Category: Gluten Free

Gluten Free Jordan, Niagara and Buffalo

Where to start because posts about our trip would not be complete without news of the food and WHAT food!

Jordan:

1. On the Twenty (located right across the road from the inn)

Everymorning I was able to enjoy gluten free bread and jam as well as fresh fruit, bacon and eggs.  Now I don’t eat eggs (allergy) but they did offer to make them up for me.  They actually had two types of bread a gluten free multi grain and a delicious sesame seed bread.  A great start to each day.

We had our actual anniversary dinner here too and I basically had my pick of the menu.  Our waitress informed me that they could make a gluten free version of most anything on the menu.  My mouth was instantly watering and I was not disappointed.

Warm gluten free bread served at the same time as Glenn’s plate of sour dough.

The “Amuse-Bouche”.  Cheese, wine jelly, apple slices with balsamic vinegar. 

I chose the boneless Prime Rib.  It was HUGE and juicy and tender.  The potatoes were done to perfection.

There were multiple options for my dessert but I settled on the blueberry coconut cheesecake.  I have never had a cheesecake made with a toasted coconut base before.  I didn’t miss the cookies at all.

2. For lunch on our anniversary we decided to try the little cafe beside the hotel. The Zooma Zooma resto and wine bar. It was hopping but we were able to get a table tucked in a nice cozy corner.  There was a smaller selection, but then it is a smaller place.  I settled on a salad and their fresh fries with sea salt, curry mayo and smoked ketchup.  I was a bit worried at the size of the serving when it arrived but there were none left by the end.  They were delightfully salty.

Niagara on the Lake:

1. We stopped in at the Irish Tea Room and picked up some desserts to enjoy in our little courtyard.  Unfortunately we ate them before I thought to take any pictures.  :(  Ooops.

2. We walked about 15 minutes off of the main street to a small restaurant called Stone Road Grille (yes, on Stone Road).  It didn’t look like much on the outside and I must admit that I was a bit worried.  My worries fled once we walked inside and smellt the air.  Mmmm.  You just knew that the food was going to be good.  Multiple choices and a well versed staff were the icing on the cake.  They even had desserts but we had passed an ice cream parlour en route that we wanted to try.  I don’t think that I would take the girls here but if we ever go back on a couple’s outing I will be keeping them in mind.

Roasted sweet corn soup served chilled.  Very refereshing.

This is pork tenderloin cooked in a sous-vide.  Man was it tender; melt in your mouth tender.  The beans were super fresh as well and the sauce, well it was like eating essence of porky goodness.

3.Il Gelato Di Carlota – Latteria is the ice cream parlour that we passed while walking to the restaurant.  Now we were stuffed from dinner but I can’t pass up a chance to try a gluten free waffle cone imported from Italy.  Neither the gelato or cone disappointed.  I must point out how awesome my hubby is.  He got his gelato in a GF cone as well so that I could sample his too.

The sign in the bottom left corner was advertising the gluten free cones.

They had a really nice selection of flavours. The flavour board clearly showed which flavours were not gluten free so it was easy to order.

Strawberry (it tasted like fresh picked berries) and Dark Chocolate.


Niagara Falls:

There are a surprising number of options available for celiac dinners along Clifton Hill – Boston Pizza, Outback are two.  We spotted a restaurant at the bottom of the hill with a sign out front advertising that they had gluten free options.  How could we pass up the chance to try a new restaurant?  So in we went to Ruby Tuesdays for lunch.  They had a reasonable menu and I settled on the children’s burger.  I think that if I had gone with the adult burger it would have been a bit juicier ( in all fairness the waiter did mention that but I wasn’t super hungry) but the burger bun was almost normal so I enjoyed it.

Buffalo:

We went to PF Changs (which I have been wanting to try for ages) while at the Walden Galleria Mall.  Looking at their GF options on the menu brought a huge smile to my face.  Great selection.  They brought me gluten free sauces and made sure that I was aware not to use the ones in the middle of the table.  Once again Glenn showed just how super he is.  He chose to get his dish done with the gluten free soy sauce so that we could sample each others meals.  Authentic chinese it is not but it is a really nice North American version of Chinese food.  I could easily see myself taking the girls here.

National Celiac Conference

It seems that I have been posting a lot about food recently but then, food is an important aspect of my life.  This past week I was able to attend the Canadian Celiac Association National Conference.  A whole weekend focusing on food, fellowship and learning about recent research developments.  I can sum up the research as exciting.  The idea of a pill which will eventually help to guard me against intestinal damage caused by ingesting gluten accidentally!  No more being scared while eating out.  A great piece of insurance still some years away.

