deal of flexibility in the kitchen. But they will treat you right, they know what they are doing, and they will work with you to get you something tasty. There are good folks and quality food at San Chez.
38 Fulton Street West, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | (616) 774-8272
www.sanchezbistro.com
Marie Catrib's
Marie Catrib, herself!
When I first moved here from New York City, Marie’s had just opened. I would sit at Marie’s counter every Saturday morning after my yoga class at From the Heart Yoga Center. I would get something from the grill: an egg and meat and some fabulous potatoes, maybe a Turkish coffee, and read the New York Times. There is a good feeling in this restaurant, and Marie, owner and namesake, really cares. There are vegan dishes, they accommodate multiple allergies, and their deli counter let’s you know what “isn’t” in the ingredients. The staff is always kind. If you call enough in advance, the kitchen might be able to customize something for you. In fact, they might bend over backwards. (I’ve heard rumors). One thing to note is that though the kitchen takes care and precautions, it is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen as it makes both regular and gluten-free breads in the same space. So if you have an allergy to gluten or if you have Celiac Disease, please take this into account.
1001-1003 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | (616) 454-4020
www.mariecatribs.com
HARVEST HEALTH FOODS
From brownie mixes to meat to organic vegetables to gluten-free cosmetics, this store’s 3 locations offer a large number of allergen-free and organic products. At check out, the store’s prices can a bit over the top compared to other places, even Whole Foods in New York City and some of my favorite items might be stocked in one location, but not another. You can, however, order cases of these products in advance of your visit and get a 10% discount if you do. This helps, and you can’t beat the convenience and well-rounded experience of shopping for hard-to-find items in one spot.
3 Locations: 1944 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI;
6807 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI;
4150 – 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, MI
ROCKFORD FOOD ALLERGY NETWORK
Not a restaurant or a storefront, this support group has been very active in the Grand Rapids and Rockford area communities. It’s a place for a different kind of “dish”. They give a forum for discussion, raise awareness, particularly for nut allergies, and help parents of food allergic kids work with their school systems, advocate with government, and learn more about how to keep their kids safe. President, Roxanne Hill Meyers also keeps me on my toes on the Tender Palate Facebook page, which I adore. Look for their support group meetings each month and their ArtPrize entry in the fall. I’m intrigued to see what they come up with.
www.rockfordfoodallergynetwork.org
AMORE TRATTORIA
Chef Jenna ArcidiaconoChef Jenna Arcidiacono amazes me. Truly, she has the energy of super woman. She wafts in and out of the kitchen to check on all of her tables with the breeze and ease as if she had been eating bonbons, not slaving over a multitude of orders. It is clear that she loves her work and she loves her customers. Amore also uses fresh, local ingredients, whips up tasty food, and makes their own limoncello (yum). Amore offers gluten-free pizza along with regular pizza, but though they take care and precaution, the kitchen is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, which is again, and important note for people with Celiac or wheat allergies. Before my first visit, Chef Jenna had corresponded with me to make sure that I would be taken care of, and I was.
5080D Alpine Avenue NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321 | (616) 785-5344
www.amoretrattoriaitaliana.com
BLUE WATER GRILL
Blue Water has quality food and a menu that allows you to keep it simple. You can take away or replace ingredients on several dishes which is important if you have multiple allergies. Plus, this is one of the few places in Grand Rapids that has a gluten-free fryer, so French Fries for all! A gluten-free fryer is essential to prevent wheat from flour-coated foods from getting into the fryer oil. So fry-aholics, this is the place for you, my dears.
5180 Northland Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 363-5900
www.thegilmorecollection.com
NOURISH ORGANIC MARKET
Nourish doesn’t have a lot of allergen-free products. But after speaking with the store owner on one of my visits, they intend to, and their allergen-free product list is growing. They also have some key brands, all of their stuff is organic, and they carry those hard-to-find grass-fed meats. When you develop food allergies or other health problems, it’s important to take good care of your immune system – that means your intestines, since 75% or so of your immune system is right there in that twisty-turny organ. Grass-fed meats are suggested by my consulting doctors and nutritionists as being easier to digest and more nutritious. I think this little store is a very good thing.
634 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | (
616) 454-3663
DOORGANICS
Owner Mike Hughes started his door-to-door organic produce delivery company last year, and he has done a great job working with farmers and customers. They aren’t at a point where they can customize orders yet, so if you have serious fruit or vegetable allergies (where strawberries can’t touch your cabbage, for instance), you will need to contact them to see if this service works for you. However, you cannot beat fresh, organic, and seasonal produce dropped on your doorstep. And Mike is very interested in learning more about food allergies and helping the community become more aware of them as well. We like that.
(888) 387-1187
www.doorganicsgr.com
QUICK TIPS FOR EATING OUT
Other restaurants show promise, as well, like Grove and Trillium Haven and I look forward to giving them a try. Remember that going out to eat is a partnership with a good restaurant. Know your reactions to food so you are clear with yourself first. Write down your allergies, or present an allergy card to your server. Be clear but gracious about your needs. Mistakes do happen, so take the precautions you need to take in case there is a mistake. If you have severe or complicated allergies, it is also good practice to call the manager of a restaurant 2 days before your visit. Any of the above restaurants will be happy to speak with you. It’s also good practice to go out to eat during less busy hours to lessen the chance of mistakes.
Let me know what you think of this list – and send me your top 10 (or 11, if you can’t decide)! Let’s help the community of caring vendors grow with us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Writer, owner of Blue Pearl Strategies, and lover of all culinary delights, Elisabeth is a Tender Foodie. She started The Tender Palate, a website for foodies with food allergies where she consults with experts from every area of the Tender Foodie life. She believes that everyone should live deliciously and have a healthy seat at the table. Find her at www.tenderpalate.com.