Okay…granted, Monical’s Pizza is actually a chain. A very small chain consisting of over 60 restaurants that are mainly in the Wisconsin/Illinois/Indiana region. But…I had never heard of them and they aren’t in my area. Thus…this chain will be getting a blog.
This past weekend, I was up in Indianapolis to attend the Gluten-Free Living Now Expo. It was a great event with lots of vendors, samples, information, and way too much gluten-free goodness for my wallet to handle. I showed up hungry and took bits and bites here and there. But when all was said and done, and I had covered much every inch of the expo space…I was now ready for lunch.
The original plan had been to go to Uno’s and try their gluten-free pizza. However, aside from already being in Carmel, Indiana, and the other place we wanted to go was where we were, driving South for pizza just seemed…ridiculous. Only because we’d have to drive North again to hit up our ice cream place (aka: the other place). So, after some searching on Find Me Gluten-Free, my roommate found a place called Monical’s Pizza. And…the gluten-free option on their menu is a simple 10″ pizza.
We drove from the expo to the Monical’s Pizza in Fishers, Indiana and were promptly seated with fun activity place mats and the menu. Obviously as I am completely gluten-free…pizza was on our mind. My roommate and I had gone back and forth on what we wanted on the pizza. Originally we thought onions and mushrooms. But upon sitting down, she said the Margherita Pizza sounded good. I told her just to pick one, as I just wanted gluten-free pizza. So, when our waitress returned with the water we ordered as our drink, Cathy took the initiative and ordered Monical’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza.
With our order in, we sat around and talked. I actually did some of the activities on the menu. And a little bit later…our pizza was arriving. I did love that it actually took some time to arrive. When I order, I don’t want my food to immediately show up on my table. I don’t want to even think about my food being prepared ahead of time. I want my food made when I order it and fresh when it hits my table.
The thin-crust gluten-free pizza arrived and it looked really amazing. The Margerhita Pizza was a nice version of a white pizza here. The crust was brushed with olive oil and then topped with mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, minced garlic, and Parmesan. It is actually one of my favorite pizzas out there. While this one looked really good, and for the most part tasted very good…I found the gluten-free crust to be a huge disappointment.
Call my a cynic if you will, but since the inception of this blog as a gluten-free blog…pizza has been one of my passions. And while at first the simple, pre-packaged, not made at the pizzeria crusts wowed me, they don’t anymore. I have had one too many amazing gluten-free pizza crusts. Some, like those at the Mellow Mushroom, exceed every pizza crust I have ever had while eating out. Why? Because it feels, tastes, and looks like a real pizza. None of this cracker-thin-crust stuff.
But, at Monical’s Pizza, the thin crust is the standard. It wasn’t bad. The crust didn’t lose its crispness. Nor was it tasteless or grow soggy with the toppings. In fact…the crust wasn’t bad. Not at all. It just wasn’t something that blew me away. And trust me…when it comes to gluten-free pizza, the crust needs to shine. It is what sets it apart. It is the very foundation of the gluten-free pizza. A meh crust will yield a meh pizza which in turn yields a meh response from the gluten-free customer.
Monical’s delivers a solid, good gluten-free crust. It reminded me a lot of Puccini’s Smiling Teeth. Which is…good. Just not great. I love that the option is there…and I am very glad I can go into someplace like this and have the staff take proper care with my food preparation so as I won’t become ill from eating there…but…I love being able to rave about my food.
The toppings on this pizza were executed perfectly. Honestly. The cheese, tomato, garlic, olive oil combination is one of my all-time favorites and I found their toppings to be really good. But the gluten-free crust needs some work. Again, it wasn’t that it was bad, it’s just that I have had better. Much better.
Would I go back to Monical’s for pizza? Sure. I mean, the gluten-free option is there and the pizza was good. Honestly. I just have grown to expect more from gluten-free pizza. This is what happens when you start to get spoiled by restaurants who really know how to safely prepare a gluten-free crust in-house. I’ve had many slices of gluten-free pizza and this one…was rather forgettable when all was said and done, and the pizza completely consumed.
All-in-all…a very good pizza…a lack-luster crust. But…let’s not bite the hand that feeds us, right? I appreciate the gluten-free option and wish more places would take the care and time to offer such things on their menus.
When I developed food allergies as an adult, I pretty much resigned myself to the fact that eating breakfast anywhere was going to mean a lot of egg dishes. And even then, I have to be careful about what goes into the egg dishes that I order while out. Interrogating the waitress over how things are prepared is not always something I want to do. But I have resigned myself to the fact that if I want to eat out safely…it’s something that has to be done.
Little did I know, until very recently, about a wonderful allergen-free bakery/café in Louisville, Kentucky…on Frankfort Road. And once I discovered it and tasted what they had to offer…I don’t want to go anywhere else.
You see, life can still be sweet, savory, and scrumptious thanks to the fantastic people at Annie May’s Sweet Café. Honestly. When someone like me can walk in and safely order a delicious waffle and a doughnut (seriously…why choose?) because I have a gluten intolerance…it makes me feel happy. Because I can’t do that anywhere else in this area. No one has really fallen into that niche yet…but Annie May’s stands here to fill that void. But…here’s the best part. My roommate was with me. She is neither a vegetarian nor does she have a gluten intolerance. She also got one of the waffles…and a doughnut as well. She can eat whatever she wants to at other breakfast/brunch/food establishments. Including regular waffles and regular doughnuts. So…she’s the real test. I eat like this because I have to…but that’s not the case with Cathy.
We placed our orders. Annie May’s offered three different varieties of waffles today. A regular allergen-free waffle served with your choice of maple syrup or agave syrup and your choice of butter or Earth Balance. Also a regular allergen-free waffle served with a blueberry compote. And finally a regular waffle with whipped cream and strawberries (gluten-free, but not vegan). Both Cathy and I were feeling the first option. So, I ordered a regular waffle with maple syrup and Earth Balance ($7.99), while Cathy opted for a regular waffle with maple syrup and butter ($7.99). Then, we had to get the delicious pumpkin doughnuts that are currently being baked up there. LOVE this time of year for pumpkin…everything. I previously had the cinnamon & sugar pumpkin doughnut, so this time I went with the allergen-free maple glazed pumpkin doughnut ($2.49). Cathy stuck with the one she had previously (because, let’s face it…chocolate = epic yumminess) and got the pumpkin doughnut with a chocolate ganache ($2.49).
We paid for our orders and went to have a seat at one of the tables inside the little café. It’s a quaint, very homey setting that just makes you feel comfortable. I could tell our waffles were done to order because it took some time to arrive at our table. But that was okay. Cathy and I sat there and just discussed a few things from my run (11 miles) and her trail hike this morning, to what we needed to get at the round of grocery stores we hit up while in Louisville. Before we knew it, our plates arrived with our breakfast goodies on them and we could hardly wait to dig in.
I spread my Earth Balance across one section of the waffle, then began to slice into it. This was waffle perfection. Not only was it a beautiful golden color, but it was crisp on the outside, with that perfect amount of softness on the inside. Not doughy softness, but waffle-softness. All you waffle fanatics know what I’m talking about. That bread-y delicious center that sops up all that syrupy goodness that you drizzle or dip it in. Yeah…waffle perfection. I was totally satisfied at first bite. The flavor was buttery good. It wasn’t dry. It wasn’t mushy. It was that right level of waffle crisp that I want…with every bite. Yes…even as I worked my way through it, it didn’t get mushy or soggy. The syrup was rich and sweet and the perfect complement to the waffle itself.
