Gluten Free dining in the North End Boston, MA

Just a quick note to some great readers who wrote some wonderful comments over the past year...I just read them and hit the publish button. Thank you for taking the time to write, and I am so sorry I did not respond! I forgot I put an approval for them to publish. I had been getting so much spam, I had to stop that somehow. Thank you so much for all your comments and contributions. I will try and check them more often. You also have inspired me to write a post...here's to you... 

 I just came back from a wet, but glorious time in the North end. If you don't know about it..let me fill you in. It's the Italian district in Boston. The freedom trail runs through there. (the magic red line on the sidewalks that bring all over the city to see the historical sites.) This is the place where Paul Revere rode through the night to have them put the lights in the North Church to alert the patriots which way the British soldiers were approaching, one if by land, two if by sea. But you didn't come here for a history lesson, You came here for the food, and now the North End is starting to deliver. Modern Pastry Shop has a few gluten free and dairy free goodies in the counter, whoopee pies, muffins, cannolo, and just maybe some biscotti. I talked to the owner and she said she started making these since one of her daughters (or did she say all of them?) has to eat gluten free and dairy free. Hop on in, grab an espresso and a sweet treat! I went to Benevento's for lunch and they offer gluten free pizza and pasta. The pizza was okay. I think it was a French Meadow Bakery crust. I appreciate the effort and the ability to eat with everyone else. The toppings were excellent. I wish they would get Joan's Gluten Free Great Bakes crust, then this would be the spot! Next time, I would try the pasta, just because I am curious. I would go again with my family just to be able to share a meal together and look forward to the delicious cheese, toppings and know the crust isn't the highlight. Next up, dinner at Marco's. Love this place..the food was delicious. If you notify them ahead of time, by about 24 hours or call when you make reservations, they will try and make some gluten free bread for you. Great to dip in the fabulous gravy. Gluten free pasta is offered here as well. Cannot wait to go again! I had breakfast at Caffe Nuovo, an omelet and home fried potatoes. She skillet fries the potatoes, so they are safe. Just let your server know you are gluten free, and they will accommodate you. My mother went crazy over the truffles scrambled eggs, I was very happy with my generous western omelet. Make sure you eat at Familio Georgio’s on Salem Street. Fresh gluten free pasta, gf pizza, so much it’s amazing. Great for the whole family.  There are other restaurants in the North end that do gluten free, I just did not go to them. Nebo keeps popping up, but I have yet to try it. If you have, leave a comment and let me know if I need to get over there,. I am getting hungry just reviewing all this great food. When can I go again??? Cheers, Mrs. GF

Triumph Dining: A Review for a Gluten Free Resource

I started this awhile ago, and never got the chance to finish it. Here is my honest review.

Enjoy!

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I don't know about you; but when I started off having to eat gluten free, I used resources and the web a lot. I came across something called "triumph Dining Cards" but never thought much about it. I didn't think I needed that. You see I thought my eating out experiences would be very limited, or not happen at all.

So why bother?

Why bother indeed? I got contacted by a woman named Jennifer who asked if I would review the latest copy of the Triumph dining. I do not get paid for this or have any agenda or financial interest in this company. I don't want to be paid, otherwise I couldn't say exactly what I feel. I am not tied to anything, except myself and my character; I prefer to be an honest, reliable person. That you can count on.

I procrastinated sending her the info, and then said, "Sure. Why not?" My goal for this blog is to share gluten free food options, and this fits right in.

Well, I just looked at it about two hours ago. And already I love it, and wish I bought one sooner. I think that it is an amazing resource to have, very handy to keep in the car, or bring on a road trip.

There was something that I found amazing.

Gluten Free Pizza. In a town close-by; where we visit often. Where we have family. Where we have ordered pizza for everyone else while I got sushi. Where I can go and eat pizza with my family (they do not need to eat gluten free) and be included.

And. I. Never. Knew. About. It.

Until I got this book. Right there. It would be worth it. And my husband is so excited he is trying to find a day for us to go out there and eat. And this is a man you used to think traveling for just food is crazy.

Funny how things change.