I can sum up the fellowship as providing a sense of being normal.  At the conference, I was normal because I was surrounded by celiacs.  Some newly diagnosed, some old pros but all just like me and all interested in the food!

Cocktail reception on Friday, 3 meals and snacks each day.  All safe.  No questioning if there is any hidden wheat.  It was great to just have to worry about nuts instead of it and gluten.  Top it off with a marketplace full of vendors offereing free samples.  Mmmm.  Now that makes for a delicious weekend…although not to good for the waistline!

The free samples at the Gluten Free Marketplace offer an excellent way to taste various products before purchasing.  This is pretty important in my food world.  The taste, texture and quality of gluten free products has improved drastically since I was first diagnosed, as has the amount and variety of products available.  The price of such products has remained high (almost like I get one small box of cookies for the same price as two ordinary boxes).  It feels good to be able to pick up a bag of bagels and know that I will enjoy them because I have already eaten them.  I pay without worry that I will end up with an expensive batch of breadcrumbs.

I can’t wait until the national conference is once again in Ontario!

Gluten free eats: Scotland – Glasgow, Stirling, Falkirk, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs

Geographically these tasty meals were a bit more spread out.  Nevertheless, quite tasty

Glasgow –

Ask Italian also has a location in Glasgow.

Tempus (located in the bottom floor of the Grand Central Hotel which is in the main train station in Glasgow):

We stayed here the night that we arrived in Glasgow via trian and were quite peckish the next morning.  When we decided to venture downstairs for breakfast I honestly expected to have a drink and sit and watch the crew eat.  I was pleasantly surprised when told that they had gluten free muffins and buns in stock.  Both were served nice and toasty warm making them extra delicious.

Stirling –

Gabe’s:

We ate here twice and there was an extensive gluten free menu offered (they even offered GF breakfasts with crepes and pancakes! but we never wanted to sit over breakfast).  I only have one set of photos as the food was sooo yummy that I ordered the same thing twice.  This is located beside the movie theaters as well as a nice walking path which runs alongside the River Forth.

GF fish and chips with homade tartar sauce and minty mushy peas.

Lemon drizzle cake for dessert. 

Falkirk –

The Wheelhouse Restaurant –

This is located walking distance from the Falkirk Wheel.  However, we decided to stay at the wheel rather than step out to eat as the girls were really interested in watching it work.  This restuarant offers a gluten free menu.

Falkirk Wheel Cafe –

I expected to eat a bag of chips and perhaps a piece of fruit while the rest ate sandwiches but I was pleasantly surprised.  I was able to order a “cheese toasty” (toasted cheese).  In addition, they also had individually bagged cookies for purchase had I wanted dessert.

Loch Lomond-

Palombos Fish, Chips & Pizza:

After our day on the banks of Loch Lomond and at the nearby aquarium (less than a five minute drive) we stopped here for our last dinner in Scotland.  Mmmm.  Yet another version of fish and chips (I have yet to find a gluten free fish and chip place nearby).  Glenn also got a treat with battered haggis (not gluten free but he rather enjoyed it).

Simple and straight forward.

Haggis and chips served piping hot but not gluten free.

The Trossachs –

Aberfoyle/Loch Ard- 

Wee Bleather Tea Room (on the banks of Loch Ard just north of Aberfoyle): We did not stop here on our day out at Loch Katrine but we drove past it as we went to the top end of the loch.  It looked very quaint and I thought of stopping for a snack but did not expect that they would have anything gluten free so I pulled out our packaged snacks.  Now I am sorely disappointed.  It turns out that this restaurant has a full gluten free menu as well as “normal” items.  Plus, they also have some dairy free options.  Sigh.  There is always next trip.

Doune – We stopped at the Circa Cafe which is at the Scottish Antiques & Arts Center.  It is quite cozy inside.  Unfortunately we arrived with plans of enjoying dinner there only to find out that they were in the process of closing for the evening.  They do offer a gluten free selection but I can’t comment on its tastiness.

Thornhill –

That evening we drove to nearby Thornhill instead and had dinner at the Lion & Unicorn Hotel’s pub.  The atmosphere was lovely with the smell of coal burning fires in the background.  There was a totally gluten free menu upon request and the wait staff helpful.  I ordered the burger and was not disappointed.

