Chiaroscuro

This Roman-style Italian restaurant is located across the street from the Transamerica Pyramid. The decor is tastefully simplistic with poured-concrete benches lining the walls. As can be seen in the third picture (borrowed from www.foodhoe.com), the concrete is softened with fluffy down pillows, while the open kitchen and sleek color pallet contribute to the industrial-chic atmosphere.

I went for an early 6pm dinner - at which point the restaurant was fairly empty. However, before my meal was done, every single table was filled. The restaurant is known for its homemade pasta - unfortunately, that's not a very gluten-free option. As I explained my situation to the waiter, he coolly responded that the kitchen could prepare my entree (quail, ribeye steak, lamb, pork chop, ahu tuna or red snapper) in ANY way I desired! A simple fish grilled with olive oil and lemon? What, is that it? And from my cushiony concrete seat, I could look directly into the open kitchen in order to supervise. Needless to say, we all left stuffed.

Chiaroscuro serves great old-world Italian dishes in a sleek, modern environment. Bravo.

http://www.chiaroscurosf.com/
550 Washington St
San Francisco, CA 94111
415.362.6012

Eating Gluten-Free (and fabulous) in Maui

This is my guide on how to eat well AND gluten-free in Maui.

Advanced notice is always a good thing. I called in to make reservations a week ahead of time & asked the hostess to add a special note to the reservation that said I had a gluten allergy – every single restaurant I called seemed very appreciative of the advanced notice.









Down to Earth Food Market.As soon as you leave the airport, drive 1.5miles to this organic supermarket. They have a great selection of organic foods, including gluten-free options! Bread, cookies, cereal, snack bars, crackers, chips…the works. They also have a casual food bar with organic foods such as brown rice, steamed vegetables, tofu, etc – and all ingredients are listed, including their use of wheat-free soy sauce.

http://www.downtoearth.org/
305 Dairy Rd
Kahului, Hawaii 96732




























Lahaina Grill. The restaurant is pricey, but the food was delicious and their gluten-free service was superb. As soon as I sat down, our waiter – Richard, also the head sommelier – came over and asked which one of us had a gluten allergy (see Pt #1…advanced notice is a good thing!). He was very knowledgeable about the menu and what I could/could not eat. I eventually chose the Warm Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese & Baby Arugula Salad (with pears, roasted beets & olive oil instead of the Poha berry honey-mustard) & the Seared Lion Paw Scallops (with corn, spinach & asparagus instead of the celery root mash & lobster champagne essence). Both dishes were great…the scallops were some of the best I’ve ever had.

http://www.lahainagrill.com/
127 Lahainaluna Rd
Lahaina, HI 96761
808.667.5117






























Feast at Lele. Maui has 2 main luaus – the Old Lahaina Luau & the Feast at Lele. From what I read, the Old Lahaina Luau is more traditional and showcases the dancing vs the food (which is served in a buffet format). The Feast at Lele shares the same chef with the Pacific’O restaurant, so the food is supposedly the highlight, while the dancing is sparse. I originally made reservations for the Old Lahaina Luau where the hostess offered up 2 gluten-free options instead of the buffet, either lemon thyme chicken or a beef dish. However, my hotel concierge said the Feast at Lele was a more romantic luau b/c you have servers presenting you with food at your table vs getting up to go the buffet. While the servers knew I had a gluten allergy…they had spotty knowledge of the ingredients in all the dishes…so there was a lot of running back and forth to the kitchen. Needless to say, I didn’t get sick…but, then again, I didn’t really eat much either.

http://www.feastatlele.com/
505 Front St
Lahaina, HI 96761
808.667.5353
















Cilantro Fresh Mexican Grill. This is a Chipotle-like Mexican restaurant. Although the employees didn’t understand what a gluten allergy was – they were more than accomdating when I told them what I wanted to eat. I asked for a corn taco with black beans, lettuce & chicken – and I told them not to grill any part of it b/c my food couldn’t touch a grill where flour tortillas are also cooked. I got exactly what I wanted – so no problems there.

http://www.cilantrogrill.com/
170 Papalaua St # 104
Lahaina, HI 96761
808.667.5444























Lahaina Farms. This supermarket just opened in June 08. It’s much bigger than the Down to Earth Natural Foods store, and offers just as many gluten-free options. It’s definitely a Whole Foods comparable.

