Seattle Extravaganza! Part 2 of 2

The best part of Seattle was of course, all the seafood!

                                    

Crab Pot Insanity

The Crab Pot, 1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle WA

Once we docked in Seattle, and checked into our hotels, the group decided they wanted to be real tourists and go to "The Crab Pot". For those who don't know much about this place, "The Crab Pot" is located in the super touristy district on Alaskan Way, and the restaurant itself is GIGANTIC. Like, literally, it takes up about a block, A CITY BLOCK! At The Crab Pot, you sit down at big long tables covered in paper. You order a selection of seafood including crab, mussels, clams, prawns and oysters and they steam it all up together with some red potatoes and corn on the cob. Once it's cooked, they dump it all on your table, give you a wooden mallet and block, and of course, a bib. Yes, a bib. Like a baby. The Crab Pot is nothing spectacular honestly; the seafood is delicious ), but the service is pretty bad, and the atmosphere is super tacky. You basically go to The Crab Pot just for the experience of getting messy with a bucket of seafood. It felt so American.
Gluten-Free Tip for The Crab Pot: Ask to get your meal without the andouille sausage. It is NOT gluten-free.

Sazerac, 1101 Fourth Ave, Seattle WA

Lamb Sausage with Polenta

The best part of our foodie adventures in Seattle took place at this fantastic restaurant: Sazerac. They were located in the Hotel Monaco, right across the street from our own hotel. We practically haunted Hotel Monaco the entire trip: 5 oclock wine tasting and appys in the lobby, awesome restaurant, convenience/gift  shop, friendly helpful staff that will practically bend over backwards just to accommodate you...Yah, Hotel Monaco was simply amazing. And it was the same price as our hotel which kinda sucked in comparison. We'll definitely stay here next summer. 

So, down to Sazerac. I'm going to be honest, I wish this place was in Victoria. We ate 3 out of 4 meals here...and for good reason. They will make pretty much anything gluten-free for you. Not only do they have a special gluten-free menu, but they literally will make any modification so you can enjoy whatever your heart desires. Eat your heart out indeed!

For breakfast both mornings, I had the "Eggs in Hell" which consisted of polenta, eggs, red beans, and andouille sausage which was just amazing! 

Later that night, we indulged in a four-course tasting menu; and believe it or not, I HAD DESSERT! My four courses were: Fresh Oysters on the Half-Shell with Mignonette, Roasted Beet Salad with Chevre and Pistachios, Pan Seared Scallops with Chickpea Puree, and a Maple Pecan Creme Caramel with Candied Banana. This meal was just $40. Plus, it was one of the best meals I've ever had. Literally, to die for.

Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates with Chevre and Balsamic Reduction

We ate a lot of food from Sazerac, and how could we not! Practically everything they make was ready for a gluten-free modification. I could not have asked for a better place to eat while in Seattle...it took all the stress and guess work out of searching for a delicious meal. I'm so excited to go back soon!

Odds and Ends:

Something that I cannot get out of my mind is the Gelato I had in Seattle. Bottega Italiano Gelato (1425 First Ave) had mindblowing gelato. It's made with 100% natural, in-season ingredients (no corn syrup or preservatives) I wish I had gone back at least 3 more times, it was such a delicious treat to combat the hot climate. Me and my friend shared a four-scoop cup for roughly $5. It was a very generous portion for the price. We had Chocolate, Cinnamon, Coffee, and lastly, Pistachio flavors. The Pistachio was epic, and unlike anything I've ever had before. I'm determined to find some in Victoria that is even half as delectable. They also had many dairy-free options for those of us who don't do moo-juice.

Seattle Extravaganza! Part 1 of 2

Last weekend, me and and a group of friends all made the trek over the Seattle for a Steely Dan concert. Naturally, I get quite anxious at the very thought of leaving the comfort of my city and kitchen to explore the unfamiliar and scour a new environment for delicious eats.

I did some planning for my Seattle trip. I had gone onto urbanspoon.com to get the scoop on what restaurants were being touted as gluten-free. I made a fabulous list, complete with addresses and types of cuisine. (I'm a Capricorn...making lists is just something we're obsessed with). But despite my list, I felt like it had the potential to hold me back, or worse yet, isolate me from the rest of the group. I knew I had to be flexible for improvisation.

