Travel – Page 17 – The Celiathlete

June 29, 2012

Brocach invites Milwaukee in for traditional Irish fare and atmosphere

Restaurant: Brocach Irish Pub & Restaurant, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

By now, my friends, you know the drill. When I go out of town, one of the main requirements when it comes to eating out is finding a good pub. Well, there are plenty to choose from in Milwaukee, trust me. And when possible, it’s best to ask a local about where to get the best pub grub in town. But, I sort of stumbled upon this place via an Internet search. And my roommate mentioned it to a local at the race and she gave it her approval.

The pub: Brocach Irish Pub & Restaurant in downtown Milwaukee.

There was much anticipation coming into a late lunch/early dinner here. We needed to wait for the dinner menu to be offered and not the brunch menu, as it would be a crime for my roomie to go into a pub and not be able to have the fish and chips. So, we hit there around 3:00 p.m. and were greeted in the little alcove inside the door and taken to a table upstairs. Except no one informed our waiter that the upstairs was reserved for a wedding party. So, back down the stairs we went and were given a nice raised table to settle into. Our waiter took our drink order and we settled in to peruse the menu.

There were plenty of options on there for a vegetarian. However, with me also being gluten-free, I was pretty much limited to a salad. Which is fine, because they had a list of delicious, large salads to choose from…varieties on flavor…everything a vegetarian could ask for. So, I sat there and went over which one I really wanted to try. My roomie helped me come to my final decision as her mind was already set on the Fish and Chips ($13.50).

So when our waiter returned to take our order, she did her standard, and I put in for the Very Veggie Salad ($8.00).

The pub wasn’t hopping yet. The wedding party was en route, but we were there at an odd time to order food. So, our wait wasn’t very long before we had plates of food being set in front of us. My roommate’s fish and chips actually looked like a decent, normal portion. Nothing that would be too much. And my salad was freakin’ huge.

The Very Veggie Salad was a toss of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, green beans, red onions, cucumbers, chickpeas, and artichokes. All of this was tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette, which I meant to ask for on the side, but they didn’t drown my salad in it, so I was okay with it. It was a very colorful salad, with lots going on. LOTS.

So, after taking my photos for the blog, I picked up my fork and dug in. And here is what I loved about it. The artichokes lent a perfect hint of bite to the salad. I love artichokes, so including them in the salad made a perfect compliment to the other ingredients in there. The green beans were al dente. The chickpeas gave me some much-needed protein. And the rest of the vegetables were all fresh. Every forkful brought a new blend of flavors. And the dressing was the right match for this kind of salad. Light so as not to overpower the great vegetable combination going on in the bowl. Yeah…I was one happy girl at the table.

My roommate loved her fish and chips, so we were both quite content at the end of the meal. What’s more is the pub vibe you get at Brocach. It’s laid back. It’s easy-going. It’s like a true pub in Ireland. The Euro 2012 matches were playing on the television near the bar. We could still hear ourselves talk as we settled in to eat. It was the perfect setting and I’m glad we ended up going there.

Brocach has a lot to offer and a little bit of something for everyone who walks through the doors. They served up amazing food without a long wait. And provided the perfect setting for a great dinner out in Milwaukee. And we left just as the wedding party was beginning to arrive. So, we actually had really good timing. Next time I’m in Milwaukee, would I go back. Sure. But there are other pubs to try…although it is definitely not out of the question.

Sláinte!

Brocach's Very Veggie Salad — Brocach’s Very Veggie Salad

June 28, 2012

Caffeine and not a moment too latte at Alterra Coffee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Restaurant: Alterra Coffee Roasters (5th Ward Foundry), Milwaukee, Wisconsin

If you do a search for the best coffee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the name you’ll continue to see in your search is Alterra coffee. That being said, I knew that was the place I needed to check out while I was in town. My roomie and I make it a point to go to a local coffee house and a local ice cream shop on each trip. And Alterra certainly didn’t disappoint.

I had just finished running the Rock ‘N Sole Quarter Marathon and after downing some water, Cathy and I decided that it was time to hit up a coffee shop for a much-needed caffeine pick-me-up. Alterra was on our list…the big question was…which coffee house were we going to visit. There was one not too far from the Summerfest grounds, so we decided to see if we could make our way there and fulfill our need for caffeine.

