A Gluten Free Guide

La Terrazza del Chiostro – Pienza, Italy

La Terrazza Del Chiostro, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

 

I visited Pienza for a couple of hours during my Study Abroad program nine years ago. When planning my most recent trip it seemed like the perfect small city to serve as the base for our travels for two days. Indeed it was – because the town is so small, a hotel “outside the city center” is a short two-minute walk to the winding streets of Pienza. Easy parking, great location and beautiful scenery make it an ideal base. Though our particular hotel is not one I would eagerily recommend. After a somewhat stressful drive from Firenze to Pienza, we found ourselves in a small room with no Internet access, beds that felt like they were made of cardboard and a common room decked with pink flowered 1970’s upholstery straight from my grandma’s house. But hey it was cheap! We had our priorities straight – money would be spent on food and wine.

Our dinner that night was at the most elegant restaurant in Pienza, La Terrazza del Chiostro. The location was ideal but the meal was probably the least remarkable of our mini-tour.

The terrace restaurant is really best enjoyed during the day, offering a spectacular view of Tuscany. At night, the restaurant caters primarily to couples staying in the hotel looking for a romantic, candle-lit evening of fine dining. Unfortunately, since my friend Gareth and I aren’t dating, the soft lighting merely impeded our ability to take quality photographs.

We started by splitting an insalata caprese. The mozzarella was good, but the tomatoes lacked flavor (Gareth thought they were fine in comparison to his London options, but after the culinary delights we enjoyed later in our trip he understood my disappointment).

 

The roasted tomatoes served with my eggplant appetizer redeemed the chef in my eyes. The eggplant was beautiful, subtle and light without the heavy oily texture I find in some caponatas, and the roasted cherry tomatoes were sweet and savory.

The shrimp appetizer I had as a main was tasty but unremarkable.

La Terrazza del Chiostro did manage though to thoroughly impress with their gluten-free bread and dessert.

The three types of gluten-free rolls were superb. They looked much better than the standard bread Gareth was served. (I refused to share, so we never got a chance to actually compare.) Chef Michele makes them using a BiAglut gluten-free flour blend, adjusting the recipe according to the weather, humidity etc. I was in awe.

The Tiramisu, made with gluten-free ladyfinger cookies was another winner. None of the flavors was overpowering and the sweetness was just right.

Of course a meal in Pienza wouldn’t be complete without a plate of pecorino, the cheese for which the town is known.

Next stop: Poggio Antico the best food and wine combo of the trip.

La Terrazza del Chiostro

Corso Rossellino, 26

Pienza, Italy

Tel. +39 0578 748400

Fax +39 0578 748440

ilchiostrodipienza@virgilio.it

Cantinetta del Verrazzano – the meal that changed my life

Verrazzano Montage, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

 

Yes, it is a bit hyperbolic to say that my afternoon at Cantinetta del Verrazzano changed my life, but it did spur a chain of events for which I will always be grateful. While I would normally not venture into a restaurant that proclaims its specialty as focacce and caffe, I had a tip from Shauna that there were a few gluten-free options worthy of a visit.

My friend Gareth flew down from London to join me in my gluten-free tour of Tuscany. We met in Florence before heading off on the last leg of my picture-perfect vacation. No stranger to my gluten-free dining adventures, he joined me earlier this year at Sambuca, Blue Smoke, Peter’s and even enjoyed some gluten-free cereal at casa mia. Little did we know when he arrived in Florence the culinary treasures that awaited us.

We sat down at Cantinetta del Verrazzano late in the afternoon. The food and service were an absolute delight.

The cecina al tartufo – a chickpea crepe with prosciutto, pecorino and truffles was sublime.

After our first round of wild boar salami and prosciutto, we ordered a second cecina al tartufo and another plate of prosciutto.

Since I couldn’t have the bread Gareth readily enjoyed, I was given a plain chickpea crepe that seemed better than bread to this GF guide.

