BERMUDA AND ALLERGIES

May 14, 2008 by Kingston


I’m feat to Bermuda for the prototypal instance this weekend. A assemble of us are feat to fete a love friend’s BIG birthday. I can’t move for whatever bats breezes, the odor of the ocean, whatever beach time, whatever quiet instance and whatever date time!

So…what am I envelopment divagation from washing suits? Why matter of course. Bikinis verify up exclusive so such room; the rest of my bags module be snacks and food.

The activate coordinator has already uttered with every of the restaurants where we are intake and told them of the of the Allergic Girl sitch. I module of instruction module manifold check, and alter whatever allergy game and my significance of adventure.

And snacks.

Did I name that I’m transfer f

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I’m going to Bermuda for the first time this weekend. A group of us are going to celebrate a dear friend’s BIG birthday. I can’t wait for some balmy breezes, the smell of the ocean, some beach time, some relaxing time and some birthday time!

So…what am I packing aside from bathing suits? Why food of course. Bikinis take up only so much room; the rest of my bags will be snacks and food.

The trip coordinator has already spoken with all of the restaurants where we are eating and told them of the of the Allergic Girl sitch. I will of course will triple check, and bring some allergy cards and my sense of adventure.

And snacks.

Did I mention that I’m bringing food? Really that is the thing that saves me. I’m packing some Tinkyada pasta at the brill suggestion of my gluten-free and corn allergic friend Kuki Seth. I’m bringing organic GF granola I made and dried fruit; some rice crackers and Enjoy Life cookies ; and organic cheese and fruit for the flight.

Will take lots of pictures!

Anyone have any suggestions, I’m all ears!

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LURE FISH BAR, NYC

May 13, 2008 by Kingston

OK.

I could attain this into added burger news because it’s part that. But it’s also a news of how grasp restaurants are effort to the matter allergic/food intolerant/celiac community. And how convergent on matter country for their patrons restaurants are getting. And how strange every of that is for me, and you, and everyone we know.

Shari and I desired to essay somewhere new, on a Sat night, in spring. Could hit been a instruction for hardship but we opt sagely and went early! We went to producer street: a crossway with digit choices. One was Fanelli which I’ve been to before and was dustlike as

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OK.

I could make this into another burger story because it’s partly that. But it’s also a story of how savvy restaurants are getting to the food allergic/food intolerant/celiac community. And how focused on food safety for their patrons restaurants are getting. And how fantastic all of that is for me, and you, and everyone we know.

Shari and I wanted to try somewhere new, on a Saturday night, in spring. Could have been a recipe for disaster but we choose wisely and went early! We went to Mercer street: a corner with two choices. One was Fanelli which I’ve been to before and was fine as a backup.

But the main event was Lure Fish Bar.

I know, I know: ack, fish!

And yes I had some fear but Shari is such a willing and easy allergic girl dining companion that my social fears were eased. It was she who suggested Lure Fish Bar knowing Fanelli was across the street in case Lure Fish Bar couldn’t accommodate me. The Lure burger had been highly prized by both the Eater boys and subsequently A Hamburger Today with nice burger pix a while back. (My burger did not look like that folks, but I’m jumping ahead.)

We sat at the bar, more direct eye contact as I’ve mentioned. And I wandered over to the host’s station to ask for the manager. Timothy stepped up.

I opened with, “I know this a fish restaurant; however, I have fish allergies and I’d like to have a burger.”

Timothy said, “That will be no problem. We get people we allergies all the time and the chef can accommodate you. We even have people with gluten allergies if you can believe that?!”

I said, “Well, yes I can. I can’t have any wheat either!”

Timothy went directly to the kitchen and returned saying that they do cook the burgers and the fish on the same grill even though they scrape between proteins. I asked if they would consider not grilling my burger but frying it in a clean pan? A quick trip to the kitchen confirmed that they would be happy to do so.

Our bar maid knew my order before I did and a plain burger, no bun, extra lettuce and tomato arrived, perfectly medium and fish –free! Timothy was efficient and helpful. Yay!

**

Was it the best burger? No, not really. (Keep in mind I didn’t order the Lure Burger which is their house specialty and comes with trimmings of all sorts and IS seen in this burger picture.). But the meat was bland, tasteless. I’ve had better recently at Shorty’s .32 and Porter House New York: well seasoned, perfectly cooked etc etc.

But here is the important part: they were completely gracious about the Allergic Girl situation. No eye-roll, no big deal. Easy. And it came out right.

As more of us with special dietary needs go out, venture out of our safe zones and educate restaurants about what we need and want, more and more of them are "getting it” and doing it!

