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I went to The Works pretty sure that I wasn't going to be able to eat anything. I read the menu and they state clearly that there are no fillers in their burgers and that they use peanut butter and walnuts in some of their food and drinks; however, my larger concern is usually eggs and dairy which are very common in burgers and buns. Right off the bat, the server was able to address all of my concerns. He knew the type of buns used and even what they "may contain". None of my allergens were contained in the burgers. He was able to tell me the protocol for cleaning the grill and when I chose my meal option, he readily offered to substitute the cheese for something I would prefer. This was a surprisingly safe experience and I'm glad I went.
While the restaurant is in the vein of "fast food" restaurants, the food takes a while to prepare, since it's all done to order, and it's worth the slightly longer wait of a typical fast food place. It's casual and popular. At one point, there was even a line of people waiting to get in. This particular location is quite small, but I liked the friendly atmosphere. It's a great treat for kids and since it's located in the Glebe, you can easily walk off the large meal portion while doing a bit of shopping or grabbing dessert (if you have room left).

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

The name of the restaurant made me wonder if I'd just be eating a green salad. I usually stay away from pubs and Italian restaurants because I usually can't find much to eat. The menu is traditional Italian and pub fare. In other words, there's a lot of dairy. Regarding the ambience, it's a typical pub feel with lots of dark wood, low lighting and football (a.k.a. soccer) on the television. There is also a great selection of very local beers.
Pub Italia also has a patio, which is quite nice. However, despite the fact that patios are smoke-free in Ottawa, people to tend to smoke right outside the patio which means that if you're allergic or concerned about second-hand smoke, it's still safer to sit inside.
Regarding the food, I informed the staff of my allergies and said that I was open to whatever would work. The chef said that a specific sauce met my requirements; so, I could have any of the pasta dishes. My alarm bells went off. Most restaurants use pasta made with eggs; so, there was no way I was going to risk that without a specific assurance that there were no eggs in the pasta. When I couldn't get that (even my server was wary of the chef's advice), I decided on a slightly different option that I could trust and had a safe experience. However, I am not convinced that it would have been safe had I taken a chance on the chef's recommendation. I went here for family reasons, but I wouldn't choose to go back.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

Ever since I heard that Magic Oven had Daiya cheese, I wanted to their pizza. Reading their menu only impressed me, because they have organic ingredients, nut-free pestos and gluten-free options. I decided on a fairly traditional pepperoni pizza with Daiya cheese. However, I was told that due to my nut allergy, it would better to have the gluten-free crust. I couldn't get the person on the phone to explain why that was the case, but I decided I might as well try it anyway.

While I've never had a gluten-free crust before, it seemed decent enough. Unfortunately, it was inedible the second day. For whatever reason, the pizza was horribly salty, also rendering the pizza difficult to eat. I use Daiya often and have never had that problem. What made the experience even more ridiculous was the price. I could have ordered two cheese-free pizzas from any number of much better pizzerias in Toronto for the same cost. In future, I will.

While I didn't have an allergic reaction, the pizza did make me ill for a few days. Under no circumstances will I order anything from this restaurant again. It is certainly allergy-friendly, but that's not good enough.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

I visited this restaurant with my sisters solely for the pisco sours (Peruvian cocktail) and in my case the caipirinhas (Brazilian cocktail), since pisco sours are made with egg whites. However, when we got there, we decided to try out some appetizers as well. The chef was aware of the possibilities for cross-contamination and allergies; so, I was comfortable with eating there. All the appetizers were quite good. However, our server did mix up one of my sister's appetizers. It ended up being safe, but it was still a mix up.
Regarding decor, the images on the website are very true to the actual ambience in the restaurant. The artwork is beautiful and I love the mix of brick walls and modern decor. The music set a perfect background for either a meal or just drinks with friends - not too loud or obtrusive.
Regarding allergies, there is a great deal of shellfish and fish on the menu, though there are certainly other options. Nuts are not something that feature prominently in any of the dishes. The food is whole food; so, the kitchen staff is able to tell you what is in each dish. However, a lot of the dishes are described in Spanish terms; so, if you're not with someone who understands Peruvian cuisine and language, you will need to ask a lot of questions.
I would definitely try this restaurant again, though hopefully with another server. I was certainly happy with the chef though.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

