Gluteen free?

While in Hastings for the British Minigolf Championships some of my friends and minigolf rivals kindly let me know that Trattoria Italiana on Pelham Crescent on the seafront had gluten free options.

When I went for a look I noticed a funny typo on the menu board!

Gluteen free!

My friend Marion spotted it too. She also asked if Gluteen was some sort of sub-category in the world of Coeliac Disease?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley and so appears in a lot of food and drink. If people with Coeliac Disease ingest gluten it causes the body's immune system reacts by damaging the lining of the small intestine. For more information about Coeliac Disease visit the Coeliac UK website.

I often see Gluten spelled 'Gluton'.

Last week was Coeliac Awareness Week in the UK, while this week it's Coeliac Awareness Week in New Zealand. The whole of May is Celiac Awareness Month in the USA and Canada.

During Coeliac Awareness Week I was once again minigolfing gluten free. Last year I played in the BMGA British Minigolf Championships at Strokes Adventure Golf in Margate, Kent. Check out my blog about the experience.

Related blog posts:
- Gluten Free
- Coeliac
- Funny things about being a Coeliac

Links:
- Coeliac UK

Gluten free at Six Poor Folk in Knaresborough

A gluten free meal at the Six Poor Følk restaurant in Knaresborough.

While in Knaresborough we were looking for somewhere to eat and while checking the restaurants in the town centre we spotted a bottle of Mongozo gluten free beer lined up with some other beers in the window at Six Poor Følk at Castlegate.

We checked the menu and noticed it said gluten free options were available. We managed to get a table for two and I double checked with the waiter what was gluten free. I was told that much of the menu was gluten free, so it was one of those occasions when I had to pick something and get the waiter to double check with the kitchen if it was OK. Unfortunately the Pork Belly dish I had spotted on the menu outside had run out, but there were options for a starter and main so we decided to dine there. I also ordered a bottle of Mongozo.

Emily had the Ham Hock Terrine, Chicken Schnitzel and Lemon Posset. My gluten free choices were the Warm Duck Salad, Pan Fried Coley (pictured) and another Mongozo beer for pudding

Six Poor Følk is worth a visit. We had very good service and tasty food. Emily really enjoyed her (non-gluten free) three courses too.

For more information visit the Six Poor Følk website. Interestingly when looking at the menus online there is an Allergy Menu that can be viewed/downloaded (April 2015 here). As mentioned, when I ordered in the restaurant I wasn't given a copy of the allergy menu, but had to relay my choices from the 'normal menu' via the waiter, to the kitchen and back to me again.

Link:
- Six Poor Følk website

Related blog posts:
- Gluten free
- Coeliac
- Knaresborough
- Gluten free beer

Gluten free at Filmore and Union in York

On our first evening in York we headed to Filmore & Union on Petergate. Ahead of our trip we'd searched for gluten free places that were suitable for Coeliacs and Filmore & Union was highly recommended.

We had a starter and a main and very good they were too. I had the seared pigeon breast with watercress and bean sprout salad, followed by the sesame and sumac trout fillet with roasted red peppers.

The menu is nice and clear and states the allergens. Filmore & Union have also received Coeliac UK Accreditation which is good to hear.

Our waiter and chef were confident in their answers about the gluten free options available, understood needs of Coeliac diners and explained the procedures to reduce cross-contamination. All plus points.

Unfortunately we were so hungry on this occasion that no photos exist of our meal there!

As well as dining in there are also takeaway options for lunch including a gluten free wrap and Brown Bag crisps.

I noticed that they also sold Daas gluten free beers which I think is always a nice touch. It's great to have the option of a GF beer with a meal, rather than always having to opt for soft drinks, cider or wine.

Check out the Filmore & Union website for more information, menus, restaurant locations and details of their offerings for special dietary requirements.

Links:
- Filmore and Union
- Filmore and Union York
- Brown Bag Crisps
- Coeliac UK

Related blog posts:

- Gluten free

- Coeliac
- Gluten free beer

Gluten free at El Piano restaurant in York

A brilliant gluten free and vegan meal at El Piano in York.

