Gluten Free in New York City

I always say this to my family and friends... when I go to the USA, I feel normal. I still ask for a gluten free menu, but restaurants and staff actually know what gluten is. As oppose to other parts of the world,  I usually need to explain. It feels so great to go to the USA and have such a variety... and well, feel normal.

I recently just went on a business trip to NYC and man was I in gluten free heaven! They have so many restaurants that cater to a coeliac. Here is my experience at a few. (From the photos below, you'll know I really love Italian :) )

GF Breadsticks @ Risotteria

First night my friends and I hit up Risotteria. Delicious Italian food, everything from gluten free pasta, pizza, meatballs and more! The two items on the menu that caught my eye were 1) the gluten free fresh breadsticks. They were so delicious and freshly baked, so nice and warm. The best thing about the breadsticks -- they are free! You can ask for as many refills as you want. I had breadsticks after years and this definitely filled that breadstick void. 2) they even had homemade apple pie. I can't review that because I did not try it (I think I over did it on the breadsticks) It's a very small place, but very cute. The staff is great as well.

I love macaroni and cheese. While googling places to eat, a few of my work friends and I found this gem -- S'mac. I've never in my life been to a place just dedicated to macaroni and cheese! and the best part is they do all their macaroni and cheese dishes gluten free which GF bread crumbs sprinkling. I had the buffalo chicken GF macaroni and cheese and it was great. However, the meal is extremely heavy. I got the normal size and I hardly made a dent in it. It's quite heavy, so you can only have so much no matter how much your taste buds are loving it.  So if you don't have much of an appetite, get the smallest size possible... trust me even that will be hard to finish!

Another night we hit up Pala Pizza.  Another great Italian restaurant that had items I've never had as a coeliac before. They had delicious bread parmesan chips with a side of marinara, which were great. And something I would fly back to NYC for were the spinach and mozzarella risotta ball. Not often do you get this sort of fancy stuff on a GF menu. Trust me, the photo looks amazing, but it tasted even better.

I fear to say it again, I went to another Italian restaurant. I love Italian food as you can tell, but this was something I don't get in London... that is gluten free ravioli at Bistango, is wonderful! The fresh bread   is to die for you. The worst feeling--going to a restaurant and not getting bread while everyone else stuffs their face with it. But have no fear, Bistango gives a great portion of fresh + warm gluten free bread with a side of garlic oil. My friends and I shared a pizza bread as an appetizer which was great. The ravioli was so fantastic and to top the delicious evening off, we all shared a piece of gluten free cheesecake. A very classy restaurant, and a must visit for a coeliac when you visit NYC.

Since I've been a coeliac, I've never been out anywhere for breakfast. Mainly because I'm not crazy about eggs and you don't really get GF pancakes at places in London. But have no fear, I got a fantastic gluten free brunch at Bloom's Deli in NYC. We ordered the gluten free french toast, which was pretty good. Like I said I'm not mad about eggs and you could taste the egginess in the bread, so wasn't too mad about that. Also had a taste of the gluten free pancakes with chocolate chips and bananas! Delicious! The deli is decorated as you would imagine a perfect like breakfast cafe in NYC.

This is just a few of my yummy highlights in NYC. It was a crazy work week, but the evenings were wonderful in the city. My heart can't explain how nice it was to feel normal and enjoy restaurants normal people do... I'm sure all you other coeliacs understand.

Venice Bakery Gluten Free Pizza Bases

I'm so happy the U.K. Has a wide range and variety of gluten free pizzas and pizza bases. You have the big chains like Pizza Hut, Dominos and then the supermarkets that all have their own fresh bases and frozen pizzas and then all the  other smaller companies as well. Lots of variety to choose from = happy coeliacs. 

At the London Allergy Show in June, I came across the Venice Bakery stall. It was one busy stand and what caught my eye was the seasoned pizza bases. I tried it and instantly fell in love. It was so thin, light and just the base alone was so tasty. I bought two and was extremely satisfied with them. I plan on ordering more very soon! 