The book now stays in the car, or checked before we travel. Sometimes I bring it along. They have a website now, and a place to add any restaurants you go to to add to their next edition. Go there, check it out, and share the information.

www.triumphdining.com

Cheers!
Danielle

Great Website to Explore

Hello all,

I hope that life is treating you well. No recipe tonight, just an interesting website that warrants a closer look...Urbanspoon.com. I have it connected to what I was looking for, a different or new gluten free restaurant in Boson, Ma. I do not know how or where they get their info, I know nothing about it really, but I may be trying a new restaurant tomorrow based on it.

Check it out, www.urbanspoon.com, and let the rest of us know what you think.

Cheers!
Danielle

Gluten Free Dining in New England: New Hampshire, Boston and In Between

I am a New England girl, born and raised. I grew up in Massachusetts, and have settled here in New Hampshire. I have a few, not many, restaurants that have gluten free menus, or are very amenable to gluten free eating, that I love to go to. That I count on when I need to get out. I thought a list here would be great for people driving through, or traveling to this part of the country. I am also keeping this list for myself, it's nice to have a full reference compiled.

I would also recommend to call ahead if possible. Even though a lot of these places I say that I don't need to call ahead, I do if I am making plans ahead of time. If we have a last minute plan, I know I can still eat there.

Here goes:
Concord, New Hampshire Gluten Free Restaurants

The Common Man (various locations in New Hampshire) ~ There are a string of the Common Man restaurants up and down Route 93, usually right off a highway exit. They make it an easy place to stop when traveling. I have a good time at these restaurants, there is always something to eat. I find the dinner menu more comprehensive than the lunch menu, and the wait staff attentive. Actually, there isn't a printed gluten free menu, you ask the wait staff for a printed up list as to what is currently gluten free on the menu. If you go to the Italian Farmhouse restaurant up in Plymouth, NH, call ahead so they can prep your pasta ahead of time for you, otherwise you may have to wait just a bit extra for your food to be served.

Centennial Inn ~ The Granite Room Restaurant ~ This is an upscale restaurant located past the center of town in Concord, near where the old state hospital used to be. It is contemporary cuisine, with a flourish. There isn't a gluten free menu, but again the wait staff knows about gluten free eating, and cal tell you what you cam have. I usually have a few great things to choose from.

Nonni's ~ I have not yet gotten a chance to eat here. I am planning on going soon. I met the head chef at a fundraiser, and asked if they had any gluten free offerings. They do!! I have heard wonderful things about this restaurant, so I was so pleased the hear that they have gluten free pasta, as well as gluten free pizza crusts.

Uno Chicago Grill ~ I had heard that they were testing out gluten free pizzas, cheese or pepperoni, as certain locations. I don't know if that is true, but the one in Concord does have them, and I did run out and try one. It is a thin crust, and tastes great, although a bit expensive..it was about eleven dollars. The opportunity to eat pizza out with my children? Priceless.

Outback Steakhouse ~ There is something a little special about the Outback Steakhouse in Concord, NH. And, it is a bit of a secret. You see, the manager has worked out something with a local gluten free baker to supply bread for his gluten free customers. That means you get your own gluten free loaf to eat before dinner, and buns for hamburgers

Manchester, New Hampshire Gluten Free Restaurants

Z's ~ The decor and food make me feel like I am somewhere hip and happening, which sometimes in NH..it gets hard to feel that way. The food is excellent and the staff attentive. The chef (shout out to Tom!! Hi!!) makes some great food. There isn't a gluten free menu, but they all know about gluten free eating, and are willing to make some modifications to make dishes work for you. I always have a few things to choose from.

Gauchos ~ I have not eaten here since I have been gluten free. I did make a call when I was planning on going (plans fell through), and they told me all their meats were gluten free except for the sausage. The food was delicious, and it is a fun restaurant. I plan on calling and trying it as a gluten free eater. If you go, or have gone, let me know how it went!!

Cotton ~ I went here with friends. You don't have to call ahead, and the wait staff is very well informed. There isn't a gluten free menu, but with all restaurants that prepare their own food, they can modify as needed. This restaurant has gotten some great reviews and is worth a visit.