It wasn’t hard to get to at all. And when we walked in, we could immediately smell fresh roasted coffee, hear the grinder, and get that quiet buzz you tend to find in coffee houses. Yeah…I immediately felt at home.

We took a moment to examine the boards and decide on what we wanted. For the first time ever, Cathy went with a small iced white mocha ($3.50). I was shocked. This woman never gets her coffee iced. And I went with a small, soy, sugar-free raspberry latte ($3.50).

My raspberry latte came up, but it wasn’t soy. So they gladly remade it for me the proper way without any complaint, eye-rolling, or attitude. LOVED that. I appreciated that to no end. And within moments, a proper iced soy raspberry latte was placed on the counter for my sipping pleasure.

I love testing fruity syrups in a latte. Raspberry tends to be one that pairs overly well with espresso. And this was no different. The raspberry syrup wasn’t too heavy-handed. In fact, it was the perfect amount to give the flavor to the drink without taking it over. And the espresso was a perfect shot. Oh yes. Smooth as silk. It wasn’t bitter, no harsh aftertaste. Perfect espresso pour. And the soy milk was icy cold, and delicious. I was one happy runner at that point to not only have something cold to sip on, but also have something so fantastic.

I also loved that their true small size was an 8 ounce portion. YES! You know, 12 ounces is all fine and good, but 8 ounces just seems like the perfect amount. And the usual price of about $0.50/each was applied for my change to soy milk and my added flavor. Couldn’t argue with that. It’s about what every coffee shop does.

Both my roommate and I walked out of Alterra quite content, with iced drinks in hand and smiles on our faces. Our drinks were the perfect strength and made just the way we wanted them. I was impressed with the atmosphere, the service, and the product at Alterra Coffee . I would go back in a heartbeat. Or visit one of their other locations throughout Milwaukee.

So raise a glass…and caffeinate yourself next time you find yourself in Milwaukee. Trust me…coffee is much better for you than beer, which is mostly what Milwaukee is known for.

Alterra Coffee Roasters Small, Iced, Sugar-Free, Raspberry Soy Latte

June 28, 2012

Defeat the wheat with gluten-free options at Transfer Pizzeria & Café in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Restaurant: Transfer Pizzeria & Café, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Eating out can be tricky. When food allergies come into play, well…there is a lot of guess work that goes on. So, when I go out of town and have to find places to eat, I’m pretty strict about where I choose. Coming up to Milwaukee, I had a great Italian restaurant picked out that had gluten-free pizza and pasta options. And then my roommate pointed out it was sort of a big, heap, fancy kind of a place that would require dressing up…and really, what runner wants to strap on a pair of heels the night before the race just to carb up? Not me.

So…dining the night before the Rock ‘n Sole Quarter Marathon was up in the air to the very evening before we left. And that’s when my roomie, using my favorite Web site/app available ever (Find Me Gluten Free), discovered the place we ended up dining. It was a great little pizzeria/café called Transfer Pizzeria & Café on W. Mitchell St. in Milwaukee. Let me tell you…this was one epic find.

On the outside, it doesn’t look like much. In fact, we almost missed it when we drove past. Thank goodness for the neon sign above the front door. We parked and made our way over to the restaurant, where we were greeted very warmly and shown to a table near the window. The inside was nothing like I imagined. Very bohemian. Very rustic. With a café/bar in the center, the kitchen behind it, and a dining area all around, with booths and tables. It isn’t a large space, but it was very nice.

We were handed menus and told our waiter, Mischa, would be with us shortly. And he was. Wearing an epic Dark Side of the Moon t-shirt, featuring the Death Star with the prism lights from the Pink Floyd cover art. Yeah…we had to comment on how much we loved his shirt. Anyway, we informed him that I am medically gluten-free and he said, “Ah, medically…you mean not one of these fad diets?” It made me laugh. And he was very helpful in telling me that all the toppings for their pizza are gluten-free. He went to fetch Cathy some Diet Coke while I stuck with water for hydration purposes.

Gluten-Free note on the menu at Transfer Pizzeria & Café in Milwaukee, Wisonsin. Vasyl is the chef who hand makes the rice flour crust.

