Eating out with an allergy at The Ship Hotel Weybridge

I attended a friend’s special birthday party last Saturday at The Ship Hotel http://www/shiphotel.co.uk Usually these affairs can be hit and miss; we always have to doublecheck that the food is gluten free for me and dairy free for Ray (plus ensuring it doesn’t contain the other foods Ray can’t eat such as tomatoes).I have to thank my friend for her part in briefing the staff so fully, but I have to say the staff excelled themselves in ensuring that we were able to eat everything.And what a sumptuous menu it was – caviar to start with (yummy) followed by pea soup with smoked salmon, which they had specially prepared for us. Soup is normally off the menu for Ray and I as there is usually wheat flour in it, milk or cream, but not on this occasion. It was delicious.The next course was Citrus and Chilli Marinated Red Mullet and spiced squash puree off the official menu. The meat dish was Roast Rib of Beef with potatoes and vegetables. Normally I don’t have any gravy as there’s wheat flour, but on this occasion we were served gluten free and dairy free gravy – marvellous.When we attend social functions we never expect dessert because invariably it has wheat or dairy in it. But imagine our delight when one of the staff discussed the options with us and served us slices of pineapple with a lemon sorbet (pictured). What a treat that was! The evening was memorable not only for the superb meal, but the sparkling conversation, dancing and entertainment from the band Barbara Snow and Richard Sutton.