Yummy places for someone w/ many dietary restrictions

[mstinawu]

My mother is coming to visit me for two weeks here in LA. She has dietary restrictions (kidney disease) that do not allow her to eat much protein, sodium, or potassium. She can have small amounts of each, just not very much.

She was a big foodie before the onset of this so I'd like to still take her out to somewhere nice to eat (it'll still be considered her "once a week splurge meal") that can perhaps accomodate such requests (on a tasting menu, even?) or simply a restaurant that has good food, but isn't too heavy on the sodium and huge, heavy meat dishes. Does anyone have any reccomendations for places like this?

I'm willing to travel anywhere between LA and SD.

[westsidegal]

gjelina offers many dishes of delicious vegetables that would offer very little protein.
also, many of their 'protein' dishes are so small that they might work (i.e. their shrimp dish included only two medium-sized prawns).
also, i'd consider (not upscale) an italien restaurant such as antica pizzaria and stick to their grilled vegetable platter (tell them to omit the cheese) and their pastas.
another neighborhood italien restaurant that should work is il forno on ocean park (get the integrale pasta primavera). i don't know how they do it, but the complementary bruschetta they serve at il forno is always delicious even when tomatos are not in season.
at 26 beach restaurant, there is an entree salad called TUSCAN SALAD that is very delicious and relatively low in protein.
for israeli food, HUMMUS BAR AND GRILL, and ITZAK HAGADOL, both in encino serve these huge salad assortments (they will even refill salads for free). you can simply not eat the high protein salads (i.e. egg salad) and they will refill your bowls of low protein salads as you consume them.
for persian food, go to shamshiri grill and get some of the specialty rice dishes that do not contain meat nor legumes.

[westsidegal]

p.s all of the persian and israeli restaurants mentioned serve eggplant dips that are low in protein along with fantastic homemade bread to use for dipping.

[westsidegal]

if you are open to vegetarian japanese cuisine, shojin has MANY low protein options and is has a very lovely/pretty ambiance
http://www.theshojin.com/

avoid the items that contain tempeh, tofu, and seitan as all of these are high protein.

[bulavinaka]

You might try calling Joe's on Abbot Kinney in Venice to see if they can do a tasting menu for your mom. I know they will do special requests concerning vegetarian and vegan menus. I'm just not on the potassium issue, but it sure couldn't hurt to try...

[mstinawu]

Ohh.. I love Joe's in Venice.. I will try giving them a call. :fingers crossed:

[Emme]

AKASHA can definitely accommodate you, especially if you call and give 'em a heads=up!

[westsidegal]

are you sure that it's potassium that she can't have, and not phosphorus?

[mstinawu]

Phosphorus is one of them, but potassium is also a no no.

[westsidegal]

as a foodie, this must be a form of torture for her. i'm so sorry.

[mstinawu]

It is.. She complains all the time.. Heh~ But at far as the salt goes, that tolerance is built so the less salt she eats the more she's able to enjoy food that is just spiced and w/o or w/ just minimal salt.

[exilekiss]

Hi mstinawu,

You might consider Providence. Chef Michael Cimarusti has always been accommodating for dietary requests, special occasions, incorporating specific requests from various reports here on Chowhound (and personal visits as well).