The plate of pecorino, grapes and pears was served with fresh honey and orange zest. The honeycomb sitting on the bar still leaves my mouth watering.

Each slice of pecorino topped with sesame seeds, orange zest and honey was “like a little piece of heaven.”

Expletives were employed to express our enjoyment along with the sheer joy written on each of our faces.

Before leaving la Cantinetta to get gelato at GROM, our waiter Jonathan gave us recommendations for wineries and restaurants to visit during the next leg of our trip. Thank you Jonathan, for truly making our trip. Our lunch at Poggio Antico was one of the most incredible dining experiences I have been blessed to enjoy – full details to come.

Next stop: Pienza and our not-so romantic dinner at La Terrazza del Chiostro

Cantinetta del Verrazzano

Via dei Tavolini, 18-20

Firenze, Italia

(Located in the center of Florence, between the Duomo and Gli Uffizi Gallery)

Phone: 39-055-268-590

Gluten-Free Gelato Journey 2007

Damiani Gelato 2, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

 

If you followed Ms. Guide’s gluten-free soft-serve adventures this summer, it should come as no surprise that I went on a hunt for gluten-free gelato during my recent tour of Tuscany.

Before embarking on my trip to Italy, I consulted the Italian Celiac Association (AiC) site for a list of gelaterie that cater specifically to gluten-free needs. Katie and I tried to visit the gelateria Il Paciugo in Lucca, but unfortunately we ran out of time. After such a big lunch, I probably wouldn’t have truly enjoyed it. On to Florence, where I found two gelaterie associated with the AiC and one recommended by Shauna.

Eliana, in addition to being a wonderful host and cooking incredible meals during my stay, was eager to accompany on my quest for gluten-free gelato. The first stop was Gelateria Malotti. The location is a bit out of the city center, definitely not convenient for most gluten-free tourists.

The options were limited – four flavors of gluten-free gelato, set apart from the standard fare. The novelty of enjoying gelato on a gluten-free cone made up for the meager selection. They used a freshly washed scoop (preventing cross-contamination) to serve up my Vanilla and Hazelnut treat.

 

Two days later, we continued our journey with a visit to Gelateria Damiani. The options here were plentiful and Solange, the owner’s daughter was a joyful ray of sunshine. On the other side of the Arno river, this outpost is still a trek for gluten-free tourists but may be worth the effort if your schedule permits.

 

In addition to 15+ gluten-free flavors of gelato and gluten-free cones, Gelateria Damiani also offers gluten-free cialde cookies, plain or filled with hazelnut cream.

After much internal struggle and debate (vacation requires so many thought-provoking decisions), I decided to forgo the gluten-free cone (I like my frozen treats melty) and instead get a cup of fig, pinenut and coconut gelati topped with a plain cialde.

Eliana indulged in chocolate and vanilla soy gelati – even the dairy-free have options at this gelateria.

The last gelateria I visited in Florence was GROM. This gelateria is not part of the AiC but was recommended by Shauna as gluten-free friendly. It does seem a touch sacrilegious to visit a gelateria that has a NY outpost, but its origins are Torinese (as are mine), and we were not disappointed. When I told our server I had Celiac disease, she eagerly explained which flavors were safe and let me sample until I settled on three: Cassata Siciliana (ricotta with candied fruit), Zabaglione (the flavor of the month), and Vanilla (simple perfection).As many customers seem to have trouble choosing, they offer help in the form of “Matrimoni d’amore” – flavor combinations – something to please every palate.

When preparing my cup they used two fresh spatulas taking care to prevent cross-contamination with the other flavors or gluten-containing culprits. (the question now is -does the NY outpost cater so well to gluten-free patrons? I will gladly work to find out.)

The warmth and friendliness of the staff made the experience even more enjoyable.

Sadly, during my one evening in Siena, I was unable to find a safe place for gelato. Almost everything was closed early on Sunday evening. So I had to make due with a truly sacrilegious option. But they had caramel, which has been discontinued in the States; I enjoyed every bit of “caramelly” goodness.