I already knew that Annie May’s made a killer pumpkin doughnut. I mean, I had one a couple weekends ago. But since then…I had been craving more. And thankfully they had some baked up and ready. The maple glazed pumpkin doughnut went perfect with my waffle. Honestly. Okay, so I was carb loading post-11 mile run. But…mmmmmmm…can you blame me? The doughnut was soft, rich, cake-y and light. It isn’t a heavy doughnut so you don’t feel guilty about eating it (not that I ever do when I get to indulge in gluten-free doughnuts!). Fresh baked are always better than the frozen ones I usually get to eat. And the evidence is clear with the first bite. Atop of today’s pumpkin doughnut was a sweet, amazing maple glaze. It reminded me of autumn on the first bite. Seriously. What better way to take a bite out of October and the new cooler weather than with an allergen-free pumpkin doughnut with a sweet maple glaze. It was love at first bite.
Nothing caps off an 11 mile run in the morning like a fantastic breakfast. Thanks to Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, Kentucky…I can do that without having to question what is going into my food. Peace of mind makes me want to continue to frequent there whenever possible. In fact, I stated today that whenever we’re in town, Saturday breakfast needed to be at Annie May’s. Why not? I love supporting local businesses…and a local business that fits into my dietary restrictions is even more amazing.
But…take it from someone like Cathy, who doesn’t need to eat allergen/gluten-free…who devoured her doughnut and her waffle with sweet abandon. She raved about the taste, the texture, the flavors…and that chocolate ganache, which she loves to say is “to die for.” And…trust me…it is really that good.
We both walked out of there completely satisfied and happily full. And every bite of it was savored, enjoyed, and devoured with gusto. Even if you aren’t vegan or someone with food allergies…trust me…you’ll still love the food and sweet treats that Annie May’s has to offer. So, head over to Frankfort Avenue and take a bite of one of their allergen-free, gluten-free, and/or vegan offerings. Everything there is gluten-free…but you wouldn’t even know it. Don’t take my word for it though…go on and show your support for a local business and try something new or out of the norm. You’ll be hooked.
I guarantee it.
Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Allergen-Free Original Waffle with Maple Syrup and Earth Balance with a Allergen-Free Maple Glazed Pumpkin Doughnut
I don’t know how I didn’t know about this place sooner. Well…I actually found out about it months ago and have been following their Twitter feed, hearing about the gluten-free goodies that they are whipping up, not just in their bakery, but for breakfast and lunch too. Why it took me this long to check them out probably had to do with me putting my foot down and saying that this year I really didn’t want to bake my own birthday cake. Because, let’s face it…no one should have to bake their own cake.
That was what lit a fire under my roommate and she made a call to Louisville’s only completely gluten-free, soy free, peanut free, and tree nut free bakery. Even better, upon request, most items can also be made without egg and/or dairy products. Living in this area with food allergies just got a lot more delicious.
You see, the owner of Annie May’s Sweet Café, Annie May McGill, was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance back in 2009. What grew out of that was a mission to create amazing allergy-free recipes. She is joined by Kenna Nelson, a pastry chef who was also a Biology major. She finds the chemistry behind gluten-free baking fascinating and from this pair…Annie May’s Sweet Café grew. By 2010, Annie May’s was a wholesale delivery service. And a year later, their current shop opened up. And thank the gluten-free gods for them. Annie May’s mission is to provide desserts that taste so good, you wouldn’t even be able to guess that they are gluten-free. Let me tell you…mission accomplished. In fact, the recipes that she developed over the years taste so amazing, many of the customers who visit or frequent Annie May’s Sweet Café don’t even have food allergies. Food that good is worth opening a shop for. In addition to the small selection of goodies in the bake case each day, Annie May’s also offers a dine-in eating option. And, you can place an order on anything and customize it as you need.
Once again…how did I not get to this place until now?
I guess I just needed to have my birthday roll around. And when it did, my roommate made a call and ordered me a simple 6″ Strawberry Cake with a Vegan Chocolate Ganache icing. Nothing fancy, you wouldn’t think. Just a simple gluten-free cake that myself and her family could enjoy after my birthday lunch. I actually did a happy dance of joy when she came over to my office and told me she had just placed an order with Annie May’s Sweet Café for my birthday cake. I had to wait until Saturday, the day of the lunch with her family, for the cake, but…I could do it. Of course, all week it was all I talked about and I totally couldn’t wait to go and pick it up on Saturday morning.
Anticipation makes the week move slowly, but Saturday morning arrived. After going for a very short run (I was running a 1/4 Marathon on Sunday morning), Cathy and I hopped into the car and drove over to Louisville to get some morning coffee, pick up my race packet, and…finally set foot in Annie May’s Sweet Café. Coffee was first, and we did that in rather quick time at our new favorite local spot in Louisville. From there, it was time to hit up the bakery.
As we drove up Frankfort Avenue…we missed the little corner shop at first. I spotted it as we drove by, actually. So, we turned around and came back, parking and preparing for our first visit to Annie May’s.
As we stepped inside, there was a large group of people around a table, drinking coffee and enjoying some food. I skipped up to the counter with Cathy, who let the lady behind the counter know we were picking up my birthday cake. As she went to go get it, I began scoping out the bake case. Everything looked so delicious. I was drooling. And, the cereal I ate for breakfast was now long gone…and the café smelled so good. I think Cathy felt the same way because she said we should get something to eat.
It just so happened that Annie May’s had a delicious looking selection of Pumpkin Doughnuts done four ways – Maple Glazed, Chocolate Ganache, Cinnamon Glazed, and Cinnamon Sugar. I was in heaven. First a birthday cake…now allergen-free and vegan pumpkin doughnuts. Pardon me while I pull a Wayne’s World here and bow down to both Annie May and Kenna and chant, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” Well, since there were doughnuts involved we each had to get one. I went with the Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Doughnut ($2.49) and Cathy opted for the Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Doughnut ($2.49). They graciously packed them up in a box, we paid, tipped, and headed out to the car.
And then…the cop moment of the day happened. I was sitting in the parking lot of Annie May’s Sweet Café with my Pumpkin Spice Almond Milk Latte from Highland Coffee, noshing on a gluten-free pumpkin doughnut. Life had never seemed so good than that moment. I eagerly opened the little box that cradled the doughnuts in paper. I handed Cathy a napkin and her chocolate ganache covered doughnut. Then I grabbed mine and eagerly took a bite.
OH. MY. GOD. The gluten-free doughnut gods were smiling on me that day. These were beyond fantastic. These were beyond amazing. These topped Katz Gluten-Free Donuts (because these didn’t have to be frozen…these were fresh and you could tell). These were one of the best doughnuts I had ever eaten. The consistency was that of a normal cake doughnut. It had that heavy, filling feel to it. The flavor was tops. I loved the sweetness of the added cinnamon and sugar on the outside of it. It was soft, chewy, and sooooooooo delicious. Cathy was making happy noises as she noshed on the chocolate ganache version. And, of course, we each broke off a piece of ours to share with the other. Let me tell you…the chocolate ganache pumpkin doughnut was out of this gluten-free world. The chocolate added a kick of rich sweetness that blended so well with the cake-like doughnut that it coated. I loved it. Seriously.
