This is a long overdue post to rave about one of the best gluten free dining experiences we've had in a long time. I know...none of us did much in the way of dining out for way too long during the height of the pandemic. But still, I'd put Nebo Cucina & Enoteca up against any gluten free dining experience in any big city. It was that memorable.
Another reason it was memorable was because it was not just a meal, but rather a party to celebrate my mother-in-law's 80th Birthday. She didn't want to be involved in the planning, per se, preferring things to be a surprise, but she did request it be held in Boston, which is where she grew up. And, of course, we wanted to find a venue that was very "gluten free friendly," if not completely gluten free, as my mother-in-law (and my son and my sister-in-law) are all Celiac. We wanted my mother-in-law and the other GF folks to be able to eat everything we ordered, without having to "miss out" on anything served.
Ideally, we had hoped to avoid chain restaurants and to find a great Italian restaurant, because who doesn't love an Italian family-style meal?!
Doing a quick search for "gluten free restaurants Boston" turned up various lists, and I immediately recognized the name "Nebo." I remembered it had been very favorably reviewed when I published my GlutenFreeTravelSite website and app. So I visited Nebo's website to see what I could learn.
Saying I was both surprised and impressed with the number of choices for gluten free diners is an understatement -- their gluten free menu is huge! And they weren't just stripped-down versions of Italian specialties. No, this was the real thing. There was gluten free fried calamari, breaded veal cutlets, pizza, and a variety of different pastas. In fact, many of their specialties like the fried calamari and breaded veal are made with gluten free breading for everyone...there aren't two versions. And, of course, you'd never know from the taste that they are gluten free.
We made our selections from their Event Menu, selecting some appetizers to be served during cocktail hour at the very cool bar area and multiple courses to be served when seated. Each course wow'd the guests, most of whom had no idea that everything they were eating was gluten free! (Keep in mind, this is not a 100% gluten free restaurant...we just wanted all our selections for this event to be GF. And they are always VERY careful about the preparation of food for their gluten free guests.)
Adding to the charm of this restaurant were a couple other things:
1.) It is family owned and run. Sisters Carla and Christine Pallotta opened the restaurant in 2005 to honor their Italian roots and their mother's recipes. Not only were both ladies there for our event, they were the ones communicating with me...and actually working their magic in the kitchen. They could not have been more welcoming, and I learned that they initially started offering gluten free options many years ago when they learned a friend of theirs had Celiac.
2.) The space itself is awesome and even won an architectural award. Carla and Christine played in instrumental role in the initial design. The materials used lend the restaurant a hip, modern, and industrial vibe, but it's still quite elegant. The high ceilings lend a wonderful feeling of spaciousness, which I'm sure was enhanced by the fact that, because of the time of our luncheon, we had the place almost to ourselves for most of our event. There's also plenty of lovely outdoor seating (with heat lamps), and Fall is the perfect time for dining al fresco.
The bar area itself is a great place to hang out, and we began our celebration there, enjoying gluten free pizzas and friend calamari along with wine and cocktails.
Once seated, we started with the Rucola salad and platters of Grilled Vegetables. Next came the Pasta Bolognese (we wanted to choose something basic, even though they have 7 other GF pasta options!). Our "Secondi" course consisted of two other perennial favorites, done especially well by Nebo: the Pollo Al Limone (sautéed chicken, artichoke hearts, capers, lemon butter, and parsley) and the to-die-for Vitello Milanese (crispy veal cutlet, arugula, pachino tomato, aioli, and shaved parmesan).
Nebo even has a gluten free flourless chocolate cake with cappuccino gelato for dessert, but we instead opted to have a special gluten free ice cream cake made and brought in by one of my mother-in-law's cousins who is in the ice cream business.
I literally can't wait to go back to Nebo next time we are in Boston. This restaurant alone is actually worth scheduling a trip to Boston for, especially if you're gluten free and appreciate authentic Italian cooking. The toughest part will be deciding which of their many amazing specialties to order, so I recommend going with a big group and ordering plenty of dishes to share! They're located at 520 Atlantic Avenue between the Greenway and Harborwalk.
**All photos provided by Nebo Cucina & Enoteca. I was too wrapped up helping to host the event that I completely forgot to take photos!
]]>Hello again after a long hiatus from posting. Now that our world has "opened up" to dining out again after the worst of the pandemic, I hope to regale you with more dining and travel profiles. This summer, our family didn't do any big trips. However, our younger son (who was diagnosed with Celiac over 17 years ago before he was even two years old and is the inspiration behind my Blog) made many trips down to Harrisonburg, Virginia from our home in northern Virginia. His girlfriend lives down there, and she and her family were always so gracious about finding spots where Ryan could safely eat. So here is the post I begged him to write, complete with all his recommendations. And please, if you know of any gluten free folks in Harrisonburg -- especially students at James Madison University -- send them a link to this post! Now I'll turn you over to Ryan...
