We went to Portland a few weeks ago and I planned ahead big time where I could eat. Granted we didn't go to half the places I found but what we did find was wonderful. Corbetts fish house and the coffee house next door were perfect. I contacted Besaws and they were more then happy to accommodate me, although they are so packed we never made it in the door. The coffee house is gluten free but only at that location.
I had a huge list, if you go to Google maps and type in "eating gluten free Portland or" it lists a bunch of places. Doing the search that way returned the most results.
BUT when I do this for the Seattle area my choices are so much smaller and quite disappointing. I have read reviews on here of where you all eat. Since I live north of Seattle it is a trip to go to any of these places and quite honestly I just don't make the trip often.
I will tell you that Da Vincis is a hugely mixed review. Her baked goods just don't compare to what they have at the Corbett coffee house. Da Vincis tastes of corn flour and the texture reminded us of cornbread. I am not exactly complaining though because it is great to be able to eat something without worry. I had a piece of pizza from there and while good, it too had the cornbread reminder to it. Also it was extremely salty and it took me a full day to recover from that. If I am headed that way I will stop in for something because it is better then the alternatives. The owner was there and the mood in the place was not friendly, the girl behind the counter served us but nothing past getting us our food. She barely spoke to us. The owner spoke and was nice but nothing to make you go, oh I like being here! Also, the coffee is so so.
Corbetts coffee house I am in love with. The atmosphere and the staff and the coffee and the baked goods, I would think about driving to Portland just to go there! Yes it is that good.
One thing we did find were some frozen gluten-free cookies at Whole Food. Oh man they were good, we chowed on them!
What I am trying to find though, does Seattle area (north would be nice) have a place to eat that is safe? We are not talking the little upscale restaurant where you get dressed nice and go out to eat. I am talking normal everyday places.
Oh and speaking of nicer places, we ate at Emory's in Silverlake. They have a gluten-free menu, the staff is very helpful and the food was sooooooooooo good. I had no problems but it isn't an every day place for us as it is a bit more upscale.
Of course we all know I want to open a café but that isn't today or tomorrow. Testing recipes is a lot of work! LOL Curious though, what would you all look for in a small local cafe. I will tell you what I see....
The best coffee I can find, in ceramic cups no less! (read my blog, that is a huge deal to me).
Friendly, and good service. I don't mind if the coffee takes a few minutes to make as perfection cannot be rushed!
Good food, not fancy but good. Mostly desserts, brownies, coffee cake, muffins, what else? OH and since cheesecake is my specialty there will be cheesecake.
I am not sure how much I want to get into serving foods cooked to order though, I am mainly thinking coffee house style.
I guess I am looking for a couple of things, where can I eat around here (please don't say Mexican unless you know for sure a place cause I get sick every time I eat it)
and what are you looking for in a café(personal planning).
for coffee house list, how about biscuits or scones?
random idea, haven't seen commercially, but could do a stack of 3-5 mini pancakes/johnny cakes with butter & syrup &/or jam as an item, would be tasty and cute (if they don't get soggy)
some nice tea, including herbal
some interesting not-too-sweet bottled bev choices
for eating out N of Seattle - bummer, grew up there but no current knowledge.
Have you tried greek or middle-eastern places? They often have adaptable menus, that is plenty of choices they don't have to "change" to make gluten-free. And are often quite reasonably priced. Basically, try anywhere non-chain, with their own we-make-from-scratch kitchen, that has takeout and/or lacks tablecloths
And beware any food service (eg Sysco)-supplied chicken, if it's pre-marinated by the supplier it often has wheat in it 
Good luck!
random idea, haven't seen commercially, but could do a stack of 3-5 mini pancakes/johnny cakes with butter & syrup &/or jam as an item, would be tasty and cute (if they don't get soggy)
some nice tea, including herbal
some interesting not-too-sweet bottled bev choices
for eating out N of Seattle - bummer, grew up there but no current knowledge.
Have you tried greek or middle-eastern places? They often have adaptable menus, that is plenty of choices they don't have to "change" to make gluten-free. And are often quite reasonably priced. Basically, try anywhere non-chain, with their own we-make-from-scratch kitchen, that has takeout and/or lacks tablecloths
And beware any food service (eg Sysco)-supplied chicken, if it's pre-marinated by the supplier it often has wheat in it Good luck!
