Let's Go Out To Eat! Tender Tapas at San Chez Bistro. (May 17, 2011)

Tuesay, May 17, 2011 from 5:00-7:00pm at San Chez Bistro in Grand Rapids, MI

One of the biggest difficulties for people with food allergies is eating out and being treated well when doing so. The good news is that there are restaurants popping up all over the country who are serving Tender Foodies with passion and responsibility. The even better news is that we have several right here in Grand Rapids. So let's eat out! You can help me review these restaurants, too, by adding your comments to my upcoming review on www.tenderfoodie.com (I'll post a note right here when its up).

RSVP:  on the Facebook Event Page or at info@tenderfoodie.com
PRICE: order from the menu & self-pay
DRESS:  whatever floats your boat

Stop by San Chez Bistro on Tuesday, May 17 anytime between 5:00pm & 7:30pm. We are gathering in the bar area (The Fishbowl). Come for just a cocktail or add a small plate or six. Or grab a table and have dinner! San Chez is one of the pioneers in serving people with food allergies; they might even be the first Tender Friendly restaurant in Grand Rapids.


Check out their food allergy menus here: http://www.sanchezbistro.com/menu.htm

They have nut-, treenut-, lactose-, gluten-, soy-, capsicum- (peppers), garlic-, citric-acid, seed-, seafood- free menus. They also have a Vegan menu (right on). As for gluten-free alcohol, they have Redbridge Beer, as well as Chopin Potato Vodka (Chopin grows their potatoes without chemicals or pesticides).

PLEASE NOTE: make SURE that you are clear and responsible with your servers about your food allergies, so they can serve you well. Speak up!

I'll tell you a secret, it's also my birthday. What a way to celebrate by meeting Tender Foodies & Friends!

A Surprise Gluten- and Dairy- Free Party

Chef Tommy Fitzgerald after he revealed his secret Tender agendaThis past Saturday night I went to a surprise birthday party for a couple of super guys and great friends. 

There was also a nice surprise for me, however, when the chef prepared a meal that was nearly entirely gluten- and dairy-free. 

You see, usually, my party protocol includes appropriate primping and then some frozen Applegate Farms lunch meat thrown into my purse.  Usually, at a party, and after I've circulated and socialized ... and after my knees get weak ... but before I feel that alien invasion called low blood sugar, I find a quiet corner in which to hide (a.k.a.) my car or the nearest bathroom).  I then peel open the pack of meat and stuff my face with a few of the unfrozen slices before going back out and resocializing like a human.  Once all proteined-up, I usually pretend that I'm not at all jealous of the party-goers' oohs and ahhs as they sample the tastiness of the table.  I ignore their glazed over eyes as they take that first bite of that cheesy, buttery, puffy thing or that chocolately chewy brownie concoction (my favorite food).  And when I get home, I pretend that it is perfectly heatlhy to eat a fairly full meal at midnight -- because I'm hungry as heck.  And then further tell myself that its really not such a big deal (and in the light of world peace, devastating disease, and people with real hunger, it really isn't a big deal at all.  I'm seriously quite content with these small problems).

And I usually forget to take the left over lunch meat out of my purse when I get home. 

But Saturday night was different and fun.  Because of my "new best friend" Tommy Fitzgerald, I had a full plate.  I licked that plate clean.  I went back for seconds.  I had such an abundance of mexican food that I had to leave a little behind; I just couldn't possibly take another bite.  The salsas were incredible, the chicken was so juicy and tasty that I raided the party refrigerator later in the evening for more.  That was a nice surprise indeed.

 

So my biggest thanks and a big shout out to Tommy -- and to The Leonard at Logan House for taking care of their Tender Foodie for the evening.  It was so nice to be able to relax, not worry and just enjoy some great food and great people.

And a big happy birthday to John and Bill.  You are surrounded by so many folks who love you (because you are so darn loveable).  May your years be filled wtih great happiness, joy, health and many more years of fun in the great out-of-doors.  Keep feeding me like this and you might actually get me out camping.

Tommy Fitzgerald owns Cafe Stella in Grand Rapids, MI, is a favorite chef at The Leonard at Logan House, and caters all kinds of events.  Take a trip to his web site for more info.

The Leonard at Logan House is an historic bed and breakfast that specializes in peronal or business stay, weddings and events, corporate events, meetings, parties and more.

These guys know how to throw a great and memorable party.