restaurant | Gluten-Free Globetrotter

Gluten-Free in New York City

October 4, 2012October 3, 2012 Erin Smith

Every week I get emails from across the globe about gluten-free travel to New York City. I decided it was time to update my website to make my NYC resources more prominent. I have included my Gluten-Free Fun map of New York City and the tools I use to navigate the city.

You can access my GF in NYC page through this link: http://glutenfreeglobetrotter.com/glutenfreenyc/

You can also access the page through the top navigation bar, next to “About Me”.

Hope this helps with your gluten-free travels to New York City!

general, Portland

Gluten-Free in Portland

September 26, 2012September 25, 2012 Erin Smith

This Portland post is way overdue. I have traveled to Portland twice since April due to work commitments. In my 30+ years of being gluten-free travel, I found Portland to be one of the most gluten-free friendly cities that I have ever been to. People don’t think it is weird when you ask for a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options. And even if they do think it is weird, so is Portland. See:

After my two visits to Portland, I have a long list of places I have been. My list of places I have yet to go is just as long! I have at least two more trips to Portland coming up in the next 4 months, so I will add to this list as I eat more gluten-free food in Portland.

Here are my top five places to eat gluten-free in Portland, so far:

New Cascadia Bakery
http://www.newcascadiatraditional.com/
Gluten-free breads, cookies, pizza, baked goods, etc.
In a more industrial neighborhood of SE Portland, but definitely worth the trip to this 100% gluten-free bakery. New Cascadia Bakery also supplies many Portland restaurants with their bread for sandwiches but it was worth the trip there to load up on gluten-free baked goods.

Northwest Public House
http://northwestpublichouse.com
The owner of this restaurant has Celiac and the GF menu is extensive. I gorged myself on gluten-free mac and cheese, pulled pork lettuce wraps, and deep-fried apple fritters. YES!!! DEEP FRIED GF DOUGH!! In a funky neighborhood that I want to explore more, I am definitely going back here on my next trip to Portland.

Mellow Mushroom
http://www.mellowmushroom.com/portland
Gluten-free pizza
I don’t normally like chain restaurants, but this doesn’t have the “chain” feeling. From the first email to customer service at Mellow Mushroom, I felt comfortable eating their gluten-free pizza. It is delicious and the staff was really knowledgable about which toppings were safe for me to eat. I will definitely go back here!

Deschutes Brewery
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/
Gluten-free beer on tap and gluten-free menu
A popular brewery that brews their own GF beer. There is also a GF menu with bar food such as burgers, fries, and more. The waitstaff was extremely helpful and well-versed in gluten-free food.

Tula’s Bakery
http://www.tulabaking.com/
100% GF bakery
I didn’t make it to the actual bakery, but a coworker brought me some delicious gluten-free treats for breakfast one morning. I was most impressed with the texture and the leftovers. These gluten-free baked good were still moist and soft the next day which is very unusual for gluten-free products.

Here are some other gluten-free friendly places I ate at while in Portland:

Theo’s Deli
http://theosportland.com/
Gluten-free buns for sandwiches
Near my West Coast office, but in a random neighborhood.

MorningStar Cafe
http://www.morningstarcafe.com/Morning_Star_Cafe_Temp/Welcome.html Gluten-free bread available for toast

Prasad
http://prasadcuisine.squarespace.com/
Vegan and gluten-free menu

Laughing Planet Cafe
http://laughingplanetcafe.com/
Multiple locations in Portland, gluten-free “build your own” burrito bowls and really delicious smoothies

Tasting East
http://www.tastingeast.com/Welcome.html
Gluten-free Thai food

The one place I haven’t been yet, but really want to go is Abby’s Table. This restaurant serves two family-style, gluten-free meals a week. I need to remember to make a reservation for my next trip to Portland. I can’t wait to try this and I love the idea of a family-style dinner while away on a business trip. What a great way to meet other gluten-free friends!

There is also a Whole Foods pretty centrally located in the middle of Portland. I went to buy cereal, yogurt, etc. which I ate for breakfast most days. I also happened upon a Trader Joe’s while walking back from the Northwest Public House, but I will need to find it again on my next trip out.

Here are some helpful links when traveling gluten-free to Portland:
http://www.glutenfreeportland.org/restaurant-list/
http://glutenfreepdx.com/

New York

Gluten-Free at Eataly

September 17, 2012September 20, 2012 Erin Smith

Eataly is an amazing store in the heart of New York City. As soon as I walk in there, I am instantly transported back to my trip to Rome in 2009. The produce, the cheeses, the charcuterie, amazing coffee, and gelato, it is all instantly Italy. I love wandering (ok, pushing) my way through the overly crowded aisles and looking at all of the interesting products. Despite being heavy in the gluten, there are gluten-free products on the shelves at Eataly… you just have to look.

I recently met a friend for some wine at Eataly’s Birreria, the rooftop beer garden. With HUGE barrels of wine, who needs beer? Although we weren’t eating, I was curious about Eataly’s gluten-free dining options. Here is what Eataly had to say:

Although we do not have an exclusively gluten-free menu at any of our restaurants, we have several options that might work for you. At Le Pizza/Pasta, you can get your pasta replaced with gluten-free penne rigate. Il Pesce, Le Verdure, La Piazza, and La Birreria all have gluten free possibilities as well, but we cannot guarantee that they have not touched gluten. For desserts, Pasticceria counter offers several gluten and dairy free dessert options. I would recommend checking our website to see the full menu for each of these restaurants: http://eatalyny.com/eat. Please feel free to contact us with any more questions.

Regards,
Allison Stewart
Guest Relations

While this was somewhat reassuring, I want to warn you that Eataly is VERY crowded. I suggest going at an off-hours time to make sure I got the full attention of my server to explain my gluten-free needs. I am definitely going back soon to actually EAT at EATALY. This is one of my favorite places in NYC and I suggest you add it to your Big Apple gluten-free itinerary!

Eataly
200 5th Avenue at 23rd Street
New York, NY

info@eataly.com
T: 212.229.2560
Open Every Day

general, New York, USA

Gluten-Free Fun in NYC on Urbantag

July 18, 2012 Erin Smith

Heading to New York City this summer? Have a iPhone? Then download the Urban Tag app and start following my Gluten-Free Fun map of New York City. I list my favorite restaurants around Manhattan that can serve you delicious gluten-free food. I will only add restaurants that I have dined at and that have my Gluten-Free Globetrotting stamp of approval!