So, if the doughnuts were any indication of what would happen with my cake…I was riding high on gluten-free cloud nine. We left Annie May’s Sweet Café, resisting the urge to go back in for more doughnuts…although the temptation nearly won us over. After a quick swing by Slugger Field to pick up my race packet, we headed back home with the cake…and a lot of growing anticipation to cut into it. But lunch had to happen first. And so…it did.
My birthday cake from Annie May’s Sweet Café: Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache
Afterwards, however, we all congregated back at our apartment for gifts and goodies. Goodies being…a slice of my 6″ Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Chocolate Ganache Icing ($20.00). I opened up the box and was just wowed by the cake. And that was before even slicing into it. It looked beautiful. No corners were cut. Annie May’s took great care and even wrote Happy Birthday Karen on it in delicious vegan icing. Seriously…they are artists there. They have to be, because my cake was one of the most beautiful desserts ever presented to me. Especially since I had to go gluten-free. I almost cried.
Cathy and Amanda took on the task of dressing up my cake with candles. And after I made a wish and blew them out…I went into the kitchen and began to slice into this gluten-free birthday masterpiece. This 6″ round cake is meant to serve 8 people. We had five. So, I cut pieces accordingly. And when I scooped out the first sliver…I was wowed. Not only was this cake a work of art on the outside…it was also one on the inside. Layers of strawberry cake with the vegan chocolate ganache greeted me. It was just beautiful. I cut out slices for everyone, then settled in on the living room floor with a fork and took my very anticipated first bite.
If Heaven were a birthday cake…it would look and taste like this one. In fact, I hope Heaven is a birthday cake that looks and tastes like this one. The strawberry cake itself was loaded with flavor. Often times, strawberry cakes can fall short when it comes to taste, but not this one. The cake was moist, bright pink, very strawberry (my favorite fruit, by the way), and not heavy or dense. And the vegan chocolate ganache was to die for. Rich with chocolate flavor, it coated each layer and made an amazing icing for the cake. Yeah…Heaven better be a lot like this cake because it sure as hell (heh…pun) tasted like Heaven to me. For the next couple of days, my roommate and I got to enjoy a couple more slices, making me one very pleased birthday girl.
I was beyond impressed by the quality and care that goes into the goods at Annie May’s Sweet Café. Honestly. The doughnuts were a great way to get a first impression. But the birthday cake they made for me was the chocolate-coated icing on the cake (literally!). I am so impressed that Annie May’s is now going to become a frequent stop on our trips over to Louisville on the weekend. Why? Because I love to support local businesses, even more when they cater to dietary restrictions like what I have. I want to try everything in their bake case. I want to stop in for their dine-in food and give everything they make a try. They didn’t just make me a gluten-free birthday cake…they made me one of the most delicious cakes I have ever eaten a slice of. No exaggeration. It beats out anything I had before I was diagnosed as gluten intolerant. It made me want to order a cake just for the hell of it. Sort of that need to try everything. Start working down the list.
I will resist…but I won’t keep myself from going back in and getting more goodies from the bake case. There is plenty of amazing allergen-free goodies to go around and for me to sample. For now, I thank Louisville for this gem of a business. It has definitely just made my list of favorite spots to go in Louisville. And…being right in my backyard, I sense that my Saturday mornings just got a lot more delicious.
Thank you, Annie May’s Sweet Café for making my birthday special…and for keeping an allergen-free business where I know I can safely enjoy the food and goods that you serve. I am forever in your debt.
And you better believe I’ll be back.
Now…excuse me while I go and sing your praises once more to everyone…
A slice of my Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache birthday cake, prepared by Annie May’s Sweet Café
It was the day before a big race. And for me…that means…pizza.
Seriously…it brings me good racing mojo. It’s superstitious, yes, but it seems to work out. As of now, all my best races have been run the day after I had pizza for dinner. Why mess with the system, right? It also just so happened to be the weekend of my birthday. My birthday was earlier in the week, but my roommate’s family wanted to treat me to a lunch at any place of my choosing.
Now, this normally wouldn’t be a problem, but I tend to attempt to choose places that have options for everyone…and as a gluten-free vegetarian this isn’t always easy. Not everyone is keen on the tofu scene, if you catch my drift.
However, just recently, a new pizza joint opened up in Louisville, Kentucky. It was one I had been wanting to try out for ages, as they have locations throughout the states. Yes…I realize that this makes them a chain, but the gluten-free pizza is worth writing about. The place I speak of…is The Mellow Mushroom.
Now, a year ago, I had been invited up to Indianapolis for a birthday party that the birthday girl set at The Mellow Mushroom due to the gluten-free options. Just for me. And then, sadly, due to reasons I couldn’t get around, I couldn’t attend. But I had been talking about getting to a Mellow Mushroom ever since the invite…and it just never happened. I knew that Louisville was in the process of getting one, and a week before my birthday, as I drove by the location, I noticed that it was open. The answer to where to have my birthday lunch was answered.
So, Saturday afternoon rolled around and Cathy’s family arrived at the apartment. We took two cars over and figured we would meet up inside of the Mellow Mushroom itself. There is little to no place to park on Shelbyville Road, so we ended up parking at a lot up the way. Cathy’s mom managed to find a close spot, which was good for her and Aunt Judi. So, it all worked out. We were actually the first to arrive in the end, however, so Cathy, Amanda and I went inside and got a booth for five people. The three of us shared one side, and we left the other side open for Cathy’s mom and aunt. We were perusing the menu and trying to decide on what to get when the rest of the party showed up.
That being said…an appetizer was ordered. Not for me though, as there really are no gluten-free appetizers for me to enjoy. I was actually okay with that though, as I knew that the only size the gluten-free pizza came in was rather large, despite my roommate and I splitting it. They got the Spinach Artichoke Dip (7.95), which was this bowl full of cheesy, gooey cheese and artichoke hearts served with garlic toast. The rest of the table devoured it. And we were ready to place an order for our meals.
Amanda and Judi each contented themselves with one of the half hoagies that the menu offers. And Cathy’s mom got a 10″ Funky Q Chicken Pizza ($13.95).
Cathy and I were pretty set on what we wanted to get. We ordered the Gluten-Free Kosmic Karma Pizza ($19.95), which is served on a 12″ crust, which in Mellow Mushroom land…is six slices all together. The Kosmic Karma pizza means my gluten-free crust was topped with their red sauce base, then covered with feta and mozzarella cheeses, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and Roma tomatoes. The extra finishing touch is a beautiful pesto swirl. I mean, this pizza was a work of art.
The Mellow Mushroom makes no qualms about the amount of time that it takes to serve their pizzas. They put a lot of work into them and that means, yes, they do take some time. That was the whole point of the appetizer that the rest of the table had. But when food arrived, we all were very happy with the items we had.
