Travelling

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki is a beautiful and quirky city alongside the Baltic. Some may say it shrinks in comparison to Stockholm and other Scandinavian capitals flourishing with personality, but Helsinki has its own charm (especially in the summer months). With the sun rising at 4am and setting after 11pm, this city literally never sleeps at night. It has many pockets of history– beautiful cathedrals and churches and ornate buildings– that contrast its avant-garde design district. And Helsinki flaunts the well-preserved sea fortress and World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna, just a 15 minute ferry ride away. But to gluten-free eaters, Helsinki is more than just a city with a charming harbor, it is paradise. With all the menus labelling gluten-free options with a ‘G’, most cafés offering gluten-free breads and pastries and cakes, and all waiters and servers being extremely knowledgeable about Celiac Disease, Helsinki is a gluten-free haven.

When exploring Helsinki’s Esplanade, you can grab a bite at the renowned cafe and restaurant, Kappeli. Kappeli sits right in the heart of Helinski across from an outdoor music stage, making it a great summer venue. From their curry chicken salad to gluten-free sandwiches and raspberry macaron cake, there are plenty of yummy gluten-free options. Moreover, as you discover the city, be sure to stop in the cafe Karl Fazer— coined Finland’s most valued brand. There are many Karl Fazer cafes spread across the city, and they offer gluten-free open-faced sandwiches and a variety of desserts (a whole shelf was dedicated to gluten-free desserts!). Right along the water, you can find Old Market Hall– the Quincy Market or Reading Terminal Market of Helsinki. With more than twenty vendors, there are numerous gluten-free options. Be sure to check out Story which has a delicious gluten-free creamy salmon soup (salmon soup is local specialty!) and Mari’s Smoothie and Cafe which has a selection of gluten-free sandwiches and pastries. If you’re looking to try some traditional Finnish food, I’d recommend Aino, an upscale restaurant on the Esplanade. In its select menu, Aino does offers gluten-free entrees including sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberries (reindeer tastes a lot like mutton, for those who were wondering). Finally, if you choose to board a Viking cruise ship to take a day trip to Tallinn or visit St. Petersburg, even the ship’s restaurants have many gluten-free options!

With that, all I can say is that this beautiful city has been by far the most accommodating and knowledgeable city when it comes to eating gluten-free– even more so than any city the US. So if you visit, do indulge in the exquisite Finnish cuisine and gluten-free treats! Make the most of paradise!

Cheers,

Anika

Raspberry Macaron Cake at Kappeli
Apricot Cake on the Viking Cruise
Almond Torte on the Viking Cruise
Mozzarella Tomato Sandwich at Karl Fazer
Budapest at Karl Fazer
Gluten-Free Shelf at Mari’s Smoothie and Cafe
Vanilla and Cinnamon Pastries at Mari’s Smoothie and Cafe
Smoked Salmon Sandwich at Mari’s Smoothie and Cafe
Creamy Salmon Soup at Story

 

 

Stockholm, Sweden

This is a beautiful city. I walked through the old cobbled streets of Gamla Stan and explored the breathtaking Drottningholm Palace and the Glorietta. Although the sights were by far the highlight of the trip, I had a great experience in terms of gluten-free foods. For breakfast, we had called the Intercontinental Grand Hotel in Stockholm (the hotel we stayed at) well ahead of time to inform them of my allergy. The hotel was excellent in providing a variety of options in the never-ending breakfast buffet. In addition to the cold meat, cheeses, fruits, eggs, potatoes, etc., they offered gluten-free corn muffins, cupcakes, rolls, scones, and breads. I was in heaven! As for meals outside of the hotel, as I do enjoy seafood, the smoked salmon (gravlax) with a dill, mustard sauce (gravlaxsas) was by far one of my favorite Swedish dishes. I also tried a variety of Swedish sausages and some lingonberry jam. Because of the easily accessible gluten-free options, I was able to enjoy the Scandinavian beauty of Stockholm, while remaining on a safe and healthy gluten-free diet!