Oh, those are excellent ideas. Johnnycakes is something I need to learn to make and I need to practice my scones.
The teas and bottled bev ideas, thanks for reminding me. That is something that gets ignored somewhat, it's as though if you aren't drinking coffee we are not going to give you any thing good! I love a good cup of tea.
We are going to Anacortes this weekend and there are some non-chain places there. I emailed and the responses are always interesting. One place was so helpful, told me I could bring my own rolls or bread-stuff, and of course what I could and couldn't eat. The other place was sort of helpful, told me to stay away from the roux thickened soup but had no idea what salad dressing I could eat!!!!
Thanks again for the ideas I greatly appreciate them, they are going in my café planning notebook.
The teas and bottled bev ideas, thanks for reminding me. That is something that gets ignored somewhat, it's as though if you aren't drinking coffee we are not going to give you any thing good! I love a good cup of tea.
We are going to Anacortes this weekend and there are some non-chain places there. I emailed and the responses are always interesting. One place was so helpful, told me I could bring my own rolls or bread-stuff, and of course what I could and couldn't eat. The other place was sort of helpful, told me to stay away from the roux thickened soup but had no idea what salad dressing I could eat!!!!
Thanks again for the ideas I greatly appreciate them, they are going in my café planning notebook.
Hi!
If I were in Seattle, I would go to the Impromptu Bistro where chef Daniel Ahern cooks. His wife is Shauna Ahern of "Gluten-free Girl" fame. Her made his whole bistro gluten free.
You can find a link with the menu on http://glutenfreegirl.com under "where to find the Chef."
If I were in Seattle, I would go to the Impromptu Bistro where chef Daniel Ahern cooks. His wife is Shauna Ahern of "Gluten-free Girl" fame. Her made his whole bistro gluten free.
You can find a link with the menu on http://glutenfreegirl.com under "where to find the Chef."
QUOTE (Lisa16 @ Feb 11 2008, 05:13 PM) 
Hi!
If I were in Seattle, I would go to the Impromptu Bistro where chef Daniel Ahern cooks. His wife is Shauna Ahern of "Gluten-free Girl" fame. Her made his whole bistro gluten free.
You can find a link with the menu on http://glutenfreegirl.com under "where to find the Chef."
If I were in Seattle, I would go to the Impromptu Bistro where chef Daniel Ahern cooks. His wife is Shauna Ahern of "Gluten-free Girl" fame. Her made his whole bistro gluten free.
You can find a link with the menu on http://glutenfreegirl.com under "where to find the Chef."
Lisa, when I need a special place to eat out, that is the place to go (no I haven't gone yet). I don't really go into Seattle for much, I am at least 30 min out and when you live in an outlying area, well I for one don't enjoy going into the city. I am much more of a country girl! lol
A decent Mexican place would be nice for once but there isn't a single one that I don't get sick from. Bugs me to know end. Last time there were fried tortilla strips accidental mixed into the bottom of my "safe" nachos!
Here in Bothell we have Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill, both of which have gluten-free menus. I've not tried either one because I have additional food allergies and that would mean a very limited amount of choices for me. Plus I don't like fish! I believe there is an Outback in North Seattle.
In Lynwood there is The Old Spaghetti Factory. We get the gluten-free pasta there with no trouble, aside from having to wait for it a very long time on a few occasions. On the plus side, they did give us a free meal.
We have not had problems with Mexican food. One of our favorite places here in Bothell is Yucatan. They even have a disclaimer on their menu about food allergies. We also like Ixtapa in Lynnwood. And Las Brisas in downtown Edmonds, although they are more expensive. They are all good to make our food special for us.
Another place we like in Lynnwood is A.P. Barbaras. They do not have a gluten-free menu but they are good to work with our food allergies and have a few different options for us. We often get the hummus platter with cucumbers instead of pita bread.
In Lynwood there is The Old Spaghetti Factory. We get the gluten-free pasta there with no trouble, aside from having to wait for it a very long time on a few occasions. On the plus side, they did give us a free meal.
We have not had problems with Mexican food. One of our favorite places here in Bothell is Yucatan. They even have a disclaimer on their menu about food allergies. We also like Ixtapa in Lynnwood. And Las Brisas in downtown Edmonds, although they are more expensive. They are all good to make our food special for us.