Next stop: Cantinetta di Verrazzano, my last meal in Florence (on this trip anyway).

Gelateria Damiani

Via Burchiello, 20/r

Firenze, Italia

Phone: 39-055-2335428

Gelateria GROM

Via del Campanile at the corner of Via dell’Oche

(between the Duomo and Gli Uffizi Gallery)

Firenze, Italia 50012

Phone: 39-055-216158

Gelateria Malotti

Via di Novoli, 42/6

Firenze, Italia

Phone: 39-055-411997

Gelateria Paciugo

Via della Formica,172

Lucca, Italia

Phone: 39-0583-56069

Everything (Gluten-Free) Tastes Better in Italy

Eliana Facendo L’insalata, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

 

Gluten-free or not, everything just seems to taste better in Italy. I’m sure part of it has to do with being on vacation. But the love and attention paid to food in this country clearly shows. My first trip to Italy was for a study abroad program in 1998. It was during that summer that I met Eliana, a bright, beautiful girl with an indomitable spirit. Little did I realize at the time that we would become dear friends, spending subsequent summers and trips together in Rome, Sicily, Pescara, Terni and even New York.

After leaving Lucca, I took the bus to Firenze (Florence) where Eliana greeted me with a huge hug and Italian kisses. She was kind enough to open her home to me for four days of my vacation.

My first night there I didn’t want to trouble her too much over gluten-free dinner options. I explained that I ate a huge lunch and that I would be fine nibbling on a few things I had brought with me. She looked at me and scolded – “Ma Cate, in Italia si mangia!” “But, Catherine, in Italy you eat!” To Eliana it was no trouble to make something safe for my tummy. She proceeded to put together a salad so full of flavor with such simple ingredients I could hardly believe it. Olives, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, chickpeas and lettuce dressed with olive oil and salt. I tried recreating it at home last week, but it just wasn’t the same.

Later in the week she made a frittata with sautéed zucchini.

 

Prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano were plentiful.

Jars of spices and olive oil fill the kitchen that I have had the pleasure of dining in more times than I can count.

Gluten-free travel is simply delicious when you are lucky enough to have friends like Eli.

Next stop: my adventures in Gluten-Free Gelato

Buca di San Antonio Makes Gluten-Free Dining Pure Pleasure

Lucca, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

 

My friend Katie and I were able to spend less than 48 hours together during our visit to Lucca, but it was full of great conversation and amazing food. After eating a small breakfast at our hotel and exploring the beautiful streets of Lucca, we ventured back to Buca di San Antonio.

The restaurant owners’ warmth and kindness bestowed on us when we were turned away for dinner left us more eager to each lunch there the next day. After discussing the menu and our gluten-free options, only one item we had initially selected had gluten in it. Lucky for us – because our second choice ended up being one of the best dishes I ate during my trip.

Our waiter, Cristiano was beyond helpful. When he presented us with our gluten-free bread, he looked at me with a wry smile and said “Now don’t cry, we recently had a woman in our restaurant who hadn’t had bread for 17 years who was brought to tears by this.” I managed to keep the tears in check but was truly touched by the care and thoughtfulness Cristiano demonstrated throughout our time at Buca di San Antonio. The gluten-free bread was warm and crusty. They buy it from a local gluten-free bakery called Il Forno Lenci. (Unfortunately, it was closed on Sunday so I wasn’t able to make a visit myself.) Even more remarkable though was how the bread tasted after it cooled. Inexplicably, the roll gained in pleasing power as it cooled. Tha facaccine disappeared so quickly that I only vaguely remember its exquisite flavor.

For our primo, we split the Tagliolini alla papaline — pasta sauteed with butter, nutmeg and ham — made with a gluten-free corn pasta. A hint of creaminess, flavor in abundance, yet it was not heavy. The nutmeg was unexpected but complemented the dish perfectly.