This summer I spent a good amount of time down in Harrisonburg, Virginia visiting my girlfriend. While there, she and I found a surprisingly large selection of gluten free friendly restaurants. While Harrisonburg is a small city, they offer all of the major chains that obviously have gluten free options, but the small locally owned restaurants were what really blew me away with their catering to those like me with Celiac. Each restaurant was knowledgeable about gluten free and had multiple gluten free options, not just one dish that could be made gluten free. Whether you’re going down to Harrisonburg to visit or attend James Madison University or to explore or hike the surrounding area of the Shenandoah mountains, you’ll be taken care of at almost all of the popular restaurants in the area. I’ve detailed the restaurants that I particularly enjoyed, and I've also provided a link to the menus when possible.
The Little Grill: The Little Grill is a Harrisonburg brunch staple, and it has a wide variety of gluten free options, ranging from bowls, buckwheat pancakes, and other entrees. I got the potato boat, which was home fries covered in vegetables, cheese, sour cream, and egg, and it was delicious. Be prepared for a wait, especially on weekends.
Heritage Bakery and Cafe: Located right on main street, Heritage Bakery (shown above) is a great place for breakfast, as it offers gluten free Belgian waffles and a wide selection of gluten free baked goods that changes day to day. Each morning they post their selection on their Instagram story, and this would be the best place to view their menu. They do keep their baked goods in the same display window as gluten containing pastries, but I didn’t have any issues with their food.
Grilled Cheese Mania: Grilled Cheese Mania offers a wide selection of grilled cheese sandwiches at their restaurant. I ordered the “Jersey Boy” with Egg, Turner Ham, and Cheese, which was fantastic. They take Celiac concerns very seriously and have a gluten free menu filled with various gluten free options, including gluten free brownies. They have a great outdoor seating area with corn hole and picnic tables, and it's also a great place to grab food to eat on a hike in the surrounding area.
Vito's Italian Kitchen: Vito’s is your typical Italian restaurant, but it also offers both gluten free pasta and pizza options. While the menu is rather limited, their pizzas are some of the best I’ve ever had (they offer a 12” pie). They also have gluten free pasta available, and their Burrata (make sure to indicate gluten free) is great.
Capital Ale House: Capital Ale House is located in the center of downtown Harrisonburg and has an amazing selection for those who are gluten free, including burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and other great entrees. While their fries are fried in a contaminated fryer (so avoid those), their side salad is fantastic. They also offer a selection of gluten free ciders to enjoy with your meal.
The Cracked Pillar: Located south of Harrisonburg in Bridgewater, The Cracked Pillar is another nice location for a gluten free meal, with gluten free burgers and a flourless chocolate cake. On summer weekends, their outdoor seating includes live music as well. The restaurant is located on a cute small-town main street. Overall, it's a fun place to visit on a Saturday or a Friday night with your family or a date.
BoBoKo Indonesian Cafe: BoBoKo is a small Indonesian restaurant with an abundance of gluten free options. They have all gluten free dishes marked on their menu and can make almost all of the dishes gluten free with some adjustments. There are only 4-5 tables in the restaurant though, so make sure to book a reservation, as they don’t take walk-ins. I got the Beef Rendang, and it was one of the best meals I’ve had in the Harrisonburg area. I can't wait to go back!
Mashita: Mashita is a Korean restaurant in Harrisonburg that offers a wide selection of gluten free entrees. I find that it's rare to come across a Korean restaurant that takes so many precautions for gluten free, so this is a location you have to visit for lunch or dinner. I got the Mashita bibimbap with pork, which was delicious. Make sure to mention to your server that you are gluten free, as they will take special precautions and give you the gluten free sauces that use gluten free soy sauce as a base.
I hope you found these recommendations useful and that you enjoy dining safely gluten free in Harrisonburg!
]]>I realize it’s been some time since I’ve posted. But like most of you, our family has radically limited our travel since the pandemic began. However, to wrap up our summer before taking our boys to college, we planned a 5-night trip out to the San Diego area and stayed at the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Also known as "The Hotel Del" or just "The Del," it sits across the San Diego Bay from San Diego in the town of Coronado, on a strip of shoreline that's part of a narrow peninsula, easily accessible from San Diego by bridge or ferry.