Left with the menu, we quickly glanced over the veggie pizza options and settled on a few to pick from. When he returned he asked if we had any questions and then volunteered to share some of his favorites and suggestions. Oddly enough, he was a big fan of the ones we had been eyeing. And with that recommendation, we placed our order.

Now…something rare happened at Transfer that doesn’t happen very often when I go out to eat…specifically at a pizza/pasta joint. First of all…I was not limited to a salad. YES!! Second of all…I was not just left to pizza. No, my friends. This went beyond what any other restaurant has done for the gluten-free pizza. At Transfer, I could have appetizers…and…wait for it…dessert!

So, already I was doing a happy dance of foodie joy. And we went ahead and placed an order to split the Gluten-Free Bruschetta as an appetizer (which was only a $2.00 upcharge). Then, we would split a small Gluten-Free Da Vinci Pizza (small pizza only, with a $2.00 upcharge). He went to put the order in and we happily discussed our upcoming meal and how much we already loved the atmosphere of the place.

Transfer Pizzeria & Café's Gluten-Free Bruschetta — Transfer Pizzeria & Café’s Gluten-Free Bruschetta

The Gluten-Free Bruschetta ($8.00) arrived in short order. Mischa kindly explained to us that all gluten-free products were brought out on red plates…completely dedicated to gluten-free foods. Sweet! On the plate was 10 halves of gluten-free toast that had been rubbed with garlic cloves. In a bowl, large chunks of tomato, fresh basil, and olive oil were ready for us to dish it up onto our toast. And that’s what we did.

The tomatoes were incredibly ripe and full of flavor. The large chunks were not unwieldy, but rather very refreshing, without taking away from the flavor provided by the fresh basil and the taste of the amazing olive oil. Yeah…it was good. I think we might have hoovered the appetizer. But, honestly, it’s been ages since I’ve been able to eat the bread at a restaurant. The bread had a nice toast to it, without being too hard. It was still soft and chewy, but held up the tomato chunks without a problem. I was in love…with an appetizer. Who knew tomatoes, basil, olive oil and gluten-free bread could be the most amazing thing ever? Well, when you usually have to watch everyone eat the bread…it makes a hell of a difference.

The gluten-free pizza was up next. It was tough to decide between the different varieties of veggie pizzas being offered. But I think we made a fantastic choice. The Gluten-Free Da Vinci Pizza ($14.00) consists of a gluten-free crust topped with tomato sauce and pesto sauce. It is then topped off with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, and shaved asiago cheese. I was quite excited about the pizza toppings. Cathy was a little nervous about the pesto…but her trepidation was soon put to rest once the pizza arrived.

It looked amazing. Honestly. This pizza really looked amazing. I mean, you can’t go wrong with cheese and tomatoes, right? Heck, no!! And the thin gluten-free crust was browned to a crunchy perfection. It’s made at the restaurant too. Not something that is pre-packaged. The chef makes a homemade gluten-free crust from rice flour. There is a special oven specifically for gluten-free. And utensils to take it in and out of the oven that are dedicated as gluten-free.

And how did it taste?

Transfer Pizzeria & Café's Gluten-Free Da Vinci Pizza — Transfer Pizzeria & Café’s Gluten-Free Da Vinci Pizza

AMAZING! The blend of tomato sauce and basil pesto was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. They married together so well. The chunks of tomato were, again, fresh. Not slices…chunks. Love that. They were so ripe and packed with flavor. I absolutely loved it. The blend of three different cheeses (mozzarella, feta, and asiago) was fantastic. I love cheese as much as the next person…and this was…so amazing. SO AMAZING! Creamy. Sweet. Just melt-in-your-mouth fantastic. This might just be the best gluten-free pizza…or pizza in general…I have ever eaten. EVER!!

Oh…I was so full on pizza and bruschetta…but gluten-free dessert was mentioned. Yes. Dessert. And we’re not talking about just a bowl of ice cream. Nope. I actually got to have dessert. For real. I was told their gluten-free options were a brownie or a cupcake. I am definitely a brownie girl. And, let me tell you, I was brought an amazing Gluten-Free Brownie ($5.00). Rich. Decadent. Drizzled with chocolate. Amazing. I took one bite and I was sold. It was so rich. It was like biting into dream. Seriously. This brownie was soft and just…so good! Good isn’t even the word that best describes it. It was sinfully decadently delicious. Yeah…I was one happy gluten-free girl.

