Tag: guest post

United Kingdom

Guest Post: Gluten-Free in Nottingham

Erin Smith

When I was doing my research for my Wales and Scotland trip in the fall, I connected with Sam via Twitter. Sam is the owner of Gluten-Free Nottingham, a business that supplies high-quality, handmade, gluten-free food to people in the UK. Here is today’s guest post from Sam about all things gluten-free in Nottingham, England. 

Gluten-Free in Nottingham, England

Twitter: @glutenfreenotts
www.glutenfreefoodnottingham.co.uk
www.facebook.com/glutenfreefoodnottingham

Hello, I’m Sam and I live in Nottingham, England.  I run my own business making fresh handmade food for Coeliacs.  To make life simple I named my business Gluten Free Food Nottingham – does what it says on the tin.  I set up my business in August 2012 after discovering I was Coeliac in Summer 2011.  I was really disappointed with the food that I could find in the supermarkets so I decided that I would do something about it.  Through my business I sell baked goods such as cakes and quiches to shops, delis and the public, I also provide catering and run pop up restaurants at different venues around the city.  I am very fortunate to be able to do this and it is just the best thing making someone smile when they realise that they can eat anything on the stalls that I run or anything on the menu at the pop up restaurant nights.  The service is very unique to the area and I pride myself on being able to provide great tasting food that not only the Coeliac enjoys but everyone else at the party too.

Even though I cook a lot myself it is always nice to have a break from this.  The number of venues in Nottingham that cater gluten free are growing all the time.  There’s plenty of choice in and around the city.  All the following are places that I have been to and eaten at safely and would happily recommend:

The Manor
Nottingham Road Beeston, Nottingham NG9 6DN
http://www.themanortoton.co.uk/home.htm
The Manor offers a brilliant gluten free pub grub menu and at great value.  There’s a really good range across all three courses, expect hunters chicken, fish goujons, burgers and tasty desserts.  The owner and staff are super friendly and provide a great service.

La Rock
4 Bridge St, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5QT
http://www.larockrestaurant.co.uk/index.php
For fine dining head to La Rock in Sandiacre.   Pretty much everything on the menu will be gluten free.  A recent meal included wood pigeon for starters, venison for main and my very own gluten and dairy free dessert that they rustled up just for me.

The Griffins Head
Moor Rd, Papplewick, Nottingham NG15 8EN
http://www.griffinshead.co.uk/
Heading north away from the city in a little village is the Griffins Head, a traditional local pub which has extended in to restaurant with a brilliant menu for Coeliacs.  A wide menu is on offer.

Alley Cafe
Cannon Ct, Longrow West, Nottingham NG1 6JE
http://www.alleycafe.co.uk/
The Alley Cafe is the cities long standing vegan bar.  They have a range of gluten free snacks such as GF vegan burgers and cakes.  Good for a chilled out drink with friends too. 

Hartley’s Coffee & Sandwich Bar
21 Carlton Street, Hockley, Nottingham. NG1 1NL
http://www.hartleyscoffeebar.co.uk/menu–blog.html
Hartley’s is a family run business in the heart of the city, open daily they offer gluten, egg and dairy free options on their menus.  Dawn the owner is gluten, egg and dairy free, her and husband Kevin train all the staff in preparing the food safely.  Great for sandwiches, a slice of cake or an all day breakfast with GF sausages.

Nando’s
12 Angel Row, Nottingham NG1 6HL
http://www.nandos.co.uk/restaurantmenu/mains
Chain restaurant Nando’s has one of the best system I have discovered so far for serving customers with allergies and intolerances.  Go in and tell them you are Coeliac and they will provide you with a menu that has every food that they sell and the ingredients and allergens for each of them.  Go to Nando’s if you want chicken and fries or a vegetarian option.

D’s Pop Up Kitchen
https://www.facebook.com/dspopupkitchen?fref=ts
Dena makes beautiful vegan food that is gluten and wheat free too. Search her on Facebook to find where her next event will be.

Green Revolution
Vegan Takeaway service – call 44(0)7974 507 097
https://www.facebook.com/vegan.greenrevolution?fref=ts
The fantastic Hanna Garcez provides a vegan and raw food takeaway service direct to your door.  With advance warning she can cater for multiple intolerances.  Not least my demands for Gluten Free, Oat Free and Maize Free food.