CJ Sparks~ I hate to say 'ditto', but I will have to in this case. CJ Sparks service was akin to Cotton. (see above)

Bedford Village Inn ~ I went to this restaurant with my husband and a work party. Again, no gluten free menu, but a great gluten free meal was prepared for me. I did not have to call ahead, and the wait staff was great.

Boston, Massachusetts Gluten Free Restaurants

Marco's, North End (the Italian section of Boston) ~ I just heard about this, but have not been yet. I am so excited to try this out with my husband. We had our first date in Boston and the North End. I heard that if you notify them a day ahead of time, you will even have gluten free bread to dip into the olive oil at the table.

Wagamama, Fanueil Hall, Boston ~ I went here once. they only had 2 or 3 meals that were gluten free.But it was delicious. I had it to go and sat outside with my family. (They got pizza!)

Legal Seafoods (various locations) ~ They have a gluten free menu. Good seafood, good locations.

Joe's American Bar & Grill (various locations, in various states) ~ It has been awhile since I have been here, and I cannot remember if they had a gluten free menu. I got a salad, and it was good. This restaurant has a great location on the water. Nothing beats eating outside on a beautiful day here.

P.F. Chang's (various locations, various states) ~ I think everyone already knows about this restaurant!! :)


Other towns in Massachusetts

Burton's Grill - (various locations) I went to the one in Andover, MA with my parents and children. I had calamari. Fried. Delicious. Even my Mom thought it was wonderful. I also ate a delicious gluten free pasta here, and enjoyed every bite. They have an entire menu here for gluten free eaters, not just an entree or two.

Life Alive (Lowell, MA) ~ Great little cafe. Vegan. Health Food. Gluten Free options. Need I say anymore? But I will. I had a lovely soup from this cafe. Thick creamy broccoli soup. I do not remember the other options offered, so there may be more than soup available.

Not Your Average Joe's (various locations) ~ I visited the location in Newburyport, MA. It was delicious. There was a menu printed out for gluten free eaters, with modifications that were needed right on the menu.

Other towns in New Hampshire

Flatbread Pizza (various locations) ~ Portsmouth, NH is where I first went out for pizza with my family. To be able to eat pizza with my children out, was an amazing experience, I had tears in my eyes.

Polly's Pancake Parlor (Sugar Hill, NH) ~ I have not eaten here. I would like to, but have not yet made my way there. If you have had a gluten free experience here, please leave a comment and let us know how it was!!

Rafferty's Restaurant and Pub (North Conway, NH) ~ An entire gluten free menu. I was able to have gluten free onion rings with my daughter. I salivated over the entire menu, it was so difficult to choose. If you are craving gluten free pub grub and you are near here - GO!

Bellini's (North Conway, NH) ~ An Italian restaurant. I have never been here, but know they have a gluten free menu. Enjoy!

Cheers!!!
Danielle

Sunglasses, Guest Blogger, & Last Post about Paris

I know, I know. I keep on coming back to Paris. How can I help it? I promise, this will be the last post that I write about it, and, I have to say, this post is only a little about Paris. (Down in the middle of the post are the links to the "travel there" information, if that's what you are looking for.) Mostly, it's about taking off my sunglasses.

As many have noticed, my profile picture never showed my entire face, until now. Until Paris. My husband was a bit skeptical about blogs, and about revealing my identity. I promised him I wouldn't, and kept that promise, except for one small thing.

My name. Mrs. G.F. is actually my married name. It is my true identity. It was too clever not to use. And that is how my blog title and blogger name came to be.

I digress. We were at Angelina's, I was drinking the infamous, luscious hot chocolate, my husband had the same and a croissant, and we chatted for our first morning in Paris. Having time alone to talk, and to think together for so many hours, days, alone, without other distractions was a true gift. The rest, the city, the food, the culture, were all a beautiful bonus.

I am happy. Content. My body has healed itself from eating a gluten free diet. I have the world's most amazing friends who prepare food for me that is gluten free, when they have parties, have me over for coffee, or just a drop off to taste something that they made that is naturally gluten free. I have a husband that totally understands, and has re-arranged our home to accommodate my needs, and the rest of my family's needs. The family holiday meals always has food for me to eat. It is wonderful after being sick, to realize health.