For our mains and sides, we split everything and since Katie had turned away the gluten-filled bread there were no concerns about cross-contamination. As a mushroom and polenta fan, I was excited to see Porcini mushrooms with polenta di formentone on the menu. The funghi porcini were crisp, balancing out the creaminess of the polenta. The dish was so simple, almost buttery, the texture perfect. I gladly finished the plate when Katie demurred.

 

After our delicious roasted fagioli from the night before, we ordered a simple side of fagioli with olive oil.

The zucchini and eggplant dish we initially eyed was off-limits, so we ordered a roasted guinea fowl breast with moscato grapes and crisped prosciutto. The combination of the crispy prosciutto, sweet stewed grapes and simple roasted hen was spectacular. This is one of those instances where living gluten-free is truly a blessing. Aside from the roasted guinea fowl dish that we never would have tried, the attention we received from the entire staff completely changed the dining experience. One of the owners was not only eager to show us the gluten-free designations on the door, he also joyfully recounted the restaurant’s experience with gluten-free customers. He gave us an affectionate look while saying, “Sono tutte belle famiglie e questo lo conferma” “They are all beautiful families and this just confirms it.” – So sweet, we couldn’t have felt more loved and cared for!

The mysteries of dessert beckoned after such exceptional main courses. Cristiano offered me gluten-free biscotti and even asked me to sample a new pane dolce they were trying out from the gluten-free bakery. I could not refuse his pleading request. We all agreed the bread would be better as a breakfast roll rather than a dessert – though it was tasty when dipped in sweet Vin Santo.

Katie returned to “la via caduta” (the fallen way) when picking a chocolate cake that wasn’t gluten-free. I began my quest to eat my weight in Pecorino cheese by ordering the formaggi misti with honey and pine nuts.

This lunch and my time in Lucca were merely the beginning of an almost magical vacation. Next stop – gluten-free Firenze!

 

Buca Di San Antonio
Via della Cervia 1/3
55100 Lucca
Phone: 39-0583-55881 Closed Sunday Evenings and Mondays

Lucky in Lucca – the start of my Italian gluten-free adventures

Gli Orti Interior, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

I have always loved Italy. As you may have read in my meme, I lived in Rome, mere steps from the Coliseum. My travels, work and studies have taken me to Italy multiple times. I still have friends living in Florence, Rome, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily and Milan. My memories of my time there are simple treasures I can turn to when chaos comes. However, all of my experience with food was pre-gluten-free: cornetti caldi at 4am in Ragusa, pizza eaten outside in Campo dei Fiori, the best bread in Sicily, homemade pasta and panzanella salad in Florence. But my research told me that Italy is much more advanced in its awareness of Celiac disease and development of gluten-free products (they do make my favorite gluten-free pasta after all – BiAglut). When my friend Zuleika came to visit me in NY last year she brought a bag of gluten-free goodies for me to enjoy. So armed with that knowledge and a link to the Italian Celiac Association I felt comfortable embarking on my ten day tour of Tuscany.My vacation was divided into three “mini-trips.” First stop: Lucca. My dear friend Katie agreed to fly down from Paris to meet me for a whirlwind tour of one of our favorite cities. It is truly one of the most charming and beautiful towns in Tuscany (not to mention our hot Italian professor at college was from Lucca). After catching up over coffee in the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro we went to check out our dinner options. When we arrived at Buca Di San Antonio we saw a dreaded sign: “completo.” They were booked for the night. Since it is in the Italian tradition to savor and linger over a meal, there is no hope to be “squeezed in” once all of the tables are full. Since they are part of the Italian Celiac Association, we decided to go in and see if they had any other suggestions for dinner. We met the kindest couple who were eager to help me find a place where I could eat safely. They called two other restaurants before sending us to Gli Orti di Via Elisa – a trattoria and pizzeria that understands how to cook gluten-free. Before heading out they even offered to GIVE me gluten-free pasta to take with me for Gli Orti to prepare. I declined but remain in awe of their kindness.