While I typically expect that resorts of this caliber will have plenty of gluten free options on the menus (and have them well labeled), that isn’t always the case based on our travel experiences. However, we were beyond impressed with how the Hotel Del goes the extra mile to make dining a relaxed and low-stress experience for anyone needing or opting for a gluten free diet.
Gluten Free Notations on the Menus Make Dining Easy.
From the first night, when we dined al fresco at Serea, right in the heart of the resort, we were greeted with an impressive selection of menu items denoted with a gluten free symbol. Our son Ryan, diagnosed with Celiac before he was even two years old, opted to get the Grilled Calamari appetizer, followed by the Seared Tuna main course. Now an 18-year-old young man, he is an adventurous eater and loved both. But alas, we forgot to take photos of the beautiful presentations of food! But trust me when I say it was as beautiful as it was delicious, according to Ryan!
The following day we discovered that both the poolside Breezes menu offered at the Beach Village pool and the Taco Shack had gluten free options marked on the menus. In fact, we were told that everything at the Taco Shack was gluten free, as they use soft corn tortillas, not flour. So we opted for that as a quick poolside lunch.
Dining Nearby the Resort in the heart of Coronado
Should you desire a change of scenery for any of your meals, you’ll find plenty of options along Orange Avenue, right outside the main entrance of the hotel. There are coffee shops, smoothie bars, and plenty of restaurants and cafes, no matter what you are craving. We dined at The Henry on our second evening. This large traditional French bistro had plenty of open air dining and a great atmosphere. Again, all gluten free options were clearly noted on the menu. Our son ordered the Korean Prime Skirt Steak served atop fried rice, snap peas, bok choy, mint, cilantro, and ginger.
My husband ordered the Rotisserie Chicken with potatoes and asparagus, while I chose the Short Rib served with polenta and mushrooms. Both were also gluten free, as was the dessert our son wisely ordered: a gluten free flourless chocolate brownie covered with a caramel, coconut, and peanut butter topping and topped with vanilla bean gelato -- yum! Needless to say, we all had a bite!
So Many Options for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We found plenty of ways to satisfy our breakfast and lunch cravings at the resort, including a lovely breakfast buffet offered at Windsor Cottage. They had all the basic gluten free breakfast items like bacon, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, and fruit -- as well as absolutely divine gluten free muffins. During our stay we got to enjoy both wonderful cranberry muffins and chocolate chocolate chip muffins.
In fact, all menus we encountered at the Hotel Del made note of the gluten free options. This included the Sheerwater restaurant (open for breakfast and brunch) and the large Sun Deck restaurant near the main pool, with stunning views of the entire shoreline in front of the hotel. At the Sun Deck restaurant, Ryan opted for another skirt steak meal, which was beautifully presented atop rice, snap peas, edamame, and colorful watermelon radishes. Not bad for a meal at what was considered one of the more "casual" restaurants at the resort!
Don’t miss the gelato shop Sundaes near the beautiful Babcock and Story bar. Most flavors of gelato are gluten free (except for the obvious no-nos like cookies and cream), as are most of their gelato and sorbet popsicles. While not cheap, these are worth the splurge! In Eno Market and Pizzeria, the cafe/coffee shop next to Sundaes, you can pick up a gluten free muffin or any one of a number of unique pre-packaged snacks, juices, and candy. Unfortunately, their artisan pizza offerings didn't include a gluten free option, nor were there any gluten free sandwich choices.
More Off-Property Options
Another off-site location for dining that’s relatively close (but best accessed by car) is Il Fornaio, the California-based Italian chain with homemade pasta. The location near our home in Virginia closed a couple years ago, so we were thrilled to have the opportunity to dine at one in California. They have a delicious gluten free penne pasta that can be substituted for their regular house-made pasta in any pasta dish except the lasagna. Our son ordered the Pasta Mare Estate with a light tomato and garlic sauce and loaded with scallops, clams, mussels, and shrimp.
Even though there are no gluten free notations on the menu, Il Fornaio can prepare many, if not all, of their grilled meat entrees gluten free as well, so you won’t be lacking for choices here, even if you don't want pasta! Best of all, this restaurant is right near the ferry building on Coronado and has a perfect view of the San Diego skyline across the Bay.
While our stay in Coronado was meant as a well-deserved relaxing vacation for all of us and therefore not intentioned as a sight-seeing trip, I wanted to see the famed Gaslamp Quarter, which is a pedestrian area of restaurants and bars with traditional gas lamps flanking the streets. On that night, we chose to dine at Fogo de Chao. While this is a nationwide chain we could have dined at anywhere, we knew it would be a home run for our family, making everyone happy with all the various grilled meat offerings and huge buffet of salads and Brazilian side dishes. It’s also a rather good value as compared to some of the other very pricey steakhouses and resort dining.