After taking this three day trip, I kept some notes on how to improve my experience the next time I'm over there. I suppose these tips could apply to travelling just about everywhere, so hopefully this will be useful to everyone:
1) Make sure your hotel room has a mini fridge: Yes, we had a coffee maker in the room, but no accessible soy milk.
2) The Clipper has pretty much no gluten-free options: Aside from sodium-laden peanuts and potato chips, you're pretty much on your own for this 3 hour ordeal. The Clipper can at times be a pretty rocky ride; I recommend bringing these: a couple bananas, candied ginger, rice cakes, and an apple, water bottle, and coconut water. If customs gives you a hard time for bringing fruit on board, just simply explain to them these are your only food options available for the trip over. They'll be nice about it.
3) Bring ginger capsules: these handy little pills are my best friends when eating at unfamiliar places. I took about 3 with every meal, and 2 every couple of hours. I was still recovering from the gluten-poisoning I experienced nearly 3 weeks ago now, and my tum was just not ready for super rich foods. So...I forced myself to eat whatever was available, and I counteracted any unpleasantry with these ginger pills. If you wanna read more about ginger pills, go here http://www.nutritional-supplements-information.com/benefits-of-ginger-root.html.
4) Inform every place you eat that you have a gluten allergy: Ask what might be suitable options, and also don't be afraid to ask for them to make modifications. Most places I found were happy to accommodate me.

Another recommendation, find a drug store close to where you're staying. Once there, look for coconut water  in the refrigerated section. Coconut water does amazing things for my stomach, especially if I've eaten too much salt, or too rich foods. I drank about half a litre of this stuff every day I was there.

Special: Gluten-free Summer Favorites

I love how summertime brings out a completely different side of me--my appetite and food cravings shift from the rib-sticking comfort food of the colder months, to an endless search for new recipes and products to make summer just a little bit yummier each year. I don't like cooking much in the summer, indeed, I eat a huge variety of different salads like Belgium Endive with Roasted Pears and Roquefort, or Baby Beet Salad with Fennel and Walnuts. I'm pretty much obsessed with delicious and creative salads in the summer. Also, I adore anything that's been grilled on the BBQ, be it Ponzu Chicken Wings paired with cold Vermicelli and Grilled Baby Bokchoy, or Korean Red Pork Tenderloin with a chilled Brown Rice Cilantro Pilaf with Snow Peas.  These are just a few of my favorite summer dinners. In celebration of summer, I've compiled a list to share of my favorite products and ingredients to make every hour of summer delicious!

1) "So Delicious Coconut Milk Minis" in either Vanilla, Chocolate Almond, or Fudge. These little treats are vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. They're a perfect light dessert to help cool you down on hot summer days, while adding a different nutritional profile to your diet. I'm addicted.

2) "Annie's Naturals Organic BBQ Sauce" This is a perfect gluten-free condiment to keep in your fridge. Unlike many other BBQ sauces out there that are super thick and processed, this brand really does deliver a great product. Simply baste on your meat in the last 5 minutes of grilling for an uber satisfying treat.

3) Fresh Herbs. If you have a little patio or window sill, I highly suggest investing in a boxed herb garden. Or create your own using materials from your local gardening store. My favorite herbs to grow are chives, basil, thyme, and my FAVORITE, flat leaf Italian parsley. Fresh herbs offer a welcomed hit of flavor to quick salads or marinades--I also like to add them to rice or quinoa during cooking to add another dimension of flavor.

4) Coconut Water. Another addiction of mine...a rather expensive addiction to say the least. But, in my opinion, nothing refreshes quite like it! If you haven't tried coconut water before, it may or may not take some getting used to. It's light (like water), but oddly really smooth (like gin, right out of the freezer). It's only slightly sweet and has a unique flavor I can't really describe without using the words "kinda coconutty, but not exactly" Regardless, pick some up. I love the brand "Taste Nirvana Natural Coconut Water with Aloe". It's packed with nutrients and low in calories. Drink up.

5) Watermelon. This is the cure-all. It's ultra cooling on a hot day, and it's packed in vitamins and nutrients--plus, it's mostly just water, therefore super hydrating. In fact, I ate half a watermelon yesterday and felt terrific afterwards. Good stuff.