Rectory Road Fish Bar
Rectory Road, West Bridgford.  NG2
https://www.facebook.com/RectoryFishBar?fref=ts
Every Monday evening until 8.30pm Rectory Road Chippy offers Gluten Free fish and chips. Also try out the mushy peas, the homemade fishcakes and the battered sausages too.

Oriental Pearl
42-44 Bridgford Rd, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6AP
http://www.the-pearl.co.uk/
This is a stylish Chinese Restaurant that uses locally sourced produce and has a separate gluten free menu.

Carluccio’s
12 Low Pavement, Nottingham NG1 7DL
http://www.carluccios.com/
Chain restaturant serving beautiful Italian food.  A good selection for GF 

Find my gluten free cakes in the following places:

Deli No. 8 – 8 Gordon Road, West Bridgford,Nottingham.  NG2 5LN

Cafe 118 – 118 Burton Road, Carlton. Nottingham.  NG4 3GP

Taste – Clumber Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham.  NG2 6DP

The Ned Ludd – 27 Friar Lane, Nottingham.  NG1 6DA  

Hartley’s – 21 Carlton Street, Hockley, Nottingham.  NG1 1NL  

Eats n Treats – 43 Nottingham Road, Eastwood, Nottingham.  NG16 2DH

The Deli @ Radcliffe – 29 Station Terrace, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire. NG12 2AH

Caribbean, USA

Guest Post: Orlando and Cruise to the Bahamas

Erin Smith

logoOne of the perks of blogging is meeting awesome people. I met Michael Savett, author of the awesome site Gluten-Free Philly, a few years ago through blogging and Twitter. His website is an impressive bank of information about Philadelphia and beyond. Michael’s son has Celiac and his dedication to finding gluten-free food for his son is admirable. Michael and his family recently took a family trip to Orlando followed by a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas. Since Orlando and all things Disney are close to the bottom of my travel list (truth, not even on it!), I asked Michael to share his stories of his summer vacation.  

Gluten-Free Philly Goes to Orlando and the Bahamas

I can’t compete with the fabulous trips that your esteemed Gluten-Free Globetrotter has taken. Thailand, Italy and the Czech Republic likely are out of reach until my wife and I become empty nesters. Until then, it’s less exotic destinations like Walt Disney World and the Caribbean islands. I’m not complaining, though, as we spent a fantastic week this summer in Orlando and the Bahamas, the latter via Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas.

As you’ll read, both Disney and Royal Caribbean excelled at gluten-free food preparation and made our 12-year-old son feel at home. At Disney, food-service managers oversee all aspects of a gluten-free order, while on Royal’s dinner menus, the many gluten-free appetizers, entrees and desserts were labeled.

Vacationers get away to enjoy themselves. Disney’s and Royal seamless accommodation of gluten-free diets make it easy for guests to do so and establish a model for other resort operators to follow.

Click the links below to read Michael’s full posts about his summer vacations.

Smooth Sailing: Michael’s review of gluten-free cruising on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas.

Building a Better Mouse Trip: Orlando gluten-free adventures with Gluten-Free Philly and his family. 

Europe, Spain

Guest Post: Gluten-Free Travel in Spain

Erin Smith

Maria Roglieri, PhD. has written for Gluten-Free Globetrotter before when she shared her tips for traveling gluten-free. Today’s guest post is about gluten-free travel in Spain which coincides with the launch of her newest book, The Gluten-Free Guide to Spain.

Palacio Real in Madrid (S. Amatangelo)
Palacio Real in Madrid (S. Amatangelo)

GLUTEN-FREE IN SPAIN

Hello everyone, my name is Maria.  I live in New York, and I travel a lot for work and pleasure to lovely European cities like London, Paris, Rome, and Madrid!  We all know that traveling in Europe is great fun but can be somewhat stressful for us as celiacs. We always need to be careful about what we eat, and we need to be able to ask particular questions of restaurant staff in foreign languages.  Luckily, as a professor of Romance Languages, I can maneuver my way around restaurants in English, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan.

I recently went to Spain to visit good friends who were living in Madrid and Barcelona and to do research for my latest book, The Gluten-Free Guide to Spain. My friends had started looking for gluten-free restaurants for me even before I arrived, and had a list of places ready for me. We had a great time going to these places and exploring the gluten-free scene in Spain.