If you have yet to try the bases, check it out. I highly recommend them. 

Sorry, I've been MIA

Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know I've been slacking on the blogging. Life has been busy with work and social events and the other reason ... food has just been annoying! I've been strictly gluten free, but have a severe tummy ache nearly everyday! It's sad that I've just learned to live with the tummy pains. I recently had tests done, so hoping to figure out what exactly is wrong... hoping its not another intolerance, don't think I can give up much else. Le Sigh. 

Hidden Gluten Free Gem, Almondy Toblerone Tarta

I recently went to a family dinner and we all started talking about gluten free products and foods. My cousins has said they had tried this delicious Toblerone cake and when looking at the box realized it was gluten free. They said it was oh so good and couldn't believe it was gluten free. Once they mentioned it, I was on a hunt for this Almondy Toblerone cake. I managed to find it in a big Tescos.

I didn't defrost the whole cake. Just cut a slice and let it sit out for 20-30 minutes. It was so delicious! You would never know that it was gluten free. Especially, since it has delicious crunchy bites… don't be fooled though, those are almond bites, nothing containing gluten :) Phew!

This really and truly is a hidden gem. I don't think I would have ever known about it if my family members didn't point it at out. It really should be in the gluten free frozen section of supermarkets. Not sure why it isn't!

Honeyrose Organic Gluten Free Baking

Honeyrose Gluten Free Carrot Cake & Brownie

From this blog, some might know I do love my baked goods. Especially since I can't have them that often. I came across this one brand — Honeyrose. They bake everything cakes from cookies, muffins and even biscotti. I had a try of their carrot cake and brownie.

One night, I warmed up the brownie and put a bit of ice cream on it. I brought it to our room and gave my husband I try. He said to me "Are you sure this is gluten free?! Tastes so good." I ensured him it was, otherwise I wouldn't be eating it :) Was so so tasty. Also, wasn't so over powering with chocolate, just the right amount.

The carrot cake also hit the spot. I cut off a slice and warmed it up a bit. Very tasty, moist and not too crumble. No after taste either which is also a plus for my taste buds.

I've seen Honeyrose products at Sainsbury. Hope to try more in the near future for my next sweet cravings.

Domino's Gluten Free Pizza

Domino's Gluten Free Veg-A-Roma

Dominos started their gluten free range on Nov. 19 in the U.K. I was so excited! With Pizza Hut doing gluten free in their restaurants and Dominos delivering, this pizza loving coeliac was very happy!

 I had read so many reviews on blogs and twitter and most of them were very positive. So the anticipation to try was very high. So few nights ago, finally tried it. This is probably one of the best pizza bases I've tasted! It was pretty thick compared to other pizza bases you get in store. The crust was delicious, it was an actual crust! So was great. They only do the gluten free pizzas in small, but its pretty easy to finish. No after taste, no nothing.

Dominos also charges the same as its normal pizzas, so its great not to have to pay extra just because it was gluten free. If you have yet to try it, order for dinner tonight :-)

Sweet Connection - Gluten Free Bakery in Dubai

Before my husband and I embarked on our trip to Delhi & Dubai, we did a lot of research on where to find gluten free food for me.

Well, we did some good research because we found a complete gluten free bakery in Dubai called Sweet Connection. We had thought it was a proper bakery/cafe where you can pick things up. So my husband and I caught a taxi and made our way there. When we go there, we were told we had to put a order in before hand if we wanted something specific. However, the head baker, was very sweet and she said she had some things she had baked fresh and we could take it. We bought a loaf of gluten free banana bread with chocolate chips and two donuts. We had the bread ever morning for breakfast. It was truly amazing. I used to bake fresh banana bread before I was diagnosed and when I tell your this gluten free bread tasted just like it... it was amazing! You'd never, ever think it was gluten free. No after taste, great texture, not crumbly. It was so so great. Even donuts were delicious. If we were there for longer, I would have loved to try some more.

