London Is Awesome

[elonwy]

I'm staying in Muswell Hill just above Highgate. I went to a Girrafe's for breakfast and showed them my dining card. The girl took one look at it and said "ok gluten free, what would you like instead of the toast" and wrote gluten-free down. I had a lovely gluten-free english breakfast.

Went to the Sainsbury's right after that and grabbed a bunch of goodies. Coconut cookies are yummy, they had glutano crackers, I got some savory biscuits (one of my fav things I thought I would never have again), and some Sainsbury's bread. They had a whole bunch of great stuff. Everyone I've run into knows what I'm talking about. Had some lovely cider at a pub.

I like it here.

Elonwy

[jerseyangel]

Elonwy--Sounds like you're having a great time! Thanks for checking in

[floridanative]

Isn't is great when servers know what Celaic and gluten are??!! I did enjoy the food in Paris more than in London but unlike Paris, in London the hosptitality staff (in restaurants I mean) are all trained on Celiac and gluten so they know what you can and can't have, as do the chefs. Have afternoon tea while you're there. You can get gluten free 'tea' food at most any place that serves afternoon tea. We had it at the Dorchester and it was lovely. Our tea sandwiches were so wonderful that we thought they could not be gluten free...but they were! Enjoy your holiday and don't miss Westminster Abbey!

[MySuicidalTurtle]

That's so cool, Elonwy.

[nikki-uk]

Glad you are enjoying it Elonwy-and the cider!!

If you get a chance the best supermarket is Tesco,they have a good 'free from' range.

[gfp]

Glad you are enjoying it Elonwy-and the cider!!

If you get a chance the best supermarket is Tesco,they have a good 'free from' range.

I find each branch different .. especially not only stocks but storage... Sometimes you find the gluten-free flour under the wheat flour covered in poision... sometimes you find an enormous selection ... it all seems to be down to the actual branch.

elonwy: Try a La Tasca (tapas) they are all over London (the one next to covent garden is nice) and they have seperate items on the menu prepared off-site in a gluten-free kitchen.

[aikiducky]

I love those savory bisquits, too! Next time I'm in England I'm going to save half my suitcase for them, I swear! :D

Pauliina

[jenvan]

That's encouraging to hear! I will make it to Europe for a vaca one of these days!!!

[elonwy]

Garfunkel's was on the list of gluten-free friendly places, so I stopped by when I saw one today. They were friendly to the gluten-free thing, but the food was terrible, and there was a bug in my salad because someone had forgotten to rinse the greens and I lost my appetite and didn't eat my food, and when I showed the gross bug to the waitress she said "Oh thats special for guests with allergies" and that was the end of it. Which is funny until it got to the part where they expected me to pay the whole bill, even though I barely touched my food and had completey lost my appetite, and even had the nerve to ask for a tip!

This is my official bad review for Garfunkels.

Elonwy

[taz sharratt]

I'm staying in Muswell Hill just above Highgate. I went to a Girrafe's for breakfast and showed them my dining card. The girl took one look at it and said "ok gluten free, what would you like instead of the toast" and wrote gluten-free down. I had a lovely gluten-free english breakfast.

Went to the Sainsbury's right after that and grabbed a bunch of goodies. Coconut cookies are yummy, they had glutano crackers, I got some savory biscuits (one of my fav things I thought I would never have again), and some Sainsbury's bread. They had a whole bunch of great stuff. Everyone I've run into knows what I'm talking about. Had some lovely cider at a pub.

I like it here.

Elonwy

try the sainsburys fruit cake, its YUMMY. its free from gluten,wheat and dairy. also tesco do a lovely pitta bread.

[jkmunchkin]

Wow this sounds incredible!! I think you just gave me a reason to go back to London

[DILIROTH]

London is a fantastic city and its a great vacation spot for Celiacs!

I found it refreshing to stop at almost any local grocery and find a selection of gluten-free breads or pastries. Additionally, most of the wait staff were knowledgable about Glutten and I didnt have to explain everything to them - it really makes for a relaxing and stress free vacation!

Definately try La Tasca - they are usually friendly and easy to find with multiple locations with great food. Also, there are some wonderful Thai resturants in London - I dont have a favorite and like to try a different restaurant each time - which is easy in London.

So Glad you are enjoying your trip!

Theresa