Terzo

Date & Time: Monday, June 22, 2009 @ 7:30pm
Company: Steve & Bernadette
Crowd: Upscale “neighborhood” crowd
Decor: Modern yet warm and inviting
Service: Gluten-knowledgeable and willing to alter meals
Devour: Roasted Winter Vegetables (without the brown butter) and Roasted Wild Mahi Mahi with garbanzo beans

This neighborhood restaurant is truly an upscale gem in the casual Marina dining scene. Terzo means “third” in Italian, and you will recognize this motif in the grouped trifecta of light bulbs hanging throughout the restaurant. The atmosphere is very warm, and the exposed brick and “wall of wine” add to a very urban, streamlined feel.

The wait staff is very accommodating. And, seeing as I’ve been to the restaurant multiple times, they are very comfortable with providing a gluten-free meal. The menu consists of both small and large plates, with the small plates meant for sharing. I thoroughly enjoy the Roasted Winter Vegetables small plate, which I order sans butter. The vegetables normally include sweet potato, yam, squash and various other roots. And the Mahi Mahi is served on a large bed of garbanzo beans, which provides a nice tough texture against the soft fish. The items on the menu change regularly, but I always feel confident that they can conjure up a suitable gluten-free meal. Terzo is a wonderful stand-by, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s only 4 blocks from my house!

Terzo
3011 Steiner Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
415.441.3200

La Terrasse

Date & Time: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 @ 7:30pm
Company: Gabrielle, Loretto, Lorna & Tim
Crowd: A mix of tourists and locals
Decor: French bistro feel
Service: Scatter-brained, but authentically French
Devour: Salad Nicoise.

When my mom told me she was driving out to San Francisco with my aunt from Ireland, I knew there was only one place we could eat dinner: La Terrasse. There were three reasons behind my decision:

1) The parking lot. For anyone who knows my mother and her neurotic driving habits, you know that she can’t parallel park and she’d rather hike 5 miles to the restaurant than risk getting a “nick” on her car. A restaurant with its own parking lot is a blessing.
2) The view. It’s location in the Presidio provides an unobstructed view of the Golden Gate Bridge, unless it’s foggy of course.
3) The Nicoise Salad. The tried and true gluten-free staple is available for both brunch and dinner!

La Terrasse is located in the Presidio and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The view and location attracts a mix of tourists and locals, some still in their cycling gear. The restaurant is a great brunch spot, especially on a sunny day, but I also learned it’s very accommodating for dinner as well.

La Terrasse
215 Lincoln Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 922-3463

Zadin

Date & Time: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 @ 7:30pm
Company: My birthday guests!
Crowd: Funky Castro crowd + eager gluten-free diners!
Decor: Modern and polished
Service: Beyond sweet and accommodating; VERY knowledgeable about all things gluten-free
Devour: Cha Gio Imperial Rolls (shrimp, pork, glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, taro, jicama, carrots and shallots wrapped in rice paper) and Pho Ap Chao Pan Fried Pho Noodles (shrimp, chicken and mixed vegetables served on wedges of pan-fried Pho noodles)

I’m truly embarrassed that I have not written a review for this fabulous restaurant sooner. Zadin is one of VERY FEW restaurants in San Francisco that actually promotes its gluten-friendly menu. Gluten-free items are marked with a “GF.”

Zadin offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a modern setting. The restaurant, with modern light fixtures and funky art, has a clean and polished look to it. I chose to eat at Zadin for my 25th birthday and, for once, be able to order appetizers for the entire group to eat. We started out with the Imperial Rolls, which were flavorful and absolutely delectable. For my main course, I ordered the Pan Fried Noodles – the pho noodles are formed into a cake-like square and pan-fried, producing a crispy texture complimented with a meaty sauce.

The reality of Celiac Disease is that I often find myself telling chefs to remove all flavor in order to feel safe that my meal will actually be gluten-free. At Zadin, most of the complex, flavorful dishes are naturally gluten-free and the restaurant has come to specifically target gluten-free diners. Show your support and dine at Zadin!

Zadin
4039 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
415.626.2260