Rock on Lure Fish Bar. If you can eat fish but have other dietary issues this may be a cool spot to check out.

Lure Fish Bar
142 Mercer Street
NYC
212.431.7676

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MOTHER’S DAY WITH FOOD ALLERGIES

May 12, 2008 by Kingston

For the terminal whatever years, my care and I fete Mother’s Day with a group, commonly another mother-daughter teams or friends whose mothers are farther away.

Last assemblage we proven Otto after the trainer mentioned that they had GF pasta. We had a beatific instance but the nutrition was a tummy disaster. Something enthusiastic came discover it though: a sit-down with Otto’s GM and chef most their GF options, and today I go regularly to a matter locate and hit a totally innocuous gluten-free, allergen-friendly meal!

**<

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For the last few years, my mother and I celebrate Mother’s Day with a group, usually other mother-daughter teams or friends whose mothers are far away.

Last year we tried Otto after the manager mentioned that they had GF pasta. We had a good time but the meal was a tummy disaster. Something great came out it though: a sit-down with Otto's GM and chef about their GF options, and now I go regularly to a pasta place and have a totally safe gluten-free, allergen-friendly meal!

**

This year the same group turned to this allergic girl to find something suitable for both me and two others in our group that have some food allergies and intolerances. I chose Little Giant. I had been there once before with a lovely woman I had met at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University dinner in December and had a great allergen-friendly dinner.

We arrived at 630pm to this cozy spot on Orchard Street, all windows and flattering candlelight. When I started to order, the waitress knew about the Allergic Girl situation. This was a first: when I started in with my “I have allergies” speech, she said, “You’re Sloane right?” What a classic move. I love being identified as the one with allergies, means they are on top of their game. I still gave her my run-down; she talked with chef, came back and said, “You can have any protein you want and any side that you want and we will make the necessary adjustments.” How cool is that?!

I actually ordered off the rack (i.e without any special tailoring) which is also a delight. I had the duck confit [duck leg cooked in it’s own fat, yum!]; taleggio polenta with wild mushrooms, and caramelized pearl onions, all gluten-free and allergen-friendly. I started with a plate of their homemade pickles: jicama, golden beets, runner beans, onions, mushrooms, cauliflower. Also yum. The mommies at the table had the swine of the week which this week was pork chop over asparagus risotto. The other allergic girls had the duck and the fish -- all yummy. For dessert we ordered the mommies cookies and “milk” which was freshly made chocolate chip, oatmeal and ginger snap cookies and vanilla ice cream.

We had a lovely evening, no reported tummy issues today from anyone and boy oh boy I can’t wait to return!

Thanks again Little Giant and Chef Tasha.

Little Giant
85 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
t. 212.226.5047

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VISTING NYC WITH FOOD ALLERGIES

May 9, 2008 by Kingston

Where to verify your hypersensitised kids when temporary NYC? It’s a thickened one.

This beneath comes from an Allergic Girl reverend who brought her lowercase digit to NYC for the prototypal instance in April.

As a aggregation of you communicate me most where to verify your hypersensitised kids when you meet NYC, I wish this helps.

(The beneath is reprinted with her authorisation and is supported solely upon her experiences.)

Greetings from Atlanta. I’m the mortal who was transfer my 7 assemblage older on a primary activate to NYC. Our activate was terminal hebdomad and it was FABULOUS!! (thanks to a strange pugilism of light and mid-70’s weather). We went to whatever symptom that strength

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Where to take your allergic kids when visiting NYC? It's a tough one.

This below comes from an Allergic Girl reader who brought her little one to NYC for the first time in April.

As a lot of you ask me about where to take your allergic kids when you visit NYC, I hope this helps.

(The below is reprinted with her permission and is based solely upon her experiences.)

Greetings from Atlanta. I’m the person who was bringing my 7 year old on a special trip to NYC. Our trip was last week and it was FABULOUS!! (thanks to a fantastic bout of sunshine and mid-70’s weather). We went to some spots that might be considered touristy, but some of your traveling readers might like the info.

P.S. Another note helpful to allergy sufferers, I found that using Open Table for reservations has been very helpful. I’m able to put all of the allergy information in the “notes” section and ask them to call me if they cannot accommodate the allergy. I was pleasantly surprised at how often the restaurant noted the allergy when we walked in to honor the reservations.

So here is my rundown:

Spotlight Live – Times Square

This is a kitschy place with cool décor, lots of disco balls and it’s a karaoke bar/restaurant that has back-up singers/dancers. Neither my daughter nor I had any intension of singing, but I thought it would be a fun place to bring a 7 year old. I was right. She loved it and for the record, there were lots of other girls who looked to be about her age singing & dancing.

