I am beyond excited to be heading back to Brooklyn for the very first NYC Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest on July 28-29, 2018. It will be so great to see old New York City Celiac Meetup friends and met new gluten-free people at this event. The GFFAFest will be at the Brooklyn Expo Center which is right in the heart of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. As a matter of fact, I used to live on the same exact street! Come for the expo, stay for the awesome views of NYC just down the block at Transmitter Park, and maybe even happy hour after the event. I’m always up for drinks in Brooklyn.
Last month, one of my best friends came to San Francisco for work. My friend Kristen and I originally met in the NYC Celiac Meetup group more than 7 years ago (or is it 8?? We always forget!) and have been friends ever since. We both left the east coast at the same time but keep in touch with regular phone dates, texts, and even bumping into each other randomly at an airport in Chicago! Since we both have celiac and we both love to eat, I knew we needed a gluten-free food crawl when she was in town. We met at her hotel and had a fun-filled day eating our way through San Francisco and beyond. Everywhere we ate was 100% gluten-free!
Happy 2018. Here’s to a year full of gluten-free travel!
My January kicked off to a great start with lots of travel both near and far. I rang in the new year in San Diego and rounded off the month with a trip back home to New York. I traveled close to 7,000 miles this month! I hope this is an indication of the adventures to come in 2018.
Read on to see where I went and what I ate in January.
When looking back over the past year, I traveled more than I realized. I went to New York City a whopping FIVE times in the past year. Not a surprise considering that is where I got married and that is my hometown. I also went to Wisconsin twice to see my sister and her family. I also went to Anaheim, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and San Francisco more times than I can remember. I connected with gluten-free friends across the country and eat some really delicious meals. While my life in California has been a bit tumultuous this year, I do have positive things about to reflect on as 2017 comes to an end.
Top 5 Gluten-Free Globetrotter Events of 2017
Wedding in New York City! I had a wonderful wedding in April that was completely gluten-free. We stayed in an AirBnB in our old Brooklyn neighborhood and got to see the city through the eyes of our tourist friends. It was so wonderful to have friends and family from across the world celebrating with us. Looking for places to eat gluten-free in New York City. Check out this post!
Wedding Venue: My Moon Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York
The Celiac Project Podcast. Not only was I a guest multiple times this year, but I finally got to meet Mike and Cam, the awesome duo behind the Celiac Project Podcast while in Indianapolis. These are some of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. They put together a wonderful podcast about all things celiac and gluten-free related and they just hit their 100th episode. Take a listen.
Me with Mike and Cam from the Celiac Project Podcast
Visiting the Pope Farm Conservancy sunflower farm. This place was truly magical. It looked and felt like you were in a living painting. The moody sky added to the beauty of the day. Also, being with my three favorite kids (my nieces and nephew) on earth helped too! If you happen to be near Madison, Wisconsin around mid-August, add this place to your list. It is a must see!
Gluten-Free Globetrotter at the Pope Conservancy in Wisconsin
2017 Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day.Not only did I get to speak at this national conference, but I also got to meet an awesome girl who said I inspired her to travel. We first connected via Instagram and it was an honor to meet C in Washington. She was the sweetest girl and I was beyond flattered that she wanted to meet me! I love meeting future Gluten-Free Globetrotters.
One of my youngest fans!
Camp Celiac. This was my second year volunteering at Camp Celiac in Livermore, CA. I love being part of the the excitement that comes along with summer camp. I wish I had this as a kid! This program is put on in part by the Celiac Disease Foundation of Northern California. If you are interested in your celiac kids attending Camp Celiac, registration opens on February 1st and fills up VERY quickly. Don’t delay!
Gluten-Free Globetrotter goes to Camp Celiac
I am excited to put 2017 behind me and jump into 2018. I have a few trips in the works including a work trip to Florida in the beginning of the new year. I also have a big birthday coming up which deserves a HUGE trip.
Gluten-Free Meals in San Francisco (and one of my favorite pictures I’ve ever taken!)
After moving to California from NYC (a gluten-free mecca) last year, I’ve been less than impressed with my gluten-free options. It seems that where I live in Santa Cruz it is more of a trend to eat gluten-free than something taken seriously. Of course, this does not apply to every restaurant I have been to but I’ve had many less than impressive gluten-free meals and conversations here. I struggle to get people to take my celiac disease “diet” seriously. Sometimes, I feel like everyone around me is eating gluten-free because it is “cool”.
As I sat down to think about the positive gluten-free experiences I’ve had over the past year, I realized that almost all of my best gluten-free meals have been in San Francisco. San Francisco is not that close to me but I crave city life and I crave good gluten-free food. Another thing that comes with city life is diversity, something seriously lacking in Santa Cruz. We were spoiled with food from around the world in New York City as well as gluten-free options. So every month or so, my man and I jump in the car for a road trip. Destination SF… GF obviously!
