Meal
OVERVIEW
Okay, let’s get straight to the point—Senza knocked it out of the park in terms of safety for those of us living with food allergies. But let’s just say, even when you think you’ve got your allergies figured out, surprise! Something new can throw you for a loop. This time, bean flour in the calamari had me down for the count. Who knew that was even a thing?! Spoiler alert: I didn’t. To be clear, this was NOT Senza’s fault. They went above and beyond to accommodate my grain allergy. In fact, they did everything right, which is why I’m still recommending them to fellow food allergy warriors. The waiter and chef were total rockstars, but man, those tiny nuances in flour varieties can be a challenge for even the most seasoned allergy experts (me!).
SUGGESTIONS
Here’s where things could improve, though. Condiments! Allergy sufferers know how vital it is to see the ingredient labels on bottles. Unfortunately, Senza served condiments in little cups, which isn’t ideal when you’re dodging things like corn syrup (curse you, corn!). Why not bring out the original bottle? Imagine fancy little labeled bottles with golden caps—they’d keep the upscale vibe while making sure we know exactly what’s going in our mouths. Also, labeling the allergens directly on the menu would save a lot of time—and trips to the kitchen for the poor waitstaff. Sure, the servers knew their stuff, but constantly asking and waiting for ingredient checks chipped away at our dining experience. A quick reference key or symbol next to each dish would be a game-changer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re gluten-free, Senza is a safe bet. For those juggling multiple allergies, the kitchen staff and service are top-tier at making sure you’re safe. However, the lack of clear labeling and some old-school habits like hiding condiments in cups might give you pause. My advice? Be prepared to ask a lot of questions. Still, the peace of mind they offer with their care and caution makes Senza worth a visit. Just watch out for that rogue bean flour—trust me on that one!
MENU
• 100% gluten-free? Yes, please! But, unfortunately, no specific allergy menu beyond that. If you’re allergic to other things (like yours truly), you have to flag it and hope for the best.
• They’re champs at substitutions though! They catered to my grain allergy without batting an eye, which earns big points. • Appetizers and desserts—plenty of choices, even for my restrictive diet. Vegan and dairy-free desserts? Yes!
• Missing labels on mixed drinks though. For those of us with allergies to things like corn, not knowing if that cocktail syrup has corn syrup in it is a bit of a gamble.
TABLE
The tables looked clean and elegant with a proper tablecloth, but cross-contamination prevention was a mixed bag. While separate plates for apps were great, condiments in those sneaky little cups were a no-go. I need to see that ketchup bottle!Also, there were no QR codes for the menu. It might seem old-school, but they’re so helpful for limiting surface contact and keeping everything cleaner.
WAITER
Now, let’s talk about the heroes of the night: the waiter and the chef. From the moment we sat down, I could tell these folks were on it. Our waiter took notes, confirmed details with the chef (multiple times), and made me feel 100% safe. You know when someone’s body language and tone just make you feel like you’re not being a bother? That was the vibe here. Every question was met with care, and when in doubt, the chef personally stepped in to make sure everything was good. They offered substitutions and ideas that I hadn’t even considered, and never made me feel like an inconvenience. Gold stars all around for that!
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