Travel

[Gemini]

Give me a few hours and I can comment on many of these choices for you.  I am at work and will reply over lunch!

[Gemini]

OK.....now let's attack that list you posted! 

 

I will say that eating out safely while traveling can be done successfully but you have to get used to the idea that you will be spending more money eating at higher end restaurants.  Occasionally, you may run into cheap eats places that do gluten-free really well but they are in the minority.  I am a diagnosed Celiac who presented with classic Celiac, meaning I weighed next to nothing by the time I was diagnosed AND I am really sensitive to trace amounts.  I do not eat out often when I am home but when I vacation, I want to eat out like everyone else.  We do that for dinner and cook our own breakfast so it works out well.  You may have to resort to eating plain at some restaurants but that is better than getting sick.

 

Not Your Average Joe's- Food is good, they are a chain and have multiple locations.  I have never gotten sick there.  They have a gluten-free menu.  It is less expensive than some of your other choices.

 

Davio's- I have not eaten there but my sister has and loves the place.  I will admit that she is half ass gluten free....which annoys the hell out of me.  She was never diagnosed and has a self control problem.    But she says Davio's does a good job and the food is good.  OK....I just took a peak at their gluten-free menu and WOW!!!!! I am going to try them out when I have a chance.  Looks luscious.......

 

Elephant Walk- I have eaten there once and the food was very good and I did not get sick.  They have been doing gluten-free for a long time....before it was fashionable to do so.  It is upscale Thai food so if you like Thai, it would be a safe bet for you.

 

L'Espalier- Ha, Ha!!!!!  L'Espalier is THE FRENCH restaurant to go to in Boston and I have never been because it is so expensive.  I have eaten at very expensive restaurants a few times in my life and, although the food was phenomenal, you have to weigh whether it is truly worth it or not. My friends go there and do the tasting menu (they are not gluten-free) and it costs about $150.00 per person for the tasting menu.  I just cannot bring myself to spend that much money on dinner.  I am sure you could eat there cheaper, and the food is renowned to be amazing but really?  I love French food but I wish American French restaurants would do more of the country French menu's and not the masterpiece works of art that cost a fortune to eat!     If you end up going, please let me know about your experience because I haven't found anyone gluten-free who has been there. The French do gluten-free really well and easily but a lot of people don't spend that much on dinner.

 

Nebo's- I have not been yet but have heard good things about them. Nebo's has gotten good reviews and is very gluten-free friendly.  I have got to get into Town more often because now I want to go!  The other great place to find good gluten-free Italian is the North End, which is the Italian neighborhood in Boston.  It's a stone's throw from Nebo's, across the Greenway. The Greenway is a pedestrian walk way that used to be the expressway for cars and is a lovely area to hang out and eat.  If you google North End Boston gluten-free dining, it comes up with a good amount to choose from.  I really must make it a point to check out Nebo's because their menu looks awesome.

 

Blue Ginger- Home of the famous Ming Tsai of PBS cooking show fame.  It is located in Wellesley, which is about as upscale as it gets.  I have eaten there twice and yes, it is expensive. It is VERY SAFE as Ming pretty much wrote the book on allergy dining.  His son had severe food allergies and he learned to cook for people like us.

I actually met him when we ate there for New Year's Eve. As good as the food is, I have to reluctantly admit that I was disappointed a little.  Not by the food but I found the choices were limited, funny enough.  Things may have changed but I was expecting to eat the phenomenal food he prepares on his cooking show and when I told them I was Celiac, I was disappointed that my choices were not as exotic as I thought I was going to get.  Petty b%$@#, I know, but I wanted some amazing stir fry or Asian dish and it was more mainstream offerings.  But the food is very good, as far as prep goes.

 

Legal Seafoods is a great option for seafood and I think you can still get the gluten-free stuffed lobstah.    Their menu is very good and varied and the food about as safe as it gets.  The one on Long Wharf is oceanside so it's a nice place to eat.

 

The other restaurants you mentioned I am not familiar with....sorry.  I would also recommend using this: Open Original Shared Link.  It lists a lot of places by zipcode or city and gives reviews by the gluten-free crowd.

 

I hope this helps and if you find any place else you have questions on, ask away.  I admit I do not dine out all that much but when I do, I spend more money to eat safely.  That's what makes going out such a treat.  But Boston is a much easier place to find gluten-free so you will do fine, I am sure. 

