So - I’m allergic to preservatives. Yup, you read that right, preservatives. No artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, or a plethora of other additives found in foods for me. And it just so happens that these days, preservatives happen to be in oh, just about everything. Having developed this severe allergy really puts a damper on what I can eat, let alone where. In order to not blow up like a balloon and lose all oxygen to my lungs, I need to eat clean, real food. The safest bet? 100% organic food.

Now, it’s not easy going out with this allergy of mine. Unless I’m dining at the local farmers’ market and having a dinner of apples and carrots, I am that customer that servers loathe most. “So, what’s exactly in your salsa? Anything from concentrate? Is your chicken marinated in any sort of dressing? Are your french fries hand cut or frozen? Hm, okay can I please have the chicken fajita sandwich, but hold the zesty grilled seasoning, ranch sauce, guacamole, and can you just keep the peppers plain and not marinate them in balsamic vinaigrette? Oh and don’t bother with the bun, thanks.” Let’s just say I’ve learned that I have to smile A LOT and tip generously if I ever want to return.

However, having to be extra particular about where I dine has its plus side; I find little treasure eateries that handicapped foodies like me could only dream of. The gastro pub, Slate, is one of my tried and true favorite places to feast, and become balloon sized in a good way.

Just shy of its one year anniversary, and located a few blocks from Rittenhouse, Slate is proving to be an alluring and well-liked establishment for Philadelphians to grab brunch, lunch, dinner, or just a drink. Inside, Slate gives off a peaceful semblance with dim lighting, large well-crafted wooden tables, and of course, slate countertops. Also receiving praises, is the charming Romanian-native owner, Laurentiu Muras, who makes Slate all the more inviting. I frequent Slate often and have never seen Muras without a smile on his face beneath his crazy mustache. A former bartender, Muras is most often behind the bar making drinks and happy conversation with pleased customers.

A plus side to having the owner behind the bar is his great recommendations for drink and food pairings. Slate’s fairly priced wine and beer list is extensive without being overwhelming and the well-made cocktails are delightful. Famed for using organic and local ingredients in both their drinks and food, I was eager to try their most popular mixed drink, the mixed fruit mojito ($9). However, after taking my first sip, I was in quite a shock when I tasted the presence of bubbly Sprite meddled in with fresh ingredients like minty sprigs. Luckily a sip didn’t harm me and I addressed the bartender on the condition of my drink. According to the compassionate and very apologetic Elana, (who didn’t charge me for the poisonous drink or the new one she promptly made me), the mixed fruit mojito, like many others, is unfortunately sweetened with fountain soda unless you request its absence. But, the entire staff is very friendly and accommodating, so customers needn’t feel picky for asking for any sort of modifications.

Perhaps what is most impressive about Slate though is that its menu is so reasonably priced for the quality of ingredients used and that it has a variety of savory foods, so carnivores, vegans, and all those in-between can enjoy. The menu boasts a praise-worthy local beef burger blanketed with philly pale ale onions and a heaping side of signature hand-cut, well-seasoned cilantro fries ($10); a braised pork and cheddar sandwich ($11); tempeh spaghetti, a mixture of zucchini “noodles”, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and basil coulis ($16); seared snapper served with crab bisque, cauliflower, and asparagus slaw ($19); along with a handful of other enticing lunch AND dinner fare. I’ve tried them all, and if I can eat them, you probably can, too.

And there’s more – brunch! Wake up to a warm Belgian waffle topped with creamy whipped mascarpone and drizzled with a coffee caramel ($10); or try the stuffed mini burger topped with fresh sheep's cheese and a quail egg served with home fries ($10); or play it safe with a fail-proof traditional omelet using three fresh ingredients of your choice ($10).

Food Allergies are no small problem. No one is quite sure why but a growing number of Americans are diagnosed with food allergies each year. The reality is that the only thing people with life-threatening allergies can do is avoid the foods that make them sick. Slate is surely the answer to anyone’s food dilemmas and will sit at the top of the list of gastropubs in Philadelphia for years to come.  Its delectable and allergy-friendly menu, along with welcoming staff will please all those who visit.

Bottom Line: Slate is my staple allergy-friendly spot, but my goal is to explore Philly’s food scene to see what I can, and can’t, have a bite of.

Marisa McStravick studies journalism at Drexel University in Philadelphia and plans to attend law school in fall 2010. She has written for Philadelphia City Paper.

Article photograph from shinyai, via Flickr (Creative Commons), "I'm Allergic" photograph from , silverfox09 via Flickr (Creative Commons), "Philly" photograph from camardella, via Flickr (Creative Commons).