I loved my trip to Spain because of the museums, the beautiful landscape and sea, the friendship, and especially the gluten-free food! If you haven’t visited Spain  you must go!  Fall is a great time to go, and the airfares are lower than in summer. The crowds are smaller and the weather is mild. Some of the best museums in the world are in Madrid (the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia) and Barcelona ( Museu Nacional D’ Art De Catalunya ). You could spend days and days in these museums enjoying their treasures, but you must also checkout the amazing Sacra Famiglia of Gaudi, as well as the beautiful thirteenth-century Gothic cathedral, La Seu, both in Barcelona.

If you are a musician like me, you will love Barcelona’s Palau de la Musica! Its beauty is unforgettable and entirely different from the Paris Opera House or Milan’s La Scala.

You can also enjoy a walk through Madrid to see the gorgeous Royal Palace, the beautiful Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro), and the sixteenth-century Puerta del Sol (Sun’s Gate) which marks the center of Spain. Or you can catch a flamenco dance performance at the Corral de la Moreria. Inside of Palau de la Musica in Barcelona

There are plenty of things to do and to see in Spain. And the good news is that at every turn I found establishments that were actively catering to the gluten-free community! Thanks to the efforts of the many Spanish celiac societies and the restauranteurs themselves, there are thousands of restaurants all over Spain that will be happy to serve you a delicious gluten-free meal! Here are a few places you will enjoy when you go:

IN MADRID:

The hotels Radisson Blu Madrid Prado (Calle Moratín 52, www.radissonblu.com/pradohotel-madrid), and The Westin Palace (Plaza de las Cortes, 7, www.starwoodhotels.com) have a special celiac menu.

 El Pescador is a great seafood restaurant on Calle Jose Ortega y Gasset 75 (tel.914021290, www.masqueriaelpescador.com). They have many GF options and they speak English. You should make a reservation as this is a very popular restaurant.

El Espejo is a nice outdoor café and indoor restaurant with an international cuisine. In Centro, it is on Paseo de Recoletos 31 (tel. 913082347, www.restauranteelespejo.com). The ambience is very pleasant and the staff is very accommodating.

Da Nicola Gran Via is an Italian restaurant that has a GF menu and is in Centro at Plaza Mostenses, 11 (Gran Via) (www.danicola.es , tel. 915422574). These guys are serious about gluten-free with delicious fish, meat, pasta, pizza and desserts.

IN BARCELONA:

The hotel Apolo (Avinguda del Parallel, 57-59, tel. 8887418931, www.solmelia.com) has a special celiac menu.

Ca L’Isidre is a Catalan restaurant on Les Flors 12 (www.calisdre.com, tel. 934411139).  They even have gluten-free bread and they speak English.

Go for delicious tapas to Quimet-Quimet on Poeta Cabanyes 25, Poblo Sec in El Raval (tel. 934423142). Don’t forget to enjoy a nice gluten-free Spanish beer while you’re at it! (Try Estrella’s Daura brand). Editor Note: Daura is a “gluten removed” beer and might not be suitable for all gluten-free drinkers. 

Finally, the Mediterranean Restaurant La Luna on Carrero Sant Bonaventura (tel. 933424479, www.lallunarestaurant.com) has a special menu for celiacs since they work with the Spanish celiac society.

Enjoy your trip to Spain, and stay as long as you possibly can! The people, the landscape, the culture and the gluten-free food are wonderful!

¡BUEN PROVECHO

Part of Gaudi's Sacra Familia in Barcelona
Part of Gaudi’s Sacra Familia in Barcelona

About Maria of The Gluten-Free Guides:
Maria is a professor of Romance Languages at St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York. She is a celiac and author/editor of the series, The Gluten-Free Guides (see www.theglutenfreeguides.com). The series currently includes: The Gluten-Free Guide to Spain, The Gluten-Free Guide to Italy, The Gluten-Free Guide to France, The Gluten-Free Guide to New York, and The Gluten-Free Guide to Washington, D.C. She lectures regularly and writes for magazines and blogs worldwide on gluten-free living and travel. She also coaches newly-diagnosed celiacs. She is a member of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America, The Celiac Sprue Association USA, and the Westchester Celiac Sprue Support Group.