 

 

[mfarrell]

OK.....now let's attack that list you posted! 

 

I will say that eating out safely while traveling can be done successfully but you have to get used to the idea that you will be spending more money eating at higher end restaurants.  Occasionally, you may run into cheap eats places that do gluten-free really well but they are in the minority.  I am a diagnosed Celiac who presented with classic Celiac, meaning I weighed next to nothing by the time I was diagnosed AND I am really sensitive to trace amounts.  I do not eat out often when I am home but when I vacation, I want to eat out like everyone else.  We do that for dinner and cook our own breakfast so it works out well.  You may have to resort to eating plain at some restaurants but that is better than getting sick.

 

Not Your Average Joe's- Food is good, they are a chain and have multiple locations.  I have never gotten sick there.  They have a gluten-free menu.  It is less expensive than some of your other choices.

 

Davio's- I have not eaten there but my sister has and loves the place.  I will admit that she is half ass gluten free....which annoys the hell out of me.  She was never diagnosed and has a self control problem.    But she says Davio's does a good job and the food is good.  OK....I just took a peak at their gluten-free menu and WOW!!!!! I am going to try them out when I have a chance.  Looks luscious.......

 

Elephant Walk- I have eaten there once and the food was very good and I did not get sick.  They have been doing gluten-free for a long time....before it was fashionable to do so.  It is upscale Thai food so if you like Thai, it would be a safe bet for you.

 

L'Espalier- Ha, Ha!!!!!  L'Espalier is THE FRENCH restaurant to go to in Boston and I have never been because it is so expensive.  I have eaten at very expensive restaurants a few times in my life and, although the food was phenomenal, you have to weigh whether it is truly worth it or not. My friends go there and do the tasting menu (they are not gluten-free) and it costs about $150.00 per person for the tasting menu.  I just cannot bring myself to spend that much money on dinner.  I am sure you could eat there cheaper, and the food is renowned to be amazing but really?  I love French food but I wish American French restaurants would do more of the country French menu's and not the masterpiece works of art that cost a fortune to eat!     If you end up going, please let me know about your experience because I haven't found anyone gluten-free who has been there. The French do gluten-free really well and easily but a lot of people don't spend that much on dinner.

 

Nebo's- I have not been yet but have heard good things about them. Nebo's has gotten good reviews and is very gluten-free friendly.  I have got to get into Town more often because now I want to go!  The other great place to find good gluten-free Italian is the North End, which is the Italian neighborhood in Boston.  It's a stone's throw from Nebo's, across the Greenway. The Greenway is a pedestrian walk way that used to be the expressway for cars and is a lovely area to hang out and eat.  If you google North End Boston gluten-free dining, it comes up with a good amount to choose from.  I really must make it a point to check out Nebo's because their menu looks awesome.

 

Blue Ginger- Home of the famous Ming Tsai of PBS cooking show fame.  It is located in Wellesley, which is about as upscale as it gets.  I have eaten there twice and yes, it is expensive. It is VERY SAFE as Ming pretty much wrote the book on allergy dining.  His son had severe food allergies and he learned to cook for people like us.

I actually met him when we ate there for New Year's Eve. As good as the food is, I have to reluctantly admit that I was disappointed a little.  Not by the food but I found the choices were limited, funny enough.  Things may have changed but I was expecting to eat the phenomenal food he prepares on his cooking show and when I told them I was Celiac, I was disappointed that my choices were not as exotic as I thought I was going to get.  Petty b%$@#, I know, but I wanted some amazing stir fry or Asian dish and it was more mainstream offerings.  But the food is very good, as far as prep goes.

 

Legal Seafoods is a great option for seafood and I think you can still get the gluten-free stuffed lobstah.    Their menu is very good and varied and the food about as safe as it gets.  The one on Long Wharf is oceanside so it's a nice place to eat.

 

The other restaurants you mentioned I am not familiar with....sorry.  I would also recommend using this: Open Original Shared Link.  It lists a lot of places by zipcode or city and gives reviews by the gluten-free crowd.

 

I hope this helps and if you find any place else you have questions on, ask away.  I admit I do not dine out all that much but when I do, I spend more money to eat safely.  That's what makes going out such a treat.  But Boston is a much easier place to find gluten-free so you will do fine, I am sure. 

