Best Restaurants for Restricted Diets

[fromscratchmom]

Hi, all. I've heard a lot of wonderful things from others traveling to WDW on restricted diets and I know that all of the restaurants will try to be accomodating. But I can't help thinking that some are probably better equipped for this than others. My family follows the Feingold program, which is a top priority for me in making my decisions. But I'm also in the process of being tested for celiac disease. I know from my experience over the last few months that I'd like to eat a gluten free diet and will feel better for it. (I couldn't believe how badly I felt when I returned to the SAD for a little while in order to get the blood drawn for the celiac test). But I've had an email now from one of the chef's at Disney and he seemed to be trying to be encouraging but at the same time the offerings did not sound very appealing to me.

I used to be kind of a foodie. And since I began the Feingold Program several years ago, I haven't lowered my standards. I want to eat good quality foods. In fact the more that we cook for ourselves at home with top quality ingredients the less we enjoy eating out, since most restaurants are going in the same direction as the grocery stores with meats that are pumped full of broths and flavorings, which usually include hidden MSG. And meats that are raised to be healthy and flavorful and sold in their natural state are becoming harder and harder to find. And of course sauces that years ago would have been made from good natural stock are now made from powdered stuff with synthetic flavorings.

I'm hoping some of you Dissers are real foodies and can offer opinions about which restaurants at Disney are (1) best at offering food for restricted diets and (2) offer the best quality foods over all anyway, such as foods from top quality ingredients. I also will need to settle for what is available at counter service restaurants for some of our meals, so I'd like to hear about those as well.

Thanks!

 

[fromscratchmom]

I wrote back to the chef. And now that I've heard back from him again, I am feeling much better. It is so encouraging that they really want to help everyone have a great trip and good meals too. Of course it doesn't hurt to be as kind and as diplomatic as you can when voicing concerns. But even so I am very impressed with the chef that I have been corresponding with.

 

[Selket]

I'm sorry no one responded to your post. I read it but wasn't sure what to say as I have no idea what the Feingold program is. My son does have food allergies (peanut, nuts) and type 1 diabetes so we are used to making requests of the chef however.

Did you speak to one chef at a particular restaurant or a managing chef? I know we've gotten excellent service and care at Le Cellier. They probably went the most out of their way for us. A close 2nd and one of my most favs is Crystal Palace. Of course it is my 4 year old eating there and not me (on the special food - I eat the usual menu) - so hard for me to judge what restaurant does the best for more sophisticated palates!

Le Cellier might be an option to consider. I would think you're going to find the better (fresher) ingredients at the more expensive places though. I wonder if Boma would also be an interesting option? Folks with peanut allergies have had issues there but I'm not sure about celiac.

As for counter service....hmmmm......Disney has tried to get more healthful with offering fruits, salads, wraps, etc. I find that it is very helpful to read the menus either here at the DISboards or at Allearsnet.com and find the foods that appeal to us and then make the reservation at that place or call regarding if we can be accomodated there.

The Disney chefs are amazing - at least we have an overwhelmingly positive experience with them and our son.

 

[fromscratchmom]

Thanks! I've heard good things on the restaurant board about Le Cellier, too. I think I'll look into that one.

I'm not sure about the chef. He just said he was "the chef". But luckily he was able to make some great suggestions in his second email. He had just had a misunderstanding about what it was that I would want to avoid.

 

[Gdad]

My girls have food allergies- 2yo to milk and shellfish, 6yo to milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts. I have had great experiences at- lemme think...

Crystal Palace Charactor Breakfast - MK
Liberty Tree Tavern Charactor Dinner - MK
Tony's Town Square - MK
Akershus Royal Hall - Epcot
Brown Derby - MGM
Chef Mickey's - Contemporary
Concourse Steakhouse - Contemporary
Ohana Charactor Breakfast - Polynesian

I was disapointed the Brown Derby did away with the vegan chocolate cake they use to have on the menu- we were there this weekend and my kids remembered it the minute we walked in the door- and sadly it is no longer available.

 

[SueM in MN]

I know that many of the restaurants at Epcot make use of vegetables (and fish) grown in the greenhouse at The Land.
I'd also suggest being as clear as possible in lists of what you need to have and what you need to avoid. When terms for a particular type of diet are used, you know what you mean by the term, but that term may mean something different to the person you are talking to.
In most cases, the chefs will at least try to accomidate what you need if they can understand it.

 

[AuntBot]

My 9 year old nephew has ADHD and is also on Feingold - it's worked wonders, I have to say. We are having the same dilemma. Nice to see your post and thanks for information. I'll pass this along to my sister who cooks everything from scratch, too!