Stuffed to the max, I walked out of Transfer Pizzeria & Café with a three-course meal under my belt. That never happens anywhere these days. Not only was I full, but I was impressed. The atmosphere, the food, the people…I felt right at home there. And I was taken very good care of. Everything was safely prepared and kept high standards. I felt good to go into a restaurant where the staff was so knowledgeable about gluten-free items, made sure safety precautions were taken with the food, and served up something amazing with each dish that came out.

Color me impressed. No…color me jealous that this place is located in Milwaukee and not where I live.

Gluten-free is no problem at Transfer Pizzeria & Café. They not only know how to safely prepare food, they even host a gluten-free night, every Monday, called “Defeat the Wheat” where they offer no upcharge on gluten-free items on the menu and give a 2 for 1 special on bottles of Lakefront Brewery New Grist gluten-free beer. Gotta love that.

And I do. I’m in love with this restaurant. Well, I guess I found yet another reason to return to the Milwaukee area. And the sooner…the better!

Transfer Pizzeria & Café's Gluten-Free Brownie — Transfer Pizzeria & Café’s Gluten-Free Brownie

June 28, 2012

Kopps Frozen Custard a tasty classic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Restaurant: Kopp’s Frozen Custard, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I totally blame my friend, Heather, for my newest fascination with frozen custard. It is just rich, smooth and amazing. Simply amazing. Why simply? Because it is a rich, decadent, but simple treat.

After a long day on the road and hitting up the race expo to pick up my packet for the Rock and Sole Half and Quarter Marathon tomorrow, my roommate and I hit the town for some shopping. And as we were headed to a Half Price Books, we suddenly realized we were hungry. And dinner was still hours away. And there…as if a indulgent oasis suddenly appeared before us, we saw a beacon known as Kopp’s Frozen Custard. Now, I had been browsing Travel Channel and other sites and when it comes to frozen custard, Milwaukee is the place to be. And Kopp’s Frozen Custard is truly a staple to the Milwaukee area.

Founded in 1950, Kopp’s Frozen Custard is a true landmark in the Metro-Milwaukee area. What has brought longevity to their business? The great, unmistakeable taste of their custard. No doubt about it. And, as a little bit of trivia here, Kopp’s was the first to offer something other than the standard vanilla and chocolate frozen custards. This became known as the “Flavor of the Day” and is still put in affect today.

And when we stopped in, there were two additional flavors today. Mint Chip and Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate. Um…no guess as to which one my roommate and I decided to get.

You guessed it. Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate. One scoop. ($2.29)

Yum.

And yum doesn’t even really begin to cover the smooth, rich, creaminess of this frozen custard. I raved about the one I had in Minnesota…but this was above and beyond. This was full of rich, deep chocolate flavor, loaded with peanuts, and dark chocolate chunks. It was…a salty-sweet party in my mouth. And we all know how much I love frozen treats anyway. Well, this was one of the richest, decadent frozen treats I’ve indulged in. SO good. I might have hoovered it. Just maybe.

The taste of this custard truly is unmistakable. I thought I had the absolute best before…but this blew it all away. Just really, really fantastic. And the setting was so space-agey…while still maintaining a bit of a drive-in/diner vibe. I loved standing at my table, people-watching, and spooning down my frozen treat. I was in heaven.

If you happen to be in the Milwaukee area, check out one of the three top frozen custard places. But…speaking from experience here…I really recommend trying Kopp’s Frozen Custard. This landmark is worth standing in line for one of the flavor’s of the day…or just the plain vanilla or chocolate. For a business to last this long…you know it’s more than good. It’s great. It’s amazing. It’s..sinful…in an amazing, rich, delicious way.

Grab a spoon…because you’ll want to dig in immediately.