Our final night we opted to dine at Windsor Cottage, where we'd had a couple breakfasts. Their Dinner Menu wasn’t terribly extensive but did still have some nice gluten free options. Ryan ordered the Baja California Sea Bass served with braised shallot polenta and lemon vegetable piccata. My husband opted for the gluten free Glazed Organic Chicken Breast with chive lemon smashed potatoes and tomato confit. Both were a hit.
An Important Note about Gluten Free Dining at the Resort
It's important to note that you should always ask questions about things like dedicated gluten free fryers (here or anywhere you dine). Ryan remembered to ask about whether the fries, listed with an item marked "gluten free" on one of the menus, were cooked in a shared fryer. They were. As Ryan noted -- and maybe not such a generalization -- there are probably a lot of people in California that are gluten free by choice, not necessarily because they have Celiac. So it's a good idea to be especially vigilant about potential cross contamination issues. With that said, the servers always knew when a dedicated fryer was or wasn't used and seemed knowledgeable about the reason for the question. They always made a note of Ryan's gluten free status when taking his order. He never got sick during our stay.
Options for Staying at the Hotel Del Coronado
There are several options for accommodations at this resort. Of course, there is the famed historic Victorian hotel, built in 1888 and currently undergoing some renovations. There is a newer section built in 2007 -- apartment style rooms with kitchens and living areas in the lovely Beach Village section. These are comprised of 3-story cottage-style structures designed to echo the architecture of the main Victorian building. On the other side of the Victorian hotel are the Cabanas, rooms adjacent to the main pool, which is perfect for families with kids. The ones on the main level even have verandas with fire pits facing the pool or beach. And finally there’s the newest structure at the southern tip of the resort called The Views. Of course, you can opt to dine at most of the Hotel Del's restaurants even if you aren't staying at the resort. I'd just recommend making a reservation well in advance.
The grounds are lovely throughout the resort, and we had a particularly fun time watching the landscapers scale the palm trees to trim the fronds. The only caveat about this resort is that it’s not exactly peaceful. The setting is idyllic, with tons of outdoor space and a wide beach leading to the ocean. However, it’s a bit Disney-esque this time of year (summer), with young kids everywhere and constant activity. Work begins early the resort, with landscapers and constant hotel renovations causing distraction from the crashing waves. Helicopters from the Naval Air Station next to the resort were also a constant source of noise, especially in the evenings.
A Lively Setting
Nightly events -- whether weddings or dinners for convention groups staying on the property -- occur either on the beach or on the central Windsor Lawn (shown being set up for a dinner for hundreds in the photo below). It was fascinating to watch the operation of setting up and taking down, and I suppose it all adds to the character of the resort. It’s just not exactly the place I’d recommend if you’re really looking to “get away from it all.” Otherwise, for an indulgent family getaway with plenty to do, whether you spend all your time on the property or take in the sights San Diego has to offer, you can’t go wrong.
Our only two planned activities -- other than venturing to the Gaslamp Quarter -- were renting wave runners (right across the street from the Hotel Del) for some fun in San Diego Bay and doing a 90-minute tour of the Hotel Del Coronado and its history and architecture. (Photo of the main reception area in the Victorian building that was being renovated is shown below.)
Other than that, we were content to sit on our balcony, on the beach, or by one of the many pools soaking in the California sunshine. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
]]>I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't published a post for a while. Like many of you, when it comes to "dining out," we've been somewhat hunkered down and generally relying on takeout food when we need a break from cooking. We were able to venture out a bit to restaurants we trusted -- and that had gluten free offerings -- back in the summer and early Fall. I knew it would be tough after the Holidays...with cold weather setting in and outdoor dining more challenging.
But, being hell-bent on supporting our favorite restaurants despite the cold, I took the lead from some others in my neighborhood and am starting to organize deliveries from restaurants to a central location within our neighborhood. People place their orders ahead of time for a specific date that I schedule with the restaurant, and the restaurant sends a truck (or even just a delivery driver in a regular car) with all the orders. It's a win-win, since I reach out to restaurants that are a bit further beyond the radius where our neighbors would typically drive to pick up takeout. So we all get convenient delivery of something special, while the restaurants pick up some nice extra business.
Of course, I want to prioritize helping restaurants that offer safe, gluten free options, so I started with Not Your Average Joe's. We got a beautiful Thanksgiving spread from them and were anxious to get takeout food from their regular menu. They have some really fun appetizers, and as the name suggests, nothing is "average!" But rather than place an order just for our family, I reached out to the manager of the location closest to us (Reston, Virginia) and asked if they would consider doing a delivery to our neighborhood. We arranged it for a Tuesday, one of their slower nights, and Not Your Average Joe's ended up getting 12 orders from our neighborhood -- and they were all relatively large family orders. So it definitely made it worth the trip for them.