Gluten-Free Globetrotter Top 5 Gluten-Free Meals
in San Francisco (So Far!)
Spain: Bask SF “Contemporary, warm restaurant & bar serving traditional Basque Country fare & modern Spanish tapas.”
42 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94111
I went here with my mom and husband and we ate this Spanish feast for hours. I made a reservation using OpenTable.com so the restaurant was aware that I had celiac and a shellfish allergy. When I arrived, they went through the entire menu with me to tell me what I could and could not eat. I was most impressed when they told me to avoid the brussel sprouts. They were listed as gluten-free on the menu but cooked in a shared fryer. Way to be aware about cross-contact. I cannot wait to go back here. Bonus: they had the best sangria I’ve had in my life!
A variety of gluten-free tapas at Bask SF
Venezuela: Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen “Arepas & other Venezuelan eats provide the Latin flavors at this casual spot.”
401 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
This 100% gluten-free restaurant is a dream. I think I could live forever eating just arepas, taro chips, plantains, and empanadas. Seriously. Give me all of the savory, starchy carbs! I’ve been here so many times I’ve stopped counting. Every time I go to San Francisco, I try to swing by. Here are some empanadas I bought “to go” although I think they lasted all of ten minutes of my 1.5 hour drive home.
Gluten-free empanadas to go from Pica Pica Kitchen
India: Dosa SF “Dosa specialist serving modern takes on Indian cuisine with a focus on local, organic ingredients.”
Dosa on Valencia: 995 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Dosa on Fillmore: 1700 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
If you never ate a dosa, you are seriously missing out. I hadn’t had a dosa since moving from NYC and this meal filled a major craving. These larger-than-life dosas are like a crepe or a really thin pancake stuffed with delicious fillings. Dosas are traditionally made from chickpea or lentil flour, but beware. Some restaurants try to cut their batter with regular flour, but that is NOT what Dosa SF does and their dosas and uttapams are gluten-free! They have a very clearly marked menu and will walk you through all ingredients, toppings, sauces, and everything else on the menu. There are also some really funky cocktails at Dosa SF, but I opted for some wine that day.
A giant dosa at Dosa SF
Asia: E&O Kitchen and Bar
“Diners sample small & large Asian plates in this modern eatery with soaring ceilings & a trendy bar.”
314 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
If I eat any type of fish at your restaurant, that is the biggest compliment I can give you because I rarely eat fish. I am talking 2 times a year, tops. This ahi tuna tartare dish was so good that I always mention this place to my husband when we are in San Francisco. This is another restaurant that will walk you through the menu and tell you what to avoid, even on the gluten-free menu. They do not have a dedicated GF fryer and they tell you this right on the menu. Again, major points in my book for even knowing this is an issue for someone with celiac. I MUST go back here!
Ahi tuna tartare on lettuce. Skip the crackers if you have celiac, there is no dedicated fryer!
USA: Mariposa Baking Company “Mariposa’s mission is to create the finest gluten-free baked goods everyone can enjoy!” One Ferry Building, Suite 32
San Francisco, CA 94111 (Note: There is another location in Oakland, CA)
One word: CROISSANTS! Yes, gluten-free croissants do exist and you need to go out of your way to get yourself to Mariposa Baking Company when you are in San Francisco. I usually leave the ferry building with a bag full of carbs after a trip to Mariposa. Baguettes, pretzels, bagels, bread, cookies, muffins, “hot pockets,” and so much more. Go early, they sell out fast! Grab a baguette from Mariposa, a coffee from Blue Bottle, and a table outside and you pretty much have a perfect “meal.”
Gluten-free croissants do exist!
Honorable mention (just outside of San Francisco)
Mexico: Copita Tequileria y Comida “Brightly decorated modern Mexican restaurant focusing on seasonally driven fare & tequila drinks.”
739 Bridgeway
Sausalito, CA 94965
Just a short drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, which everyone should do even on a foggy day, is Sausalito. This cute seaside town is worth an afternoon trip. There are many restaurants but Copita Tequileria y Comida is the only 100% gluten-free restaurant in town. This Mexican restaurant uses seasonal and fresh ingredients for their lunch and dinner menus. If you don’t have a reservation, go in off-hours to avoid the crowds. The jicama and chili starter is a great way to whet your palate for what’s to come.
Everything is 100% gluten-free at Copita Tequileria
Please don’t forget: I have celiac disease and choose to eat at these places with a lot of research and with talking to the staff. I encourage you to always ask questions and do not rely on my reviews alone. Ultimately, it is up to you to choose what you eat and if you are comfortable eating there! Don’t forget that menus, ingredients, and staff change, so your experience might be different than mine!