Kopp's Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate Frozen Custard — Kopp’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate Frozen Custard

June 28, 2012

When you have to eat on the go…make it GoPicnic

Product: GoPicnic Hummus and Crackers All-Natural Meal – $4.99+

It never fails. You’re trying to save money on a road trip by not eating out every time you get hungry…and sure enough…hunger strikes. You don’t want to stop off somewhere and pay an arm and a leg for either a snack or a meal. And with my food allergies…that’s not exactly the best option anyway. So…this time…I came prepared.

On a trip up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a Quarter Marathon I was running in, my roommate and I were up before the sun and on the road at 6 a.m. That meant we downed our breakfast at 5:30 before finishing with preparations and last-minute packing before taking out the garbage and heading out with the luggage to hit the road. Regardless…by the time 10 a.m. rolled around…we were starving.

Thankfully, I came prepared with a couple of varieties of GoPicnic meals. I had a couple that I got for free from the Gluten-Free Expo in Birmingham, Alabama. But they included hummus and I was unsure of whether or not my roommate would eat that as she has a love/hate relationship with hummus. So, when they ran a 1/2-off special on GoPicnic’s Web site, I ordered two of the Peanut Butter and Crackers for her, part of their All-Natural, Healthy Meals. For me, I was quite content with my Hummus and Crackers pack. Hers is not gluten-free. But the Hummus and Crackers one is.

And it is full of delicious, healthy treats.

Open the box and you are greeted with a tube of Wild Garden Hummus Dip, Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers, Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame, Sweet Perry Orchards Baja Blend Fruit & Nut Mix and an Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Square. Every component of this meal is all-natural, gluten-free, vegan and kosher. Gotta love that!!

The biggest decision now was where to start. I opted to hit up the Wild Garden Hummus Dip and the Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers first. I’ve enjoyed the delicious Cruchmaster Crackers before, but this was my first time trying Wild Garden Hummus Dip. Let me tell you…it was absolutely delicious. I even had my roommate try some of it and she actually liked it too. Go figure. It was creamy and full of flavor. It tasted like really good refried beans…but much healthier for you. In fact, this hummus packs a whopping 6 grams of protein. Most store-bough hummus has maybe 1 gram. This made me a very happy girl. Pairing it with the Original Flavor of Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers was brilliant. The hummus only has 60 calories and the Crunchmaster Cracker pack also has only 60 calories. NICE!

The next component that I tore into was the Sweet Perry Orchard Baja Blend Fruit & Nut Mix. This was a simple blend of all natural dried fruits and nuts, which includes habañera almonds, sweet and salty peanuts and mango cranberries. It was pretty good too. A nice mix of salty and sweet. The flavor from the dried fruits and the salty nuts was fantastic. The pack that comes in the GoPicnic box has 100 calories and packs 3 grams of protein.

My next indulgence in the GoPicnic box of goodies was the Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame. This is another snack I have eaten before…but I don’t think I ever blogged about it. I love this stuff and prefer it over chips any day. Honestly. These dry roasted beans are absolutely delicious. Not too salty. And packed with flavor. Like eating a peanut…but better. This pack has only 130 calories in it, but packs a protein punch of 14 grams. NICE!

And…for dessert…my GoPicnic box had an amazing square of Endangered Species Dark Chocolate. It was a very dark chocolate blend too, of 72% cocoa content. It was smooth, delicious, and sinful. But not too sinful. The square only sets you back 50 calories. Mmmm…that’s an indulgence worth taking.

What I loved about GoPicnic is how easy these are to travel with. My roommate and I were satisfied after eating our meals. And, on a whole, definitely worth every bite. My Hummus and Crackers meal was only 400 calories for the entire thing, had 12 grams of fiber, and a powerful 25 grams of protein. For a vegetarian who is also gluten-free…that protein is exactly what I needed. And it was just so good too. I absolutely appreciate the simplicity of these meals, but how filling they are without breaking a diet or the fat/carb/whatever bank.

GoPicnic offers up quite a variety of meals for the busy-body or traveler. But only two fall into my dietary needs. The Hummus and Crackers GoPicnic meal was fantastic and I recommend it to any vegan, regardless of gluten-free status. It’s a delicious on-the-go treat that held me over until early afternoon.

GoPicnic…I love you. For (deliciously) real!