While visiting the wonderful city of York I found that I was spoiled for choice when it came to options of where to eat. So many restaurants and takeaways had gluten free options, or stated they could cater for special dietary requirements.

Having so many choices and so little time (and capacity) to eat at all of them on this trip was a nice problem to have. While walking around the city centre on our arrival on the Thursday we'd spotted the El Piano restaurant and the brightly coloured menu outside. It clearly stated that they offered food that is vegan, has no gluten, is nut-free, and without palm-oil. The menu served 'all plant based dishes with no gluten-containing ingredients'.

The brilliant menu at El Piano

The menu also clearly stated that dishes containing soya, coconut, sesame or mustard (4 of the official 14 allergens) were shown in BOLD red text.

We decided that we would definitely dine there on our stay and so after a long day of shopping, postcard hunting, playing Bar Billiards and walking we headed there for dinner on the Friday evening. And I am so glad we did.

It was one of the best meals I've had. There was so much to choose from and we had great service from the friendly and knowledgeable staff. The restaurant looked great and it was so pleasing to see the other diners excited to be eating there too.

We spent a while looking over the menu and there was a lot to choose from. I quite fancied having Bob's Best Burger, but then Emily and I both decided to go for the interesting main courses where you got to 'build your own plate'.

My main course

The options offered gave an around-the-world flavour. You chose a principal dish, added fritters and then a cold salad. There were also Greens gluten free beers available on the drinks menu. Always a nice touch for gluten free diners to be able to choose a beer with a meal.

A very happy Coeliac diner indeed

I went for the Chow Mein, with Pineapple Croquetas (fresh pineapple with a hint of madras) and the Big E Salsa. Emily went for the Mexi Trio, Pestolitos and Hummus. I also treated myself to a side order of Mathematical Chips (square root veg chips) with El Piano ketchup.

Emily's Mexican main course

We couldn't leave without having a dessert. I had a lovely sticky toffee pudding, while Emily had a chocolate mousse pie that she couldn't finish. Unfortunately I had to scoff the last of it.

All of the food was amazing. With so many different flavours and new things to try it was brilliant for us to be able to taste off of each others plates with no fear of cross-contamination. This was the first meal out we'd had since my diagnosis with Coeliac Disease where we weren't scared, or unable, to do this and it felt pretty much 'normal'.

The restaurant is now in its 18th year and long may it continue.

I can't wait to go back to York and we'll definitely be eating at El Piano again.

Visit the El Piano website for more information and menus.

Link:
- El Piano website

Related blog posts:

- Gluten free

- Coeliac
- Gluten free beer

Minigolf at Vista Alegre in Porto Cristo, Majorca

Finding a miniature golf course in Porto Cristo, Mallorca.

The minigolf course at Restaurante Vista Alegre in Porto Cristo

Charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Christopher Gottfried has come up trumps again, as on a recent holiday to Majorca he managed to find an unplayable Minigolf course!

An interesting looking hole

The layout was at the Restaurante Vista Alegre in Porto Cristo.

Restaurant, minigolf and pool

That's quite a big boat obstacle

This looks like a tricky hole to putt on

There's a great sea view from the minigolf course at Porto Cristo

The last course Christopher spotted on his travels was the Crazy Golf at Ladram Bay in Devon, that layout also had a magnificent sea view.

Courses visited by Christopher Gottfried 2011-15:

- Brighton - Crazy Golf

- Paignton Pier - Crazy Golf

- Herne Bay - Mini Golf
- Great Yarmouth - Windmill Theatre Indoor Crazy Golf

- Margate (Cliftonville) - Little Oasis Crazy Golf

- Newquay - Mini Golf

- Letoonia Golf Resort, Belek, Turkey - Minigolf

- Mundesley - Adventure Island Golf

- Ladram Bay - Crazy Golf

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Christopher Gottfried
- Mini Golf in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Links:
- Restaurante Vista Alegre in Porto Cristo on Facebook
- MiniatureGolfer.com's list of Minigolf courses in Spain

Gluten Free at Brasserie Blanc on Chancery Lane

A very nice meal at Brasserie Blanc in London

Last week Emily and I met up with my brother Christopher for an evening out in London. After visiting the brilliant Novelty Automation amusement arcade in Holborn (blog on that to follow) we visited Brasserie Blanc on Chancery Lane.

