Archive for category Reviews
Another Burger Place to Krave!
Posted by glutenfree4hfx in Reviews on September 14, 2014
For several months, Halifax has been waiting for Krave Burger, its newest gourmet burger joint, to open its doors. Last month, they released a sneak peek of their menu. It included an icon for many gluten-free options, including French fries. We all know what that usually means: cross-contaminated and not suitable for Celiacs.
Still, I was curious, so I tweeted them to ask if they would have a dedicated fryer. Their response was amazing:
We couldn’t ask for much more than that!
Going Vegan at Envie
Posted by glutenfree4hfx in Reviews on September 6, 2014
Let’s face it: Michael and I are about as far away from vegetarians as you can imagine. A vegan diet, where cheese is off the menu too, would be completely out of the question. However, we’ve heard great things about enVie and we finally got a chance to check it out.
We arrived at the restaurant early on a Thursday evening and took a seat inside, where we were the only customers. (The patio outside was full.) The atmosphere was very quiet, soothing, and relaxing – perfect for the end of a long week. We started off with drinks (a Boxing Rock Temptation Red ale for Michael and a glass of Blomidon L’Acadie Blanc for me). The enVie menu is very allergen-friendly and easy to understand. Gluten, soy, and nut free options are all marked with either an indicator of no allergen as-is, or an explanation of what modifications need to be made. There is also a handy booklet at the table describing various ingredients and terms as well as a list of the restaurant’s local suppliers.
We decided on an order of buffalo risotto cakes (two for $8) for an appetizer. For the main course, I chose the Filet-o-Fresh (tofu burger with tartar sauce, greens, and a “cheese slice” made from cashews, $13 + $1.50 for a gluten-free bun from Odell’s) and upgraded to a poutine for the side dish (additional $2). Michael ordered the Moroccan Chickpea Bowl ($14) on our server’s recommendation.
Alexandra’s “Gluten-Free” Pizza Not Safe for Celiacs
Posted by glutenfree4hfx in General Information, Reviews on July 30, 2014
A few weeks ago, local pizza chain Alexandra’s joined Twitter (and followed our blog). I got extremely excited about their first tweet:
I immediately tweeted at them asking for more information. They put me in touch with their marketing consultant, who has family members with Celiac and who seemed to really understand my concerns about gluten-containing ingredients and cross-contamination. Her first e-mail gave some information, including the fact that the dough is made off-site to reduce the chance of cross-contamination.
But then something weird happened.
Urban Dining in Bedford with Resto
Posted by glutenfree4hfx in Reviews on July 3, 2014
Last spring, we were sad to see Bedford favourite The Cellar close, but when their general manager teamed up with her family to open Resto Urban Dining in the same space, we were pretty excited. It’s been almost a year since Resto opened its doors so we decided it was time to finally pay them a visit.
Although we arrived at around 5 p.m. on a Friday, the place was in a bit of chaos due to a number of graduation events. (They also seemed somewhat understaffed.) We were disappointed that the much-lauded rooftop patio was completely booked but took a seat on the small front patio overlooking the Bedford Highway. To begin, I ordered a daiquiri ($7) and Michael ordered a red ale by Garrison
($5.50). A couple of notes on the food menu immediately grabbed my attention: all pizzas can be made gluten-free and you can substitute rice or quinoa pasta in any pasta dish. There is no upcharge for either item, which is really nice.
I asked our server about gluten-free options.
Checking Out Morris East at Bedford West
Posted by glutenfree4hfx in Reviews on June 25, 2014
I’ve heard fantastic things about the downtown location of Morris East, and it’s been on our wishlist for quite a while. We had a chance to visit the Bedford West location last weekend and were not disappointed.
We arrived at the restaurant (located off of Larry Uteck Drive) at about 6 p.m. and were seated right away. (We were surprised at how quiet it was for a Friday night, but it picked up before we left.) Michael ordered a Morris East Fire Tap (a blend from Garrison Brewing, $6) to drink while I chose The Redhead, one of their signature cocktails ($10). We looked over the menu, which states that all pizzas can be made gluten-free with a $3.50 upcharge for the crust. We asked our server about other options as well as the size of the pizzas. All of their salads can be made gluten-free, as can their potato chip starter, charcuterie board, dips, and flatbread. Main meal options vary by the night, as does their gluten-free status (although a wood-fired steak is a permanent feature and can be made gluten-free).
Tide & Boar is a Little Bit Boring for Celiacs
Posted by glutenfree4hfx in Reviews on May 27, 2014
Our second place on our U.S.-bound road trip last week was The Tide & Boar, a gastropub in Moncton. Pubs can be tricky for Celiacs to eat at, but I was hopeful that this would actually be a gastropub, which typically focuses on fresh, local food.
We were off to a good start when I asked about gluten-free options and was told that there was a gluten-free menu. Michael ordered one of the craft beers on tap while I stuck with a Diet Pepsi since we still had the drive to Woodstock ahead of us. (They do have Mongozo beer and Magners’ cider, which are both gluten-free. The selection isn’t as nice as their regular beer menu but it’s nice to have some options.)
The waiter quickly came back with the gluten-free menu, which is just a copy of the regular menu with notations as to what can be made gluten-free. The waiter also explained that they do not have a dedicated fryer. This meant that many of the items marked gluten-free aren’t suitable for Celiacs.
Piez Bistro Serves Up Delicious Pizza Pies!
Posted by glutenfree4hfx in Reviews on May 4, 2014
I first heard of Piez Bistro a few months ago, when a Facebook friend liked and shared their page. The picture of a gluten-free blueberry Danish posted one morning was enough to make me drool! Not long after, The Chronicle Herald posted a very positive review. This led to a conversation on Facebook and Twitter about their gluten-free options and practices. The owner’s young daughter has Celiac disease, leading her to create a gluten-friendly bistro. Although their kitchen is not completely gluten-free, everything is made from scratch on-site and they are very aware of cross-contamination.
Last Friday was a dreary day, and I was feeling under the weather due to an impending cold. I decided that some gluten-free pizza was just what I needed! We made the drive over to Dartmouth and arrived at Piez Bistro in the midst of the supper rush. All six tables were occupied, and the tables outside were out of the question due to the weather. There was also a lineup around the counter. However, that gave us time to review the chalkboard-style menu hanging over the order counter/kitchen area.
Agricola Street Brasserie Goes Way Beyond Beer
Posted by glutenfree4hfx in Reviews on March 6, 2014
Last weekend, Michael and I finally made it to the Agricola Street Brasserie, a new restaurant in Halifax’s North End that has been generating a lot of positive buzz. We got downtown earlier than planned and walked in just as the bar opened at 5 p.m. This actually worked out quite well, since it gave us the opportunity to make a reservation for 5:30 (when the dining room opens) and have a drink beforehand.
My first pick was The Orchard ($10), one of their signature cocktails. Michael had the Bridge Saison ($6.25) from the North Brewing Company (formerly Bridge Brewing), crafted just up the street from the restaurant. As we sat at the bar and enjoyed our drinks, we also had the opportunity to people watch, check out the amazing décor, and watch the chefs in the kitchen prepare for the night ahead.
Gluten For Punishment 