Oh, Canada

It had only been like 5 months since I'd been home, and in that time Canada's gluten-free awareness levels had gone way up.  In my family's suburban town, Whitby, Ontario, there are BIG gf product sections in most chain supermarkets.  This might be another good reason to defect to Canada and forces me to question, "Why did I move to New York again?"  I enthusiastically loaded up, of course. First, I love Kinnikinnick products and I don't think I'm alone. I see on their website that their stuff is available at Garden of Eden on 14th Street, which is wrong.  I tracked down the U.S. distributor and discovered that The Health Nuts location at 2141 Broadway & 75th carries most of the Kinnikinnick line!  On my bread rating scale, Kinnikinnick and Food for Life are tied.  We've also tried their chocolate and lemon cake mixes and both were divine.

Also, I discovered a bread company from Vancouver that produces Quejos, a Brazilian cheese bun that is gluten-free and yeast-free, plus they offer a dairy-free version.  They're made with manioc powder (the manioc plant is a tuber) which produces a similar doughy texture to tapioca flour.  The only store that carries them in the U.S. is in Santa Monica, CA, BUT, they ship anywhere in the U.S., and I feel these little buns are very worth the effort.

Click on thumbnail to see toasted Quejos

That brings me to Il Fornello restaurant.  There are several locations in the Toronto area ... we went to the one on King Street.  They serve gf pizza and pasta and I ordered both ... it's the kind of sacrifice I'm always willing to make.  Lo and behold, Il Fornello uses Quejos pizza crusts!  AND, they use Tinkyada gf pasta!  Tinkyada is awesome, never mushy, and brown rice-based so it's good for you too.  I ordered the Pollo E Pesto w/ Tinkyada and it was divine.  Eating pasta that was prepared for me in a restaurant was almost too much to handle.  The creamy pesto sauce was absolutely delicious and the lightly toasted pine nuts were a perfect topper. (We passed on posting my Pollo E Pesto picture due to poor quality)

The pizza is Italian sausage, oven cured tomatoes, and grilled red onions, very tasty fresh toppings. Since the Quejos crust is made of tuber, it's crispy on the outside and kinda chewy on the inside .. different from a rice flour crust.  I thoroughly enjoyed Il Fornello, its gf friendliness, its tastes, and its atmosphere.  My family really enjoyed their non-gf dishes. So ... fellow Canadian celiacs in the Toronto area, and gluten-free tourists should go get their Italian on at Il Fornello. You won't be disappointed. Ciao.

Comments

[Anneliese Grieve]

Hi Kim,

thanks for adding the comments about Toronto. I have only been diagnosed with Celiac for about 15 months but there are loads of gf finds in Toronto. Try the Oliver and Bonnacini Restaurant at Bayview Village who will cater to those with food sensitivities. I have enjoyed several meals and have never been disappointed or sick. The Bier Market on the Esplanade is also very accomodating. Given you are from Whitby you should try Casa Verde in Pickering Village who will also accomodate. The best source for gf goodies in Toronto is a booth called Sweet Expressions in the north market of the St. Lawrence market Saturday Mornings only. The gf cookies, brownies, biscotti, and cakes are absolutely define and you cannot tell the difference from non gf baking. His breads, scones, buns and muffins are also great. Rube's rice in the south market has a great selection of gf pasta including lasagna noodles.

[Natalka]

I have been to Il Fornello's at the Bloor West Village and at Queen's Quay. I had an excellent experience at both locations. If you have Celiac and are in Toronto...I totally recommend it!

[Ally]

Yes, Il Fornello is fabulous -- love the pizza, and it is a great place to go with friends without having to go through the whole "quiz the wait staff" thing.

There are many accomodating restaurants in TO. A great resource page for people living/visiting the city is Gluten Free Toronto: http://www.geocities.com/glutenfreetoronto/.

The best bread I have ever tasted is made in Vancouver by the Choices health food store chain. Their multi-grain bread is to die for, and is even edible without toasting. Unfortunately you can't order it, but if you visit the city be sure to try it. I miss it (just as I miss Quejo's buns -- I used to buy them frozen and then bake them at home.)