The Kosmic Karma pizza is absolutely delicious. I love the tomato-y combination of Roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and the red sauce, which made an amazing base for the crust, which is made at The Mellow Mushroom and is a great combination of bean flour, tapioca flour, and rice flour. This made for a very crispy crust that didn’t fall apart when I bit into it. And the flavors just worked so well with the vegetarian toppings. I was one happy girl upon my first bite. And I savored each one. Honestly. I went back for a second piece, while my roommate tried out a slice of her mom’s regular pizza. She told me she preferred the gluten-free crust to the regular. That is definitely saying something.
I was so happy with the pizza that the Mellow Mushroom brought out. Their gluten-free crust was crunchy, flavored well, and held up to the toppings. I devoured it and then took the rest home to nosh on throughout the week. Guess what…the crust reheated with a crunch still. It made me love the Mellow Mushroom even more. I can’t express my elation with the flavors, the food, and the service we received there. I had a great experience and just loved everything about the establishment.
I intend to go back very soon for more amazing gluten-free pizza. Why? Because it really was that good.
A decision was made the last time I was in Columbus after a disappointing meal at a local pub. The next place we were going to eat while I was in town was going to be this place called Knead. I didn’t know too much about them at the time, just that they showed up on my Find Me Gluten Free iPhone app. With nothing else to go on, the decision was made.
The day I ran the Air Force Marathon 10K, Jenn, Cathy and I drove back from Dayton, Ohio to Columbus with every intention of getting lunch. Original plans had been to grab a bite to eat in Dayton, but we wrapped things up sooner than anticipated, and after a stop by Starbucks for coffee, we decided just to head back toward Jenn’s and figure out something to eat once back in Columbus.
And it was on the drive back that I remembered…Knead.
Everyone seemed game for it, so that was where we were headed. We were on a mission…for a delicious lunch.
It took a moment for us to locate the place. For the record, there is some construction going on and if it weren’t for the signs indicating that Knead was there and open, we probably would have missed it. The next difficult challenge was finding a place to park. We finally found a public lot a couple blocks away. We parked, fed the meter, and made our way back toward the scaffolding that encased Knead and the other shops that surrounded it.
This will explain why my establishing shot is not of the outside of the restaurant, but rather the inside. You work with what you can. Besides, the inside was so warm and inviting with all the reds, yellows and oranges that decorated the walls. We were greeted immediately upon entering and shown to a nice corner booth (which was round, by the way). Our drink orders were taken and then we were handed menus to look over. I knew that Knead had gluten-free options…I just wasn’t sure what all they offered. So, after our drinks were brought to us, I was about to ask our waiter, however, he disappeared quickly to see to another table. So, while Cathy and Jenn decided on what they wanted to eat, I patiently waited for our waiter to return. It took a little while, but he finally did. And I asked about gluten-free options to which he snagged a different menu and pointed out that everything in red could be done gluten-free. Most of the options were meat-based, so that wasn’t going to work for me. I made one easy inquiry…
Is the frittata gluten-free? He assured me that it was…so I was now prepared to order.
And order away, we certainly did.
Cathy was beyond her breakfast time, so she was the only one of the three of us to order lunch. Her choice, Knead’s famous Motherclucker Sandwich ($13.00) with fries. This sandwich is basically a fried buttermilk Hiland Naturals Organic pastured chicken, served on a toasted challah bun with house cured bacon, aged cheddar cheese, Chef’s garden greens, roasted poblano chile, garlic aioli, and a touch of local honey. She had this with a side of their fries.
Jenn is like me and can enjoy breakfast at any time during the day. She ordered up one slice of their Caramelized Apple French Toast ($5.00), which is done with pagnotta bread. It seems they have a variety of options for French toast, but that day it was caramelized apple…and it looked and smelled fantastic. The apples were toasted and caramelized to perfection and it was served in a warm syrup that just made my mouth water. Too bad I couldn’t even sample it.
Knead’s Hash Browns
As for me, I decided that, since it was safe, I would go with the Frittata ($10.00). This also changes as far as the kind that they serve. But what remains the same is the fact that they use Ohio cage free Holistic Acres eggs. The frittata uses three of these, in fact. And in the variety being served that day, I got potatoes, mushrooms, feta cheese, and rosemary. I ordered this with a side of the hash browns ($3.00), which are gluten-free. So are the fries, for that matter.
With the order in, we sat and talked for a little bit until the food was brought to our table. When Cathy was asked if she wanted ketchup, she was given the option of regular ketchup or the house made variety, which was a tomato ketchup with fennel in it. She opted for the house one with fennel, which had this really amazing sweetness to it. It was actually rather good.
With our food in front of us, we all dug in. Yeah…Knead might be a little pricey, but keep in mind that they use local and sustainable agriculture for their products. That doesn’t come cheap. But the fact is they can back up their prices with the quality of their food. Jenn all but raved over the French toast, which I sort of which they had a gluten-free option for, because it honestly looked so delicious. Cathy found the Motherclucker Sandwich to be moist, light, and hold just the right amount of spice. And the fries…were some of the best she ever had.
As for me…I loved my frittata. It was light, fluffy, and filled with vegetables. The rosemary added a nice sweetness to each bite. And the feta cheese was one of my favorite parts of this egg dish. I love how I could eat the entire thing and not feel like I stuffed myself silly. I savored each bite, enjoying the play of flavors across my taste buds. This was one very well thought out frittata. Everything just worked well together. And the hash browns were fantastically done. Not greasy either. They had a light crisp on the outside and were soft on the inside. Potato perfection.
Yes, Knead is one of those places that sources their produce locally and focus on quality. This is reflected in the products and the food that they serve there. All of us walked out of their with happy bellies and all quite content with every bite of our food. We had other plans for dessert, but the dessert selection is quite amazing sounding as well.
Would I return to Knead again? Of course. With the changing seasons, some of the menu options change as well and I would be curious to see what gets added and what other gluten-free options get included with these changes. I was quite pleased with our lunch that day and hope to return sometime in the near future for another sampling of their gluten-free menu. And maybe next time…I’ll save room for dessert.
It was the eve of the Air Force Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K events…of which I was running in the 10K event. So, I found myself in Dayton, Ohio and in need of a place to eat. Now, Dayton has plenty of places to eat, but the night before a major road race, I try to be a little more careful when I eat out. Obviously, I don’t want to find myself feeling sick because of restaurant cross-contamination.
Thankfully, with the help of my favorite iPhone app, Find Me Gluten Free, I was directed to the Web site of a place called Sinfully Gluten Free in Centerville, Ohio. That day, after checking out the race expo, checking into the hotel, and doing a little book shopping, my friends, Jenn and Cathy, and I headed off to get dinner. I had researched the menu a little prior to the trip to Dayton, so I had an idea of what they offered. And while there isn’t much on their menu, what they offer has a little bit of something for everyone. And that is the important thing.
It was just around 6:00 p.m. when we showed up for dinner that night. I didn’t quite remember the menu, so I went to go and examine the one on the front counter where you place your orders. Cathy already knew what she wanted to get so she was set. Jenn also needed a moment to check it out, since we sort of sprung this place on her. But…she’s always had an open mind when it comes to my gluten-free needs, which is one reason she is so awesome! After a few moments, we all placed our orders.