Inside the GoPicnic Hummus and Crackers All-Natural Meal

June 16, 2012

Get on the Banana Boat at Sebastian Joe’s and discover the best ice cream stop in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Restaurant: Sebastian Joe’s, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Every city has one. A local gem that houses the best ice cream treats anywhere. The locals know it. In fact, they frequent this place often, telling their friends and even complete strangers about where to find the best ice cream in town.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota…it’s no doubt this honor would go to Sebastian Joe’s.

As I have established before, one of my favorite ice cream treats to indulge in (with the help of my roommate) is a banana split. Life doesn’t get much better than a banana topped off with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, and whatever else that particular shoppe adds to theirs. I was in the mood to indulge. It was my last day in Minneapolis and I had already eaten a delicious lunch. But that didn’t stop me from seeking out the best ice cream the Twin Cities had to offer. I found it too…at Sebastian Joe’s.

Sebastian Joe’s has been a staple to the Twin Cities since it opened back in 1884. This family owned, community-minded business has been churning out delicious premium ice cream using only all-natural ingredients of the finest quality. That means that the owners are very particular about what they put in their ice cream, which to me, speaks a lot about their standards and how highly they regard their products.

I entered the shop late one afternoon with Cathy. We were still full from lunch, but we really just wanted to treat ourselves to something good. Since we both love banana splits, we decided to do Sebastian Joe’s version of it…The Banana Boat ($6.79). What is the Banana Boat? Well, it’s a chopped banana, layered with three flavors of ice cream of your choice. We went with as close to the standards as possible (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry). They didn’t have a plain strawberry flavor, so we opted for the strawberry banana to go with our vanilla and chocolate standard. On top, we were served hot fudge and caramel, and it was topped off with another topping of our choice…which we chose almonds. And then whipped cream layered the top part.

Oh…this was going to be heaven in a dish. The Banana Boat was impressive. So impressive that a local who asked if we had ever had this ice cream before said that it looked delicious and commented on me taking a picture of it. Yeah…drool-worthy!

One thing I did notice that set this banana split apart from any other I had before is that they chopped the banana up into slices. This made it so much easier to eat. I wasn’t having to saw through the banana on my own. I could just scoop it up with my spoon and whatever flavor I had at that moment and enjoy. Oh…so good.

First bite…and I was hooked. The ice cream was melt-in-your-mouth smooth. Full of flavor. And that Strawberry Banana flavor was beyond delicious. It is a personal favorite. Doesn’t do me much good as I don’t live anywhere near Minneapolis…but if you happen by…get a scoop for me and eat it in my honor. You won’t be disappointed.

Every flavor melted well into the next. And I think I possibly might have enjoyed the best banana split I ever sat down to. And, trust me, I’ve sat down to many a banana split in my life. It has always been my favorite ice cream treat. Some things never change.

It didn’t even matter that I was full when I walked in there. My stomach found room for bite-after-bite of this delicious Banana Boat. It was well worth the extra indulgence.

Looking to support a long-standing, local, family owned business around the Twin Cities…find Sebastian Joe’s and try out one of their flavors. Or, go for broke and get one of their famous sundaes. I highly recommend The Banana Boat. And if you want someone to share it with…I’m happy to help.

Sebastian Joe's Banana Boat — Sebastian Joe’s Banana Boat

June 15, 2012

Don’t let the name fool you! The Bad Waitress serves up amazing, organic, local food in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota

Restaurant: The Bad Waitress, Minneapolis, Minnesota

If you happen to be traveling through Minneapolis, Minnesota…and you really need a fantastic place to eat…ask a local. That’s what we did. And had we not, we would have missed out on this unique, fun, amazing little diner off Nicolette Avenue. After finishing up some good shopping at a local record store known as The Electric Fetus, we asked the man behind the counter for any good places to catch a bite to eat. He immediately said to hit up Nicolette Avenue, referred to as “Eat Street” by the locals because of how many restaurants line it. And his suggestion…The Bad Waitress.

So…why is it called The Bad Waitress?