Wow! wait until I show this very good review of gluten free Boston to my husband tonight! He will be so excited that I can actually have a normal vacation (or semi- sorta)  Legal Seafoods is my #1 choice but a few of the others are very tempting too.  Since my diagnosis, we rarely go out to eat.  We used to go about once a week and since April we have gone out to eat about 2 times I think.  We like sports bars too.... Champion's Sports Bar on Huntington Ave any good or do you know?  We will splurge for dinner and I will be snacking during the day on fruits and veggies since he will be at a conference for part of the day so I deserve good dinners!   

 

We have so few places here in Mississippi that I will most likely avoid the gluten free pizza places..... Legal Seafood, Not your average Joe's, Elephant Walk and Nebo's are my top choices......

 

It's good to know I am going to a place that is gluten free friendly!  In a few months I will be asking about Chicago! 

[gilligan]

I haven't read through this whole topic so this may have been answered, but I'm sure you could fly with a soft-sided cooler.  I've flown with an insulated lunch box many times - I usually fill it with fruit snacks, power bars, boiled eggs, fresh fruit, nuts, cookies, etc.  Never a problem.  When it's empty, I just smash it in my carry-on.  I also travel with a letter from my dr. that states I must travel with my own due to celiac.  There is a company called Mountain House that makes freeze dried camping/hiking meals.  They also make gluten free ones.   I plan to order some, but just haven't done it yet.  You can also find them at outdoor stores such Gander Mtn., Scheels, etc.

[Gemini]

Wow! wait until I show this very good review of gluten free Boston to my husband tonight! He will be so excited that I can actually have a normal vacation (or semi- sorta)  Legal Seafoods is my #1 choice but a few of the others are very tempting too.  Since my diagnosis, we rarely go out to eat.  We used to go about once a week and since April we have gone out to eat about 2 times I think.  We like sports bars too.... Champion's Sports Bar on Huntington Ave any good or do you know?  We will splurge for dinner and I will be snacking during the day on fruits and veggies since he will be at a conference for part of the day so I deserve good dinners! 

 

We have so few places here in Mississippi that I will most likely avoid the gluten free pizza places..... Legal Seafood, Not your average Joe's, Elephant Walk and Nebo's are my top choices......

 

It's good to know I am going to a place that is gluten free friendly!  In a few months I will be asking about Chicago! 

I have never been to Champion's but I would suggest that you call them when you get to your hotel and inquire if they can accommodate a Celiac gluten free diet.  Make sure they know you have actual Celiac Disease and aren't doing the diet because it makes travel so easy.     Many places may not have an actual gluten-free menu but they can accommodate safely.  Believe me, many of the restaurants in our area receive multiple enquiries per day regarding the gluten-free diet.  This is what they tell me. The need is there so they accommodate.  I have had very few places tell me that they cannot make me a safe meal and it usually revolves around kitchen size. You never know until you talk to them.

 

You may also want to check to see if it is listed on the website I linked in my previous post. 

 

You should also check with your hotel to see if they have a gluten-free menu for breakfast.  Some of the hotels in Boston actually offer a gluten-free menu and really accommodate well.  I had a phenomenal breakfast at the Omni Parker House Hotel recently.  I do not eat from buffets when traveling, unless I am the first one in line and that never happens, and they had a gluten-free menu which included pancakes and eggs benedict, all made to order.  I felt great afterwards.......no sickies! 

 

The Whole Foods market you mentioned is great.......they have lots of options for us so you will not be hungry!

 

You will find that the benefit of not eating out much while at home means a bigger budget for dining out when away.  Do not feel bad about cost because it forces you to eat healthier and the odds you will get sick go way down.  Dining out for me is such a treat now because it doesn't happen very often.......except on vacation.

[mfarrell]

I would like everyone to know that Boston, MA is extremely celiac friendly.  There wasn't a restaurant that didn't have a gluten free menu and MOST all of those had a dedicated fryer/section of the kitchen to prepare your gluten free choices.  I had a great vacation! 

[cyclinglady]

Nice to hear!

[Gemini]

Glad to hear you had a good time and ate well! I knew they wouldn't let you down. New York is the same way......lots of options.