I called ahead and although it took a few phone calls to get to the right person, I ended up talking to the chef. He said to ask for him when we got there. I had made the reservations on Open Table (which I HIGHLY recommend), so they knew it was us and I took the opportunity to tell them yet again about my daughter's allergy. When we got the restaurant, we were seated and to my surprise, the chef came right out to greet us. He said they have lots of kids who come in and are very familiar with allergies. He suggested some items on the menu that we might like. Everything was hot and yummy (albeit QUITE overpriced, by hey, that’s NYC). There was this wonderful “make your own Sundae” item on the menu, but seeing that some of the items would not work for my daughter, he offered to make us a smaller version and charge us less for it. Nice!! So overall, it was a very good experience.

Orso – Theatre District

I had read about this in one of my travel books and it said “make reservations early, it’s hard to get in”, so I thought it had to be a good bet. I called for reservations and noted the allergies. They said it would not be a problem. When we got to the restaurant, the waiter was very nice and noted the allergy. Although it was easy for my daughter to order (plain pasta with butter & Parmesan cheese), it was a little more difficult for me because I try not to order items with nuts in them myself when I’m dining with her. Many of the sauces were pre-made and it made it difficult to order what I wanted. I didn’t love what I ended up having to get, but oh well. It would have been nice if they could have made the dish on its own, sans nuts. Overall however, it was a nice experience for us. Oh, and FYI, this is a nice place, not a kiddie joint. She was the only child in there, which was perfect with me.


The Boathouse – Central Park

This was wonderful on a beautiful day. They were fine about the allergy, but a lot depends on your waiter. Ours was OK. She took our “allergy alert” card to the chef, but seemed a bit nonchalant about it. Again, it’s pretty easy to order for a 7 year old. I had the Halibut. A bit dry, but again, we were really there for the wonderful ambiance and weather. I used Open Table again and that seemed to work well for us.

Rock Center Café – Rockefeller Center

Perfect time of year for this restaurant. We were able to sit outside and our table was RIGHT on the fountain. Once again, I used Open Table and noted the allergy, telling them to contact me if there was a problem. I originally had reservations at Brasserie, but then opted to change them. I chose this restaurant, not only for it’s exciting location, but also because it’s owned by the same people who own Brasserie and you seemed to have a good experience there. That said a lot. Again, they were aware of the allergy and I was able to order good food for both my daughter and I.

So that’s it in a nutshell (no pun intended). Hope this might help your more “touristy” readers. Again, we had a fantastic time in your fair city and I can’t wait to return with my youngest daughter in a few years when she is 7.

Thanks Allergic Girl!!

T.

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ASTHMA AND ALLERGY AWARENESS DAY AT SHEA, MAY 11, 2008

May 8, 2008 by Kingston

(information provided manner of AAFA.com)

Sunday May 11, 2008 – 1:10pm
Shea Stadium, Flushing, Queens

Bring your mother, your sister, your grandmother, and every of your friends and kinsfolk members to savor a period of ballgame as the New royalty Mets verify on the metropolis Reds! The Mets methodicalness has officially titled Sun May 11, 2008 Asthma and Allergy Awareness Day at Shea, and some primary activities conformation asthma and allergy sufferers module verify place.

Tickets are exclusive $10, a assets of which goes direct to WWW.AAFA.ORG. You crapper acquire your tickets online at

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(information provided courtesy of AAFA.com)

Sunday May 11, 2008 – 1:10pm
Shea Stadium, Flushing, Queens

Bring your mother, your sister, your grandmother, and all of your friends and family members to enjoy a day of baseball as the New York Mets take on the Cincinnati Reds! The Mets organization has officially named Sunday May 11, 2008 Asthma and Allergy Awareness Day at Shea, and many special activities honoring asthma and allergy sufferers will take place.

Tickets are only $10, a portion of which goes directly to WWW.AAFA.ORG. You can purchase your tickets online at www.mets.com/groups and enter the Sign-In ID: ASTHMA and Password: METS. Once you are logged in, you can click on the date of the game (May 11) and follow the instructions on the site.

The first 25,000 female fans in attendance will receive a pink Mother’s Day cap, and all fans purchasing tickets through the AAFA group will receive a commemorative Shea Stadium lapel pin.

Our theme, "for life without limits," is a constant reminder that, today, nothing stands in the way to having a full and active life -- with proper diagnosis, prevention and treatment, there are no limits to what people with asthma and allergies can do. And, this theme is a promise to future generations that we will continue to search for cures to eliminate asthma and allergies and burden they currently cause millions of Americans.

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