Another place we like in Lynnwood is A.P. Barbaras. They do not have a gluten-free menu but they are good to work with our food allergies and have a few different options for us. We often get the hummus platter with cucumbers instead of pita bread.
QUOTE (Juliebove @ Feb 12 2008, 03:18 PM)
Here in Bothell we have Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill, both of which have gluten-free menus. I've not tried either one because I have additional food allergies and that would mean a very limited amount of choices for me. Plus I don't like fish! I believe there is an Outback in North Seattle.
In Lynwood there is The Old Spaghetti Factory. We get the gluten-free pasta there with no trouble, aside from having to wait for it a very long time on a few occasions. On the plus side, they did give us a free meal.
We have not had problems with Mexican food. One of our favorite places here in Bothell is Yucatan. They even have a disclaimer on their menu about food allergies. We also like Ixtapa in Lynnwood. And Las Brisas in downtown Edmonds, although they are more expensive. They are all good to make our food special for us.
Another place we like in Lynnwood is A.P. Barbaras. They do not have a gluten-free menu but they are good to work with our food allergies and have a few different options for us. We often get the hummus platter with cucumbers instead of pita bread.
In Lynwood there is The Old Spaghetti Factory. We get the gluten-free pasta there with no trouble, aside from having to wait for it a very long time on a few occasions. On the plus side, they did give us a free meal.
We have not had problems with Mexican food. One of our favorite places here in Bothell is Yucatan. They even have a disclaimer on their menu about food allergies. We also like Ixtapa in Lynnwood. And Las Brisas in downtown Edmonds, although they are more expensive. They are all good to make our food special for us.
Another place we like in Lynnwood is A.P. Barbaras. They do not have a gluten-free menu but they are good to work with our food allergies and have a few different options for us. We often get the hummus platter with cucumbers instead of pita bread.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
I really appreciate the names of places.
They are going on my list of places to go.
There is also P.F. Changs one is located in downtown Seattle or there is one at the alderwood mall (Lynnwoood)
I had forgotten all about A.P. Barbara's (and me named Barb, go figure!)so I went there the other day and had a delish lunch. Thank you so much for reminding me about them as they are not far for me and even though the food is so good, I don't feel like I have to get dressed up to go.
I found there is a Outback Steakhouse just north of me, I wasn't aware it was there! We were given a gift card to there for Christmas, we will be going soon as I am a steak lover.
I am going to have to try the Mexican places you mentioned, I grew up on Mexican and it is my favorite food, it very much so bothers me to not eat it! But stay away from La Palmara!
PF Changs is at our local mall, they are just so busy all the time. All the restaurants around the mall are like that though.
I found there is a Outback Steakhouse just north of me, I wasn't aware it was there! We were given a gift card to there for Christmas, we will be going soon as I am a steak lover.
I am going to have to try the Mexican places you mentioned, I grew up on Mexican and it is my favorite food, it very much so bothers me to not eat it! But stay away from La Palmara!
PF Changs is at our local mall, they are just so busy all the time. All the restaurants around the mall are like that though.
QUOTE (bakingbarb @ Mar 2 2008, 11:19 PM)
I had forgotten all about A.P. Barbara's (and me named Barb, go figure!)so I went there the other day and had a delish lunch. Thank you so much for reminding me about them as they are not far for me and even though the food is so good, I don't feel like I have to get dressed up to go.
I found there is a Outback Steakhouse just north of me, I wasn't aware it was there! We were given a gift card to there for Christmas, we will be going soon as I am a steak lover.
I am going to have to try the Mexican places you mentioned, I grew up on Mexican and it is my favorite food, it very much so bothers me to not eat it! But stay away from La Palmara!
PF Changs is at our local mall, they are just so busy all the time. All the restaurants around the mall are like that though.
I found there is a Outback Steakhouse just north of me, I wasn't aware it was there! We were given a gift card to there for Christmas, we will be going soon as I am a steak lover.
I am going to have to try the Mexican places you mentioned, I grew up on Mexican and it is my favorite food, it very much so bothers me to not eat it! But stay away from La Palmara!
PF Changs is at our local mall, they are just so busy all the time. All the restaurants around the mall are like that though.
We just went to La Palmera last night. We don't usually have problems but we did have to send the dip back last night because they put cheese in it. We can't have cheese. After saying "no cheese" on everything we ordered, you'd think they would have gotten it right. They were very busy last night though and seemed very rushed.