Mister Fantastic table marker at The Bad Waitress in Minneapolis, Minnesota

When you step inside, you are greeted by the look and feel of an old-fashioned diner. What makes this place unique are the wall hangings are old horror/sci-fi movie posters. Antiques, bought locally, line the walls and the nooks and crannies. You seat yourself. Pay attention to which table you are sitting at…this will be necessary when you place your order. My roommate and I came here with my aunt the first time (yes…we went back…because I forgot to take pictures of my food) and then we returned, happily, on our last day in town. Totally worth each trip. The first time we visited, we sat at the Thor table. On our return visit, we were at the Mister Fantastic table.

Why is this important? Because at The Bad Waitress, you are your own order taker. The menus are located on the table. Pick one up and peruse at your leisure. Located on the table with the menus is an order form. Put the name of your table on there and fill out the order form with what you want to eat. Be specific about any changes. Include your drink choices at the bottom. Then, when you finish with that, you take your order to the register and pay for your food ahead of time. You will receive your drinks then…unless like me you order tea. That will be brought to you by one of the awesome staff members.

Menu and order form at The Bad Waitress in Minneapolis, Minnesota

And then…it’s all up to the kitchen. You supplied your order the way you wanted it…so now they execute it…just as you instructed. This is why you have to be specific. The first time I ate there, it was the day before I ran the Minneapolis Half Marathon. So, I went with an omelette for the protein and for safety measures. I got it with their American Fries, which was a chopped up red potato (organic!) that was sauteed up to perfection. And they offered gluten-free toast as a bread option…and it arrived with a buttery glaze that was to die for. The omelette I ordered that day was the Death Valley Veggie Omelette, a 3-egg omelette that had gruyère cheese, red peppers, basil, and garlic tucked inside ($11.00). Cathy got their Hamburger on a wheat bun and topped it off with some goat cheese ($10.00) and substituted the chips and salsa for the American Fries ($1.75). And my Aunt Jan ordered the Tomato-Basil Tortilla Wrap with Grilled Chicken, keeping the chips and salsa as the side ( $8.50). I got an order of their green tea with lemon ($2.50). And after a little bit of a wait, which I never mind as it means things aren’t prepared ahead of time, but to order, our food was brought to our table and we dug in. Literally. I was hungry and forgot to take pictures. Trust me when I say…our food was amazing.

Happily though, my roommate and I returned to enjoy lunch there on our final day in Minneapolis. My aunt had an appointment to get to and the rest of my family headed out for a little journey together. Cathy and I had some loose ends to tie up in town, like a few more bookstores and record stores to hit, so we stayed behind, borrowed my aunt’s car, and made the rounds. Lunch time rolled around and we had decided that we couldn’t miss the chance to eat at The Bad Waitress again. So…we did.

This time our orders didn’t change…too much. With camera ready, we wrote down the order and placed it. This time, I didn’t stray too far from the breakfast menu. Why? Because breakfast is awesome and I’d eat it all day if I could. So…I opted for a change of pace and got another omelette, this time the Flying Saucer Omelette, a 3-egg omelette served with organic mushrooms, spinach, thyme, and goat cheese. I stuck with the gluten-free toast, but this time chose the hash browns as my side ($11.00). Cathy loved her burger so much, she tried it again, this time pairing it with gruyére cheese ($10.00) and keeping the chips and salsa as the side. I went with tea again as my beverage…the green tea with cherry ($2.50). We wrote the order up and paid at the register. Cathy came back with her Diet Coke, but I had to wait for a moment while they brewed up my tea. It was brought to my table on a fun little tray. Love the diner feel of this place.

The Bad Waitress' Green Tea with Cherry — The Bad Waitress’ Green Tea with Cherry

We had a bit of a wait again for our made-to-order food. But it arrived in good order and everything once again looked fantastic. And this time…I snapped pictures.

The omelette was fantastic. Stuffed with sauteed mushrooms, goat cheese, and seasoned with thyme. The flavor combination was divine. The goat cheese added a rich creaminess to the eggs, the mushrooms gave it bulk, and the thyme added the seasoning. I dashed it with some hot sauce and tucked into it. Amazing. And the hash browns…cooked to perfection. The top layer was a crispy brown, but beneath was the soft shredded potatoes. Just how I like them. And, just as before, the gluten-free toast was done to a buttery crisp. No need to add anything. It was delicious that way. I was in love with the food there. The menu is loaded with options and served the entire time they are open…so if you want breakfast at 5 p.m…write it down and you will get it

Next time I’m in Minnesota, I’m totally getting back to The Bad Waitress. The atmosphere, the concept, the food…all beyond my expectations. It looks like a greasy-spoon diner on the outside, but inside is a business that is supplying customers with organic and local food that is prepared to perfection and delicious with every bite. You’ll clean your plate. Even if you feel like you can’t take one more bite…you will.