Sweet Bakery

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

2015. A new start, another chance to do or be something great. Taking that mentality in stride, throughout this year, I’ll be blogging about places I have eaten at or traveled to during 2014 that I did not have the chance (or rather time) to blog about. In other words, 2015 will bring #throwbacktravelposts consisting of restaurants, bakeries, and eateries with great gluten-free options when traveling the world! This way, I can share all the wonderful, hidden GF options the world has to offer (see the travel section).

This past summer, I spend the tail end of break road tripping across the east coast with my family. As we traveled from city to city, I was honestly surprised by the visibly growing awareness of celiac disease and eating gluten-free. Early on in the trip, we visited “the Hub”. I hadn’t been since I was five – and my only vivid memories were of “quacking” while on the duck boat tours and buying a jellyfish stuffed animal from the aquarium. So obviously we had no choice but to experience Boston the touristy way this time around. So day one we walked the Freedom Trail from start to finish. And you’ll be surprised by the numerous gluten-free options along the trail. There were a couple Clover food trucks scattered throughout and nearby the trail, but the real treat was the delicious GF cupcakes from Sweet Bakery.

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Sweet Bakery has six locations spread across Boston. As I passed the Downtown cupcakery while walking the Freedom Trail, I spotted a sign on the window saying “we have gluten-free cupcakes!”. Of course we had to pop in and try the cupcakes- it would literally be a crime not to. Since Sweet Bakery does not have a dedicated gluten-free bakery, they get their GF cupcakes from an alternative gluten-free bakeries to prevent cross-contamination. I ordered two mini GF red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. These cupcakes were from a local Boston bakery called “Glutenus minimus”. I might be slightly biased because red velvet is my absolute favorite, but these gourmet cupcakes were exquisite. You can find Glutenus minimus baked goods in their bakery in Belmont, MA or many other bakeries located in Massachusetts. So if you ever find yourself in Boston, enjoy the rich history the city has to offer with a sweet cupcake in yourself hand!

Cheers,

Anika

Clover

“The Earth is what we all have in common”

Earth. It’s the only home we have. So, why don’t we all do something nice for the Earth and ourselves, shall we? Have you ever heard of “clean flavors”? It’s food that not only tastes good, but it feels good. It’s food that you can savor the aftertaste. But it also refers to food that you don’t need to be a chemist to make. Food that is not factory-made, processed, or enhanced in any way, shape, or form. So where can I get this oh-so-delicious and Earth-friendly food?

Clover Food Lab is the latest addition to the Boston food scene. It’s hip, innovative, and happening. As I described above, the food is “all natural”, largely organic, and always fresh. Your food is cut as close to the time you’re going to eat it as possible. Additionally, the menu changes day-to-day based on the fresh ingredients on hand. Their “no freezer” policy means that the menu is limited and constantly revised. And food runs out. I suppose that’s the price to pay for a happy Earth and a happy you! It’s truly a progressive philosophy.

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When traveling, although presumably convenient, I typically avoid food trucks. Gluten-free and conventional food trucks just don’t go together- the lack of time for a thorough inquisition as well as the increased likelihood of cross contamination just don’t make it a suitable option. However, when I was in Boston this past summer, I was introduced to the Clover food trucks. With trucks and restaurants situated from MIT to Harvard Square, Clover is spread out far and wide across Boston. Each truck is adorned with a whiteboard with a few select food items and drinks. The later in the day you come, the more items will be crossed out. Alright, so onto the gluten-free choices. Any sandwiches can be made gluten-free- it simply has no bread and is called a “boat”. I would highly recommend the chickpea fritter “boat”; it is essentially falafel-based with carrots and purple cabbage with a subtle horseradish-esque sauce. Additionally, the rosemary fries were what I like to call “stick fries” (by shape). They were healthy and well-seasoned. I believe they had a pinch of sea salt, but don’t quote me on that. If only they hadn’t run out of the blueberry lemonade when I was at the truck! It was delicious, and it is real food (and everything was compostable if you must know: +1 for Team Earth!).