Cathy had decided to go with the Chicken Strips ($6.99), which was three pieces breaded chicken strips served with a side of crinkle-cut fries. Jenn opted for the 8-inch cheese pizza ($8.99). As for me, I chose to go with the Pizza Sandwich (no pepperoni for this vegetarian) ($8.99), which came with a side of crinkle-cut fries as well. With the orders in, we were told it would take about 20 minutes and to go ahead and find a table and they would bring it out to us when it was ready.
We did exactly that, already discussing what might be a good dessert option while we waited. I mean…we were around food. We were going to discuss the food. We already had it picked out. The three of us would share a Lemon Bar at the end of our meal. It would be perfection.
After our wait, which I appreciate because it means everything is actually done from scratch and not just reheated and brought out, our food arrived. It all looked really amazing. Cathy’s Chicken Strips were not overdone, juicy, and the side of fries was an actual serving! Amazing. She devoured her chicken and fries, complimenting the taste the entire way. Jenn really enjoyed her pizza too. She let me snag a piece of it and I absolutely loved it. Seriously. The crust tastes like it has cornmeal in it, and it baked up crispy and perfect. It wasn’t soggy in the middle. The sauce was fantastic. And it was topped with lots of cheese. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. One of the best slices of pizza I have had.
As for me…my Pizza Sandwich arrived. I double-checked it to make sure the pepperoni was left off of it. And it was. So, my sandwich consisted of pizza sauce, onions, and cheese. Now…that was the perfect sandwich, yes? Just like eating pizza without eating pizza. It looked like it was on Udi’s gluten-free bread, although it must have been bread that they bake up there at Sinfully Gluten Free. I failed to ask, although I should have. But I noticed the loaves in the refrigerator behind the counter that were for sale, which leads me to believe that they use their own bread for their sandwiches. Regardless it was toasted up well and had a nice crispness to it when I bit into it. Like I said…it was like eating a pizza without eating a pizza. I loved it. And the side of fries was a nice touch to my carb-up diet pre-race. Or, at least that’s what I tell myself. The fries were done well. Not soggy. Not burned. Perfect. Not too salty either. I appreciated that, because too much salt can leave a runner feeling dehydrated, which is the complete opposite of what you want pre-race. I hoovered my sandwich, loving every bite of it. And I knew…it was time to go pick dessert.
But then my roommate, Cathy, sprung a surprise on me. Just right of the bake case was some of their baked cookies and brownies up for sale. And I was thrilled when Cathy said I could pick some out to take home with us. I got distracted at this point and immediately started to peruse the goods. In the end, I ended up grabbing one of their Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies, their Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, their Gluten-Free Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies, and their Gluten-Free Mint Chip Cookies. The Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies were the splurge. They were the most expensive, but Cathy said she could tell I really, really wanted them. So…we spent a lot more than intended…but well…more gluten-free goodies for me to try and review, yes?
However, we were on a dessert mission as well. And that meant it was time for a Lemon Bar ($3.50). Sadly, by the time I had snagged like, one of everything, from the goodies, the last couple of lemon bars had been snagged already. I made a very sad face, but the lady behind the counter said they had more in the back. I had never been so happy in my life. She brought them out and put one in a dish for us to take to the table. She told me I might want to give it a chance to warm up, as it was in the freezer. No problem. I went back to the table with every intention of taking a picture of it for the blog…then totally didn’t. And before I realized that, I had already sliced it into three pieces and we had each eaten it. So, without a visual, let me tell you this…
The Lemon Bar at Sinfully Gluten Free is much different from the one I had at Cherbourg Bakery in Columbus, Ohio. This one had a shortbread crust, and on top of it was more of a cheesecake-like lemon topping. It was good. Trust me, it was good. In fact, Jenn said she preferred this one over the one at Cherbourg. The buttery shortbread is a nice touch to the rich, thick lemon topping. And it all balances out quite well. I loved it down to the last bite…which is about where I realized I hadn’t actually taken my picture. Too late. Trust me…this is one of their most popular desserts for a reason. It is fantastic.
That rounded off the evening at Sinfully Gluten Free…but my trial of their products didn’t end there as I left with a bag full of their bakery cookies and a brownie.
Sinfully Gluten Free’s Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookie
Even though I returned to my little town in Indiana, I was now equipped with gluten-free desserts to last over a week. This made me beyond elated. And the first one that my roommate and I tried was the Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookie ($4.50). Now, I had seen these before on Pinterest (not gluten-free), so I was quite excited about this. I love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as it is. And one of those is the very heart of this cookie. Honestly. These come in a box of 6 cookies, as they are all bite-size. The peanut butter cookie envelops a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. The result…a soft outer shell that surrounds the perfect bite of chocolate and peanut butter. This was one of the best cookies I have ever eaten, combining two of my favorite things…peanut butter and chocolate. And…peanut butter cups are involved. I was in love.
I was on a chocolate and peanut butter kick, so the next sweet that grabbed my attention and got my mouth
watering was the Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies ($7.99). First of all, let me reiterate that two of my favorite things in life are chocolate and peanut butter. Put them together and I am one very content cookie monster. These cookies intrigued me and I hesitated for the longest time snagging them to take home with me? Why? They come at a heftier price tag than the rest of the cookies that were out to purchase. But Cathy insisted that if I wanted to try them, I go ahead and get them. And who am I to argue with that kind of logic when it comes to cookies. I’m glad she encouraged me. Because these cookies are sinfully amazing. They start as Sinfully Gluten Free’s basic peanut butter cookie, which is a chewy, soft, light cookie. Oh yeah…forget those hard-as-a-brick peanut butter cookies you are used to buying and/or making. These are super-soft and super rich in flavor. Then, dip half of the cookie in a rich chocolate and you take it to the next level. I love the salty/sweetness to these cookies and really enjoy biting into a soft peanut butter cookie for a change. These…wowed me.
Sinfully Gluten Free’s Chocolate Brownie
The next contender from my gluten-free sweets shopping spree was the Chocolate Brownie ($1.75). Now, I’ve made many a gluten-free brownie at home, but this one was magic. Let me explain. You see, this little brownie loaf, which is about 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches is not heavy at all. Forget that crazy gluten-free aftertaste a lot of brownies have. Not these. These have a rich, fudgy feel to them. That was the best part. Despite having sit on my counter for a couple of days, this brownie was still very soft with every bite. I found it to be one of the best gluten-free brownies I have had to date. I savored each bite of this, as did my roommate. We split it in half and were both just over-the-moon in love with the texture, flavor, and how soft it was. This was a total win in my book. Honestly…a good brownie is one thing, but this sinfully gluten-free one was out of this world. I would buy more of these in a heartbeat.
The last purchase that I sampled was the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies ($4.50). These come packaged in a bag of six cookies that look a lot like
Sinfully Gluten Free’s Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie
chocolate chip cookies until closer inspection. What I noticed were the bits of creme de menth chocolate in there (like chopped Andes candies). The first bite yielded a buttery, soft, rich flavor that paired beautifully with the mint chips that were incorporated. I love mint and these were minty without overpowering the rest of the cookie. You get a taste of the original cookie batter and then you get that kick of mint. I love that the two flavors compliment each other without one outweighing the other on the flavor. I absolutely adore how soft the cookie is. I’m not a fan of hard cookies at all, and this one will just melt in your mouth. Super delicious. And with the addition of mint…super refreshing for the palate as well. Mint chocolate chip cookies never tasted so good.
