Nationwide Steakhouse Chain with GF Menu

[Gloria]

I stumbled across this restaurant chain:

http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/menu/

Look at the comprehensive list of dietary considerations here:

http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/menu/ ... spx#Gluten

Here is a list of the locations:

http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/locations/

Is anyone familiar with this chain? We're looking for a place to eat for our anniversary tomorrow.

Gloria

[tex]

Gloria,

Their specs look good, but I've never even seen one of their restaurants, let alone dined there. I see they have six restaurants in Texas, but they are all in Austin, (2), San Antonio, (1), and Houston, (3) - those cities are a little off my beaten path, unfortunately.

They surely appear to be worth a try, though, and they seem to offer a very versatile menu, for multiply-intolerant folks. Maybe Luce or Mary Beth knows something about them, since Houston has 3 of them.

I hope the extra Entocort has things back under control by now, so that you can totally enjoy your anniversary. Please give us a report, if you go there.

Tex

[JLH]

EXPENSIVE.

[Matthew]

Gloria

When they opened in Denver their was a review in the rocky Mountain News. A beautiful restaurant but very pricey. Way beyond my means.

Also notice in the gluten free section that they say in no uncertain terms that they do not maintain a gluten free kitchen. That means to me that they prepare all their food in the same kitchen area Gluten free or not. In other words the food may not have added gluten but their is the potential for gluten everywhere in their kitchen.

IMHO the risk from cross contamination from pans, grills and work surfaces that may or may not have been used to prepare foods that do contain gluten is way to high and for some one like me who is very gluten sensitive I would not take the risk.

Might work for some people but not me. Of course that is just me. You might feel differently.

I would rather make a great steak dinner at home than take that chance.

At one tenth the price.

Hope it is great and you have not problems if you go.

Happy anniversary.

Love

Matthew

[JLH]

http://www.epinions.com/Fleming_s/display_~reviews

[Courtney]

Congratulations on your anniversary, Gloria. I haven't been to Fleming's, but I have thought about it many times. I do like Joe's in Chicago, which could be an option for you. The kitchen and wait staff are all wonderful, and they take very good care of me without making me feel like some kind of second-class dining citizen. You can definitely get a good meal free of your intolerances there.

www.joes.net

It's pricey, too, but as little as I eat out, I figure it's worth it. It's a bit over $100 for DH and I to eat there, but we never eat out unless we go somewhere where we know they can handle my dietary issues. And we're kinda food snobs. We eat out about four times a year, so I figure it's still less than most people spend on restaurant meals.

Good luck,

Courtney

[kimpatt]

VERY expensive, but we went on a job interview (Nashville), and the food was very tasty! I had a veggie platter when everyone else had bread. I think I had steak in Nashville, and I wasn't avoiding dairy at the time, and their butter-sauteed mushrooms were great.

In Charlotte, we went (after receiving a gift card!). My husband had the pork chops; they were great. Not sure about gluten issues with them; I had chicken, and it was only so-so.

If I were paying my money for a restaurant, I would likely not choose Flemings, just because of the cost.

[Rosie]

I've run into a common disappointment when ordering in a restaurant that features gluten free menu items. Usually there will be a "G" or other indicator that a particular item can be made gluten free. For example, I once ordered a fish dish that the menu stated could be made gluten free. My husband ordered the same item. When it arrived, his dish had gourmet bread and a nice sauce. Mine came with no bread and the fish naked without any sauce. And of course the price was the same. At the very least they should have been prepared to substitute gluten free bread or rice and had a gluten free sauce to put on the fish. Too many times, by gluten free the restarant means that they will simply just remove any gluten-containing item, but not take any thought of making an equivalent dish without the gluten.

Fortunately I live in a very "hippie" town, with lots of attention to vegan and other food issues. The Market of Choice makes a lot of food dishes, and has a book of detailed ingredients lists for all of them so someone with multiple issues can easily search for OK items. There are also several restaurants in town that have dedicated gluten free/nut free areas in the kitchen. But it is such an ordeal to eat out that I rarely do it.

Rosie

[MaggieRedwings]

Hi Gloria,

Both of my bosses who are not GF absolutely love Fleming's. We have 2 in our area. They are expensive but excellent. I have both their birthdays coming up and since I am the person who takes care of birthdays here I have 2 $100 gift cards in my drawer for them.

Love, Maggie

[Gloria]

Thanks for everyone's input.

Because I'm just getting over a flare, we decided to eat at Wildfire. DH ordered salmon and I ordered a hamburger, bacon and a baked potato. I brought my own ghee and homemade mayo. The waiter even knew what ghee is. I wanted to tell him they should keep some on hand for customers with intolerances.

Maybe someday we'll try Flemings. It's nice to know that the food is excellent.

Gloria