Lahaina Farms
345 Keawe St, Suite 304
Lahaina, HI
808.662.7088































Haliimaile General Store. It took about 1hr to reach this upcountry restaurant from our hotel in Kapalua. After driving for miles in the pitch black we came upon the well-lit restaurant and it seemed like an island oasis. The inside is bright and cozy with high ceilings, yellow walls & colorful fish and plate decorations. When our waiter came up, I was in the middle of telling him I had a food allergy when he cut me off and said “gluten? Yes we know”….it’s all about advanced notice! He presented with me a special menu that listed whether each menu item had either dairy, soy or wheat in it. I had the passion fruit lemonade (a MUST) and the Coconut Seafood Curry (fresh island fish, shrimp and diver scallops, steamed in coconut milk mixed with home made green curry paste served with Jasmine rice). The curry sauce was a little overpowering for me, but the seafood was delicious and cooked to perfection. My boyfriend had the Paniolo Ribs (baby back pork ribs with homemade barbeque sauce and mashed potatoes) and licked his plate clean.

http://www.bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile/index.html
900 Haliimaile Rd
Makawao, HI 96768
808.572.2666
































The Gazebo. This tiny breakfast spot has been “discovered” by tourists so there’s always a line. The restaurant itself is nothing to look at…and it’s nestled inside of a condo complex…nevertheless, it’s a fun place to eat overlooking Napili bay. The Gazebo is well known for its pancakes, but I stuck with the Kula Veggie omelet (an omelet with peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes…and I substituted spinach for the cheese). They cook the omelets on a separate grill from the other flour-y breakfast items, so there’s no risk of cross contamination. My boyfriend had the french toast which is made with Hawaiian sweet bread and he loved it.

http://www.mauihawaii.org/restaurants/gazebo.htm
5315 Lower Honoapiilani Rd
Lahaina, HI
808.669.5621






























Spago. The outdoor dining area is an excellent place to watch the sunset. My server checked every menu item with the chef to determine whether or not it was gluten-free. New menu items spring up daily, so I chose that night’s newest addition: the mahi mahi & scallop curry. While similar to my entrée at Haliimale General Store, the taste in curries was quite different. Hallimale’s curry tasted very intricate, while Spago’s curry tasted very typical. Nevertheless, it was a good meal! My boyfriend had the Pan Roasted Organic Free Range Chicken (with mauna kea goat cheese, Yukon potato puree & upcountry oyster mushrooms). The portion was a half-chicken, so it was a big dish. We both enjoyed our meals, but the setting overlooking the water was the most enjoyable part.

http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/finedining/spago/maui/index.php
3900 Wailea Alanui Dr
Kihei, HI 96753
808.874.8000






























Hula Grill. Come here for the scenic view of the beach/ocean, not the food. The restaurant has a great buzz – plates clanking in a busy kitchen, a singer on stage, a busy bar and a great open view of the ocean. But while the food was fine, it was far from a highlight. Our waiter, Spud, has been at the Hula Grill for 10 years and was very willing to accommodate my gluten allergy. Although he was able to recite most ingredients off the top of his head, he promised to check the “ingredients binder” in the kitchen to make sure my meal was prepared gluten-free. In the end, I chose the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi. Like I said, it was good – but not memorable in the least. I ended dinner with crème brulee in a carved-out pineapple…it was nice to be offered something other than sorbet/ice cream for dessert.

http://www.hulagrill.com/
2435 Kaanapali Pkwy # P1
Lahaina, HI
808.667.6636

Tropisueno

This restaurant is best known as a casual lunch spot for those working in the financial district. During the day, the restaurant appears as a straight-up taqueria which offers burritos, tacos or special plates - either to dine in or to go. It then undergoes a daily face lift in the evenings to re-open as a full-service restaurant.

Tropisueno's location - in the pedestrian-only Yerba Buena Lane - means it has to be a destination spot for dinner, no casual drive-bys. Unfortunately, people are lazy. When I visited Tropisueno last weekend, my group were the ONLY ones in the restaurant. Ok, so there was one guy sitting by himself - but he doesn't count. And that's unfortunate, because the decor was a modern, hip rendition of an old world Mexican restaurant, and the food was tasty, reasonably priced and served in heaping portions! If you have to organize a group dinner, I would definitely recommend Tropisueno - primarily because they have the room! Judging from Yelp reviews and my own personal experience, this restaurant is definitely more of a lunch locale. Beyond that, it has a great hip vibe, tasty Mexican food...and who doesn't love margaritas?

The House Margarita was a crowd pleaser with El Jimador Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice and organic agave nectar...served with *spicey* salt. Now onto the food, I told my waiter that I had a gluten allergy - so, while corn tortillas were fine, flour tortillas or anything that had touched or been prepared near flour were banned. He laughed at my dramatization, but he assured me that my food would be prepared on a clean surface. I also grilled him on vinegar (as it's distilled from wheat and trace amounts can make me ill) - and he verified that none of the salsas contain vinegar. Good to know!