We wandered a bit longer through the streets of Lucca before making our early dinner reservation at Gli Orti. Our food was delicious, we split our sides but Katie had to try the pizza. While I was a bit wistful looking at the perfect thin crust pizza, I can’t really blame her. It came highly recommended, and Katie is one of my best gluten-free adventurers. When she lived in NY we took many trips to Peter’s Gourmet diner, Candle 79, Rice, Asia de Cuba and Bistango.

After getting over the shock of the wine list prices (10 euros for a whole bottle not just a glass) I settled on Braciola di maiale alla griglia con patate (Grilled Pork chop with potatoes). I opted for spinach rather than potoates; it was so flavorful it could have converted my Mom, a devoted vegetable hater.

We split verdure stufate (stewed vegetables) and Fagioli al forno con salvia e rosmarino (Roasted beans with olive oil, sage and rosemary).

The vegetables were delicious, but the memory of the fresh herb flavors combined with the beans is still dancing in my mind.

We finished our meal by splitting a cheese plate. Four types of pecorino toscano served with ricotta, honey, fig and apple preserves. It was the perfect end to our evening.

Next stop on Ms. Guide’s Tour of Tuscany 2007: lunch at Buca di San Antonio – luckily for us they had a table available the next day.

Buca Di San Antonio
Via della Cervia 1/3
55100 Lucca
Phone: 39-0583-55881 Closed Sunday Evenings and Mondays

Gli Orti di Via Elisa
Via Elisa 17
55100 Lucca
Phone: 39-0583-491241 Closed Tuesdays

The Globe Restaurant – Atlanta

Around the corner from my favorite, Ecco, The Globe Restaurant in Atlanta has a couple of gluten-free options on its interesting menu. The décor is uber-trendy for my more classic tastes, but the food was quite good.

I started with the Chorizo Stuffed Dates wrapped in smoked bacon and served with a piquillo-pepper tomato sauce. I love the combination of sweet, savory and smoky flavors in this dish.

For my main course I ordered the herb-roasted organic chicken. In lieu of the gluten-filled panzanella salad that normally pairs with it, they offered me roasted vegetables and sautéed spinach.

 

The servers were quite accommodating to my requests. Thanks to Joy for her article on About.com for leading me to this new restaurant find.

I get back from my trip to Tuscany, Italy tomorrow – incredible food, wine, scenery and company. I have eaten more gluten-free food than I ever thought possible: from hand-made ravioli and pici pasta, lamb with caponata and a brunello wine reduction, grilled veal with garden-fresh sage, rosemary and tomatoes, to panna cotta, tiramisu, and of course gelato (including gluten-free cones). The photos and stories will only be a glimpse into perhaps the most perfect vacation I could have imagined.

The Globe Restaurant – Address: 75 5th St NW Atlanta, GA 30308 Phone: (404) 541-1487

Back to my Southern Roots – Blue Ridge Grill in ATL

Blue Ridge Grill Seared Scallops, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

Amber, a gluten-free food lover (by choice) has accompanied me to more amazing dinners than I can list. She always turns away the bread and splits dishes with me so that we can sample more, and I don’t have to worry about cross-contamination. The first time she suggested Blue Ridge Grill I didn’t have any idea what a treat awaited me. It is an elegant, old-time lodge with a very Southern feel. The food, however, is not as heavy as one might expect from a classic Southern establishment.

Tuna tartare timbale with avocado, tomatoes and onion, merited a second visit.

 

The heirloom tomato salad with fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil was served with Alea and Pink Hawaiian Sea Salt.

 

The smoky flavor of the course Alea salt was so intoxicating it led me to purchase the expensive delicacy and partake almost every day for a week.

The meat in the crab cocktail was not particularly noteworthy, but the selection of gluten-free sauces was impressive – cajun remoulade with scallion oil, horseradish aioli in addition to the standard cocktail and tartar sauces.

