The Glass Monkey - and our Gluten Free Experience

My friend Michelle picked The Glass Monkey Gastropub as our next dining experience - so she did the due diligence we always do before dining somewhere new - by checking out their knowledge and accommodation of Celiacs dining - gluten free choices and cross contamination issues.  She had the pleasure of emailing with the owner Rob Filipchuk and so off we went on a lovely Thursday evening to try out this Gastropub for the first time.

I was immediately was enticed by the bistro / pub vibe you get when you walk in ... will have to get a picture of the layout next time we go because for sure there will be more dining at The Glass Monkey.  We were offered a choice of seating options - either out on the patio, or at either a higher pub table closer to the bar and the Sports TV's or on the lower tables in the attached dining area.  We decided even though a lovely evening to sit inside at the lower tables ... once the hostess seated us - we were greeted by a very nice man who would be our server for the evening - he took our drink orders and as he was filling these the owner himself Rob came to our table.  Knowing of our reservation and familiar with our gluten free dining needs he proceeded to fill us in on the dining style at the Gastropub (from small plates, tapas to full meal dishes), and advise us of our best options on the menu and what their talented chef and staff could do to other options to make them gluten free.

We started off by sharing a  Charcuterie Board (sorry we dug right in and forgot to take a picture - next time ;)  Which they served to us replacing the crostini with some tasty gluten free seed crackers instead.  
 
I started with a delicious "soup of the day" that day it was a creamy lobster bisque - what a heavenly aroma that was followed by a well simmered taste.   

Michelle ordered the broccoli and I was fortunate enough that she shared!  Delicious - roasted with 
a walnut vinaigrette and sprinkled with Pecorino cheese - I love broccoli but this elevated it!

 


And we both dined on the Fish Tacos for our main dish - I will be going back just for these!  They were amazingly tasty and honestly I could have had more!  

Everything from the atmosphere, friendly vibe to the amazing food will be a good reason I recommend dining here for my friends.  It has a fun Gastropub atmosphere so great for a couple's date to dining out for the evening with friends.  We talked the evening away and they were very gracious to keep refilling our water glasses and letting us ladies chat the evening away - of course they were not as busy as they would be on some of their nights so we did not feel as though we were holding a table, would have been different if they were.  Loved our evening and can't wait to go back and bring our significant others!  They have a Happy Monday Wine night!  Will definitely have to go back and enjoy one of these evenings soon.  

And you can make reservations on Open Table

The Glass Monkey Gastropub
5842-111 Street Northwest 
Edmonton AB T6H 3G1
780.760.2228

Gluten Free Recipes for Thanksgiving and Fall Time

I love love the Fall season, for me it is my favourite season and it brings together so many of my best loved things ... cool, crisp air, colour colour colour of nature, family time sharing delicious meals and just being together ~ Thanksgiving is also my favourite holiday ... in light of that I have been coming across some delicious recipes on my High on Life and Gluten Free Facebook feed that I thought I would share to my site - not only to book mark them for myself but to share with those that may love love love Thanksgiving and fall time fare.  

From Gluten Free on a Shoestring - Nicole Hunn

•  Gluten Free Rum Cake 
• Gluten Free Cream Soups 
• Slow Cooker Gluten Free Chicken & Dumplings 
• Gluten Free Sweet Potato Browned Butter Rolls 
• Quick and easy Gluten Free Apple Dump cake   

From GFE - Gluten Free Easily

• Gluten Free Garlic Cheese Biscuits 
• Gluten Free Banana Maple Nut Muffins 
• Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake
• Seasonal Delicious Hot Beverage Ideas 

From Simply - Gluten Free

•  Gluten Free Quinoa stuffed Acorn Squash 
• Three Bean Chili Gluten Free 
• Gluten Free Hearty Breakfast Casserole 

Others I have found and would love to try:
Better Batter's Gluten Free Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts!  
Celiac Scene posted this awesome link about Gluten Free Pumpkin Dessert recipes!   
Kinnikinnick Fresh Facebook page is full of very delicious recipes as well.
GF and Me - has a fabulous post filled with amazing Thanksgiving and Fall Recipes - check them all out!