Loch Venacher –

On the way to Callander from Loch Katrine, we stopped at this loch for some lunch.  The view from inside this restaurant is gorgeous.  We were able to sit in warmth yet watch the wind creating waves on the water.  They had a number of gluten free options and were able to accomodate me when I decided to go with something which was not marked as gluten free – a burger made from mince butchered by the local Callander butchers.  They were the ones my Grandma used so I knew that the meat would be outstanding and I was not disappointe. Mmmm.

Callander –

We ate at a number of places while in Callander as this was the focus of our visit given that it is my mom’s hometown.

Taste of the Trossachs: I did miss eating at this place but I will have to try the next time.  It is at the bottom end of town near the meadows.

The Old Bank:  Also at the bottom end of town.  We had an early supper here (as it closes early by our standards).  The leek and potatoe soup which I ordered with my toasty was particularly yummy as were the wee teddy shaped chips.  The muffin was served warm and was a nice and fluffy apple spice muffin.  Unfortunately there was a bit of misunderstanding on my part.  The menu read ‘cupcake’ so I was anticipating an icing covered cake of some sort so I was a bit surprised when my muffin arrived.  The muffin would be a great choice if you were looking for a mid afternoon pick me up.

The Atrium Cafe:  This is located on the second floor of the CCW Outdoor Clothing Store near the top end of town.  There is always something gluten free to be had (I have been here multiple times on various trips).  This visit was on a rainy day and my toasted sandwich arrived nice and warm.  The “normal” dishes are posted on a large blackboard on the wall while the gluten free menu can be found beside where you stand to order you food.  Once you have placed your order and given your table number, you can sit back and relax until the food arrives.

The Lade Inn:  Although we did not eat at this restaurant on this visit, I have had the pleasure of eating here a few times before and recall it as quite tasty.  They have clearly marked gluten free dishes on their regular menu.

Other in Scotland tips:

I have shopped at a number of places for gluten free goodies.  In fact, gluten free food can be purchased at Sainsburys, Tescos and Marks & Spencers.  This trip my favourite finds were crumpets at Tescos (the kind which you toast and then slather on the butter so that when you eat it the butter is dripping through the holes onto the plate) and shortbread at Sainsburys.  The crumpets are fairly close to the real thing except that they soak up more butter than they let run through.  The shortbread does not crumble when you take your first bite and it has a nice buttery taste.  Plus, it looks like regular round shortbreads so it has the nostalgia factor covered as well.

Gluten free eats: London

J D Wetherspoon chain of Pubs: (there is now one in the Glasgow airport as well)

We went to this chain twice while in London.  I got the same meal both times as I quite enjoyed it so I can’t attest to the taste of other items.  Ordering was a bit different than we are use to at home.  You go in and find an empty table.  Each table has a number on it and once you have decided what you would like to eat you walk up to the bar, place your order, pay and give them your table number.  Then you take your tray of drinks back to said table and wait for your food to arrive.  The gluten free items are listed in the regular menu although if you need reading glasses I would suggest that you use them as the logos indicating gluten free are rather small in size.

This location is right beside Trafalgar Square. 

This location is across the street from the Tower of London.

I am a bit of a purist in that I rather enjoy nachos with cheeese and salsa.  These nachos are suppose to be served with more toppings.

ASK Italian Restaurants:

The location that we found was less than five minutes walk from our hotel near Kensington Gardens on the tube line.  I found this restaurant by accident and what a wonderful accident.  The food was delicious and the service for kids – beyond compare.  They had child sized cutlery, veggies and dip included in every kids meal as well as a special “babychino” for along with the dessert.  Gluten free items were indicated in the regular menu and were easy to find.

Kids meal-

The girls had pasta with cheese sauce and pancetta.

GelattoCaramelized pineapple with gelatto

Babychinos

Gluten free –

GF pasta with spicy tomatoe sauce, caramalized onions and pancetta.  Heavenly!

Molten chocolate cake

 

Oliver’s Fish and Chips:

We made a special trip on the tube to this restaurant but it was well worth it.  They use sustainably caught fish and you can taste the freshness.  They also offer a kid friendly choice.  Worth the trip (plus, my first fish and chips since I was diagnosed!).

Honest Burger:

This is in Soho and is an easy walk from the British Museum.  The burgers are juicy and cooked medium well (kids burgers more well done).  The thing which pushed this over the top were the fries.  They are hand cut and coated with rosemary salt.  Mmmmm!

