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Restaurant Review: Edmund’s Oast

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Edmund’s Oast

Charleston, SC: Downtown

Website and Menu

Edmund's Oast Charleston, SC Gluten Free restaurant review

A new find in Charleston! Thanks to Tiffany, a reader who commented on my Gluten Free in Charleston post, I was introduced to this fabulous spot. Oddly enough, a friend of mine is friends with both the Head Chef and Pastry Chef. Julia Ingram, Pastry Chef of Edmund’s Oast, is a young entrepreneur who opened Sweet Radish bakery a couple years ago and is gluten-free herself. She recently closed the dedicated gluten-free bakery and decided to work at Edmund’s Oast full time, but brought her gluten-free expertise with her. This, coupled with the fact that her fiancé is the head chef, makes for an incredibly gluten-free friendly environment!

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Restaurant Review: Slightly North of Broad (SNOB)

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Slightly North of Broad

Charleston, SC: Downtown

Website and GF Menu

Slightly North of Broad Restaurant Review Charleston SC Gluten Free

The first time, we dined on a Sunday in December and I made a reservation for 7:15 pm around noon that day without problem, however, the place was completely booked when we got there. The second time, we dined on a Thursday in March and I made reservations weeks in advance with little availability. I highly suggest making a reservation a week or so before. I used Open Table to make the reservation and in the comments I always write “gluten free and dairy free guest” so they can be prepared. I also think it helps reinforce that they have guests with food restrictions dining who appreciate their restaurant. Upon arrival, the gluten free menu was already ready for me!

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Dining Gluten Free in Charleston, SC

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Top Places to Eat Gluten Free (safely) in Charleston, SC

Charleston, in case you haven’t heard, is a bit of a foodie town. You will generally find high-quality ingredients (many farm-to-table) and excellent flavor combinations, for a decent price. It’s also in the south, meaning, you will find a lot of shrimp and grits as one of the only gluten free options listed. However, as far as dining gluten free in the south, Charleston does a much better job than many surrounding areas.

Charleston, SC Gluten Free restaurant dining. Travel! This list highlights my favorite restaurants in Charleston that will not only serve good tasting food, but also have a celiac’s best interest in mind. In general, these are in order (within each category) of my personal experiences and likelihood to return, from most positive to least. I am always updating, so check back often!

Breakfast:  Continue reading →

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Restaurant Review: Fat Hen

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The Fat Hen

John’s Island – Charleston, SC

Website and Menu w/ GF options (*)

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This charming gem is found a short drive from downtown Charleston and without a doubt makes the top of my list, when it comes to dining gluten free in Charleston. I have eaten at this dinner restaurant more times than I can count, and each and every experience has exceeded my expectations. The wait staff are always attentive, informed, and professional and the quality of the food never disappoints. Gluten Free options can be found on the main menu and include salads, mussels, coq au vin (chicken), short ribs (The Rib, not the Braised Short Rib), grouper, duck, salmon, and even crab cakes can be catered to celiacs. I never worry about cross contamination here and the restaurant is certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group. Even better, many ingredients and beers (not gluten free, though) are locally sourced. Continue reading →

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Restaurant Review: True Food Kitchen

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True Food Kitchen

Scottsdale Location

Locations in: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Fairfax, Houston, Newport Beach, San Diego, Santa Monica

Website and Menu (varies at each location)

I always feel safe when I eat at True Foods. Even better, I feel good about what I’m eating. All menu items at True Foods are approved on Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet. I live & went to the University where Andrew Weil does his work at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. Basically, the diet is rich in vegetables and fruits, healthy fats, grains, proteins, herbs, etc and very limited sweets with no refined sugars and allows red wine. The anti-inflammatory diet can be used for a variety of health needs, especially those with autoimmune disorders as well as preventing cancers, alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

Below is an image of the pyramid.

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Okay, so back to True Food Kitchen. The menu easily highlights gluten free options and the staff in my experience has been exceptional at accommodating other food restrictions including dairy. My favorite dish is the Spaghetti Squash Pasta and I have trouble ordering anything else because I love this dish so much! I add chicken to make it a bit more filling, since it tends to be on the small side. I also order it without cheese, to make it dairy free, but still delicious!

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Restaurant Review: Sir Veza’s

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Sir Veza’s Taco Garage

Tucson, AZ (2 Tucson Locations, 3 Phoenix Locations)

Website and Menu

Sir Veza’s founder and chef are in the same family as the El Charro family. I have been told that there is Celiac in the family and that’s a huge part of why they take gluten free seriously (but this is secondhand information). I have found the speedway and swan location in Tucson to be much better trained, both in their overall service as well as knowledge on gluten free options. I really try to avoid the oracle location if I have a choice.