You know…it’s not every day that I can flat out say that everything that I tried from someplace blew me away. But with Sinfully Gluten Free, that seems to be the case. They have a magic recipe for making light, delicious, fantastic, rich, soft gluten-free baked goods that just blow away the competition. The lemon bar was extremely interesting as I had had one from a different gluten-free bakery earlier that morning. They were nothing like each other…but the rich, cheesecake-like variety at Sinfully Gluten Free was a nice contrast to the other one I had sampled before heading to Dayton. If anything, I hope that this blog sends more people over to this amazing establishment. Try it out for lunch or dinner. And be sure you get dessert and take some of their baked goods home. There were plenty more delicious looking items in the bakery case which were enticing me to try. So…when I go back next time…and there will be a next time, I intend to try something else…and probably snag more lemon bars.
Sinfully Gluten Free proves once again to all the naysayers out there that gluten-free doesn’t have to taste different or be hard, heavy, dense, or dry. Everything I had there popped with flavor and tasted fresh. I will forever rave about this little establishment. So, if you are heading through Dayton, Ohio…take the short trip to Centerville and try out Sinfully Gluten Free. You won’t be disappointed. None of us were. I’m already contemplating my return this coming weekend.
I actually went into Cherbourg Bakery back on December 31, 2011. I did. Because my friend Jenn had told me about them and while we were out and about that day, we decided to swing by and get some New Years treats. The problem was…we waited a little too long. The bakery was pretty much sold out of everything save for the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, a Carrot Cake Muffin, and a Chocolate Cupcake. We actually had our hearts set on the Double Lemon Bars…but they were long gone and the bakery was almost out of treats due to the holiday. Understandable. So, we took one of the items that were left and headed home.
Slices of Cherbourg Bakery’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Carrot Cake Muffin, and Chocolate Cupcake
That night, we split everything three ways and had our first taste of what Cherbourg Bakery could do. The cookie was my favorite thing, which is weird for me since I’m not a fan of oatmeal cookies. But…yeah…these rocked. It was delicate and caramel-y. And the chocolate chips just made it soar. The carrot cake muffin was…pretty good. It was spiced just right for a carrot cake, but it didn’t compare to the cookie. And the chocolate cupcake was…good enough. I thought it felt heavy compared to the lightness of the previous two treats, but it was rich, chocolate goodness in one bite. And, yes…I devoured all three.
I had thought to write up my review based on that…but then found that I just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t fair. I wasn’t able to really test them by ordering what I wanted. I had to order what they still had.
But, I had another chance because I often find myself in Columbus, Ohio. So, on the day before I ran in the Air Force Marathon 10K, I was driving past Cherbourg Bakery with my roommate on our way to get coffee at Caribou Coffee and she asked if I wanted to stop in and grab something for me to eat for breakfast, since Caribou has nothing I can really nosh on. I thought this idea was the best idea I heard…so we turned around, parked, and went in.
This time, Cherbourg had everything I could ever dream of and more. Giant blueberry muffins, delicate cookies, the double lemon bars!! They had donuts and brownies and were just brimming with baked goods. I stepped into a gluten-free heaven of baked wonders. And so…when it was my turn to order, I ended up getting a Chocolate Donut (with chocolate icing and sprinkles…because…why not?), a Madeleine Cookie, and one of the Double Lemon Bars. We paid for the treats and left to continue on to the coffee shop.
And I couldn’t wait. I asked my roommate if she wanted to split the Double Lemon Bar right then. Of course she agreed. So, there in the car, I somehow managed to half the creamy, lemony bar in half. I handed her a napkin and her half of the bar and before I could even pick mine up, she had taken a bite and was already in love with it. When I took my bite of the lemon bar, I now understood why these were so popular. The Double Lemon Bar is a refreshing treat with every bite. It is a shortbread cookie base with a very lemony center. Dusted with powdered sugar, you get the right balance of sweetness and tart, while the shortbread cookie lends a buttery, much-needed savoriness to temper the hit of lemon. It was one of the best things I have ever eaten…no joke. In fact, I loved them so much, that when I was at the hotel in Dayton the night before the race, I called the bakery and ordered three more, so Jenn, Cathy and I could each indulge in one for dessert that evening.
Upon arriving at Caribou Coffee, Cathy ordered her breakfast sandwich and got our caffeine for the morning. We took up residence at one of the tables to enjoy the rest of our breakfast. Once she received her breakfast sandwich, I popped open the bakery box and now had to decide if I wanted to eat the donut first or the Madeleine.
Cherbourg Bakery’s Chocolate Donut with Chocolate Icing and Sprinkles
I decided to sample both…but I started with the Chocolate Donut. I broke off a piece of the round, baked wonder and loved how light it felt. Yes…even with the icing and sprinkles. It wasn’t dense or too heavy, especially for a cake-like donut. I was already impressed. Then, I popped it into my mouth…and truly fell under the spell of Cherbourg once again. The donut was moist and rich, the chocolate flavor the start. The chocolate icing melted away, really adding to the stunning richness of this donut. I had to gobble it up. I just couldn’t stop myself. I did pause long enough to share a piece with my roommate, who also expressed a deep love of the chocolate flavor, the light texture, and the all-around awesomeness of the bite. Yeah…it was one perfect chocolate iced chocolatey bite.
And last, but certainly not least was the little Madeleine cookie. Madeleines are classic French teacake cookies. And these had the perfect shell shape to them and everything. I was intrigued by it. And when I broke off my first bite and tasted it…I was forever hooked on these French classics. Cherbourg delivers a buttery, light flavor with every soft bite of these little teacakes. I was enamored by it. I, once again, shared a piece with my roommate and she was also blown away. Considering she doesn’t have to eat gluten-free, hearing her praise the items that I am able to eat made me so happy. I was in absolute love with the products I chose that morning to sample.
Cherbourg Bakery’s Madeleine Cookie
So, while this review might be a little late, it was definitely worth the wait. I wanted to be fair to Cherbourg Bakery when I wrote it. I wanted to critique it on items I truly would order, not just on what was left in stock. I’m glad I waited because it yielded a much better review overall. Now, every time I happen to be in Columbus (like this coming weekend…) I am going to make Cherbourg Bakery a stop. They have muffins, bars, breads, brownies and cakes that have still yet to be sampled. And I hear their seasonal Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are one of the most exciting gluten-free goodies ever. And the Monster Blueberry Muffins seem to be calling my name as well.
Cherbourg Bakery, I hope that you live long and prosper in Columbus, Ohio. I know that I’ll frequent you whenever I find myself there. Which is quite often with one of my best friends living there. Keep on rocking those baked goods. What you do is wonderful for the gluten-free community. I have been singing your praises and bragging about you ever since.
Awhile back, I lost my favorite local coffee shop in Louisville, Kentucky. I went there every weekend and enjoyed a delicious latte or mocha made with almond milk. They diligently knew what to leave out because they knew I was lactose intolerant. And then…without warning…they were closed. Gone. And I have had a coffee void in Louisville ever since.
That changed. In a big way. Today.
