Traveling To Montreal

[Googles]

I am traveling to Montreal for a conference in November. I am dreading traveling. I don't know how many days I'm going to be there. Can anyone help me with information about where I can eat? I don't know where I am staying yet. Any information will be helpful. This is the first time I've traveled except for my grandfather's funeral since I was diagnosed so it is still new. Thanks.

[jststric]

I have not been back to Montreal for years, ling before my problems began. But my husband travels there often and I think he understands my needs well enough to have a little knowlege for you. In general, the nicer restaurants with good chefs will be your best choices. He says not to be afraid of the language issue--French, as most also speak English. Bread does come with absolutely everything you may order. The national iconic food is Poutine, which is French fries with brown gravy and cheese curds. Obviously you cannot do the gravy. He says be vocal, ask questions and don't worry about offending, as people are fairly friendly there. If you have the opportunity to know ahead of time where you may be going to eat, call them an speak with the chef so he will have time to consider your needs and his ability to possibly tweek a dish just for you. Personally, I have found if I stick with grilled, steamed while foods I do pretty well. And don't be afraid to ask for a substitution. Have fun and try to relax.

[HGREY]

Just wanted to let you know that in Montr

[Cheryl-C]

I'm traveling to Montreal too, in October. Because we're driving, I'm loading the car with food However, it would be nice to be able to eat out with confidence. Recommendations appreciated!!

[NorthernElf]

I was in Montreal in June - with a school group - and had pretty good success. All our meals were eaten out. We had a great tour guide who advised restaurant staff, and after getting zinged once, I chimed in too - most places will listen to your requests. We went to Brisket Montreal (famous for it's smoked brisket) and while everyone else had sandwiches, I got a pile of smoked meat and a salad. Ok...not so great but I was healthy. I ate a lot of salads and sauceless meat and veggies...carried gluten-free rice crackers, cans of tuna, and fruit with me everywhere. I got glutened badly my first night, which really helped me careful for the rest of the trip ! I had eaten a grilled salmon dish...obviously the grill was contaminated. Oh, you can also buy bowls of rice at Safeway etc. (brand:Annie Chun's) - at one restaurant I had them nuke that for me to go with my plain meat & salad.

It's doable - kinda sucks but getting sick sucks worse ! Ha ha - when I got back I didn't eat crackers, tuna, or nut bars for awhile...

My food packing list....(I had no refrigeration)

Annie Chung's Rice bowls

Mesa Sunrise cereal

Container of nuts & dried cranberries for the cereal

Lara bars

small tuna tins

rice crackers

nut bars (Costco gluten-free ones)

salad dressing I made that needed no refrigeration (gluten-free soy sauce, balsalmic vinegar, dash of oil, spice)--helped those salads !

fruit

Riceworks chips in smaller ziplocs

gluten-free cookies in small containers (so they didn't get broken)

[Cheryl-C]

NorthernElf, thanks for the ideas! Getting glutened while traveling is definitely a big concern! I'm going with my boyfriend, his bro&gluten-free, sister&gluten-free, so I definitely want my insides to be on their best behaviours.

Did you find that most places new about gluten-free already, or did you have to go through everything item-by-item?

[NorthernElf]

Most didn't know- which is dangerous...about as dangerous as thinking you know !!

Because we ate out all the time, I just got used to eating stuff with nothing on it - no sauce, no basting, etc. It was the safest way to go. I actually got glutened badly twice, and possibly some minor CC in there too. I didn't eat much on days I was ill - I also carried Pepto Bismol & Tylenol.