Also, check out this little cheat sheet Clover gave me! Oh, how I love gluten-free menus!

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I know this foreword-thinking movement will set off a spark and inspire other eateries. So why wait? There are nearly a dozen Clover locations in Boston, so next time you’re in town, give it a try!

Cheers,

Anika

The Cheesecake Factory

As much as I love originality, there’s something comforting about falling back onto known territory. Although eccentric french cafes and family-run diners may receive acclaim for their truly distinct tastes and flavors, when it comes to eating gluten-free, chain restaurants are a safe haven like no other. This may seem surprising and of course, there are exceptions, but all in all, I stand by that statement.

They are reliable. Earlier this month in Providence, I rediscovered The Cheesecake Factory. Because of their infamous “no reservations” policy, I had kept my distance these last few years. And prior this gap, I had terrible experience with their gluten-free options, but I suppose that was a different era- when people were in the dark as to what “gluten-free” meant. Anyways, I was delightfully surprised to learn that they have an extensive gluten-free menu. From pastas to salads and tacos to burgers, they have nearly anything and everything you could imagine! They even have a gluten-free cheesecake- Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake, if memory serves me right. It is by far the biggest gluten-free menu I’ve laid eyes on. I suppose I have to account for the fact that their regular menu is nearly a short novel; however, that doesn’t take away from the fact that I was truly impressed. As for specifics, the next time I return, I will be sure to order their pasta- maybe the shrimp and fusilli or the pasta with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes? And we’ll see if it lives up to Maggiano’s wonderful GF pasta. On to the salads, I did in fact have the pleasure of trying the French Country Salad. If beets, candied pecans, asparagus, and fresh goat cheese is your thing, then this salad is you thing. I promise. Last but not least, burgers. Now, I personally don’t eat beef, so I was pleased to learn that they offered a turkey burger as well as a vegetarian burger option. And yes, when I say burger I don’t mean a pattie with condiments sitting on a white plate, I mean the whole package (gluten-free rolls included!). I can’t exactly vouch for them as I have not tried them, but if any of you do try it before I do, please let me know! There are many dishes that are yet to be eaten at this restaurant and fortunately…

They are ubiquitous. Whether you’re in Pennsylvania, Oregon, or Rhode Island, chances are, you’ll cross paths with The Cheesecake Factory. It’s one of the reasons that chain restaurants really make having a gluten-free lifestyle that much easier. You already know what options they offer and if the staff and kitchen have an awareness of cross contamination and what “gluten-free” means. All in all, it means that there is no need for experimenting. Yes, we all like variety, but it’s great to have a safe option in your back pocket.

And with the inevitable end of summer hurtling towards us, keep in mind, it’s always summer somewhere!

Cheers,

Anika

Uno Pizzeria and Grill

And we’re back. These past two weeks I’ve been road tripping along the east coast hitting the big cities and rekindling childhood memories and friendships. Although I had throughly enjoyed the summer hiatus, it’s time to share with all of you my latest gluten-free discoveries. When exploring the heart of Providence, we stumbled upon an “Unos”, and I was delighted to learn that they have an ample selection of gluten-free dishes. First of all… (drumroll please)… yes, they do in fact serve gluten-free pizza! Wooo! Although it’s becoming increasingly common to find restaurants that serve gluten-free pizza, I still jump with joy like a kid on Christmas morning every single time. I can definitely vouch for the veggie pizza. It may sound a little too conventional, however classic’s never disappoint. The combination of mushrooms, onions, green peppers, mozzarella, and romano on a thin crust was perfection. It was nearly as good as Udi’s Thin Pizza Crust which is hands down my favorite gluten-free pizza crust. In all honesty, I ate five slices of that veggie pizza! I have never eaten so many slices of pizza before in my entire sixteen years of existence! In addition to the veggie, cheese, and pepperoni pizzas, Unos serves burgers on gluten-free rolls (Udi’s rolls to be specific). It’s always nice to see a restaurant that offers a gluten-free bun rather than seeing that oh-so-disappointing asterisk next to the burger saying “without the bun”. And if both burgers and pizzas don’t sound all too appealing to you, Unos offers chicken and seafood dishes, steaks, salads, soups, and a decent variety of side dishes. I am happy to be able to say that the gluten-free menu is extensive. It’s not too often that I can say that and mean it.