I first discovered how good grits could be during a trip to Atlanta, so the Blue Ridge version -buttered and served with boursin cheese just added to my Yankee fascination with the dish.

On one trip we ordered the sautéed spinach and were a touch disappointed.

The next time we stuck with a Southern standby – collard greens with ham hock, absolutely outstanding.With all of the sides, during each trip we only needed to split one main course (“need” being a very relative term when so much food is involved).

My favorite was the seared scallops with fingerling potato and leek ragout served in a caviar butter sauce (my half-portion pictured above).

Amber preferred the pork chop with apple chutney.

The gluten-free menu at Blue Ridge even includes dessert options. We split what may be my all-time favorite dessert: crème brulee. Because it is one of my favorites (I bought a torch just so I could make it at home) I am unforgiving when served a sub-standard version. Blue Ridge’s offering was perfect, a crispy, crunchy shell with a smooth and creamy custard filling. The fresh berries make a lovely complement.

 

I am looking forward to future dinners at Blue Ridge and even more dining adventures with Amber.

Blue Ridge Grill – Address: 1261 W Paces Ferry Rd NWAtlanta, GA 30327 Phone: (404) 233-5030

Friends and Family Help Me Eat Gluten-Free in Denver

Denver Kids Montage, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

So while my tour of Denver for Labor Day turned into a gluten-free culinary adventure, my true purpose in visiting Colorado was to spend time with my two dear friends, Farrah and Brooke. My first night in the city, we left behind the husbands and kids (it was like every night for me…) and had a girls’ night dinner at LoLa restaurant downtown.

The three of us shared the fresh-made guacamole made table-side.

The server initially warned me away from the corn chips, as there was a chance that they were fried in the same oil as their flautas. Upon further investigation however, he was able to determine that they were from a new distributor and were indeed gluten-free.

Those are our server’s initials etched in chili-powder at the top of the plate. As three friends who are all big fans of Top Chef, we noted the elegance of the table-side presentation. (Speaking of Top Chef – Did you catch it last night? The ever-charming Brian was eliminated. Now it’s down to Hung, Casey and Dale. While I have a soft place in my heart for Casey and would love to hang out with her – I think Hung has been vilified by the editing process and deserves to win. )

 

In addition to their 100+ tequilas, LoLa is famous for their roasted corn soup so Brooke, Farrah and I each got our own. Mine came without the fried avocado which was full of gluten (and completely delicious according to the gluten-gluttons). The soup lived up to its reputation – absolutely amazing – even without the avocado. Our patient and helpful server also made sure that my soup was in a different shaped bowl to prevent any confusion regarding its gluten-free status.

 

I ordered the smoked pork and shrimp asada with a side of garbanzo ancho chili. It was one of the most flavorful and enjoyable meals I have had in a while. While it seemed like a gluten-free miracle to eat at Deby’s and Melting Pot, the spicy yet lighter fare offered at LoLa is more my style.

We tried to go to Cloud 9, a local soft-serve place, for dessert. When they couldn’t confirm their ingredients, we opted for my favorite McDonald’s sundae instead.

For my next trip to Denver, I will need to add extra time to ensure I get back to LoLa and all of the gluten-free restaurants I missed on this trip. Thanks again to Brooke and Farrah for making my Labor Day one to remember.

 

LoLa Address: 1575 Boulder Street Denver, CO Phone: 720-570-8686

Falling For Fondue All Over Again

I have always loved the idea of fondue. After all, cheese is one of my favorite foods, and chocolate fondue at a party is ALWAYS a crowd pleaser. In my pre-gluten-free days, my best friend Doris was living in Paris. I went to visit, ate crepes by day and at night she took me out for a fondue dinner. While fondue is officially a Swiss creation, Paris seemed like the perfect place to dip crusty French bread into swirls of melting cheese.

When I first heard of the American fondue chain, The Melting Pot, I was already gluten-free. Seemed like a great idea – fondue as a three-course meal – but I knew better than to try to get them to accommodate my gluten-free needs.