In this place of coming back to myself, new and improved, and with more understanding about blogs, and how these gluten free blogs help so many people. I have changed a few things. My personal profile is updated if you want to know a little more about me. And, if you check out my profile picture, you'll see I have taken the sunglasses off (with my husband's blessing, of course!!).

And, now I will introduce myself. My name is Danielle, I am Mrs. G.F., and I live in New Hampshire (a great state if I do say so myself). Nice to meet you. I love sharing the realities of living on a gluten free diet, and I love food. Always have, always will.

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I was a guest blogger today. If you head over to the CeliacChicks, you'll see my post about my Paris trip there. The two posts I have on eating gluten free in Paris, France have different links, connections, and tips. Make sure to check out each one if you are heading to the City of Lights.


Gluten Free Travel Paris ~ Tips, Links, & Information
Gluten Free Travel: A Gluten Free Guide to Paris

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In the next couple of weeks, I plan to do a product review, a book review (way overdue!!), and hopefully, a couple of new recipes for you that I need to tweak.

In the meantime, stay happy and healthy,

Cheers!!
Danielle

Gluten Free Travel Paris ~ Links, Tips, & Information

Paris, celiac boy
Originally uploaded by justmakeit

(Important: I wrote this post before I went to Paris. All of the text in blue are my comments after my trip.So far this is the most comprehensive guide to Paris gluten free on the internet. There are links to many other individual's experiences and posts. If you find something I didn't include here, or you wrote your own post about your trip to Paris, please let me know and I will add your link.)

I found this photo on flickr. It is a man with celiac, and we all know what he's looking at and wishing. I love this picture. It encapsulates one half of me as a celiac.

We all talk about how great food is as gluten free eaters, and I agree with that. I always sigh a bit when I leave home, knowing that I can't travel as carefree as I once did. So now, travel is a bit hard and sometimes bittersweet. We can't be as free as we would like, and we (at least me) take hours and hours to research gluten free eating, so we know what to expect and to bring.

When I look at this picture, I see a story, part of my story. He took a moment to let himself feel, to be sad about what he can't have. When he walked away, he was back to life, done with that moment of mourning. Maybe I will do the same thing. Take that moment, feel it, then turn around, smile at my husband, then trot down the street to find a delicious macaron to eat with my espresso.

(I was totally able to do this. I looked at the bakeries, and the pastries, smelled the bread and had absolutely no problem!! I did not feel like I was missing out.)

Hopefully the links below will help you smile and travel as carefree as we can.

I have gotten a few emails about others who are heading to the City of Lights ~ Paris, gluten free, and thought I should share a couple of other things I have found out that I will be trying.

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Des si et des mets ~ The first totally gluten free restaurant in Paris. I emailed the owner and it will not be open in time for me to try it, I go to Paris on Sunday, the 19th, and leave the day of the opening, Oct. 24th. If you are going to Paris, and get to try it, please come back and leave a comment so we all know how it was!!

(This restaurant is now open. The owner emailed me. I was home, so I never got to try it out. Leave a comment and let us know how it was if you go!)

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Cojean ~ From what I have read, this food is yummy, fast, and a bit cheaper than a typical long Parisian lunch. Made fresh daily, with fresh ingredients, Cojean seems to have developed quite a following. As celiacs, we can't grab the crepe or have a croissant on the go, as we know. Cojean does have paninis and other bread like products.

But after emailing, and getting a quick response back from the vice-president, Frédéric Maquair, I found out that the 4 soups that they serve daily are gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian. I quote, "None of our soups contains gluten.
They contain only fresh vegetables and soy cream."

Some salads do have croutons, but are clearly labeled, often they use yummy crunchy things on top of their salads like hazelnuts. Check out their website to get an idea about the menu. I am marking all 6 locations on my map.

(We did stop in here. There was a location right across one end of the Louvre, great to stop in for lunch before entering. They had about 6 salads I could eat, and this location had 2 soups, and I was able to taste them before I chose. Very good, and fresh.)