I loveeee me some Sir Veza’s. Gluten free menu options are marked on the normal menu, so you don’t have to ask for a separate one. The options really are endless here with tacos on corn tortillas, wings, fried chicken, rice bowls, chicken sandwiches & burgers with Udi’s buns, and more. Complimentary, you will start out with some chips and salsa, with the chips being made in the dedicated gluten free fryer. (Just because these things can change at any time, I like to periodically double check that they’re still being made in a separate fryer).

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I love the wings here, because often wings can be a hard thing to find. (The only other safe ones I have found in Tucson are at La Cocina downtown). My favorite are the prickly pear wings, which are shown below with sauce on them and with the sauce on the side. Other options are franks hot which is dusted with several seasonings and served with franks hot on the side. I’m not a huge fan of these franks wings because the 6 spice dusting tastes dry and feels like I’m inhaling hot powder. Lastly there are diablo wings with agave and Sriracha, which I have not yet tried. These are served with “Old skool” fries automatically, but can be subbed for another side. The old skool fries are made in a dedicated gluten free fryer, but again, always good to clarify that you need them to be. Even though menu options say “gf” I always like to tell them that they need to be gluten free, just in case there are any subs necessary or a fryer is involved.

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Gluten Free in Disneyland

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Disney – the most magical place on Earth!

Based on my most recent trip to Anaheim, CA I would say that holds true when it comes to gluten free food options and catering to special diets.

It is clear the park makes a conscious effort to cater to those with food allergies and it seemed like everywhere we went, the staff was educated when it came to gluten free menu options. We stayed in Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel which is very convenient and within walking distance to both parks, as well as downtown disney. You cross the street and are surrounded by Mickey ears, restaurants, and that famous Disney energy. Since Disney is so expensive (I mean wow – really? How do families afford this?!) we decided to get the evening passes for Friday night and Saturday night and not do the full-day pass.

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Upon arrival Friday evening, the first restaurant we went to in Downtown Disney was called Uva Bar. Continue reading →

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Pancake Day

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It’s pancake day! Aka Shrove Tuesday.

This morning I celebrated by making a new recipe for healthy pancakes, instead of the dessert, cake-like pancakes most people are accustomed to. You can find the recipe for these tasty creations here [Pancakes to be Proud of]. I topped mine with blueberries, bananas, and slivered almonds, but Hana has more ideas on her website, including topping with honey and peanut butter. Whatever you do, these promise to be yummy!

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Note: I cut the recipe in half and it made even more than is pictured here – way more than I needed for breakfast. So if you’re cooking for one, I would just make half!

Also, be sure to celebrate National Pancake Day on March 3rd. Either visit an IHop (if you’re not gluten free) or celebrate by making your own stack at home and donate some change to your local Children’s Miracle a Network hospital! The holiday is meant to be fun, but it also raises quite a bit of money for this wonderful cause that allows hospitalized children to have toys, video games, and specialized equipment while in the hospital, as well as pay for therapies and trips for outpatient kiddos! I have first hand seen the difference these dollars make at our local Tucson CMN hospital, TMC for Children.

Have fun!

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Flying with Food Restrictions

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Airport food. Plane food. Yikes.

It’s awesome that markets and places like Cibo are carrying more gluten free snack options like chips, yogurt, cookies, dried fruit, trail mixes, fresh fruit and salads. But when I fly and end up eating all this crap, I always feel full and sick. It’s not a good, satisfied full. It’s a nasty, gas-creating full, while I’m about to enter a plane and sit for 4 hours.

Flying on a special diet, with dietary restrictions, food allergies, on a diet, or just to eat healthier!

Here are some ideas for how to have a more “normal” day of flying by bringing your own food, saving money and your intestines.

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Gluten Free in Tucson, AZ

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My Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Surprisingly, Tucson has done a very good job in recent years of getting some good gluten free options and several safe kitchens. We now have 3 dedicated gluten free restaurants/bakeries and many of their products can even be found at other restaurants in town.

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By Area

Northwest

  • Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery
  • The Melting Pot
  • Flemings Steakhouse
  • *Blanco (La Encantada)
  • North (La Encantada)
  • El Charro link to my review
  • Sir Vezas link to my review
  • Red Robin
  • Saffron Indian Bistro
  • Acacia
  • Zona 78
  • Wildflower
  • Tucson Tamale Company
  • Harvest
  • Truland Burgers and Greens
  • Contigo Latin Kitchen
  • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
  • Claire’s Cafe

Northeast

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