The Urban Pear is the perfect, neighbourhood restaurant located in the Glebe with a small, changing menu, wine list and atmosphere. We called ahead (the day of) and when we arrived, the server knew all my allergies by heart. He went over the small menu point by point telling me what would work and what wouldn't. The kitchen staff had had a thorough conversation about my food allergies before I even arrived.

The food itself and the suggested wine pairing were perfect. This experience could not have been better. Everything is made on site, including the bread and sorbet; so, the staff know every ingredient, even if they decided to brush the bread with olive oil or butter that day.

I highly recommend making reservations since it is a smaller restaurant. Ideally, call ahead at least a day or two. A lot of the sauces are prepared ahead of time; so, it will take longer if the staff has to make a meal from scratch.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

In the past, I have usually stayed away from Jack Astor's. Not because they haven't been able or willing to accommodate my allergies, but because I haven't had a lot of options on the menu. However, I agreed to go recently and was pleasantly surprised. Not only did I have more choices, Jack Astor's now has the ability to print out allergens by dish! I was interested in one dish and it looked like it would be easy to amend. The server went back to the kitchen and found out that she could print out all the major allergens for that dish and show it to me.
As all my allergens fall into the "big eight", this was a very easy way for me to clearly communicate with the staff. Additionally, the chef was concerned about cross-contamination for one ingredient; so, we omitted that as well. I really appreciated how this facilitated communication between myself, my server and the chef.
Jack Astor's will certainly receive more of my business in future.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

Milestone's is always one of my go-to restaurants because they just "get" food allergies. They have a system in place so that once you notify your server of your food allergies, the server notifies a manager and the kitchen staff. The manager will even come to your table prior to your meal being served and confirm your food allergies. The most recent time I was there, the server even asked me if I had my EpiPen on me. I thought this was great. It really shows a thorough understanding of what's at stake with food allergies.
This is my favourite location in Toronto since the ambience and location are just perfect. All in all, my meal was great and I felt safe.
One final note, I don't have a gluten allergy, but there is now a gluten-free section of the menu which hopefully makes it easy for anyone who does.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

The Keg Station is located in an old train station in downtown London, Ontario. It's a lovely building and the decor inside fits quite well. Even the music serves as a great background for dinner. Regarding allergies, The Keg has a policy of having the manager speak to the customer about the allergies, which is great, because there ends up being three level of staff - the server, the manager and the kitchen staff - who are aware of the allergies, meaning that there is less likelihood of an error.

My dinner took a bit longer to prepare since they spent time cleaning everything and ensuring no cross-contamination occurred in the kitchen. The manager politely explained everything to me, which I appreciated. As it was a special occasion and I could not have any of the desserts on the menu (all contain dairy, eggs & nuts), they kindly offered to prepare a dessert beverage for me which I could have with a slice of orange on the side, including a candle. I really appreciated this gesture since most restaurants still serve ice cream even when they know I cannot eat it. All in all, this was a great and safe dining experience. The Keg is definitely a go-to restaurant for me.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

I have never had an experience quite like this one. My sisters and I needed a good lunch in the midst of holiday shopping. On my older sister's recommendation, we decided to head over to the Wellington Gastropub. The menu changes frequently; so, we weren't sure if I could eat anything. We were seated quickly, despite the overall busyness. When our server came to get our drink orders, my older sister asked if it was going to be possible to serve me since I had multiple food allergies. There was nothing clearly on the menu that I could have. The server looked at me as if we'd merely asked for a glass of water and said "Of course, no problem". She said I could pick something from the menu and they would make it accordingly and if I couldn't find anything, they would make something else. The meal was amazing and the wine and beer selection were pretty fabulous, too. For the server's reaction alone, this restaurant gets a perfect score. I love this place for its casual, homey yet eclectic atmosphere and its friendly, knowledgeable staff. I adore it because the food is amazing and food allergies aren’t an issue at all.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