A close second is the bread from Sterk's bakery (Sterk's is in Vineland, ON, but you can get their products in several locations in Toronto.) I will have to try Sweet Expressions; I have heard about it a couple of times now. Just have to actually wake up in the morning on Saturday instead of at the crack of noon!

[Olivia]

I really love your site, it's so friendly and a great resource!
I'm from Toronto and I live in Montreal now. Every time I go back to Toronto, I have to go to Il Fornello. It's great. And, when I go with friends or family they usually get the gf pasta or crust too - it's such a treat to be able to taste someone else's meal!
I agree, Kinnikinnick is amazing. The Sobey's in Fort Erie has a pretty good selection.
For all you Canadians (and interested Americans), I highly recommend going to the annual Canadian Celiac Association conference. I went for the first time last year (in Halifax) and it was great - it's like a big party of people with celiac, plus up-to-date medical and nutrition information.
And finally, a question -- does anybody know of good gf restaurants, bakeries, etc. in Montreal? I've found it really hard to find good gf (or sg - sans gluten) resources here.
Cheers!

[Pat Libling]

Being a Celiac I have been reading your website for months. My daughter who is also Celiac first let me know about you.

This month you mentioned Canada so I thought I'd write. I own a gluten-free bakery in Montreal PatsyPie Gluten-Free. We make Biscotti (Cranberry/Orange, Almond, Pecan, Almond/Raisin, Chocolate Chip and Pecan) Cookies (Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Snappy Ginger and Raisin) and the best Double Chocolate Brownie Bites. If you are at all interested in trying PatsyPie you contact me at
1-87-PATSYPIE or email at info@patsypie.com. Our website is under reconstruction right now but if you want to take a look at what is to come you can visit at www.patsypie.com

If we are not available in your area we are offering a special on shipping: purchase a case of 8 bags (can be assorted) and the shipping is free anywhere in Canada and the US. So give me a call and I can tell you all about us. And if the Celiac Chicks contact me I can send along some samples for you to try.

Patsy

[Rick]

I have been diagnosed with Celiac for only 13 months.
I think its wonderful that Canada has so much wonderful foods, especially bread. But how about here in the U.S. I have yet to have any bread that tastes good. My question is why?

[Kim]

Thanks, fellow Canadians, for all the additional information! Sharing is cool ...

[Janet]

Next time you're in Canada, try the gluten-free beer too. It's made in Quebec from rice and buckwheat and is available across the country. In Ontario, you can buy it by the six pack in the LCBO stores. It's called La Messagere.

[Filomena]

Hello
I have not been diagnosed with Celiac Disease by my family Dr..but my naturopathic dr..strongly believes that i have it...since I have been anemic for so long.
I would like to know which blood tests I can have to confirm this...and whom can I go see
Regards
Filomena

[Michelle]

Hi Canada experts-
I am planning a trip to Montreal in a few weeks and am looking for tasty, GF-friendly places to eat. Does anyone have any suggestions? I will definitely be checking out the PastyPie bakery!
Thanks,
Michelle

[Sarah]

I've found that even in the last two years the selection of GF foods on Toronto has really grown! And yes Sweet Expressions in the St. Lawrence make the best GF banana breads, muffins (harvest muffin is my favourtie) and brownies are excellent!! I also love to get my Kinnikinnick chocolate covered donuts at Whole Foods in Yorkville (they are even better when eaten frozen for some reason, like a girl guide cookie). I've also picked up Kinnikinnick pizza crusts (really good for a pizza craving at home) and a really great brand of bagels that I can't remember the brand name of! I have no problem finding GF food to prepare or at restaurants!

[Carolyn]

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac and have just moved downtown toronto. I was wondering if Sweet Expressions was still open in the St.Lawerence market? I couldn't find it and I have such a sweet tooth! Also wondering if anyone has tried the magic over pizza? It sells and delivers gluten free pizza. Has anyone found kinnikinni bread here? They had it out in new brunswick and it was soooo delicious, I want to find it here, I believe its based out of Ontario. If there are any other good places or products to try let me know! Thanks!!!