South America

Guest Post: Dining in South America (Part 3)

Erin Smith

Kathleen shared her amazing South American travels with us in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series. In this final section, I share with you the communications Kathleen sends out prior to her travels. You will see from the letter that Kathleen’s restrictions go beyond avoiding gluten and she is thorough in her explanation. I also include where Kathleen had both good and bad gluten-free meals during her travels. 

This is the basis of my communication when traveling where I am not familiar with those that prepare my food. Blanks and information can be filled in or deleted to suit your needs.

My husband and I are travelling with ABC Tour Ref: ——–
Tour Name: ———
We arrive in your hotel: ——–
Booking Ref: ——-

I have an illness called Coeliac (celiac) and must adhere to a strict GLUTEN FREE diet.  I may become very ill if I eat foods containing flour or grains of Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, malt or foods derived from anything made with or cross-contaminated with these ingredients.

Safe (or healthy) foods include, but are not limited to, potatoes, beans, rice, quinoa, maize, amaranth, almost all vegetables and fruits, as long as they are not blended with Wheat, Rye, Barley Oats or products derived from them.  I must avoid acid foods such as Tomato, all Citrus Fruits, Peppermint, garlic, onions, caffeine, fried foods.

I am lactose intolerant and, with these conditions in mind, I try to adhere to a vegetarian, low cholesterol, low fat diet.

We will be guests in your hotel on the above dates.  We appreciate you having some foods available which I can eat.  More often it is the cross-contamination or preparation method (not avoiding wheat, rye, barley, oats, malt or their derivatives) rather than the menu which offers conflict.

A suitable selection at breakfast for example: gluten-free grain or bread such as a cereal and bread, soy milk, fruit.  At Dinner: gluten-free bread, a potato, quinoa or rice dish, a variety of any (safely) grilled, pan-seared or lightly steamed vegetables with the exceptions of onions, tomatoes, garlic, with herbs if possible.  Beans.  No butter.  I have never met a vegetable I don’t like.  A soy/tofu, vegetables or bean dish is a perfect main course.  Many salads, soups and desserts can be made safely for me before any wheat ingredients or seasonings are added.

I can manage some dairy prepared in foods I consume, like milk, cheese but the harder, the better. No added salt, please. We hope our advance notice helps you.

Thank you so very much for your efforts to accommodate my illness. Please reply to this email so we know we’ve reached you.

Thank you,

As you will see, Kathleen is thorough with her dietary requests yet polite. A little kindness goes a long way! 

Here are some of the places Kathleen ate while in South America. To read Kathleen’s full reviews, please visit the GlutenFreeTravelSite.

El Viejo Almacen
Balcarce 799 C1064AAO, San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal, Argentina
Phone: +54 11 4307-7388 // 6698
Website: http://www.viejo-almacen.com.ar/ing/tangueria.html
Contact: info@viejoalmacen.com.ar

Sheraton Libertador Hotel
Av. Cordoba 690, Capital Federal, CP 1054, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone: 54.11.4321.0000
Website: http://sheraton.com/libertador
Contact: Enrique Ercigoj, Assistant Food & Beverage

Porto Canoas, Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls National Park
Iguassu Falls, Parana state, Brazil
Website: http://tinyurl.com/6ns6kwj
Contact: Head chef Geraldo Alves de Souza

Read all of Kathleen’s reviews here. 

USA

Guest Post: Gluten-Free in Palm Springs

Erin Smith

In 2007, I took a trip to Southern California. I had planned a few days in beautiful La Jolla followed by a trip out to the desert to Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. Unfortunately, there were devastating wild fires that changed my itinerary. Since San Diego County was declared a state of emergency, I couldn’t leave La Jolla. I extended my hotel reservation, got myself a face mask for the ashy days, and sadly missed my first California desert experience. 

Recently, I “met” Jen of GFPalmSprings on Twitter. From Jen’s informative Tweets, I assumed she was a blogger so I asked her to write a guest post about being gluten-free in Palm Springs since I didn’t get to experience her city myself. Turns out Jen is not a blogger, but she was up for the challenge. I am excited to share her awesome write-up about her city. I love Jen’s approach to gluten-free eating and exploring. She does not let Celiac stop her, which is a theme on this Gluten-Free Globetrotter website. Thanks Jen for your contribution. I hope to meet you in Palm Springs one day! 