I knew of Highland Coffee Company. I drove by it every time I headed down to Bardstown Road. They used to have this amazing sign…until Urban Outfitters moved in. But, that hasn’t kept people from this little gem. Sign or no sign, this place was packed when we showed up. I can see what all the buzz (get it…coffee…buzz…heh heh…) is about.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when we strolled in. I just knew what the locals were saying. And it was all good. Since the sign came down, there had been an outpouring of support from local businesses on both sides of the river because, let’s face it, Highland Coffee Company is sort of off the beaten track. And to anyone unfamiliar with the area…you could drive right by it and never even know it was there.
Sad. Honestly. Because it’s nothing short of awesome.
After a moment of looking over the menu board, both my roomie and I were already set with what we were going to get. She ordered first…a small mocha with skim milk and some of their homemade chocolate whipped cream ($3.45). As for me…I first asked if they had almond milk…and they did. And I jumped up and down with joy for a moment. And with that happy bit of knowledge, I ordered a small pumpkin spice latte with almond milk ($4.00). And as we were being rang up at the register, Cathy spotted the gluten-free goodies on the counter. Gluten-Free Brownies and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread. The gluten-free pumpkin bread ($3.50) was screaming my name…so Cathy and I decided that we would split a slice of it.
Let me start by saying this…I loved that they had the gluten-free items away from the regular stuff in the case. These were out and tightly wrapped on the counter. Much appreciation for that. That means they are taking extra care to make sure no cross-contamination happened. And for this gluten-free girl…I love that.
The pumpkin bread was unwrapped and placed on a plate for us…with two forks. It looked moist and awesome. I was just too happy about it. I thanked them and took the plate to a table while Cathy went and waited for our drinks. While I was waiting, I went ahead and sliced the pumpkin bread in half. And then…it looked so amazing, I just couldn’t wait any longer. I took a bite of my half.
For anyone who thinks that gluten-free baked goods taste funny, are heavy, or have a strange texture…then they are eating in all the wrong places. For real. This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread was moist, light, and simply delicious. I love pumpkin and this had the right amount of flavor and spic without being overdone. It was a great treat to enjoy as a late-morning snack.
Then…our coffees came up to order. Cathy got hers first and came to set it on the table. Mine was being remade because the barista realized after she steamed the milk that I ordered almond milk and she did whole milk. That would have set my stomach into a tizzy, yes? Anyway…they got it straightened out and my almond milk pumpkin spice latte was up in no time.
Cathy brought the drinks over to the table…and it was go-time. I took my first sip and have to say…anything Starbucks does, Highland Coffee Company does better. WAY better. I fell in love with their pumpkin spice latte. Simple flavor. The pumpkin wasn’t overdone or overpowering. It was just pure flavor with a great shot of espresso. The pour was perfect. No bitterness. And definitely not too weak. It was love at first sip.
I think I found my new favorite coffee spot in Louisville, Kentucky. For real. Because they cater to people like me. They have dairy-free options. Gluten-free options. Amazing employees. A great atmosphere. And really good food and coffee. I’m once again in love with a local coffee shop in Louisville.
If you haven’t found Highland Coffee Company yet…get down to Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky. Look for Urban Outfitters. Turn into the lot and walk into the place under the giant coffee cup. You’ll feel right at home. And, much like me, you’ll anticipate your next visit and already be thinking of what to try next.
Happiness does come served in a cup. At Highland Coffee Company anyway.
Highland Coffee Company’s Pumpkin Spice Latte with Almond Milk
Restaurant: Patachou On The Park, Indianapolis, Indiana
What’s my favorite meal of the day?
That’s right, friend’s. It’s breakfast! I love, love, love breakfast.
So, on the morning after my half marathon, I woke up in Indianapolis and was ready for a good breakfast. Cathy had done some research on great places to grab either breakfast or brunch that would have some options for me and stumbled across Patachou On The Park via Find Me Gluten Free. It had some really great reviews, so we decided that we would give this place a try before checking out of the hotel and making our way home.
We were there right when they opened on Sunday morning at 8 a.m. We entered and were told to take a seat wherever we liked. We chose a corner table with a long bench on one side that shared with other tables along that line, and a chair on the other. We settled in with the menu and soon or waitress came over to see what we wanted to eat. She said that they had a self-serve coffee bar if that was what we wanted, but both Cathy and I chose to get some caffeine through Diet Coke ($1.95…and served in the can) and water.
While she was there, we mentioned that I was medically gluten-free and she asked about the level of my intolerance just so she could be clear. We went over the restrictions with her and she seemed confident that they could provide a safe meal for me. And mentioned that they did serve Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread. Do you know what this meant? This meant that I didn’t have to just have an omelet. Now, I love a good omelet, but it seems like that’s always my go-to and these brunch places, as most don’t have gluten-free bread, gluten-free pancakes, gluten-free waffles, or gluten-free anything besides eggs. So, this was a nice change of pace.
That being the case, when it came time to order, both Cathy and I opted to go with the Broken Yolk Sandwiches, as they were items we couldn’t just get anywhere else. Omelets we could do anywhere with the fixings that were offered…but these were different. What is a Broken Yolk Sandwich? It’s two fried eggs, served runny unless you request otherwise, topped with whatever option you choose from the menu on the bread of choice. They have quite a list of them.
Cathy chose to get the Broken Yolk Sandwich with Bacon ($10.25), which consisted of two fried eggs, cheddar cheese and Indiana
bacon. For her toast, she chose sourdough…a fantastic choice for a breakfast sandwich.
As for me, I went with the plain Broken Yolk Sandwich ($9.75), which consists of two fried eggs and cheddar cheese. Naturally, I ordered mine on gluten-free bread (+$1.50). It was really the only one that was vegetarian without removing ingredients from the sandwich, which could mess with the integrity of the flavor. I was okay with this though. It sounded delicious.
Both Cathy and I opted for the fruit bowl as our side instead of a small salad. After all…who does salad for breakfast?
Shortly after the orders went in, our waitress was coming to the table with our plates of food. I must admit…the plates look fantastic. The sandwich looked amazing and filling. And it was.
The gluten-free bread that they use at Patachou On The Park is Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread. I hate that they charge more for gluten-free bread. There are so many places that graciously just offer it without the up-charge, but I, as a gluten-free consumer knows that gluten-free bread costs more than regular breads so…that’s why the up-charge is often there. It just…sucks.
Not quite sure how to eat it, I opted for the fork and knife approach. With the runny eggs, I knew it would be messy, and this actually proved to be a good option. Cathy was actually able to pick hers up to eat. Sourdough is a much sturdier bread than gluten-free bread and while mine ended up soggy, hers held together really well.
So, if you eat here…I recommend fork and knife for the gluten-free Broken Yolk Sandwich option. Trust me. It’s the best way to eat it. Each bite was awesome. Egg, bread, cheese…three of my favorite things. And not one bite lacked any of this. I even was able to give mine a little kick with a dash of Sriracha, because I love heat with my eggs regardless of how I am eating them. It was a really great combination.
As for the fruit bowl, there was quite the variety. Very ripe and sweet pineapple, peeled oranges (I appreciated this as most places leave the peel on and it’s just awkward), strawberries, blueberries, grapes. All perfectly sweet and at the right level of ripeness. I liked it. I love it when my fruit is ripe.