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Pastries ~ Macarons ~ These are not of the coconut variety we have here. These are colorful, magnificently crafted, flavorful hand-held treats. There are so many devotees to this sweet, they have all made me so excited to go, and wait in line for the 20 minutes just to get in the door. Google "Paris Macaron" and you will start to see the impact of these confections. These have cropped up in so many of my searches, I can hardly wait to go to Pierre Herme and Laduree to eat these with a coffee. They are naturally gluten free, being made with almond flour, egg whites, and sugar. I will double-check the fillings though. (Check out this blog post for some great pictures and history of macarons.)

(I loved tasting the Pierre Herme macarons, they definitely tasted ...fancy. The white truffle one had such an interesting combination of flavors. The shop felt very boutique and high-end, 7 macarons cost 16 euros. It was worth the experience though. I will definitely say that I am in the Laduree camp. I preferred their macarons, and the lovely tea room. It all felt so pretty, and not so stiff. It was a bit cheaper, not much, if that matters. )

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One of the best write ups I found was on delphi forums, and I can't even remember how I found it, but after changing my search terms, I finally did. An eloquent woman by the name Allison wrote up a long and detailed post, with contact information and tips. She was there for a week in March 2008. Read Allison's post to get some great information.

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I wrote a guest post about my trip at the CeliacChicks website. Read Gluten Free Guide: Gluten Free Trip to Paris post for my trip tips after I got back from Paris. There is a lot of information there that I did not post here.

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David Lebovitz, although not celiac, lives in Paris, and has a great blog. He did a wonderful post about galettes de blé noir, otherwise known as buckwheat crepes. Gluten free crepes. I plan on checking this out and hopefully this means I can have a crepe in Paris. This one feels like a judgement call, as far as how these are prepared, for cross-contact and all. I hope it works out!! He also did a great write up on being gluten free in Paris. I already linked to his blog in a past post but wanted to include him in this more comprehensive list. Go check out David's gluten free tips.

( I did not get a chance to try these crepes out. I was looking forward to it, but it was quite a journey to get to some places that served buckwheat crepes, so I cut that part out. If you try them, and they work for gluten free eaters...leave a comment and let us know how it worked out!)

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A partial list of natural food stores that sell gluten free products, check out Paris Pages by Mariev . She also has an address for "non-industrial gluten free bread".

( I went to one natural store to grab a snack. I bought chocolate croissants.m I think they would be fine if they were warmed up, but they tasted horrible at room temperature. I never bothered with other gluten free products.)

The Celiac Handbook website has a section for gluten free in France. There are restaurants listed with links there..just scroll down to Paris.

A new blogger ,at least to me, I had not seen before my Paris research, Ms. Glaze of Pommes d'Amour, she does a review of her favorite restaurants. Slide down to the comments and she responds to a question about which of those restaurants would work for a gluten free eater. She gives some good tips in there.

Catherine, from A Gluten Free Guide shared her tips from her trip to Paris.

From the Celiac.com forum, member Floridanative and Tanyad gave the restaurants that worked for them in 2006. Be aware, some of these place may have changed owners, or may not be there still.

Living Without Magazine Article ~ This is a lovely story about a woman's gluten-free experience in Paris.

A soup cart, Hotel Patheon Jeanne d'Arc in the 15th arr., there they can inform you if which soups are gluten free, dairy free etc...

The French Association of Gluten Intolerance website ~ To be quite honest, I barely looked at this site.

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It is also worthwhile to check out the forums at Tripadvisor, Frommers, and Lonely Planet for current information. There are conversations in those forums about gluten free travel. Also, check out the message boards at Celiac.com.

Also, change your searches around. Don't forget to search "sans gluten", that is how it is written in French. I got so many new sites by changing just a word or two.

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These aren't Paris, but it's France, and I had to include them somewhere since I found them.

Gluten Free Lodging in France ~

One a bed and breakfast type of place I think, and it does serve dinner as well, in the country-side of France in Jarnac. It is called La Belle Demuere and it might be worth a visit if you are heading that way.

Chateau de Villars ~ we offer Full Board ‘Gluten Free’ holidays in a friendly & casual environment. Nine acres of Tranquility and Beauty In The Heart Of The Perigord, Dordogne, South West France. Be inspired by the idyllic scenery and relaxed lifestyle.

