I have been flat chat stuffing my face over Easter with gluten free goodness as well as looking for a new job (found one) and studying. So apologies for the long delay since blogging! You will not be disappointed in this post let me assure you. I’m working (only for one more week, Yay) just up the road from Chapel St, Prahran. I also live near by so I like it when I discover new restaurants and cafes. If you are in Melbourne or traveling around I’m pretty sure this street will sound familiar to you.
Anyway at work we were being catered for during a meeting (Yum). They asked us if we had any intolerance/allergies (becoming common, awesome). So I put down “gluten free”. I always think the worst when I’m being catered for, I think a plain salad (after I eat it I’m hungry 5 minutes later) or really, really stale/cakey bread.
I saw we were being catered for by Prahran Mission. I thought, cool they do amazing things for the underprivileged Melbourne community, although then I heard the words Gluten free sandwiches (not the dreaded sandwiches). Let me tell you I was blown away. I actually thought they had mistakenly put in real bread, the sandwiches were that good. Then to top it off I went into The Mission Cafe today during my lunch break with the lovely ladies from work (whom I’ll miss dearly BTW), and had a reasonably priced meal (but for a good cause). The meal I had was absolutely delish, I had the crushed avo, feta, one perfectly cook poached egg (an extra) , olive (a tiny bit sweet – just superb) on GF toast. Very fresh ingredients and generous portions!. Whilst paying for my meal to the delightful friendly staff the chef came out right on cue so I even got to thank the chef “Ian Olivier” personally for the wonderful meal!
I’m so so impressed I can’t wait to get back there.
The Mission Cafe
211 Chapel St
Melbourne, VIC
This little pack of Choc Biscuits are packed full of “Choc” flavour. They are designed for kids or kid-like adults such as myself. They are an excellent snack size so you can watch your weight, or are great for you or your kids lunch boxes. You can find them at “woollies” Woolworths Australia.
I found a another affordable skincare range I really like. It’s Australian made so an added bonus!
As well as Arbonne it is free of sulphates, animal derivatives, harsh detergents, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, trietholamine, mineral oils or parabens. Most of the products are nut free and gluten free too.
It makes my skin feel nourished and fresh. I have been a sufferer of sensitive dry skin in the past although now my skin has never felt better. It actually feels normal. Give it a go, it is available from all good chemist’s and Priceline stores in Australia
If you are in another country other than Australia please go to Sukin’s link on my page
To celebrate and get into the Christmas spirit Simply Wize and niceglutenfrere are giving away……..
2 x Simply Wize Gluten-Free Plum Puddings
Simply Wize introduces an indulgently rich Plum Pudding to its range of premium quality gluten free products.
And what a luscious treat! Each slice of Simply Wize Gluten-Free Plum Pudding contains the finest quality gluten free ingredients plus a generous quantity of fruit and spices finished with a hint of sweet sherry, brandy and rum.
You’ll have all guests, asking for more! Simply warm and serve with brandy sauce, custard, ice-cream or cream….
All you need to do is email nadine@tesch.com.au with an answer to this simply simple question:
“Why would you like to win this Simply Wize Gluten-Free Plum Pudding?”
Anyone entering should include your Name, address, phone number and reply email address.
Entries close at 5PM – 17th December 2012
Good Luck!
To check out more Simply Wize products www.momentumfoods.com.au
I have to say I had my worst meal and my best ever gluten free meal in San Francisco.
The best ever meal was at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana http://www.tonyspizzanapoletana.com/
The best pizza I have ever eaten in my life.
You can reserve a table or you can always do take out two doors up. (which is what we did).
Both restaurants were heaving with locals and tourists and you could all tell what they were for. It was their delicious Pizza’s.
The atmosphere was something else. I have never experienced such passion in a take out restaurant – the guys making the pizza were happy, singing, shouting orders with passion, I think it made the difference to just any pizza parlor and the flavors.
If you are ever in LA’s West Hollywood, you must try Hugo’s hugosrestaurant.com. If you want breakfast I’d have to say it’s the best in town. It has a great variety of gluten free products on the menu and they also cater for vegetarian and vegan diets. I had three different breakfasts at the restaurant and loved all my meals, obviously!
It is dog friendly and has a gorgeous little patio area for them (as you can see in the above image). Also there is plenty of seating inside but if you want a seat outside to dog watch or if you have bought your dog, get there before ten or after eleven AM. It can get busy and seats run out fast.
Another restaurant to mention is EVO evokitchenla.com. Its totally organic and also caters for a gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and organic diets. You may even see a celebrity or two – I did
Over the next few months I’ll be reviewing restaurants while I was away traveling in the United States on my honeymoon.
My first review is a dedicated Gluten free Italian restaurant I found in New York City. I have actually been twice the last time I went was in 2010. I was impressed then and still impressed today. The quality has definitely stayed the same.
The restaurant has a great vibe, more importantly an extensive gluten free Italian menu
From Gluten free ravioli to gluten free desserts. You must check it out when traveling in NYC.
Do you miss Oreo’s? I did. But then I discovered these “O’Choco” biscuits made by Lovemore . You can buys these biscuits at all good health food stores, I discovered mine at Sunnybrook gluten free shop. Well worth the $6.00 per pack I promise.
So it does exist – Gluten free Porridge well Porrij in this case! YAY finally a 100% gluten free porrij and its Australia made (by the lovely people at Brookfarm) in Byron Bay. But don’t stress you don’t have to go that far to get it! This product is available at all good health food stores. You must get your hands on some it is absolutely delicious. I have my porrij every morning with hot water a small drizzle of Maple Syrup mmmmmm. It is dairy, fructose & gluten free but does contain nuts.
I must admit it took me forever to like Mexican – only because I’m not a huge Chilli or Onion fan. But then I discovered Mad Mex restaurant which has let me to make my own Mexican dishes at home. Thanks to Mission they have made my life easy – the Corn Tortilla Wraps and the Corn Taco’s are amazing to cook with and taste just like restaurant quality. Yum
HINT – Their gluten free Nacho corn chips are amazing too for a Mexican snack.
