Katie Nelson
I was diagnosed with Celiac disease on November 1, 2006. Funny how easily I remember the exact day I went gluten-free. The date is as easy to remember as Christmas or my birthday. At first, I assumed I would be consuming nothing but grass and nuts for the rest of my life. But through trial and error, and with the love and support of my family and friends, I have been living gluten-free for nearly two years. I couldn't be happier or healthier. I am gladly gluten-free!
Out and About and Gluten-Free in Northern California
- By Katie Nelson
- Published 04/9/2008
If you ever feel obligated to visit northern California, there are two gluten-free establishments that should not be missed.
Firstly, the Mariposa Bakehouse and Cafe is a must-see. This quaint little establishment located on the Berkeley/Oakland border is impeccably clean, and better yet, is entirely gluten-free. The food is near-gourmet and is fairly priced. No matter what you order, you will always be more than pleased. The pizza is always fresh, the muffins are near-perfection, and the bagels are sinfully delicious. The cafe is kid-friendly, and the service is nothing short of spectacular! A five-star in my book.
The second place I would recommend is Cafe Solstice in San Mateo. Located next to the Equinox gym, everything on the menu is gluten-free and vegan. It is technically a "raw" restaurant, an eatery where the philosophy is that by cooking food you deprive an individual of obtaining all the nutrients in the meal. Thus, everything is fresh and delicious. The employees are all very knowledgeable about a Celiac's needs and are more than willing to answer any questions you may have.
So, whether you are just stopping by or staying for a while, these two dining establishments are amazing places for Celiacs!
Firstly, the Mariposa Bakehouse and Cafe is a must-see. This quaint little establishment located on the Berkeley/Oakland border is impeccably clean, and better yet, is entirely gluten-free. The food is near-gourmet and is fairly priced. No matter what you order, you will always be more than pleased. The pizza is always fresh, the muffins are near-perfection, and the bagels are sinfully delicious. The cafe is kid-friendly, and the service is nothing short of spectacular! A five-star in my book.
The second place I would recommend is Cafe Solstice in San Mateo. Located next to the Equinox gym, everything on the menu is gluten-free and vegan. It is technically a "raw" restaurant, an eatery where the philosophy is that by cooking food you deprive an individual of obtaining all the nutrients in the meal. Thus, everything is fresh and delicious. The employees are all very knowledgeable about a Celiac's needs and are more than willing to answer any questions you may have.
So, whether you are just stopping by or staying for a while, these two dining establishments are amazing places for Celiacs!
Spread The Word
Comments
#1 ( kelsey)
What are some other gluten free restaurants in the Bay Area you may now of? I was recently diagnosed and I'm trying to regain normality again. lol. Any help or suggestions would be wonderful! Thank you!
#2 ( Katie Nelson)
Hi Kelsey,
Welcome to the Celiac community! Regaining normality is not as challenging, or foreboding a step, as one might think. There are a ton of places in and around the Bay Area that offer gluten-free meals, options, etc. I would suggest the following places to shop for your gluten-free food items: Draeger's, Whole Foods, and Trader Joes. Some commercial grocery stores (like Safeway or Luckys) may have some GF options, but this is not a guarantee. Your best bets are Whole Foods (which I highly recommend) and Draeger's (another excellent option).
As far as dining out is concerned, P.F. Chang's actually has a complete gluten-free menu with wonderful options. The waiters are very aware of the need to be gluten-free. Outback Steakhouse is another restaurant with a gluten-free menu. But, be forewarned, they are not as careful about cross-contamination. I once found a crouton in my salad, even though the restaurant says they will mix everything separately. Draeger's has a wonderful restaurant on the second floor of their store that I would highly recommend for brunch. Again, they are very aware of the need to be gluten-free. Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco and Berkeley offers gluten-free items, and is another restaurant that follows the "raw" philosophy. It, too, is an excellent place to grab a bite.
Generally, eating out is fairly easy if you are willing to work with the restaurant about what could be prepared for you. If you know where you are going ahead of time, then call. Communication is key! Also, bring your own salad dressing. This is always a big help for me.
Also, for special treats and desserts, Yogurt Park in Berkeley is the way to go! Of their 86 flavors, only a handful contain gluten (all the ones with cookie in the name). So, roughly 80 of their ice creams flavors are good to go. Cold Stone is gluten-free with the exception of any cake batter or cookie dough-flavored ice cream. However, you will want to be careful when mixing toppings in. Make sure the counter they do this on is clean so that no cross-contamination occurs! Baskin-Robbins is also fine. If you are in the city, be sure to visit Ghiradelli's!
Ok, I think that is a good jumping off point. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am more than happy to help you with anything you may need.
~Katie