Zaytinya

Summer has been glorious: relaxing and rejuvenating. I spent my Fourth of July weekend amidst the crowds of people celebrating in the nation’s capital. Fireworks haloed the Washington Monument- it was truly a memory for the long run. Over the past few years, Washington DC has become a common destination for last minute trips and vacations in my family. Therefore, it’s essential that I have a list of accommodating restaurants at the back of my hand.

We normally reside in a hotel with close proximity to the mall. This allows us the freedom to walk to the main attractions and center city. Zaytinya is conveniently located on 9th and G Streets, just a few minutes walk away from the mall. The Turkish-Greek cuisine is exquisite- I would go as far as calling it my favorite restaurant in Washington DC. The ambiance is wonderful both inside and outside. If you’re seated inside, do take note of the fascinating shaped olive oil jars. And if you’re outside, while enjoying the fresh air, notice that the umbrellas are upside-down. It may be my lack of exposure or taste for a more modern and sleek setting that I find these nuances so amusing. However, the restaurant, food, and service are simply wonderful.

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I could rave about this restaurant and its originality for days, but let’s get to the exciting part- food. Zaytinya recently started offering a gluten-free menu much to my delight. They serve mezzes which are sort of the Greek or Mediterranean equivalent of tapas, based on my understanding. However, in addition to the gluten-free mezzes listed on the menu, I have typically been able to request other dished to be prepared gluten-free. Over the culmination of all my ventures to Zaytinya, I have found the grape-leave dolmades, seasonal mushrooms, and shish tauok are my favorites. However, dessert is a whole separate matter. The dessert selection at Zaytinya is heavenly. If you don’t have time to enjoy a full meal at this restaurant, it is absolutely worth your time to stop in for a sweet treat. The greek yogurt and apricots and most of the homemade ice creams and sorbets are gluten-free. Additionally, the turkish delight can be modified to those following a gluten-free diet, and the cheeses, of course, are gluten-free! I am a yogurt phanatic. Whether its greek or vanilla, key lime or served with honey, yogurt has always been a favorite snack of mine. But this greek yogurt was the “mother of all Chobanis and Fages” as my dad put it. I honestly couldn’t have said it any better myself. As for the ice creams: if you have a sweet tooth for exotic flavors this one is for you. The flavors consist of vanilla with phyllo dough, rose, olive oil, and walnut. The walnut is the ice cream used in the turkish delight, and I would definitely vouch for it. The olive oil ice cream is just something to taste for the sake of curiosity and adventure. Last but not least, cheese. I have always had the urge to order cheese as a dessert in a restaurant, but my parents typically discouraged it. However, this time they surprised me. They suggested I try a new type of cheese, so I did just that (how obedient, right?). The Tulum Peynir was a rather rich cheese with a bold flavor, but I was in heaven. It was served with honeycomb, which was a new texture for me. Anyhow, the combination of the Turkish cheese and honeycomb was delicious.

So if you’re in DC and looking for some good food, even if it is a trek, I would highly recommend Zaytinya.

Cheers,

Anika

Mumbai, India

I spent my winter break lounging in the wonderful city of Mumbai, India. India is all about the shopping, eating, and meeting people. So, food is a big part of the experience. Thankfully, Indian food, for the most part, is gluten-free. Identifying what ingredients each dish contains, however, can be quite a daunting task. But if you know what to keep your eyes and ears open for, you’ll be in good shape!