The table started with Crispy Flautas (crisp corn tortillas filled with chicken tinga, topped with salsa verde and crema) and Yucatan Poc Chuc (grilled skewered pork marinted in citrus). Both plates were licked clean. 2 side notes on the Yucatan Poc Chuc - 1) the skewers arrived on a bed of salad whose dressing DID contain vinegar, and 2) the skewers were also served with a roasted habanero salsa that had one of my friends literally in tears...it was THAT hot.

The waiter recommended the Tampiqueno as an entree, and I was extremeley pleased. Thin, marinated carne asada (which tasted like heaven) with an enchilada. And all entrees come with Mexican rice and beans. So if you're contemplating your next birthday gathering, call up Tropisueno.

http://www.tropisueno.com/
75 Yerba Buena Lane
San Francisco, CA 94103
415.243.0299

Gitane

A New York hot spot hidden in the San Francisco financial district...

If it were located anywhere else (besides an alley in the financial district), this restaurant/bar would be a lot more popular. For the time being, it shall remain a hidden gem. The traditional yet modern feel is anchored by tall ceilings and exposed brick walls adorned with floor-length, velvet curtains.

The bar is simply stunning with a luminescent back-splash and perfectly oversized light fixtures. As a celiac, I stray from the grain-based alcohols...which usually leaves me with either rum or tequila. The bartender suggested I try their Prickly Pear Margarita with blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, agave nectar and prickly pear puree. Simply delicious.

The intimate 40-seat dining room is up a flight of stairs overlooking the bar. Most guests are dressed for an evening out, as this is definitely a place to be seen. The food is an exotic Spanish, French, Portuguese and Northern African blend - seemingly in tune with the exotic mis-matched design details of the space.

My date had the Chicken Tajine (pan seared natural chicken breast, spiced broth, prunes, carrots, turnips, zucchini, couscous) and I had the Black Cod (wild pacific cod, basque green sauce of mussel jus, parsley, tarragon, capers, grilled scallions, pisto manchego). I always carry my handy Triumph Dining cards [http://www.triumphdining.com/] in my purse, as it allows the waiter to convey all gluten-free details to the chef without confusion. In fact, this particular night, the waitress didn't even want to give me back my card because she was so fascinated by it! Needless to say, they had to a make a few modifications to the sauce - but, they were extremely diligent and I ate a completely GF meal. Was it a fantastic meal? I wouldn't go that far. Both my date and I were lukewarm on the entrees - they weren't bad, they just weren't good. But, the atmosphere was 5 star luxury. Perhaps next time I'll just take a seat at the bar.

http://www.gitanerestaurant.com/
6 Claude Lane
San Francisco, CA 94108
415.788.6686

Dedicated Gluten-Free Bakeries

BabyCakes NYC
My first love. The day I knew this place existed, was the day I knew I would not have to die alone and cupcake-less. BabyCakes offers all natural, organic and delicious alternatives free from the common allergens: wheat, gluten, dairy, casein and eggs. Located in the tiniest of spaces in the Lower East Side, this bakery has become a safe haven for those avoiding gluten in their diet. But even my boyfriend (the pickiest eater of all time who also happens to be suspect of anything not caked in flour) couldn't resist the bite-size brownies.

While BabyCakes is known for it's variety of cupcakes, I am personally a huge fan of the Cinnamon & Sugar Toasties. It's a deliciously moist cake reminiscent of the Cinnabon-days gone by. I'll also happily swear by the Blueberry Crumb Cake...mmm, delicious.

http://www.babycakesnyc.com/
248 Broome Street
New York City, NY 10002
212.677.5047














Mariposa Baking Co.
Upon returning home from my first trip to BabyCakes, you can imagine how I must have felt. I thought my days of gluten-free goodness were over...and that's when I found Mariposa, right in my own backyard. All of their sweets and savories are GF, wheat-free, preservative-free, and some even dairy and nut free. As I now consider it my local joint, I compare all GF goodies to the delicious array of baked goods at Mariposa. And you know what? Mariposa often wins.

- Morning Muffin (GF, DF): Made with fresh carrots, sweet coconut, dried apples, juicy raisins, and tender walnuts. It somehow makes you feel good about eating a giant muffin...and has just the right amount of sweetness.

- Pumpking Muffin (GF, DF, NF): Made with pumpkin spices and sweet mini chocolate chips. You might as well know this about me now...if it looks like a pumpkin, smells like a pumpkin or tastes like a pumpkin - I automatically love it. This muffin is no different.