Our visit coincided with the new Sping Menu at Brasserie Blanc, and it was also the first time I've visited and received a full allergy listing for the dishes on the menu. There used to be a separate Gluten Free and Diary Free menu.

As I've dined at the St Albans and Chancery Lane restaurants before, and really enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere I had an idea of what would be OK to eat for a Coeliac. I opted for the Spinach, Watercress & Garlic Soup to start, followed by the Breast of Duck and Confit Duck Leg for my main course. It was delicious.

The Duck Breast and Confit Duck Leg served with Dauphinoise Potatoes, Carrots and a Citrus Sauce

Everyone enjoyed the meal and once again it was a treat to have a stress-free gluten free dining experience.

Links:
- Brasserie Blanc
- Brasserie Blanc Chancery Lane

Related blog posts:
- Brasserie Blanc
- Gluten Free
- Coeliac

Gluten free at the Black Tiles Restaurant & Bar

A visit to the Black Tiles Restaurant & Bar in Woodbridge.

Over the years I have provided a number of gluten free food reviews to Travel Gluten Free and the site recently let me know they'd been contacted by the Black Tiles Restaurant & Bar to tell them about their gluten free menu.

We're always searching for new places to visit and often head back to Emily's home town of Ipswich, and Woodbridge is right next to it.

Last weekend we booked a table for a lunch and looked forward to giving the food a try.

There's a lot to choose from on the gluten free menu. I decided to go for one of my favourites, the Slow roast pork belly, bubble & squeak, apple sauce and crackling.

I noticed chips were also on the gluten free menu, and ever vigilant of potential cross-contamination risks, asked how they were cooked. Without hesitation the waitress let me know that they were cooked in a separate fryer to avoid cross-contamination. I ordered a portion as a treat as it's not often I get to eat chips in restaurants.

Gluten free lunch at the Black Tiles Restaurant & Bar in Martlesham, Woodbridge

After a filling meal I wasn't going to have a dessert, but as Emily and her sister Jo both ordered puddings I decided to have an Eton Mess too. And I'm glad I did.

The food and service was very good and the pub was nice. We'd return for another meal.

Check out the Black Tiles Restaurant & Bar website and the gluten free menu.

Related blog posts:
- Gluten Free
- Coeliac

Links:
- Black Tiles Restaurant & Bar
- Travel Gluten Free

Gluten free at Brasserie Blanc

A great meal at Brasserie Blanc in St Albans.

To celebrate the beginning of the festive season I booked a meal at Brasserie Blanc for a group of friends (who also happen to be fellow coeliacs).

Emily and I have dined there before and have eaten from the summer menu, so we were looking forward to seeing what the winter selection had to offer gluten free diners. We weren't disappointed.

There's a good choice on the gluten free menu (which is also marked with vegetarian and dairy free options) so we took our time picking while enjoying some wine. It makes a real change to have a good range of options, rather than having a 'choice' of one dish for starter, main and dessert (if you're lucky).

I had the salt beef salad to start, followed by the pork belly - it had great crackling - and the excellent chocolate souffle for dessert.

What a pudding! The Chocolate Souffle was delicious. The first I've had since my diagnosis of Coeliac Disease in 2008! 

The meal was the third I've had at Brasserie Blanc in St Albans and I've thoroughly enjoyed each one. We're looking forward to returning in the New Year.

As a coeliac dining out gluten free can be fraught, but the staff at Brasserie Blanc are able to answer gluten/gluten free-related questions, or double check with the kitchen, which adds to the confidence that you are going to eat safely.

One thing that is missing, and something I mentioned to a barman there on a previous visit, is the lack of gluten free beer/ale/lager on the drinks menu.

My friend, fellow coeliac and blogger Gemma also had the Chocolate Souffle and we think our friend Cat had #souffleenvy after seeing how great it was!

Links:
- Brasserie Blanc St Albans
- Brasserie Blanc on Twitter
- Brasserie Blanc on Facebook

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac
- Gluten Free