Random Finds:

Our hotel was walking distance to a Waitrose and there were quite a few yummy products clearly marked as gluten free.

I enjoyed this with the granola bar I had packed for breakfast.

A plain chocolate bar in a cute package.

Eating these was like journeying back to my childhood visits to my grandmas.  Every bit as tasty as I remember.

These were part of my lunch at the Science Museum.  Not exactly healthy but they took the edge off of it.  A nice alternative to plain salted chips.

This was the healthier part of my lunch that day.  Also clearly marked as gluten free.  As for taste, regular yogurt flavour.

Gluten free eats: Paris

I knew that the rest of the family would eat well in Paris but I must admit that I was a little bit concerned.  I needn’t have worried.  It was a delicious few days.

Breizh Cafe:

A wonderful location for gluten free crepes.  They make their crepes out of buckwheat and they taste delicious!  Plus, they are as large as a dinner plate.

Just cool that the water came in this bottle.  It was greatly enjoyed by the girls.

Ham and cheesy yumminessHam, cheese, egg sunnyside up and sardines.

Helmut Newcake:

We walked here after our first dinner.  It was a bit of a trek but well worth it (as you can see from the empty plate).  They are the only completely gluten free bakery in all of Paris.  After enjoying a dessert in the seating portion of the bakery, I purchased a selection of goodies to enjoy for breakfast the next two mornings.

BeforeAfter (too good to waste a crumb)

Noglu:

The only completely gluten free restaurant in all of Paris and their food is superb!  They are located in this alley way lined with shops.  From the outside the restaurant looks small but this is deceiving as it actually has two floors.

The meal began with warm gluten free bread and these fluffy GF cheese puffs.

Appetizers –

Asparagus in egg with lentilsWhite fish with mushrooms and grilled red pepper.

Mains –

The girls split this super juicy pork chopGlenn’s fish with quoina

My steak, onions and garlic mashed potatoes

Desserts –

Chocolate brownie cakeToasted Hazelnut torteRaspberry Lemon cake

Creperie Genie:

Now I can not confirm that this restaurant is 100% gluten free as they do make both types of crepes and thus there is a risk of cross contamination.  I took the risk and enjoyed a delightful dinner.  This restaurant is located along Montparnasse and is walking distance to Luxembourg Gardens.

This was not gluten free.  It is a hotdog pannini which Elspeth enjoyed.  I have just never seen one before.

Ham and cheeseFour cheese (including blue cheese)Double egg.

 

Laduree Macaroons:

We never made it to their main store in Paris.  We purchased these goodies at Versailles (no line up).  I am so very glad that we did.  They are simply delicious.

The sight which first greeted my eyes upon noticing the shop.  Mmmm.

 

Other advice for Paris?  Well, if we had been staying longer I would have made better use of our aparthotel.  We had found a nearby supermarket and it would have been easy to purchase fresh fruit, cheese, yogurt and such.  Instead, for lunches I relied on the snacks which I had packed at home.

 

Family Day & Food

This weekend marks the 6th anniversary of the three of us becoming a family.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that next year, we will be celebrating yet another anniversary.  Below  is Katrine’s version of the day we became a family.

My brother and the kids were in to visit yesterday.  I am betting that my niece will be as tall as me, if not taller, by her birthday next year.  Yet another person to look down on me.  It is a good thing that I am not balding from the top!  They are all doing well.  My brother brought me my yearly birthday-novel.  I can’t wait to start it.  Don’t know how he does it, but each year he chooses something that I would never select for myself and it is wonderful.

Today we got to visit with one of Katrine’s “Yongning Sisters”.  After some skating, we headed to the pool and then the hot tub.  I can’t sing the praises of the hot tub enough.  It helped me to stop hurting for at least an hour!! (Damn fibro is acting up again, sigh)

Then it was out for dinner at Riz.  And what a dinner….gluten free goodness packaged as delectable thai food.  It was heaven to have both good company and good food.  Yes, I posted pictures of the food because it’s lack of gluten failed to detract from its yumminess.  Especially good were the spring rolls.  I can’t remember the last time that I got to eat good spring rolls (I tried to make them once after my diagnosis and they were a failure).  I also posted a headline that was hanging by the door of the restaurant…Hmm, do you think that message is meant for me?

GF Shanghai Noodles

GF Lemon Chicken

GF Spring Rolls