Il Fornaio Makes Gluten-Free Dining Enjoyable

My wife and I had a authentic Italian experience eating at Il Fornaio Restaurant in the Reston Town Center in Reston, VA. The restaurant honored our reservations, provided pleasant and quick service as was very hospitable to my food allergy. Noted clearly on the menu, all pasta dishes could be substituted with gluten-free pasta, while keeping the rest of the recipe the same. I was surprised by this option, fully expecting to have a basic chicken or steak dish, but jumped at the opportunity to eat pasta. My dish was a good portion, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. My wife (who does not have a gluten allergy) tasted my dish and said it was just like the typical wheat pasta dish. For a great Italian experience I recommend Il Fornaio for a gluten-free meal with a fine-dining (but not fancy) Italian atmosphere and reasonable prices.

Main Dish (Full Portion)
Conchiglie al Pollo 10.99/17.99
Shell pasta, chicken breast, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, pecorino cheese, roasted garlic and trebbiano wine

Restaurant Information:

Il Fornaio
Reston Town Center
11990 Market Street, Suite 106
Reston, VA 20190

This restaurant earns 4 forks!

Reviewer: Gregory Mihalik

TurCuisine

Dining out can be quite a challenge especially when your kid has multiple food allergies involving some of the most common ingredients (e.g. wheat and dairy) that often times are "hidden" in the marinade / dressing. The servers that we have encountered at TurCuisine understand how important it is to provide safe food for us. Not only would they consult the kitchen, they would also offer substitutes and provide suggestions as appropriate. During one of our visits, the server even brought out the packaging of some of the ingredients they'd use just so we could verify as well.

After my son has outgrown his dairy allergy, he enjoyed his first ever non-homemade dessert, sütlaç (a rice pudding made with milk, but free of eggs, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts, all of which he is allergic too).

We have dined at Turcuisine many times, and plan to return frequently. :)

This restaurant receives 4 Forks!

Reviewed by Theodora Lau

Chipolte Cares

We've eaten at Chipolte a few times...and as you already know by now, have multiple food allergies in my family. This special menu was brought to my attention today, and is very encouraging for those of us who desire a quick meal at a "safe" place to eat with our food allergic loved ones. So check out their special menu for special people like you and me ;)!


I give them four and a half forks for their care and effort in providing safe, yummy casual dining.


Cheers,
Mary