<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Thank you to all who replied. A special thank
you is due to one member, who went above and
beyond. This listserv community has always been
helpful, and I've appreciated the information
and/or advice I received through this source for
years. However, from time to time, one person
seems to really reach out to assist and I just
wanted to acknowledge this. Follows is a summary
(trying to avoid repetition), and thank you again
to all.
Hi. Wild Oats is in Laguna Beach.
W"In-N-Out Burgers." The hamburgers are
extremely good and if you ask for it "protein
style" they'll put the meat and fixings between 2
pieces of lettuce instead of a bun. I just spoke
with someone at their corporate office about
possible contamination on the grill and she said
to ask the person taking your order to make sure
your meat is cooked on a a separate grill or a
clean part. They don't cook the buns on the same
grill, but they "cap" the meat with a bun, so
it's possible that some bread crumbs might fall
on the grill.
Chevy's
We stopped at a Ralph's grocery store and they
had quite a few items I could use.
You should find that The Cottage should be able
to accommodate your needs.
Mother's Market & Kitchen - in Tustin.
Personally, I love Whole Foods Market (Tustin)
and Mother's Market and Kitchen (Costa Mesa,
Huntington Beach, Irvine (closest to Laguna)).
Both have websites worth your time. Although I
truely love Mother's and run there in a pinch,
Whole Foods is a Celiacs paradise. You feel like
you belong. It is the best store. As for
restaurants, most are able to help, just make
sure you bring your restaurant card with you--it
makes things much easier.
For Chinese:
One of my favorite restaurants is China West in
Irvine. The owner is John Kao. I was told by
the server just to pick a dish and they would
make it gluten/wheat free. They did. So far the
best Chinese I have eaten! I think I would make
reservations, but the woman that answers the
phone speaks very little english, so I wouldn't
even mess about telling her about our special
needs over the phone! Their address is 17585
Harvard Avenue, Irvine(cross street is Main).
Moderately priced.
For Italian:
The best Italian food you will ever eat. Ever.
Maggiano's Little Italy on the corner of Bristol
and Sunflower in Costa Mesa(South Coast Plaza
parking lot facing Sunflower). The Executive Chef
is James Southfork--wonderfully
helpful man who understands. Personally, I love
the Linguinie, chicken and pine nut dish
<---doesn't sound that good when I type it, but
wow. I bring in my own pasta, and they cook it
with the meal. For this dish, if you can
get a hold (and eat) Ancient Harvest's Quinoa
Pasta, get the veggie curls for this dish. They
sell this at Mother's Market in Irvine. They
have a website. I have experimented, and this
pasta and shape holds up the best
with this dish. With this restaurant, make
reservations. Sometimes without reservations,
you can't get a table til 9 pm or later on the
weekends. I can't recall their phone number, but
they have a website. Maggianos.com.
You can check out their menu online. Way
cool--and more discriptive than menu and
restaurant. This is an awesome place.
No better Italian in OC. Moderately priced.
For Fish:
Market Broiler in Orange (at the Block). Do not
opt for the one in Huntington Beach--not as good.
This will be the best fish you will have
while here. Don't bother with the Fish Market in
Irvine (not so good). Market Broiler is Yum.
Pick an item off the menu, and they will
accomodate your needs and tell you if they can't.
Salads are yummy as a side, just ask
for the Balsamic Vinegar and oil, and of course,
no crutons. I really like the seared ahi with
their veggies and new potatoes. I keep the
bottle of balsamic to spinkle on the potatoes.
This is a truely great dish---or if you like crab
this is the place for a reasonably priced meal.
If you haven't ever been to the block in Orange,
this is a great place. Lots of little shops and
a huge movie theater. A great place to spend the
evening. Moderately priced.
Koji's at the Block is great too--that is if you
like sushi. It is finer sushi dining, probably
the most money I have spent for raw fish. But,
it is so well worth it. Go early though, as it
gets really crowded as the evening progresses.
Kinda more trendy than most sushi joints around
here, but absolute quality fish. Joe's Crab Shack
in Newport. I think they have a website. I
don't know if you have one where you are, but you
gotta check this place out. I would go sometime
around 7pm. The servers dance when it gets
crowded. And I mean dance. The fish is okay,
the crab is good. Just bring your little celiac
card with you. You get a good meal, but you
definately go for the show. I take all my outta
town friends here--they are always impressed.
Lots of fun. If you have kids, it is a
must---even if you don't (and I don't) you will
have a great evening! So much fun! Moderately
priced.
Interested in steak???
Personally, I really find it much easier to eat
at "American fare" restaurants around here. If
you want a spectacular meal with steak and
don't mind spending $30 + just for your for your
steak without any sides... Both restaurants you
must make reservations, check them out online to
see if you like the menus. But they both require
like at least a week notice for
a meal. Morton's Steakhouse. They are litterly
across the street from Maggiano's. This is
elegant fine dining for the price. They
specialize in steak, I get the New York cut
everywhere I go, it is my barometer. This is THE
restaurant for steak and an exquisite atmosphere.
Absolute fine dining, the
best service I have ever had--anywhere. They so
understand our needs too. Dress nice, as the
service is FORMAL.
Fleming's. Newport Beach, Fashion Island, next
door to Hard Rock Cafe (not a good Hard Rock). I
just ate there on a recommendation last week.
This is a better steak for the price ($30+), more
casual atmosphere. Excellent service. VERY
CROWDED and gets kinda noisy around 7pm. It's
more of a hang out for the rich folk. Honestly,
even though this had the better steak, if I am
going to shell out this kind of money for dinner,
I want it to be a special experience, and
Morton's wins for more formal dining.
If you want a just plain ol good steak for 14
bucks, go to Chili's. It is the only thing on
their menu we can truly successfully eat, but you
know, a really good steak for the price. Just
bring your card and get steamed
veggies as your 2 sides. They have a website.
Oh, and really... you know how everyone swears
by Outback Steakhouse on the message board? The
one in Newport is so not worth it. If you have
always wanted to try this place, the one in
Torrance (South Bay area) is a little
better. For the price, go cheaper at Chili's or
spend the extra at Morton's or Fleming's.
I have yet to find a good Mexican place around
here, but I here Wahoo's is GF. I haven't eaten
there since being diagnosed with celiac, but if
you like fish tacos this is the joint. They are
all over and have a website. These fish tacos are
not breaded, and in my humble opinion, really
good. I think there is even one off of Pacific
Coast Hwy in Laguna. Cheap good eats.
Claim Jumper, one of the original places I was
thinking about!! They are again, in Costa Mesa,
close by Maggiano's (except they are in South
Coast Plaza). Went there a couple of weeks ago.
Excellent ribs. I have checked with
the Manager, you can eat the bbq sauce. As with
most places around this area, it does get crowded
and I don't think they take reservations. But
who cares, there is a Sephora
at this mall. There are only two out here...This
is cosmetic heaven. If
you have eaten at the one in Fountain Valley,
this is WAY better. Excellent
service and great food for a very reasonable
price.
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