I'm going on vacation to see a friend who lives in Oakland and works in Berkeley -- it will be my first gluten-free trip and also my first trip to San Francisco -- where do I absolutely need to go to eat (if there is any place)? OR -- where would I be safe eating even if it's not that great.

Any links, lists, etc... would be appreciated!

Oh to be gluten-free in SF! I lived out there for three years before gluten-free, but when I went back last spring gluten-free, I was amazed at how many people were familiar with it.

If you are staying in Berkeley/Oakland, I don't know what would be good for fast food, lunches. But there is an amazing supermarket called Andronico's which carries a lot of healthy/gluten-free stuff. Also, there is a Wild Oats. For dinner, North Berkeley has this area called the "gourmet ghetto". I forget the name of the street but there are some incredible restaurants on it. Chez Panisse, which is world-renowned, is amazing. VERY expensive, but totally worth the splurge!!! Just call ahead a) because you need reservations and to explain the gluten-free needs. There's also several Thai restaurants on that street that are all good. Indian food- which is MOSTLY gluten free except for the naan- is very abundant in that area as well.

In the city, if you like seafood, try the Pacific Cafe on Geary out near Ocean Beach. So fresh! SF also has a HUGE Whole Foods. Many people know what you're talking about when you mention gluten (as opposed to where I live where people think Celiac's is a problem with celery ).

Also Stanford has a gluten free support group, I think it's called Bay Area gluten free or celiac support group and if you google it, they have restaurant reviews. In my opinion, San Francisco has some of the best restaurants I've EVER eaten it. I'm jealous!!!!

This is from a celaic mom who lives in berkely.


First off .....I have found my new gluten-free/DF haven. It is called 'Socca Oven',
off of University in Berkeley - 1511 Shattuck Ave
http://epicuriousgarden.com/socca.html.

It is a take out place that serves gluten-free-DF chick-pea pizzas that are cooked in
a wood oven. Oh my GOD ...what heaven.

My friend (who's son is gluten-free) told me about this restaurant that she had read
about on Thurs last week
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...DG0AHTPG81.DTL&
type=travelbayarea.

On Sat, I saw her and she had tried it and raved about it! By Sat night we
packed up the kids and went. We ordered 3 socca's - One pork with mushroom
and truffle oil, one zuccini/tomatoe, and one chicken & veggies. They say on
their menu that all the socca's are Gluten,Dairy, Wheat, yeast and sugar
free. I did not ask about corn but you could call 510-548-6001. Then after
ordering the Socca's I turned around and walked 6 steps to the Ciao Bella
counter and ordered 2 pints of DF Sorbeto -chocolate (it's heaven!, better
than real ice cream) and Blackberry Cabernet. Then I went to Kiralla, the
sushi place, and ordered a California roll.

We went home, I ate like a PIG, finished feeling satisfied!, and best part
was no digestive repercussions! I LOVE IT!


Anfronicos isn't the best, I would go with whole foods, much better. They have a really good one in SF, giant! Not sure the address, but you could look it up.

Have Fun, it shouldn't be that hard.
The staford support group is Bay area celiacs, you could look at the Yahoo group. The other bay area on e is bay area celiac ROCK.
The Bay area celiac website is http://www.bayareaceliacs.org/
Have fun!

Berneses,

I dunno cuz I live here in the Bay Area and people look at me all crazy when I mention gluten. Well some people DO know what it is...but the majority dont know what the heck I'm talking about. Maybe it will be different when I start venturing out to the restaraunts....hopefully THEY will be more aware. Anyways, I cant wait to start eating out again and to be able to go to some of the restaraunts in the city...I miss that.