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Cheers!! & Bon Voyage!

Paris - There is a Gluten Free Restaurant Opening!!

Tour Eiffel - HDR - Eiffel Tower Paris
Originally uploaded by Al Ianni

Back story ~

My husband is taking me on a trip to Paris for our 10 year anniversary in just a week and a half. I have been doing a ton of (and I mean HOURS) research (Paris does not have the reputation of Italy for celiacs.); it seems there is a new dining option for celiacs and gluten intolerant travelers and residents opening.

The first gluten free restaurant in Paris. Rumor has it that it will be opening on October 21st; while I am there.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, I hope to be one of the first there, eating a gluten free meal.

There is a website, http://www.dessietdesmets.com/

Check it out if you are going!

(And of course, I am planning on doing a full review of Paris and eating gluten free when I get back..in the meantime check out David Lebovitz's post on gluten free Paris.)

Cheers!!!

Back from Disney

Greetings. I have gotten all your comments and emails; I just haven't had enough time to answer, I hope to catch up this week. We are back, and it was a great trip, and Disney is as great as it is cracked up to be. (The above picture is from Animal Kingdom and the safari, it was beautiful.)

This will not a super long post, but I will throw a few things in here, and maybe more another day if I think of them.

~ I still had the flu while we were there, but thank goodness for some good doctoring and some good gluten free drugs, I was able to soldier on and make some great memories with my children and husband.

~ We did get a small condo to stay in and that worked great; we stayed at Floridays Resort, and it was in a great location.

~ We attended a show called Arabian Nights. It was wonderful, my two children were completely mesmerised. The surprising part? The dinner was naturally gluten free, as well as the dessert. The waiter even knew that the chocolate sauce on the ice cream contained corn syrup and asked me if that was a problem. Very cool.

~ One tip when ordering burgers gluten free at Disney, as for the sides you want, and they will get them from the back. I read somewhere that the better term for chefs than cross-contamination is cross-contact. The word contamination refers to germs or bacteria.

~ I did not take pictures off all the food I ate, or every place I ate at. This was my vacation after all. But if you Google it, I think you can find pictures if you like.

~ Go to the Town Hall and ask for a list of the gluten free foods available and you will get a print out of everything.

That's all for now. I have many things to do, now that I am finally feeling better!

Cheers!!!

Old Quebec City - Gluten Free

My husband, I call him Navy Boy here, surprised me with a short trip for our anniversary this past spring. We had never taken a trip just to go somewhere without the children since we had them. (My oldest is 6.) We went away once for a wedding, and that was this past fall.

Navy Boy was planning on telling me the day we were leaving, but a bizarre convergence of events made him spill the beans reluctantly a couple of days prior to our departure. I was glad. It gave me an opportunity to get the house ready and things in line for the children's care before we left.

This was my first trip going gluten free. I didn't do any research. Since my husband was planning it, he researched and contacted people and got a list of restaurants. When he handed me that list in the car, I felt so loved.

We are close enough that we can drive there, and one thing my dear husband did not think about was lunch on the way up. I had time to think about it, and had food in the freezer, and I had my Mr. Bento that I purchased to take my food wherever I needed to. (Mr. Bento is a food storage system from Japan that has separate little containers for food - and it keeps the food hot, cold warm or room temperature. I adore it.) I was able to pack us each some lasagna and two salads and cheese and crackers for our lunch picnic that we had after a couple of hours of driving. I love my Mr. Bento.

We arrived and checked into our adorable inn, then ran outside the door to ...freedom..no children, just us and two full days to play. And then...

I stopped. I stood in the square in front of the Frontenac, and froze. I realized at that moment, travel would be different for me, forever. I couldn't travel the way I had. It was in between mealtimes and normally, we would have walked across the square to an outdoor cafe, gotten a coffee and a croissant..maybe a ham and cheese one and a chocolate one to split, watch the people go by and plan out our evening together.

I couldn't do that anymore.

Poor Navy Boy. I was just standing there, literally. For about 10 minutes, frozen to the spot, processing. Ten minutes doesn't seem very long, until like Navy Boy, you just stand there and have to wait to see what happens.