6) Iced Coffee. Another daily staple for me, and simple to make. The night before, I brew a big pot of coffee, add a touch of Agave syrup or Honey, stir, and let cool on the counter for about an hour before transferring it to a pitcher and chilling it in the fridge overnight. The next day, add a couple ice cubes and a splash of soy milk and you've got yourself a perfect afternoon pickmeup.

7) "Origin's Bakery Baguettes" These carby sensations are essential to keep on hand. They freeze really well so don't be afraid to pick up a couple extra to store for an impromptu dinner party. They also defrost quickly! I adore these baguettes for creating delicious tasting platters when friends come over--try them with a Sage and White bean Hummus, Garlic Tapenade, Brie and Apple Canapes, or as a base for sampling different cured meats like  Spicy Soppressata and Porcuitto, or even get creative by making homemade vegetarian pates made from walnuts or pumpkin seeds! And remember, everything goes well with Sangria!

Restaurant Review: The Pink Bicycle Burger Joint (1008 Blanshard Street, Victoria BC)

A few days ago, I was notified that two restaurants in Victoria would begin carrying gluten-free bread products from Origin's Bakery. The Pink Bicycle is one of these two.
I have never had the pleasure of eating a burger, WITH A BUN, at a Victoria restaurant. If I ordered a burger, I would have to get it without the bun...which is hardly a burger at all. It's just a puck of meat with some lettuce. Not very exciting if you ask me. For the longest time, I just accepted this as my only option when dining out.

But something amazing happened this week...something so exciting I could hardly wait to try it: The Pink Bicycle began using gluten-free buns!

The Pink Bicycle has been revered as the "Best Burger in Victoria" for the last three years. I had begrudgingly read their menu and felt as though I would be forever left out of this special burger experience. I was tired of asking for burgers with no bun at other restaurants, it wasn't worth the money, or the shame I felt by destroying "what could have been". I'm happy to announce now though that I have eaten at the Pink Bicycle, I ate a real burger, with a damn good bun.

A little background of the Pink Bicycle is duly needed for this review: All the meats they use are organic, naturally-raised, and as local as possible. I applaud sustainable, and ethically produced meat--not only does it taste SO much better, it's good for our community and supporting small local economy, it's better for our land, and much better for our bodies. The Pink Bicycle also sources many of their other ingredients from local farms and small businesses--I am proud to support a restaurant that is so socially and environmentally conscious. Bravo, Pink Bike, Bravo.

Now, let's talk food!! Some things that gf people need to know about dining at The Pink Bicycle. The first thing, the beef burgers and the "swine burger" are seasoned with a sauce that contains minimal amounts of gluten. I steered away, but if your tummy is not as sensitive as mine, it would be fine. Next, there are three vegetarian burger options and two fish burger options if you don't feel like eating mammals and birds. I didn't get a chance to ask if these were gluten-free, but if YOU know, I'd love to know as I still enjoy a good veggie burger. Lastly, the fries and onion rings are fried in the same deep-fryer...therefore, cross-contamination does occur and those with Celiac should avoid the fries. On the bright side however, you DO get a salad with your burger, and the salad is delicious with candied pecans and local leaf lettuce.

I had the Island Bison Burger with Bacon on Origin's gluten free hamburger bun. The special sauce they put on it is gluten-free so no worries there. The servers are really knowledgeable and understanding about gluten allergies...I felt pretty safe :) Also, the desserts weren't gluten-free, but that's alright...I was stuffed after my burger and salad, plus I was just so happy to have had a real burger with a real bun :) It was so delicious, and I can't wait to go back and try every other burger they have. I'm especially excited about the Blue Cheese Lamb Burger and the Herbed Chicken Burger. This place is an absolute MUST TRY for all you living gluten-freely!

Message: Sorry for the lack of posts....

Today is Day 5 of gluten-rehab and I'm STILL super sick. I'm not really eating anything, or going anywhere...so ya....no posts really. I'll hopefully start eating real food again by the end of the week.

All this downtime is just fueling my passion of ensuring that gluten-free food can be accessible in Victoria. Furthermore, I'm considering taking action at UVIC to provide more gluten-free options, and hopefully educate food staff properly regarding allergies. We will see when I'm finally able to leave the house :p

I'm looking forward to potentially going out for a delicious lunch this upcoming weekend. I'm so hungry...it's been days without a good meal. Fingers are crossed.