So many delicious recipes so little time - I love this time of year and will be on the look out for more of these amazing recipes to add to this post.  Yum makes me want to get into the kitchen and start cooking!  Happy Fall and Happy Thanksgiving!

Solstice Seasonal Cuisine - Gluten Free

Solstice Seasonal Cuisine on 124 Street - 

We had the delightful opportunity to go out with friends and dine at the newer restaurant Solstice ~ and looking forward to going back.  
As they comment in their mission statement - they use fresh local seasonal ingredients so their menu does change throughout the year, to reflect the earth's seasons.

After emailing and then reserving on Open Table - both times noting the gluten free and no cross contamination requirement for dining - we were excited to go and try out this charming restaurant.  I have to say the service was excellent right from the moment we sat down, our server very knowledgeable in our requirements and what the chefs were creating in the kitchen.  And all the delicious plates that came to our table did not disappoint - delicious.
Presentation was eye catching - even the drinks had a special touch.

  

 

These dishes were from their Spring/early Summer menu - and just taking a look at their new menu for the season now - I think it is time for another visit soon. 

Solstice Seasonal Cuisine

10723 124 Street

Edmonton, AB

T5M 0H2

780.488.4567

info@solsticefood.com

Vivo Ristorante - Gluten Free Evening

 

Vivo Ristorante 18352 Lessard Road - We went with another couple - Vivo caters to delicious food made to share ... great evening with amazing food 
~ Fine dining suited to a special evening where the company and food are the focus. ‪#‎glutenfree‬ ‪#‎yegfood‬ ‪#‎yegeats‬ ‪#‎celiac‬

 

Our party all ate gluten free this evening ... and the service was excellent - the manager (when we questioned the olives that came to the table) even delighted us with a great story of how their olives came from Turkey through connections for their restaurant.  

vivo ristorante
Hawkstone Plaza
18352 – Lessard Road
Edmonton, Alberta T6M 2W8
Ph: 780.756.7710
Twitter: @vivoristorante
info@vivoristorante.ca

Block 1912 - A European Cafe

When out in Old Strathcona - Whyte Avenue - we always love to stop by Block 1912 and see what ‪#‎glutenfree‬ goodie we can have with a great cup of coffee or tea latte - this Panacotta did not disappoint. Yum  ‪#‎yegfood‬ ‪#‎coffeeyeg‬ ‪#‎celiac‬ ‪#‎oldstrathcona‬

 

Block 1912

10361 Whyte Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB — T6E 1Z9
780 433 6575

Posting on a Blog - do people read it anymore?

I am an avid instagram poster - which I share on Facebook and Twitter when I post about places that I have eaten at successfully gluten free, and sad to say I have ignored my blog.  I know my Facebook page also shares to my Twitter account ... which it posted on here as well, I am sure I could set it up that way if I were more Tech savvy.  :)

Short blog burbs about the great places we have eaten or products we have tried, it will have to be a 2016 goal now as 2015 is into the fourth quarter.

Do people really even read blogs much anymore?  I know when I do a search on my phone on certain things I still get directed to a blog or two so I just need to figure out how to post on multiple formats at the same time.

So much happens in life - so much happens in my gluten free world - places, experiences, things you learn and question - it is a good thing when we share.

I need to figure out how to get back in the groove of sharing ... life has a way of hitting us off of our good intentions.  And boy does it whip by ... hard to believe my last post was  in 2014 - I thought that had to be wrong.  Sadly no ...

Time to start shoutouts for all the great places we have eaten ... places, experiences, people who do the gluten free right should be praised and thanked - Restaurants that take that little extra special effort to keep us safe should be acknowledged ... this is important - to our health both physically and mentally.

When we can go out with friends and enjoy good food - or sit down with family and share - means so much to all of us.  Sharing gives us all a spark in life.

I promise to share more.