While I've gone to Take Sushi on previous occasions, it has been a few years since my last visit and it has recently changed management. Happily, the food is still quite good. I haven't had a teriyaki dish in years, since they used to use peanuts. I'm not sure if this has changed. However, I go for the sushi itself, which is always delicious. The servers are friendly and there are small stickers (in the oddest places) letting the customers know that they should inform their servers of any food allergies. Like usual, I had no issues with allergens. This is one of my safe bets and easily one of the nicer places in the city to have a great dinner or lunch.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

I travel through Toronto frequently enough that I need a lot of places that I can grab a bite to eat easily. Pizzaiolo is definitely one of these restaurants and luckily they're everywhere.

The location I tend to frequent always has a vegan option which is delicious. Not all of them do; so, you may have to place an order. Plus, the first time I ordered "a slice" (it's really two large slices), the server was about to cut it in two when I stopped him and told him that I have a dairy allergy. He smiled and showed me how they keep separate pizza cutters. The vegan cutter is only used on vegan pizzas; so, there's no risk of cross-contamination with dairy.

Of course, there is always a risk of cross-contamination on pizza stones or in the oven, but I've eaten there a few times now and never had any issues. They're very willing to address any concerns in a friendly manner which makes the experience really easy. And, pizza should always be easy.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

I've ordered from this restaurant on many occasions, but I've never been. I've heard the atmosphere is quite nice though. As for the food, the fish is always fresh and the menu doesn't leave a single thing to be desired. Despite my allergies to egg (mayo) and shellfish, I've never had a problem. The first time I ordered inari, I was concerned about dairy cross-contamination (a tricky thing with mass-produced inari) and the server was able to tell me over the phone that it was not a problem and it wasn't. The wait time can be anywhere from 25 minutes to 45, but it is certainly better than the quickie sushi places which abound. The only thing I would caution is that they've previous forgotten items; so, ensure your order is correct before leaving. If you need a specific number of chopsticks or extra soy sauce, let them know, too. Otherwise, great sushi and really nice staff.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

This local neighbourhood wine bar, located in a converted century-old house, is a must-visit whenever I'm in Ottawa and not just for the great wine selection and the knowledgeable staff. Indoors, the atmosphere is comfortable (metal stools, leather chairs & couches) and ranges anywhere from relaxing to vibrant depending on the day and time. On sunnier days, the back patio is a wonderful shaded spot to enjoy a glass of wine or beer and a small or large bite to eat. The menu is full of options for anyone with multiple allergies. The kitchen is small; so, the staff is easily able to check the ingredients or preparation methods of any dish. At least some of the bread is made off-site by Ace Bakery; so, it's best to check with Ace Bakery itself regarding your allergens. Depending on your allergy, dessert may not be an option. However, I highly recommend sharing a plate of bacon-wrapped dates with a lovely glass of wine. If you're not sure what wine, beer or cocktail to order, the staff always has great recommendations.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

Taza Flores has the perfect atmosphere for drinks with friends or even a more intimate get together. The music is upbeat, without being intrusive or too loud, but definitely adds to the vibrant atmosphere. If you visit, I highly recommend starting with a caipirinha if you've never had one. For the tapas itself, there are so many options on the menu, that I didn't have much problem finding a couple of delicious dishes. However, if you're vegan or vegetarian with dairy allergies, it could get tricky, since cheese is used in a lot of the vegetable dishes. Dessert is off-limits to anyone with a dairy allergy, too. The price varies depending on whether you're just looking to share a dish or two and a drink to whether or not you're ordering enough for a meal. In the latter case, it can start to add up. All in all, I love this fuss-free tapas bar. A few notes if you decide to visit, brush up on your French and wear something stylish!