What did happen?

I woke up. I made a plan, and walked away from that spot knowing that I was different, would have to be, and would always be. I said good-bye to something, a freedom, and walked back to the room with my husband.

We opened a bottle of wine and ate the nuts and leftover cheese we had brought with us. We walked all around with the list, in the upper part of Old Quebec, saving the lower city for the next day, trying to find a restaurant. We couldn't find one, but had fun exploring. We ended up eating at our hotel's restaurant, we were the only ones there for a bit, and got great attention, a fabulous meal and I did not get glutened.

But I have to tell you about a great restaurant. Great in the fact that it was unique in Old Quebec, and it was fancy Canadian food. Why was it unique?

When we asked if they could accommodate gluten free, they came out with a PRINTED GLUTEN FREE MENU. Printed. Telling what I could have safely. This cute, adorable, local, and might I say absolutely packed restaurant on an off season weekday night, had a menu for me.

When the waiter handed us this menu, we didn't even look at it and said, "We're in."

We sat on the outdoor patio, with heaters above us and warm plaid fleece blankets around us, after all it was a cool May evening. We drank wine, and chatted and breathed in the atmosphere, the delightfully adult atmosphere.

This amazing place? Lapin Saute.

If you go up there, go there. It was beautiful.

Boston - Quincy Market..gluten free with flexibility!

Street Performance at Quincy Market
Originally uploaded by kahala

It has been busy here, as it can get during the summer with two wonderful children - who are out tearing around the neighborhood somewhere. I have not been great about blogging recipes, but I will get back on it, so I will at least getting one or two new ones up each week.

I will try.

I am trying to simplify my food for the summer, so it will be easier and I won't feel tied to the kitchen. And, since I am feeling so great now, I want to do more, be outside, and be social with my friends, and children.

But, I digress. I wanted to jot a quick note about Quincy Market in Boston for anyone that might head that way, needing to be gluten free.

I love Quincy Market, and for those of you who haven't been there, it is a huge building filled with restaurant stalls of great food. I used to go there all the time. This was my first time there since not being able to eat what I want.

There is a Legal Seafood close to Fanueil Hall, so you could always eat there; they have a gluten free menu. We were going to eat there, but we feel like eating at a restaurant. Navy Boy and I wanted to take the children and eat casually at Quincy Market.

So taking my new idea of flexibility with me, we went. Navy Boy and children got pizza..Regina Pizza. Man, did that smell good!!! I went back in and browsed. To tell the truth..there wasn't much there to eat. I also did not want to get into a huge discussion. It was crowded and busy, and the stalls were getting ready to close.

I ended uo finding a beautiful shrimp cocktail plate at one of the seafood stalls. The shrimp were huge. It was expensive, but I would have spent more at the restaurant. So, I go my shrimp, shared some and then we got gelato for dessert.

And the best part?

It was fine. It was easy. And we did what we wanted, without getting tied down to a certain restaurant to eat. I felt freer than I have in awhile.

(By the way, sorry, about the lack of photos. We forgot the camera. We were very bummed, since it was my youngster's birthday, and now, no photos of the day!)

Ireland Gluten Free Travel - There and Back Again

This post is going to be very different than I thought it was going to be. I thought I would have all sorts of product information, restaurant suggestions, and just tons of information for the future celiac traveler to Ireland. I do have some great information for the celiac traveler, just not in the format I expected.

Before I went on the trip, I did the research, joined the Irish Celiac Society web group, got the list of accommodating restaurants, and even did web searches for reviews of the products available there. (I still have all these lists, so if perchance you need/want them, drop me a line.) I requested the gluten free meal on the airplane, and was ready to go.

We stayed in the Tralee area with my wonderful in-laws, so we did have a kitchen, and Mom did purchase some gluten free staples with the help of a friendly Irish gluten-free eater. And the meals we had at the cottage were gluten free, so those were all taken care of.

Ireland is what you hear about, almost everyone has heard of celiac disease, although they may need a quick refresher on the details. (I will include here that I am somewhat sensitive, I feel completely hung over if I get "glutened", and it doesn't seem to take much for that to happen, and I never had that while I was in Ireland, so all seemed to work out very well.)

