2 gluten-free thumbs up to bistro 110

a post by monica eng from the chicago tribune's the stew dining blog was all about food allergies on february 13th, when she wrote about bistro 110. the little french location right near michigan avenue is hosting a series of 4 dinners, each planned to address a different food allergy.

chef tougne is the father of 2 kids with food allergies, and i'm certain they eat some delicious allergen-free french dishes on a regular basis! i'm always so amazed and so grateful when a talented chef is willing to take the time to learn all about food allergies and intolerances, and develop recipes that meet the needs of others... despite the fact that it may not immediately appeal to the general public. it's nice to feel like someone's looking out for you sometimes!

so thanks, chef tougne. a big THANKS. september can't come quickly enough!

information:

bistro 110
110 e pearson st.
chicago
312.266.3110

mon-thurs: 11:30am - 10pm
fri-sat: 11:30am - 11pm
sun: 10:30am - 4pm (new orleans jazz brunch) 4-10pm dinner

dinner schedules:

nut-free -- march 24 (menu: nut-free sole fillet almandine followed by a faux peanut butter mousse parfait)
gluten-free -- september 29
dairy-free -- june 16
shellfish-free -- november 17

gluterinis in the blue water

**UPDATE! UPDATE!**
3.17.08

got a post from a very concerned chef...
the thai lobster soup and the french fries previously listed below are NOT GLUTEN FREE!
the first contains fish sauce (always avoid this one, gluterinis) and the second shares frying oil with the onion rings.

a very sincere THANKS for these corrections! we need people like you looking out for us from the inside, and it means the world! and in my opinion, despite the fact that the PR person made an error, knowing that there's a chef at the restaurant who really truly knows what they're doing when it comes to preparing GF food (and then goes out of their way to correct this blog!) makes the restaurant that much more appealing. now if there was only a way to ensure that we ate there on a night when you're working...

****

i've been emailing what i call the superlative restaurants -- those that have earned the title of "most popular" and "favorite" on resources like the zagat guide. not all (in fact, most) do not include GF options on their websites, and since it appears that you crazy chicagoians love them so much, i've decided that i need to do some digging of my own. first to reply was...

blue water grill. just got a response from them this morning. i had a feeling that they had some GF options up their sleeve... i had eaten there twice before, and just by using the common sense approach i managed to emerge unscathed. here's the list that i received from a very nice restaurant PR associate:

appetizers

fresh main lobster maki roll with wasabi tobiko, grapefruit and guava gelee

toro scallion maki roll

ahi tuna carpaccio with pickled mushrooms, shaved parm and fried artichoke

steamed mediterranean muscles with green curry, coconut and cilantro

entrees

roasted diver scallops with celery apple puree, crisp serrano ham and sherry gastrique

panchetta wrapped tuna with white beans, tomato confit, arugula and warm lemon vinaigrette

australian black angus strip steak with NO parm fries, grilled asparagus and béarnaise sauce

there is also a note saying that all entrees can be prepared simply grilled with a choice of gluten-free sides. i don't know if all of their sides are gluten free, and i didn't get a list, so that's something to ask about.

i would recommend that you make your server away of your needs, despite the fact that you are now armed with this handy list. because certain menu items just so happen to not contain gluten, it doesn't mean that it's a gluten-aware kitchen, and cross contamination is always something to look out for. that being said, it always feels good to know that there's another definite option out there! especially when it's as delicious as blue water grill.

i am waiting on a few responses from other popular restaurants in the area, but if you have a place that you've always wanted to try or a favorite haunt and you're sick of ordering that one thing you know is safe -- write up a post. let me know. i'll send my feelers out and see what i can get back for you. like i always say: the more information we have the better off we all are, and we gluterinis have got to watch out for each other! couldn't do it without you guys~

blue water grill

520 north dearborn st

(at grand ave)

chicago

312.777.1400

lunch

monday - friday 11:30am - 3pm

brunch

sunday 11:30am - 3pm

sunset (happy hour, maybe?)

monday - friday 3pm - 5pm

saturday 4pm - 5pm

sunday 3pm - 4pm

dinner

monday & tuesday 5pm - 10pm

wednesday & thursday 5pm - 11pm

friday & saturday 5pm - 12pm

sunday 4pm - 10pm

(outdoor cafe classes at 11pm on friday and saturday)