[Wendy]

There's a new restaurant in Toronto that caters to celiacs called Big Mamma's Boy, located at 554 Parliament St, in Cabbagetown. The restaurant features home cooking, with an emphasis on organics, and gluten free meals. All of their food can be delivered, and they also have fantastic pizzas. They have a great gluten free pizza crusts (there is a gluten/dairy/yeast free crust made with potato starch and tapioca starches). They make all desserts in house, and all of them are gluten free. Their desserts change daily, but I've come across otameal raisin rosewater cookies made into ice cream sandwhiches, flourless chocolate cakes, and nutty pavlovas.

The owner/chef is really accomodating to speial needs and requests. This place is a must eat for all Torontonian celiacs.

[Rhonda]

Will be living temporarily in Montreal in fall, 2005. I would appreciate any and all tips about places to eat out and where to buy GF products. Thanks!

[JR]

The quejos sound wonderful! I am nowhere near Canada, but I googled around and found many recipes for these. The usual name is Pão de Queijo, and the usual translation is Brazilian tapioca-cheese rolls. When I googled this, I found lots of recipes which look easy, albeit caloric. Manioc is just another word for tapioca.

[Sarah]

GF Canada has a lot to offer! I too visit Il Fornello to satisfy my pizza cravings, there’s also a stall at the farmers market in Toronto that sells GF muffins (their morning glory’s are awesome!), GF brownies (really good since they make their own Belgian chocolate), GF banana bread etc. They rotate their offerings as well so it’s not the same stuff all the time.

The Magic Oven Pizzeria on Broadview also offers a gluten free rice based crust. And the best GF bagels I’ve had were Glutino brand available at Whole Foods in Yorkville (the ones that come in regular bread or bagel bag, not the sealed bags)! I’m also glad to see that Whole Foods is offering their own GF muffins and loaves. And ok, if you haven’t tried Kinnikinnick’s chocolate frosted donuts – order some or drop by Whole Foods!! They’re like Girl Guide cookies in that they taste as good if not better when semi-frozen!

I was diagnosed 3 ½ years ago and I have to say that in that short time the products available to celiac’s in Toronto has grown by leaps and bounds. A great thing to see!

[Carolyn]

Thanks for the great tips sarah! Do you know where the gluten free stall is at the St.Lawrence Market? I went on a saturday and couldn't find it anywhere. I think I will order a magic oven pizza for dinner tonight!

[Millie]

For those of you who were asking about GF friendly places in Montreal, I can share some of my own knowledge. I was diagnosed in 1994 (when I was 16) so I may be able to help some neophytes. Feel free to e-mail me.

There's a bakery in Cavendish Mall that sells GF products - bread, cookies, brownies, etc.

The pastry chef at Le Paltoquet on Van Horne in Outremont makes two different GF cakes: pistachio and chocolate, and a chestnut-based one. Very delicious - just be sure to mention something when you order. He can clean out his whole kitchen before preparing the cakes.

As for restaurants, there are a few that I enjoy going to. Obviously, not everything on the menu is GF but the stuff that is is very good. Here are the restaurants I have tried and am confident about: Casa Pescara (pasta & pizza), Baton Rouge (ribs), Entrecote St-Jean (steak), Au Coin d'Asie, Bonaparte, Entrepont (fish). I know that I must be forgetting some but it's a start.

Good luck to all the celiac Montrealers!

[Rhonda]

Thanks for the tips about Montreal, Millie. I also appreciate information about Toronto and other Canadian locations...I am going to enjoy checking out all the new places.

[Adriana]

I just found out I have celiac disease and am having a hard time coping with the lack bread and well...lack of everything. I live in Mississauga and work in Toronto, so I think I have a few choices for a gf restaurant. If anyone can give some helpful advice as to how to start my new lifestyle, it would be greatly appreciated.