From speaking to the staff, Sweet Connection is a fairly new establishment.  The kitchen is so clean, and the amount of various flours on the shelves is truly amazing. I'm sure once people get a word of it it will become even more popular. If you are visiting Dubai, I highly recommend calling ahead of time and placing an order. I believe they even deliver, so that is great as well!

Costa Coffee Gingerbread Lattes Are Gluten Free

I had recently went to a Costa Coffee and asked the barista if their gingerbread lattes were gluten free... however, they weren't too sure. So i decided to email customer service and find out for sure. Email response is below. It is gluten free, but not sure of cross contamination. Drink at your own risk!


Thank you for your email

I can confirm that the gingerbread latte should not have any gluten in, however there may be a risk of cross contamination,

Kindest regards
COSTA CUSTOMER SERVICES TEAM

Gluten Free in Dubai

Gluten Free section in Mall of Emirates' Carrefour

We recently had an amazing trip to Dubai. Gorgeous city with beautiful weather. And being gluten free wasn't that difficult either.

Dubai is the western world in the east. What do I mean? Well, when its comes to restaurants and brands, Dubai has it all. From American frozen food to British chocolate. The supermarkets are seriously to die for. They have everything! And me being American, I was so happy to see so many U.S. brands. Kind of felt like I was home. At the Mall of Emirates mega big Carrefour they even had this amazing gluten free section. With everything from biscuits to pastas I haven't been able to find in the U.K. The selection was the most impressive I've seen outside the U.S. And U.K.

Mrs. Crimbles at LuLu Hypermarket

Another big brand in the Dubai supermarkets was Mrs. Crimbles. They had all the cakes, brownies, etc. Livwell also had a big section of bread, ciabatta rolls, bagels. Everything I can find here in the U.K. Pretty impressive I must say.

Livwell at LuLu Hypermarkets

 The Mall of Emirates and Mall of Dubai are filled with American and British chains. Actually, any big global chain, you could probably find there. For example, P.F. Changs is on my favourite restaurants. When I went there and asked them about gluten free choices, they let me know which ones they could whip up for me. It was great to go into a restaurant in a foreign country and they actually know what gluten free is… Carluccios in Dubai even had the same gluten free menu you find in the U.K. Eating at big chains was easy. It felt so great to be on a trip that I could actually enjoy dining out! However, few small restaurants we went to that weren't chains, didn't really understand what gluten free is even with my card.

For a coeliac, Dubai is one amazing place to go! Top of my list. If you want any other recommendations, please do email me.

Pizza Hut's Gluten Free Pizza Review

Pizza Hut in the U.K. started to serve customers gluten free pizzas as of October 8, 2012. When I heard they were doing this, I was so, so, excited! Not many restaurants in the U.K. cater to people that are gluten free, so to add Pizza Hut to the list was quite the treat! To be honest, I think my husband (who is a pizza lover) was more excited then me. Because of me, he hasn't really gone for the last two years!

I went a week later to our local Pizza Hut and finally tried the gluten free pizza. It comes in a square shape and you can have any toppings you want and they are gluten free. I had ordered the spicy veggie sizzler. Was very nice. When I think of Pizza Hut I expect the base to be quite thick, but the gluten free option is quite thin so I was a bit sad. However, it was still a very tasty base that does not leave that gluten free after taste. It was delicious! But one thing it does lack is more sauce and cheese. Not as much sauce and cheese made it quite dry, so if you do go, ask for more sauce and cheese.

The menu was also very impressive. They have a NCGI (No containing gluten ingredients) next to other things you can have on the menu. Like the nachos, salad, etc. And at the bottom of every page they tell you what does have gluten. So for example, on the salad bar, bacon bites contain gluten and they make a note of that.







I had asked the waitress if many people order the gluten free base. She said on the day we went, she had two previous orders. Not bad, but I do hope it picks up so they don't get rid of the option!

One downside is, you must go to a restaurant to get the gluten free option. Pizza Hut does not deliver the gluten free option.

Every time I eat out, I always fear that I will get sick. But luckily, I was ok the next day.