North Indian food is compromised of breads and rices, grilled meats (tandoori), vegetables, curry-based meats, and lentils. Obviously, the breads such as naan, rotis, chapatis, and parathas are not gluten-free. Although, there is one corn flour based “tortilla-esque” flat bread called makki ki roti (makki is corn in Hindi). Makki ki roti is most often gluten-free, but one should always double check with the chef. In order to properly communicate with the chef, ask if the bread contains any atta, maidha, or rava (these words are all synonymous with wheat flour… rye, bran, and barley are not used in Indian cooking). In terms of rice options, meals can be served with plain, white basmati rice or as a biryani. Biryani is always gluten-free. It is essentially rice cooked with spices and topped with chicken, fish, or vegetables.  As for grilled meats, they are usually cooked in a tandoor, which is a clay oven that can withstand extreme temperatures. Most tandoori meats are pre-marinated and typically are gluten-free, but again always double check with the chef. Now on to the rather broad category of vegetables. Some vegetable dishes such as palak paneer (blended spinach) and navratan korma (vegetables in a cashew-based curry) are very thick and rich. It is unlikely, but occasionally, a chef may use wheat flour as a thickener in these dishes. Almost all other North Indian vegetable dishes are gluten-free. Curry-based meats are basically the same type of deal. It’s almost always gluten-free, but once in a blue moon, a restaurant may use wheat flour so communicate with the staff to ensure your food is gluten-free. Lentils, also known as dal, are always gluten-free.

Now, South Indian food is a whole different ball game, but it’s honestly much easier to figure out. It is primarily vegetarian and consists of almost all gluten-free breads, lentils, and vegetables. What I said regarding the lentils and vegetables for North Indian food applies for South Indian food as well. And as for the “almost all gluten-free breads”, South Indians eat a whole variety of them. This includes idlis (white rice balls), dosas (crepe-like flat bread made from a rice batter), uttapam (essentially a thick dosa), and appam (pancake-like flat bread made from a rice batter and coconut milk). Now, the reason I say “almost all gluten-free breads” is because rava dosas are not gluten-free. Rava is one of the words that are synonymous with wheat flour that you have to watch out for.

It’s really quite simple! Being gluten-free does not and will not limit you from immersing in the culture and tastes of India. Now of course you can enjoy other cuisines just as well in India! Here are a few restaurants in which I had great experiences…

  • Smokehouse Deli, Paladium Mall
  • The Konkan Cafe, Vivanta (Taj President) Hotel
  • China Bistro, Worli
  • Sea Lounge, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
  • Village, Mumbai World Trade Center
  • Jewel of India, Worli
  • Copper Chimney, Worli

Cheers!

Anika

Brussels, Belgium

This is a picturesque city with an exquisite cuisine. My family and I adventured across the city by foot and marveled at the wondrous Grand Place (pronounced “Gran Plazz”). We were taken aback by the beauty of being trapped inside a square of four gilded, Renaissance-esque buildings. It was a real treat, especially when the buildings were lit up after the sun had set. The only slight disappointment was the much-famed Peeing Boy or Manneqen Pis. The little feller was less than a foot tall! But we had the pleasure of watching him be dressed in robes campaigning a brand of Belgian beer! We saw many other sights such as the Royal Palace and Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, but in addition to the historical spectacles, Belgian has great food!