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

When this restaurant opened up near my former workplace, I was utterly skeptical as the location is a bit industrial. However, the first time I ate at the restaurant, I changed my mind. The decor is comfortable, though not inspired, and a great location for after-work get-togethers - large or small. The food is good and the menu extensive; so, it's easy to find a lot of options whether you have allergies or other food restrictions/preferences. As this is a Japanese Steakhouse, it's certainly worth trying the beef dishes.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

I have to admit to a mixed review on this restaurant. This is the second teppanyaki restaurant I've been to and the experience was just as nerve-wracking as the first time. If you've never gone to a teppanyaki restaurant, they prepare the food in front of you, on a shared cooking surface. Yamato readily and easily deals with food allergies, separating a part of the cooking surface for the allergic person. They also use new and different utensils for the allergic person. So, while my experience was great, I and my friend were nervously watching the very quickly moving hands of our extremely competent chef to make sure no cross-contamination occurred. The atmosphere is elegant and understated. Since the restaurant is located in Yorkville, it's perfectly located for drinks before dinner or a nice walk afterwards to work off the meal. It's also a nice locale for someone who's never been to that kind of restaurant. However, depending on your kind of food allergy, it might be too stressful.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

The Idlewyld Inn is a former, private Victorian residence which has been transformed into a beautiful inn with an equally lovely dining room. I took my niece for afternoon tea which they serve in a beautifully traditional room - wood panelling, white tablecloths and fragrant basil centrepieces - which looks out onto the gorgeously landscaped property. The staff is very welcoming to children; they even have a child's price for tea. While I couldn't eat the traditional tea sandwiches, scones or desserts, I knew this going in and didn't expect to eat anything. However, the kitchen kindly suggested an amazing gazpacho which was free of all of my allergens. Though, for anyone who does not have a dairy allergy, there are some savoury items which will suit. The website does suggest giving a few days notice in the event of any food allergies. Since I wasn't able to do that this time, should I return I will be sure to do so.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

I've been to Domus several times since its opening. Whenever my sisters are looking for a lovely atmosphere, great wine list and worry-free dining, we head to Domus. There seems to be a very open relationship between the kitchen staff and servers; so, the latter can easily convey the way in which food is prepared. Based on that, they can make suggestions on what food is the safest option. Since the menu is always changing, I'm never stuck with the "same thing". Of course, every dish I've ever had has been amazing; so, that wouldn't be a trial. I highly recommend making a reservation. It's small and lovely; so, tables are certainly at a premium. This is a perfect locale for lunch or dinner. If you've never been, certainly call ahead to make sure they can accomodate. I still do just to give them a heads up.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

Sushi Ya is a cute and quaint little sushi restaurant located in downtown London. The second I walked in, we were greeted by the chef at his station (right beside the front door) and the server, a thoroughly lovely couple. They were immediately friendly and full of smiles. The decor was both traditional and comfortable. Tea was served quickly in a lovely, traditional pot with some complimentary edamame. My personal choices were a bit limited, but I explained my allergies to the server and she quickly told me that there were no peanuts on the premises and it was not a problem to accomodate the rest of my allergies. My meal, miso soup followed by inari and a salmon and cucumber maki, were perfect. Sushi Ya is one of those hole-in-the-wall gems that I will definitely return to.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.

This is in my top two of sushi restaurants. The only thing preventing it from being the first is that the wait can be a while, no matter what time of day you go or even how busy the restaurant is. My advice is don't wait until you're hungry - go a bit earlier.
The decor is understated, like the staff. Both are also elegant and simple which I enjoy. The staff is pleasant and knowledgable.
The fish is always fresh and butter-soft (and dairy-free). Hard-core devotees know when the fish is delivered and make reservations for that day. I'm sure it's changed since I used to visit; so, I won't leak the secret here.
Kumai is unassuming in every way (decor, staff, location) except the food. It's a lovely and well-kept secret.

This review is the subjective opinion of an AllergyTrails member and not of AllergyTrails Inc.