Gluten-Free in Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs Sunset

My name is Jen, and I’m a year-round resident of Palm Springs, California. I have celiac disease, which means I have to be very careful about eating out, but I refuse to let my diagnosis keep me from enjoying the world-class dining that Palm Springs has to offer. I also eat at dives, bars, and less-classy places, so I have a lot to share about living gluten-free in this particular oasis.

Palm Springs is a unique resort community that attracts visitors from around the globe. Whether your vibe is casual or elegant, you can find world-class dining without batting an eyelash. I try a new restaurant about once a week, which is hard, because it’s very easy to fall into a routine of your favorites when the menus are so good. I won’t go into the finer points of ordering a celiac safe menu, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the importance of common sense: If you get a blank stare, get out of there!

If you haven’t visited Palm Springs, I can’t recommend it highly enough. “The season” begins when the weather gets cold everywhere else, so winter is hopping here. There is something deeply satisfactory about strolling down Palm Canyon wearing shorts, when you know your family is shoveling snow. Summers are slower, and some restaurants and stores restrict hours or even close in late July and August, so if you visit in the summer it’s a good idea to call ahead.This happens less frequently than it used to because Palm Springs and other desert communities have done a great job bringing tourism in all year round, but double-check if you have your heart set on a particular place.

Global exposure does good things for local cuisine, and Palm Springs has a wide variety of tastes to appeal to every palette. Of course, some cuisines are more naturally gluten free than others, and I have had really good luck at the Mexican and Spanish restaurants. At Casa De Frida (www.casadefrida.com) they make their own corn tortillas and you have to specially request flour — what a fun change! The tapas menu at Alicante (alicanteps.com) is clearly labeled with gluten free items and the sangria is delightful on a hot afternoon.

The following are just a few places that I recommend for safety, food quality, and general ambience:

A Palm Springs highlight, Trio (www.triopalmsprings.com) is known for exceptional food and desserts. Their menu is very clearly marked, and the first time I went in, I almost fell over when I counted fully eleven gluten free items, many of which were naturally gluten free and very high quality ingredients. The wait staff is knowledgable and will always double check with the chef. The lamb shank is to die for and it comes with gravy — a rarity for the celiac diner!

Bill’s Pizza (www.billspizzapalmsprings.com) makes the best gluten-free pizza I’ve ever had, hands down. It’s fresh and prepared safely, and they have a small beer and wine list. The menu is very unique and the staff is truly delightful. Bill’s is always packed, so order ahead if you’re starving.

The Tropicale Restaurant and Coral Seas Lounge (www.thetropicale.com) is true Palm Springs. The decor is swanky and chic, with enough nod to the 50s and 60s to feel nostalgic. The menu in the restaurant is very elegant, and the taro chips are a must try. The patio is a great place for a light dinner, appetizer plate, and a drink or two. Another nod to a staff that really gets it, they’re very careful with my orders and make suggestions for modifying the standard fare.

Escena Lounge and Grill (www.escenagolf.com) gets an honorable mention for the extensive wine list and the best view in the valley. The gluten free selection of food is not great — mostly salads — but I go often for a glass of wine at sunset. It’s too pretty to stay away!

workshop

One more honorable mention to Workshop Kitchen + Bar (www.workshoppalmsprings.com) for their unique, fresh, delicious cocktails. I’ve never eaten there, but it’s a frequent last stop for a nightcap on the way home. Try the Matador #2 for a spicy kick or the Town & Desert, a delicious take on a sour.

There are many more delightful little hideaways in the desert that I’d love to share with you all. If you can brave the summer temperatures, Palm Springs Restaurant Week (www.palmspringsrestaurantweek.com) is a great time to visit — price fixe menus are available at over 100 restaurants and they pull out all the stops. But any time of year is great here in the desert, and I hope you plan a trip knowing you can eat delicious and safely-prepared gluten-free meals!

About Jen of GF Palm Springs:
Jen is a lifetime resident of Souther California, currently living in the resort town of Palm Springs with her husband and two Australian Shepherds. A celiac diagnosis mandated a new relationship with food, and she tweets about living the good life, gluten-free. You can find Jen on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GFPalmSprings