Many restaurants like Not Your Average Joe's also offer "Family Bundles" right now. If your family can all agree on eating the same thing (ours can't!), it's a great value!
Next up for me is Mission BBQ, a chain with locations in 16 states. All their meats, almost all their sauces, and most of their sides are gluten free. I'm planning to schedule two restaurants each month until at least the spring when better weather should allow us to dine safely outside at many of these places again.
So if you're looking for a way to offer not just YOUR support -- but the compounded support of your neighborhood -- why not reach out to a restaurant that people really like...but may not typically make the drive to? Most restaurants will probably be thrilled to work with you to provide simple ordering instructions, whether online or via phone. It takes a bit of coordination, but it's well worth it. Of course, this works best if you're in a neighborhood that has a Facebook page or some other way of publicizing the event. I promoted it on my own personal Facebook page as well as some other local community ones.
Feel free to share any comments below about any other ways you've found to support your favorite gluten free friendly restaurants right now....
Photos courtesy of Not Your Average Joe's
]]>I think I first had taboulleh shortly after my husband and I first started dating. On a visit to his parent's house, his mom made it as a side dish served alongside a really good marinated and grilled leg of lamb. I loved both dishes and have made them many times over the years.
However, I altered the taboulleh recipe once our younger son was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I started making it with quinoa instead of bulgur wheat. (The irony is that my son doesn't eat it anyway, but I still always make it with quinoa since it's so healthy and adds a great source of protein.)
Sometimes I use white quinoa, and sometimes I use red, as shown below. (There's also black quinoa, but I don't know that I've ever seen that at the store.)
The cool thing about this traditional taboulleh recipe is that you can customize it however you want, adding or leaving out ingredients that you like/don't like. For example, I've seen some recipes that add a bit of crushed garlic.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water or chicken stock (I always use chicken stock -- or even bone broth -- for extra flavor, protein, and nutrients. However, if you don't have broth or stock on hand, water is just fine.)
1 cup quinoa
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
4 Tbsp fresh mint, chopped
About 20 grape tomatoes, cut in quarters or halves, with seeds removed
1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped (I like Vidalia onions, but you can also use red or yellow if you like a stronger flavor.)
1/2 cup scallion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1.) Rinse quinoa in a mesh colander, rubbing the grains together with your fingertips (This removes the bitter taste.)
2.) Add water or stock and quinoa to a 2-3 quart saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 12-15 minutes, checking to make sure all water has been absorbed (you want the consistency of the quinoa to be fluffy, not wet or sticky).
3.) Chop the parsley, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and scallions while quinoa is cooking. Put in a large bowl.
4.) Add the lemon juice, olive oil, and mint to the chopped vegetable mix
5.) Pour cooked quinoa onto a baking sheet to cool. Once it's at room temperature, fold it into the large bowl with the chopped vegetable mixture.
6.) Serve at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator for a few hours, depending on your preference.
This also makes great leftovers...I usually have it for lunch a few days in a row and am sad when it's all gone!
]]>
The Inn on Randolph is a dedicated gluten free Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Napa and the glorious wine country. The original owner was gluten free herself, and the new owners have kept the establishment totally gluten free. This historic 19th century property and its buildings were fully renovated in 2012. The Inn immediately began receiving great reviews and accolades for its food and blend of charm and modern luxuries -- and has since become the #1 rated B&B in Napa.
The decor of the Inn is hip, fresh, and luxurious with a whole new attitude. Run by young, innovative innkeepers, this stunning Napa property has become the destination of choice for savvy travelers who want the intimacy of a Bed and Breakfast Inn with the elegance and amenities of a boutique hotel. It's a perfect place to get away to right now if you need a getaway...but don't want to be among large crowds. And don't forget...harvest season in the wine country isn't too far off, so check their availability now to experience this amazing annual event.
Amenities include heated bathroom floors and sumptuous beds that have become the talk of the travel sites. Outside you'll find lush outdoor gardens, private spaces, and meeting rooms that can accommodate everything from intimate proposals to large group celebrations. There's even a private spa for a luxurious massage. Many gluten free friendly restaurants are located right near the B&B in downtown Napa, making the Inn on Randolph the perfect gluten-free friendly destination! Check out all the gorgeous photos of their property on their website linked above, and be sure to check out their special Packages for de-stressing after a particular challenging few months.
]]>