During my “culinary tour” of Denver [read: eating a lot while visiting friends], I discovered that The Melting Pot in Littleton has a gluten-free menu. Wah??? How could this be possible? Why had I not heard about this?

For our Saturday night “dinner without the kids,” our original plan was to go to Beau Jo’s for some Colorado-style pizza (they use gf pizza crusts from Deby’s). But during my gluttonous gluten-free brunch, I was told that I HAD to make it to The Melting Pot. – too bad they said, “it’s a Saturday, you’ll never get in.” I knew I had to find a way, even if it meant going by myself the following day and begging for a seat.

Well the universe clearly wanted me to feast on fondue – The Melting Pot had a reservation available for 5 people at 7:30 that night. The timing, the location, it was all perfect.

I started with the seasonal cheese fondue – Mediterranean with fontina and gruyere blended with roasted garlic, dates, shallots and white truffle oil. (For the gf folks they use milk as a base instead of beer.) I was served toasted gluten-free bread that looked so good, I had to check first and make sure it was slightly different from the “regular” bread my friends were eating.

For my second course I went with the Fondue Fusion – Lobster tail, filet mignon, sirloin, garlic and herb chicken, citrus pork tenderloin, and white shrimp. In lieu of the wild mushroom ravioli and roasted red pepper rigatoni I was given extra chicken and filet. An extra piece of filet mignon instead of pasta? Clearly being gf can have its perks.

My second course was cooked a la Bourguignonne – European style fondue in cholesterol free canola oil. The other lighter broth options had gluten ingredients. But on the plus side, I was given two different batters to make tempura. Yes, gluten-free tempura. Along the lines of gluten-free croissants and gluten-free ravioli, tempura is one of those things I had mourned when going gluten-free. I certainly never thought I would be eating gluten-free tempura in a mainstream restaurant.

After all that, it was time for the sweet stuff.

For dessert, I chose the flaming turtle – milk Chocolate, caramel, and chopped pecans – flambéed tableside. Served with strawberries, pineapple, bananas, along with gluten-free angel food cake and chocolate brownies.

While The Melting Pot hadn’t worked out all of the kinks during my visit – no printed gf menu, a couple questions about what was or wasn’t gf. Overall it was an incredible dining experience. I was served every course along with my gluten-glutton friends and, if anything, I was given TOO MUCH gluten-free food.You might be wondering, as I did, how this gluten-free menu came about. I asked the host that evening and he told me it was a corporate-wide initiative. I wondered how in the world this hadn’t made waves in the gluten-free community already? So once I got back to NY I set about to do some investigating of my own. I started by calling The Melting Pot near my Mom’s house in Pasadena to see if they indeed had a gluten-free menu. Nope! I tried a few more: no, no, and finally no.

Well, since that didn’t seem to be going anywhere, I emailed Monica, the owner of Deby’s Gluten-Free Cafe and Bakery, who supplies the bread, tempura batter, angel food cake and brownies to the Littleton Melting Pot. She informed me that the manager of the Melting Pot in Littleton and Louisville, CO had worked with her to develop the menu. Currently they are the only two outposts offering a full gluten-free menu. Monica is hoping to set up a meeting with corporate about how to offer options for gluten-free customers across all of their locations. Keep your fingers crossed – or even better you can help the efforts – call/email/write corporate and ask them to expand their menu.

Monica is doing a great job of making it ever easier for people on a gluten-free diet to eat out safely in Colorado. And now a few of Deby’s products are available through a national restaurant supplier – SYSCO foods. But one woman and one gluten-free bakery can’t do it all. You need to make your voices heard.

In the meantime, pack your bags and make a trip to Colorado, the gluten-free food can’t be beat and the scenery isn’t half bad either.

The Melting Pot Littleton – Address: 2707 W. Main Street Littleton, CO 80210 Phone: (303) 794-5666
The Melting Pot Louisville – Address: 732 Main Street Louisville, CO 80120 Phone: (303) 666-7777