I learned some things on this trip.

I have found that having celiac, and needing "special" attention bothers me. I don't like having to ask my friends and family to do things differently for me, yet I really don't like going to a party/gathering and not fully participating. I hate being out in the world and not feeling free to walk in any restaurant and order off the menu and just relax about the food. Feeling the constant need to watch out for myself, browsing the menu and seeing if the restaurant will be good for my children, and me. Losing that feeling of flexibility with travel.

So, what to do?

I found my answer in something that happened one day in Tralee. The children were hungry, and so were my husband and I. We checked the restaurant list from the Irish Celiac Society. Both were closed, not permanently, just for that day.

I looked around a little desperately, feeling the loss of control, and wondering what to do. we wandered a couple of blocks, looked at menus, nothing promising. I remembered us walking past a 'pizzeria'; I knew I couldn't eat there, but looking at my hungry children, I said,"Let's go there. I won't eat. I'll just get coffee." My husband looked surprised, but we went.

As he took the children to the bathroom, I looked at the menu to order for the children, and I was surprised to see steaks on there. I questioned the waitress. The food was ordered. The food came. The young ones had chicken and chips. Navy Boy had the odd combination of pizza and a baked potato. And I had my favorite meal out in Ireland in this little diner-like restaurant with simple food.

A steak with garlic butter and a half plate full of yummy sauteed mushrooms and onions, with a crispy baked potato in the side. I ate every bite, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

What did I learn? Be. Flexible. In the truest sense of the word.

I am convinced that you can go in almost anywhere in Ireland and have something to eat. It may not be what you want to eat, but you will eat. I was always able to get chicken on top of a salad. And that was at the "recommended" restaurants. Either way, you will eat.

And for me?

Flexibility. And adventure.
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Now, some things I would recommend.

In Dingle - Murphy's. It's an ice cream/coffee place. They had a gluten free chocolate cake to have with your coffee. Only place I had a great dessert. Somewhat expensive, but worth it!!

Tralee - Allegro Pizzeria. Great pan fried steak. ;)

The cider in Ireland is gluten free, and usually on tap. Go into a pub, order one, and blend right in. Sean Og's in Tralee was pretty cool with live music every night.

Gluten Free Travel , Flying and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

This was my first time traveling gluten free. I went for 4 days, we flew, and went to stay with my in-laws with children in tow. Months before we left, I was panicking, thinking about what on earth I was going to do. I would think about how this gluten free life was changing me, and would change how I would travel too. No just stopping in diners for quick breakfasts or lunches. No just trying a restaurant, or going out for the day without food prepped and ready.

And every time I thought about it, something would tighten in my chest, and I would start to cry. I loved to travel, and I wanted to travel the same way I always did. I put travel off while my children were young, and I wasn't feeling well, and now, I am feeling better, the kids are a great age, and now, I have to worry about my food.

Then I decided to forget about it, and let it just happen. And, it did, it was wonderful. I didn't get glutened once, and we ate out twice, and I shared a kitchen with a bunch of gluten eaters as well.

My mother-in-law was incredible - planning her menus around what I could eat. She even bought an all purpose gluten free flour and made a banana bread for us. My mother-in-law is awesome. I was really touched by her efforts and understanding.

I wanted to share a great restaurant we went out to eat at, the Old Oyster Factory right on Hilton Head Island. I called ahead, and was treated wonderfully, and most importantly, I was not served anything with gluten in it, or on it. I apologize for not taking pictures, I forgot my camera. I consulted with the waitress and she communicated with the chef, and I got blacked mahi-mahi with veggies with olive oil and lemon. It was fabulous. Go there if you are in Hilton Head, it was wonderful, and child friendly.

Of course I brought my own food for the plane ride, and we all know what to do for that; it was a short flight so I didn't need too much. I was lucky that Logan Airport, in the gates for Delta, had a Wendy's. I got a baked potato and chili to carry on board for lunch.

My family is planning to go to Ireland in June; this was a good practice run since that one will be a longer flight, and a longer trip. I really wanted to post this since when I googled Hilton Head and gluten free nothing came up; I am hoping that this helps some one else.