At the “Gran Plazz”, we found many overpriced, touristy cafes and waffle stalls bordering the square. But if you venture through the side, cobblestone streets, you will find more authentic and reasonably priced food. Here we discovered a chain health store with gluten-free choices that is comparable to Au Bon Pain. It was called Exki. I got a delicious “glutenvrij” chocolate muffin that had melted Belgian chocolate in the center! Another great place just a few minutes walk from the “Gran Plazz” is Australian Homemade Ice Cream. Yes, I know, I was in Belgian eating so-called Australian ice cream! However, if you do choose to have a leisurely meal at one of the touristy cafes for the scenery, you will find a variety of gluten-free salads with smoked salmon, Flemish ham, or smoked trout. If you have a bigger appetite, you can order Moules-Frites (mussels with world-famous Belgian “frites”, or fries). Mussels are well-known in the Belgian cuisine. Just be careful to order your mussels “natural way”, because sometimes the sauces have wheat in it. This is a traditional meal always served with frites. The Belgian frites are something you must try before leaving the country! They are double fried to a crispy perfection.

As for tea time, if you’ve settle down at a coffee shop, you will realize that all drinks are served with a little brown biscuit called “speculoos”. This is similar to gingerbread cookie come cinnamon thin. These are not gluten-free. But if you visit a local health shop, you can find gluten-free speculoos! The particular shop I visited was located in Ixelles (southern Brussels). I bought gluten-free raspberry tort, orange almond cake, Belgian chocolate chip cookies, and of course, speculoos! Unfortunately, we were unable to find any gluten-free Belgian waffles during our trip.

One last piece of advice, eat plenty of Belgian chocolate when visiting! Whether its white, milk, dark, pralines on the inside, or hazelnuts on the outside. I suggest visiting Leonidas for some of the best chocolate. Also, the marzipan is gluten-free! So try some while you’re at it.

Cheers,

Anika

Vienna, Austria

Ah, Vienna! What a marvelous city! Visiting Schönbrunn Palace, the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), and the Austrian Parliament Building were highlights of my trip. The exquisite architecture of the Hofburg Palace and Austrian National Library were breathtaking. After a long day walking around the Ringstraße (Ringstrasse) and enjoying watching Lipizzan horses at the Spanische Hofreitschule (the Spanish riding school), I was exhausted and ready to eat!

My first meal in the beautiful European city was at the Vienna Marriot (Stephansdom Quarter) for a light, refreshing lunch after a long flight in. We stayed at the Vienna Marriot during our trip and had called the hotel before hand to let them know of my allergy. During lunch at the Garten Café, I was delighted to find gluten-free rolls with olive oil served with the Caesar salad I ordered. Now, you may question my ordering a Caesar salad when I had many tasteful Austrian selections to choose from. Well, let me tell you, that was very well the best Caesar salad I have had. And that stands till this day.

Another fantastic meal in Wien (Vienna) was had at the Hofburg Café after exploring the Sisi Museum and the Royal Silver Collection. The servers were kind enough to make accommodations so I could try the delicious Austrian cuisine. I had Frankfurters that were served with a mustard-like condiment and slivered pickles. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the foreign cuisine, while staying healthy and gluten-free!

Last but not least, my favorite food stop: Aïda. Aïda is almost too hard to describe with words. It’s a clash of a retro diner and Dolores Umbridge invading Ruby Tuesdays. The cozy, chain cake and coffee shops (konditorei) were located all around the city. Kind of like a Starbucks in any metropolis in the US. The waitresses dressed in pink and brown were sweet and friendly. They were very helpful in finding gluten-free options, which I was surprised to find that there were many! Many of their cakes were gluten-free as they almond flour as a base. I think we stopped at Aida’s almost every night after roaming around the city under the street lights. Although I am unable to access the gluten-free options currently, I do recall having many delicious chocolate, hazelnut, and lemon cakes!

So when traveling to the well known European city, do not fear, you can experience the culture, sights, and cuisine of the marvelous Wien! Also, enjoy the pictures below from my trip to Vienna.

Cheers,

Anika

Neptune Fountain, Schönbrunn Palace
Austrian Library, Hofburg Palace
Pallas Athena Fountain, Austrian Parliament Building
Austrian Parliament Building
Statue of Herodotus, Austrian Parliament Building
Frankfurters at the Hofburg Café