Personal Story: The Worst Gluten-Poisoning We Fear the Most

Thursday will go down in history as literally, and quite possibly, the worst day I've ever had. Aside from struggling that morning to take a very difficult exam, and being notified my August Sociology class got cancelled (potentially disrupting my funding), I was super starving, and the University Centre cafeteria was closed because of convocation events (this is usually where I grab some fruit and yogurt). I went to the Biblio Cafe once I finished my exam, and decided to try their gluten-free bagel with lox and cream cheese, called the West Coast Classic.

I asked the cashier for the gluten-free bagel, I paid him, and I sat down to enjoy my first food of the day.

I knew I only wanted half of the bagel, so I separated the top from the bottom, and started eating.

I was so amazed at how good this bagel tasted, and it felt so good to eat something so delicious. I kept eating, marveling at the fluffy and chewy texture. I thought "Holy crap, they're getting really good at making gluten-free stuff now!!"

I was almost done my first half; only two bites left really, and I got a horrible feeling that something was not right. I wrapped up the bagel and brought it back to the cashier. I asked him if he gave me a gluten-free bagel...he replied "Oh...no...I didn't, sorry."

My eyes started to well-up with tears in the crowded cafe, I promptly left and started full-on crying once I got out the door. I knew I was in for total gut-hell...but for how long?? I mean, I've gotten sick from cross-contamination (think...a single bread crumb can make me sick)--what was going to happen to me after eating HALF A BAGEL?!?! I called my friend and she tried to console me while I waited for the nausea to set in. After about 10 minutes, I was super nauseous, and I called my dad to take me to the doctor to see if there was anything that could be done....once at the doctor's office, Mr. M.d. told me essentially there is nothing I can do, and that I can expect to feel really sick for about 3-4 days.

Today is Sunday--so far the easiest day post-gluten. Yesterday, however, was horrible. Every day was horrible actually. I'm making Borscht today to last me for the next few days while I give my tummy a rest and just eat really simple soups. I'm hoping to eat a really good, big meal on Thursday, but we'll see.

Lesson of the day kids: If it tastes too good to be gluten-free...it could be that it isn't actually gluten-free after all.

Personal Recipe: Meatball Subs with Tangy Slaw

I hadn't eaten a meatball sub since my glory-gluten days, and then two weeks ago, I decided that I would likely only get to eat a meatball sub if I made it myself. I didn't look for any recipes, I figured it was a pretty intuitive dish to make. I've seen people make meatballs and it always seems like a big event, with lots of complicated steps like soaking pieces of bread in milk, and grating parmesan (which I never keep in the fridge anyways). Here's my take on super quick, easy, delicious, and nutritious meatball subs!

1 lb ground beef (I prefer organic, and grass fed)
1 egg (free-range, organic, and local)
1/2 cup parsley (finely chopped)
1/2 large sweet onion, finely chopped
1 glove garlic, finely diced into teeny tiny pieces
1/2 cup quinoa flakes
1/2 tbs garlic salt
1 tbs nutritional yeast flakes (in lieu of the parm...but its still optional)
1 jar marinara sauce (I used Classico Tomato and Basil...it was on sale)
1 tbs chilli paste (optional, I just like a little bite in my marinara)
Sliced provolone cheese (optional)
Gluten free breads of somesort--I used Origin's baguette. Next time I'll use Kinnikinnick hot dog buns as they're slightly more cost efficient.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Sweat the onions in a skillet with butter, or olive oil, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Add the parsley and garlic and stir well. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.  In a mixing bowl, combine the meat, egg, quinoa flakes, and garlic salt. Next, add in the onion mix and mix well. With your hands, roll the meat into balls the size of your choice, and place them in a greased, oven safe dish. Cook for roughly 45 minutes.
Once the meatballs are cooked through, add them back into the same skillet you've already used for cooking onions, and add the marinara sauce and chilli paste and simmer on medium-low heat. Serve on gluten-free bread with provolone.

Tangy Slaw
1/2 bag of shredded cabbage mix
2 green onions. chopped
Dressing: 2tbs olive oil, 1 tbs apple cider vinegar, 1 tbs honey, 1/2 tbs dijon mustard, salt, pepper. Mix well, toss with the cabbage. Serve on the side.