Please Help! Client lunch this Friday and I'm petrified!

[ecodolly]

I'm on day 8 of my W30 and I am having a lunch meeting with clients this Friday (will be Day 11).

Here is the restaurant's menu:

http://www.thebutchershop.co.za/menu/

I am so worried that I will eat something that is not compliant. My biggest concern is the cooking oil issue - I was thinking that a fillet or rump (or even an ostrich fillet without the sauce) with a side salad would be a good bet as that would be cooked on a grill and require the least oil - but I don't think I am going to have many options when it comes to oil... what do you do if vegetable oil, butter or olive oil are the only options?

I could also go for a starter salmon on avo or beef carpaccio (without the parmesan)

I also really don't want to be making too much of a fuss about ordering around a bunch of clients so I need to be prepared

I think the seafood will be certainly cooked in lemon butter with the option of olive oil which is also not a good idea...

I am just not prepared to mess up my W30 just because I have to eat out and this is making me very anxious!

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[kb0426]

If I had to choose the lesser of the oil evils, I would go for the olive oil.

I did not look at the menu, but if you don't want a fuss, call ahead, at a time of day that they are likely not busy. Asked them about oils, butters in sauces now, and see if they are willing to customize an order, such as just the protein cooked without sauce and a side salad.

Good luck!

[Kirsteen]

Yes, I would definitely go for olive oil. You may not feel it's ideal but it would still be compliant so I wouldn't stress too much about it.

[Tom Denham]

While seed and vegetable oils are discouraged and cooking with olive oil is not a good idea, use of oils is not a make or break item for the Whole30. Technically, avoiding butter is more important for a Whole30 because milk proteins are a definite no.

Alternatively to calling ahead, you might consider mentioning to your server matter of factually (in front of clients) that you are on a special elimination diet and need to avoid butter and would like to avoid seed and vegetable oils. I think following a specific diet comes across better than just being picky.

[ecodolly]

Thanks for all the advice - I am so relieved regarding the oils - butter I can certainly make sure I avoid.

[ar1zona1]

Talking to the server about being on an elimination diet definitely helped me this last weekend to make sure they did not use any butter. After I explained to her I think she actually wrote allergy on the order and listed the NO's out. Got exactly what I wanted with no fuss.

[ecodolly]

I'm better off saying allergy unfortunately - I live in South Africa and I can guarantee that I will get a blank stare if I say elimination diet - its just not the type of terminology that restaurant staff are accustomed too... yet.

[praxisproject]

Calling ahead means you can likely have a much smoother interaction with your waiter in front of clients, some restaurants you can even say "The chef has my special order - Number 10", and the kitchen will use a fax or printout for your order. Keep a copy of it yourself on paper, in case they lose it.

Try not to call on the day, as if they don't have the right ingredients on hand, they may not have time to get them (shopping is usually done very early in the morning).