- Pizza (GF, DF, NF): Sold both frozen or fresh, these pizzas are topped with a variety of healthy options including mozarella cheese, tomatoes, spinach, etc. Being able to bring home a frozen pizza, pop in the oven and serve it like it came from Poppa Murphy's? Priceless.

- Bagels (GF, DF, NF): Available in various seeded versions, cinnamon raisin, chocolate chip and garlic. This is the closet you can come to your regular ol' morning (or whenever) bagel.

And, to top it off, they often have seasonal goods and provide shelf space for other local GF merchants. Cupcakes are courtesy of Miglet's Gluten-Free Cakery, and seasonal cakes - incl my personal fave, the pumpkin pie - are courtesy of Hanna's.

http://www.mariposabaking.com/
5427 Telegraph Ave, Unit D3 (corner of 55th & Telegraph)
Oakland, CA 94609
510.595.0955










Gluten-Free Creations Bakery
Far be it for me to discourage ANYONE from venturing into the GF baking arena (esp. those that hand out free samples), but I can't say I was 100% impressed with the offerings. The donuts had an unnatural chewy consistency, and the snickerdoodle cookies just seemed like they were trying too hard. They were very large and thick - characteristics that are generally fabulous for normal cookies...but let's get it straight...gluten-free cookies aren't normal...and you don't want a large, thick bite of un-normalness in your mouth. I think the cookies would have been better off served in a smaller, more manageble size.

But then it gets weirder. In their frozen section, they have GF burgers and sausage/egg sandwiches. I don't think the world is ready for a GF McDonald's. Don't get me wrong, I ate both of them AND I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Phoenix. They are a certified and recognized GF bakery, after all - and they've been around since 2001! Maybe I just had a bad batch...

http://www.glutenfreecreations.com/
2940-b E. Thomas Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602.522.0659











The Sensitive Baker
Priding itself on being "LA's premiere gluten-free bakery," this little shop has a lot going for it. All of their ingredients are GF and certified kosher, meaning no milk derivatives of any kind. Being the day after Valentines's Day, I scooped up a few of their heart-shaped, glazed cookies which are not only GF and casein-free, but also egg-free/vegan. I also tried their famous Chocolate-Zuchini muffin as well as their seasonal Banana-Walnut muffin. Both were extremely moist...so much so that I was sad to see them go (in my stomach).

The bakery's frozen section was filled to the brim with other goodies, including hamburger buns and vegan mac & cheese. I didn't actually get a chance to sample the mac & cheese, but if the cookies/muffins were any indicator...I'm sure it's mm mm good.

http://thesensitivebaker.com/
10836 1/2 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310.815.1800











Tia's Bakery
Unfortunately, Tia's doesn't have it's own bakeshop yet - but their goods can be found at both Erewhon Natural Food Market and Pacific Coast Greens in Los Angeles. And, better yet, Paul is often in the stores providing free samples! Tia's baked items are sugar-free, grain-free, gluten-free and vegan...and delicious. They're apparently known for their Chocolate-Bean Brownies but, to be frank, I'm not a fan of gooey, fudgey brownies. Blasphemous, I know. But I was able to sample their Sweet Potato Pie...now THAT was delicious. Within 5 minutes of buying my 4" pie, I had eaten the entire thing...and I hadn't even left the store yet! I may be biased as the pie triggered my pumpkin obsession. Either way, I went back to Paul's stand to tell him the good news (yay, I just ate an entire pie! wait...is that good news?), and he was so happy for me that he gave me an entire second pie for free! When my flight out of LAX was delayed 2 hours and I was surrounded by Burger King and sandwich counters...that little pie saved my life...again. Thanks Paul!

http://tiasbakery.com/

Welcome

Blogs have become the 21st century-channel to express one's interests and passions. That's why my blog is dedicated to the discussion of all things glitzy and gluten-free. I love traveling and discovering burgeoning new restaurants. However, this love is somewhat thwarted by Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when foods with gluten are digested. While the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP) attempts to place their seal of approval on restaurants nation-wide, they tend to be followers rather than leaders. I want it new, I want it now and I want it gluten-free.

I live in San Francisco and, let's be honest, I'm a city girl. I could care less about stockpiling recipes or creating a gluten-free rendition of my mom's famous meatloaf. I want to be at the forefront of the fashion-forward scene and dine in the best restaurants, and not have to worry about a "glu-tack". So if you're interested in hearing about the glitzy new restaurant or are wondering which restaurants received the gluten-free stamp of approval ("The Eva"), please continue...