Okay, let me just start out by
saying I am not a typical club-goer.
I think the only times I’m out past midnight are for bachelorette
parties and New Years. Yes, I’m
aware of how boring I sound but what can I say? I guess that’s life in the working world. Anyway, enough about my grandma-type
tendencies and back to the subject at hand: gluten.
One
of my best friends had been dropping hints since I moved to Dallas about
attending the infamous Hotel Zaza Sunday School. While not much information was published about the shindig,
it had enough publicity for us to know that it was one of the wildest
experiences in Dallas, it only happened once in awhile and it was not to be
missed. So naturally, when
the announcement came out that they were having a summer-themed ‘school,’ we
jumped faster than you can say ‘mimosa.’
We
really didn’t know what to expect.
The price tag was fairly high ($65) and I was weary given the fact that
I may not be able to eat. Loud music,
dark lights and alcohol don’t typically equal a celiac-friendly
environment. But I was so
wrong.
The
morning started while we waited in line to be checked into Sunday School. The line was long, but we were
immediately greeted with mimosas which made the experience a much more pleasant
one. Once inside we noticed the
DJ’s music, lights and the glow in the dark accessories conveniently arranged
on each table. We waited for about an hour for the rest of our “school” to show
up, all the while being poured copious amounts of mimosas. And then brunch began.
Brunch
was served family style; another fear for Celiacs. However, I told my waiter about my condition and he promptly
returned with a plate filled with a shockingly delicious greek salad and a
heaping side of hummus. After I
was done with that plate, he returned with some grilled pork, bacon, eggs and
fruit. He asked continuously if he
could bring me anything else, but by that point I was done. While the plates were being cleared,
shots were handed out. Since I
can’t drink wheat vodka, my waiter brought me a huge Tito’s drink. The service was quite spectacular and
something I was definitely not expecting.
Once
brunch was over, the lights went down and ‘camp counselors’ with sparklers
attached to champagne bottles appeared out of nowhere and descended upon the Sunday
Schoolers like Santa on Christmas Eve.
Every 2 people got a full bottle of champagne and the surprises didn’t
end there. The music was amazing,
people were dancing on every surface possible, costumed creatures came out of
the woodwork and much, much more.
The
experience was just like that of a summer camp. The time went by too quickly and everyone had the time of
their lives; even the Celiacs! I
can’t honestly say I’ve ever had more fun between the hours of 12 – 3pm on a
Sunday and highly recommend experiencing this at least once (again, keep in
mind that I’m a non-club goer, so this is saying a lot!).
One
word of advice though for my Celiac friends: Contact the host beforehand. I registered and bought my ticket through Eventbrite and was
able to email the host that way.
She graciously said it was not a problem to accommodate me, and my allergy
was noted next to my name on their check-in list. Second word of advice: tell
the waiters immediately when you walk into the room. It didn’t seem like my allergy had been communicated to the
waiters, and once the lights go down it gets difficult to communicate. So speak
up as soon as you get in. Thirdly,
enjoy it and make sure to arrange for transportation home. You’ll thank me later.
