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Health & Fitness

GF Date Night at PF Chang's

Our newly gluten-free lifestyle to support my daughter with Celiac disease, seemed overwhelming at first.  Would we ever have a "normal" meal or go to a "regular" restaurant and be able to order without a fuss?

Date night was the next hurdle for my husband and myself.  We consulted a few Celiac support sites on-line and decided to try PF Chang's for dinner.

Right away I noticed something different.  As we were being seated, I asked the hostess for the "Gluten free menu" and she smiled and said, "It's already in the regular menu."  That was new!  We had yet to find a place that included GF options right in the regular menu.  That was a really nice touch, because we didn't feel different or bothersome with a totally different menu.  The menu had so many wonderful options that included appetizers, chicken and beef dishes and even a chocolate flourless cake for dessert.

We started with the famous Lettuce Chicken Wraps for appetizers.  This appetizer is one of my all time favorites.  They do change it a little for serving GF, but nothing is lacking!  They were wonderful.  As always, I worry that food is not being prepared properly or with correct knowledge of how not to cross contaminate.  I was impressed when I saw Chang's signature on each dish that is GF.  Only the GF dishes have that and that assures me that they are taking care to plate my GF food on the corresponding plate.

For my main entree, I indulged in a Shrimp with Lobster Sauce.  This dish was creamy and delicious with plenty of succulent shrimp and a buttery sauce to complement it.  My husband had the Mongolian Beef which tasted incredible.  The steak was thin, but not dry and the seasoning was just right.  

For dessert we shared the Flourless Chocolate Dome cake with raspberries and raspberry sauce.  It was rich, not too sweet and lingered on the palate.  It is not a fluffy cake, more like a dense, delicious chocolate dome with some needed acidity from the raspberries to break it up.

Pf Chang's was a pleasant and delicious surprise for both of us!  The experience was hassle and stress free from start to finish.  The menu options were numerous and the food was amazing.  We look forward to coming back with our little Z for some kids GF Shrimp Fried Rice in the future!

Here are my marks for PF Chang's in The Shops at Mission Viejo.    (1-10 with 10 being highest)

  • GF Menu Selection: 9      
  • Service: 9        
  • Food taste:  8        
  • GF safety: 10
Eat drink and stay GF!
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