Restaurants:
Luca's Ristorante: An Italian restaurant where I have the pleasure to report that 75% of their menu is stated to be gluten-free! Small alterations such as gluten-free pasta made piratically all of the pasta dishes available. The food was spectacular --I got the Spaghetti Carbonara, though the De Mer risotto was amazing as well-- and to top off the meal we got a slice of the Flour-less chocolate cake. Best meal of the entire fifteen day trip! Located in Keswick, England in the Lake District.
Wagamama: A Japanese chain restaurant that offers a great variety of rice, noodles, soups and salad dishes and provide generous portions at a very reasonable price. And even though I was disappointed with my particular choice, I found that they would be worth passing on the information. Located all throughout the UK: London, Windsor, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Oxford, and much more.
Cotto Italian Restaurant: We made a reservation a head of time to this cute little mom and pop place in London outside the Lambeth North Station underground Tube stop. Calling ahead of time allowed the Celiac owner to purchase gluten-free pasta and pizza shells for me specifically. Wonderful, I know. I chose to go with a Hawaiian pizza because I haven't had one outside my home since being diagnosed. And boy, was it yummy! Not to mention that he even baked me gluten-free bread. A definite must go when in London!
Viceroy of India: Looking for Indian food and are in York? Well, you must go here... unfortunately, they didn't have a gluten-free menu, but I was certainly satisfied by their Mackoni Lamb or Chicken entree (Mackhani Chicken/Lamb according to their website) . It has the perfect blend of cheese, cream, and chicken (or lamb). I did even ask about the King Prawn Rajala, so that one should be considered as well.
Located in York.Grocery Stores:
Waitrose, Tesco, Tree of Life: Splendid stores that had a "Free From..." section specifically for us Celiacs and other sufferers of food intolerance/allergies! If you come in contact with one of these stores you MUST buy the Sweet Breakfast Rolls by DietarySpecials, or any other product by them that interests you! DietarySpecials' food is really something to marvel at, seriously, get the sweet rolls. I pretty much lived off of these suckers. But according to my father, they don't unfortunately ship to the US or anywhere else other than the UK and the surrounding areas (still confirm) . HOWEVER! If you ever are in the area of the shipping region buy as much of the good stuff as you can. I wish I knew this before... Anyone willing to mail me some of the sweet delicious rolls? I'll pay you back! I swear! ... Yeah, I didn't think so.
If you're not wanting to eat a big lunch or dinner, I highly recommend picking up some of the Sweet Breakfast Rolls (they're aren't just for breakfast, ya know!), your favorite meats, cheeses and other sandwich goodies, a bag of Kettle Chips, a drink and have a marvelous picnic in a park, on the steps of Westminster Abbey or in front of Edinburgh Castle. It's low-cost, and it's great food! My family and I did it almost every day, and now we're totally addicted to those Kettle Chips.
**You all should be warned about chips (aka fries) will most likely be fried in the same fryer as other fried foods (fish). But you can always go to the common back up, Jacket Potatoes! They're just baked potatoes but with funky fillings! Pub going is very difficult if your looking to eat more than a jacket potato and a small salad**
I think that's all I have to report. If you have any questions about the places I've mentioned, please drop a reply and I'll be happy to answer it to the best of my ability!
Yours truly,
Karin
Edit: We flew on United Airlines, and my father put me down for a gluten-free menu. What they gave me seemed to be okay since I didn't react to it: plain chicken with steam veggies and mashed potatoes. But on the way back to the States they had Beechdean sticky toffee fudge ice cream for dessert claiming to be gluten-free. To my own curiosity, I read the label and it contained malt extract. Just goes to show us that we still have to read the label.
