CeliacChicks

Gluten-Free Spain Guide: Barcelona

Contributed by Christine Carty. Christine is an Irish girl in her late twenties, who was diagnosed with celiac diseas at the age of 24. She currently lives in Dublin. Her favorite things to do are play Gaelic Football (Ireland's national sport), travel and discover new and fun places to eat gluten free

I knew very little of what to expect from Barcelona.  I've heard such amazing things about it, but also a definite "watch your bags for the pick pockets". Barcelona is similar to Dublin in the sense that it doesn't really do high rises, but never have I seen a skyline with such varying structures. After one weekend there I finally understood why Gaudi was considered to be left of field, and I am now ever more grateful that not all of mankind has chosen to live as sheep.

 

Using  our stealth direction (OK maybe a map and turning down a few random streets) we found our hotel. The Acta Atrium Palace on Gran Via de la Catalanes is a 4 star boutique hotel, which surprisingly manages to fit in a small pool and a jacuzzi. There couldn't be any more than 60 rooms in this little gem of a hotel, and as well as being a perfect spot in Barcelona, the service is impeccable. On entering our room, we were presented with what can only be described as the best stocked room I've ever been in; a bathrobe and slippers for use when taking the lift to the pool, the biggest variety of toiletry essentials from a comb to a toothbrush, as well as soap and shampoo and two fluffy pillows each.

 

Gluten-Free Dinner Menu At Friedmans

Friedmans Burger- 100% ground beef brisket served with herbed french fries and gluten-free bun

Friedmans is now open for dinner! Yay! And they have booze now too! It is always nice to  have a gluten-free beer or some nice wine with your dinner. I stopped by last week to take a few photos of their new gluten-free dinner menu items. They are always adding to the menu and now I'm told that they will be serving gluten-free calamari, Southwestern fried chicken salad and chicken parm as of next week.

Beet Salad, isn't it pretty?

Westchester Celiac Support Group Meeting

WHEN
Sunday, December 6th @ 12:30-2:00pm

WHERE
Phelps Memorial Hospital, C Level

WHY
Because it is going to be fun! Some of the nicest people are a part of this Westchester support group!

Dr. Christine Tennyson from the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University is going to speak and answer questions.

There will be lots of gluten-free food to eat and buy! Bring your appetite!

Here is the official invitation with more details:

Download WCSSG.December2009Mtg.Flyer.11.22.09

Gluten-Free Scotland: Glasgow's Cafe Andaluz

Please welcome today's guest blogger Christine Carty. Christine is an Irish girl in her late twenties who was diagnosed with celiac disease at the age of 24. She currently lives in Dublin. Her favorite things to do are play Gaelic Football (Ireland's national sport), travel and discover new and fun places to eat gluten-free.

Glasgow is severely underrated as a destination, as it's quite often overlooked for it's more picturesque sister Edinburgh.

Owing to family who live in Glasgow, I have visited now on average once a year. My brother and his wife have a love of food, and go explore the food delights that Glasgow have to offer. They are also extremely conscientious of the fact that I have celiac disease and every time I come to visit there are gluten-free breads and snacks added to the weekly shopping from the local Sainsbury's. (If you end up staying in an apartment, Sainsbury's has a specific "Free From" range of food.)

Some years ago, they stumbled upon Cafe Andaluz and have been regulars ever since. They have a love of Spanish food and Spanish wine, so it has become a haunt of theirs and upon discovering the little GF symbol after the tapas on the menu, they decided it was the perfect place for me.

I was very excited the first time I went to Cafe Andaluz. I had only recently been eating the gluten-free way at the time and was excited by a menu I could relax about for once. Upon learning I had celiac disease, the staff was quick to reassure me that they understood what it was all about. Most of the most popular dishes there are suitable for celiacs, which means for once you are spoiled for choice.

Gluten-Free Cookie Tasting & Cocktails in NYC

What:
Gluten-Free Cookie Tasting & Cocktail Party
Complimentary Cookies
CASH BAR & Cash Small Plate Menu available
Hosted by Elise (aka Flourgirl)

When:
Wednesday November 18, 2009 6:30 PM