Overall…the food was great…it tasted fantastic. It was fresh, made in house with local products, and really delicious. My one problem with Patachou on the Park was the price. The two breakfast sandwiches and the Diet Coke cans set us back nearly $30. For breakfast!!! Now, I’ve spent that kind of money at breakfast/brunch places, but I typically get potatoes with my meal in addition to the fruit and the egg dish. So, do be prepared to pay a lot for your meal here. The food is great, so it is worth the price, but it did give me a bit of sticker shock.
It was definitely worth the visit to give the food a try, but I think next time I’ll seek out somewhere with more affordable prices and equally as good food. They exist all over Indianapolis. I wasn’t at all disappointed with the food…just the cost.
But…you do get what you pay for. And I did get good food. Bottom line…that’s the important thing.
Patachou On The Park’s Broken Yolk Sandwich on Gluten-Free Bread
I almost backed out of going to this amazing Mexican restaurant on account of not feeling well due to dehydration brought on from a red flagged half marathon that morning. I wasn’t feeling good all day and I wasn’t sure how well my stomach would handle Mexican food being fed to it after the abuse I put it through just to get through the race.
In the end, however, I am glad I decided to go. And for the record…I actually was hungry when I stepped into the restaurant with my roomie and actually could smell the authentic Mexican cuisine as other diners enjoyed their meals. Yeah…Cathy made a good choice when she set up reservations for this restaurant prior to the race.
What made her choose this over say…the place up the way with gluten-free pizza? The answer was quite simple. Adobo Grill in Indianapolis had rave reviews on Find Me Gluten Free’s Web site. And with that sort of piece of mind, we both knew that this would at least be a decent dining experience if nothing else. The food, my friends, aside from the safety and the way gluten-free options were handled, was the highlight.
Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a hostess who took us to a nice booth in a dimly lit dining room. The entire restaurant was decorated in warm colors, reds and oranges especially, which are said to stimulate appetite. It was working. I was…for the first time all day…actually a little hungry. We were left menus and our server came to our table to pour us some water and see if we wanted anything else to drink. As I still felt dehydrated, I stuck purely with the water. So did Cathy.
Then, we mentioned that I was medically gluten-free and the waiter said he would take my menu and return with one specifically for me. Yes…their gluten-free menu. I absolutely love when places have menus specifically for those who need to eat gluten-free. It really puts my mind to ease to some extent. What was even better was that this menu had more than just a few selections on them and many of the options were vegetarian.
Happy dance of joy. The waiter gave me another moment to look over the options and I finally made my decision.
Adobo Grill’s Guacamole (prepared table side)
First of all, both Cathy and I decided to split an appetizer of the Guacamole ($7.99). What makes this guacamole a must-have is that it is prepared table side. Yes. It is made right before your very eyes. You see everything that goes into it. No need to question how it is made or anything. And it was so much fun to see the woman roll the cart over with all the makings and a stone bowl. She asked us how hot we wanted our guacamole. Cathy said I like hot and she likes mild, so we’d settle on a medium. The very gracious server nodded and began the art of table side guacamole preparation. The best part was at the end, when she speedily sliced an avocado in half, hit the pit with the knife to remove it, then scooped it into the bowl with the rest of the fixings and…mashed it all together. Then it was set on the table and we were left with our chips and ready to enjoy. I spooned up a helping onto my plate and took a bite.
Rich. Creamy. Packed with flavor. I loved the hit of lime juice which would follow up each bite. It was one of the more delicious guacamoles that I have eaten. I didn’t find it to pack any heat at all, which was good for Cathy…but I do like a bit of heat with mine. But that was not an issue as the flavors were all there and none of them overpowered the rest. I could taste everything. I loved the chunkiness of the texture and how amazing it tasted when it all came together. Love at first bite.
Adobo Grill’s Enchiladas de Calabaza
For my entree, I chose the Enchiladas de Calabaza ($14.99). It’s their vegetarian enchilada option on the menu. Enchiladas just sounded like the perfect meal that night. And now that my stomach wasn’t feeling so…blah…I was ready for something of actual sustenance. The Enchiladas de Calabaza are corn tortillas packed with roasted butternut squash & mushrooms and then coated in creamy tomatillo salsa with cheese & red onion on top. Sour cream usually accompanies this, but I’ve never been a fan so I asked that they not include it. It came with a side of black beans. A large serving of black beans to be exact. But, I figured after the race…the protein was much needed.
Yummy. No. Really, really yummy! What I loved about this enchilada was the various flavors that came out of each bite. The butternut squash was sweet, but paired so well with the umami, earthly flavors of the mushrooms. The sauce, the corn, the onion…the pico de gallo and the cheese all brought it together. And when I would scoop up a bite with some of the seasoned and creamy black beans…it was magic. Honestly. I loved the fantastic, savory flavors that would emerge with each bite. I was in love with this meal and devoured it all. Dehydration and upset stomach be damned…this was fantastic food, bite-for-bite, and I was hungry for more.
For the record, Cathy enjoyed her Enchiladas de Mariscos, which are enchiladas filled with shrimp, tilapia, grilled peppers, corn and cheese and basted in fresh corn-chipotle salsa. She also nixed the sour cream, but it came with the pico de gallo, a side of Mexican rice and a side of black beans ($14.99)
Well…I was actually quite full, but figured I needed something to celebrate with. So when our server returned, Cathy and I inquired as to what would be gluten-free on the dessert menu. The server said the Chocolate Tamal would be without the cookie/cake part. But he would check on the rest. When he returned, he said the Flan was gluten-free and Ice Cream was gluten-free.
Instead of sharing a dessert, Cathy and I decided we’d each order one. I got the Flan ($4.99), which is a traditional vanilla custard with caramel sauce. Cathy got the Chocolate Tamal ($5.99), which we thought would be done gluten-free, but it came out regular for her. So I didn’t get to sample it. But it looked fantastic…sort of a chocolate cake/cookie wrapped like a tamale and served with vanilla bean ice cream, chocolate sauce and dried cranberries.
This was the first time I ever had Flan. And I was really impressed with it. It felt light, despite being a custard. The caramel sauce didn’t take away from the vanilla flavor. It was used as more of a topping and garnish than anything. And…there was a strawberry on top…which, naturally I saved for the very last bite. I was full when I finished eating. Stuffed, really. But I found this meal to be well worth going to that extreme. I don’t eat like that often, but my appetite was back with a vengeance and it was time to really celebrate getting through that difficult race.
Sure…the meal was pricey. But we were eating in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. It’s going to be pricey. The important thing was I was able to eat there without feeling ill afterwards. They took my gluten intolerance very seriously and provided me with a fantastic, safe dinner. And after the rough day I had, it was just what I needed. I felt full, but great as I meandered out the door after dinner and back to the hotel.
Would I return to Adobo Grill next time I’m in Indianapolis? In a heartbeat. Highly recommended for those who can’t have gluten…and for those who can. As both my roomie and I enjoyed our meals and raved about them the entire time we were eating. Authentic Mexican food done authentically right and to perfection. Yeah…I’d eat there again. No problem.
The Celiathlete 