For places to eat in Minneapolis, Minnesota…this one sits at the top.

The Bad Waitress' Flying Sauce Omelette with Gluten-Free Toast and Hash Browns — The Bad Waitress’ Flying Saucer Omelette with Gluten-Free Toast and Hash Browns

June 15, 2012

Beating the unseasonable heat and getting a treat at Adele’s Frozen Custard in Excelsior, Minnesota

Restaurant: Adele’s Frozen Custard, Excelsior, Minnesota

I have a lot of things I love in life…and despite a lactose intolerance…ice cream is one of them. Thankfully, these little Lactase supplements exist which allow me to indulge in my love of all things ice cream…with some restraint.

After filling up on pub grub and taking a stroll around Excelsior, Minnesota…checking out Lake Minnetonka…and letting things settle…Heather said we couldn’t leave without getting some frozen custard from what she hailed to be the best frozen custard place around. Perhaps in the world. I was intrigued. For one thing…I’d never had frozen custard before. I know…shocking. Frozen yogurt…yes. Sorbet…yes. Gelato…yes. Ice cream…always. But frozen custard was new to me.

She took us up the ways to this great little stand called Adele’s Frozen Custard. I was ready to be wowed.

I already liked the look of the place. A small little structure built just off the road. People were sitting outside and enjoying their bowls of delicious frozen goodness as we arrived. They have a limited number of available flavors. On the day we were there, they had the standard chocolate and vanilla…in addition to bubble gum, grasshopper, and chocolate raspberry truffle.

Cathy's order of Grasshopper Frozen Custard from Adele's Frozen Custard — Cathy’s order of Grasshopper Frozen Custard from Adele’s Frozen Custard

Since I also have to concern myself with a gluten allergy and not sure what all went into special flavors, I stuck with the standard vanilla custard with a topping of strawberries. YUMMY! Remember…if it has strawberries…it wins. Heather got the chocolate raspberry truffle custard and Cathy opted for the grasshopper flavor (which I almost got and was glad I didn’t when it was served with crumbled cookie crumbs on top!). We placed our orders, payed and waited on the frozen goodness. Mine was the last to arrive, but in the time we waited, I was busy studying the frozen custard making machine. It was fascinating to see the cascade of frozen custard come pouring out of it in blocks. Mmmm.

When our orders were up, we all headed outside to sit and enjoy our flavor of choice. Heather and Cathy were both very content with their choices. And I was too.

Adele's Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Frozen Custard — Adele’s Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Frozen Custard

So, what’s the difference between ice cream and frozen custard? Well…it’s like this…

Ice cream is composed of a base of cream, milk and sugar. Then air is whipped into it. To make it into frozen custard, egg yolk is added to the ice cream base, and the air is then whipped out of it, making the texture very smooth and velvety rich. Simply put…it’s sophisticated ice cream that creamy good.

If Adele’s is any indication of how fantastic frozen custard is…well, call me a believer. I was blown away by the rich, soft texture of it. My vanilla one wasn’t bland at all. I would have been content to down it without the strawberries on top. It was creamy good and had that full vanilla flavor that I want in a vanilla ice cream (or in this case…custard).

As this is my only consumption of frozen custard to date, I can’t really say how it compares to anything. But I will say this…it is a rich, delicious flavor that melts on your tongue and excites every taste bud it comes in contact with.

Adele’s is also run by a local family and is open seasonally…which means this is not a year-round treat. So get it while the place is open and the getting is good. The parking lot was packed when we arrived and when we left. This is no secret to the locals…and visitors should make their way there and see what all the fuss about Adele’s Frozen Custard is all about. It’s worth the journey.

And me…I’m now a believer if frozen custard.

On a side note…it was ironic to get back into the car to head back to my grandpa’s house and have Adele on the radio at that moment. It made the perfect ending to a perfect day with good friends and amazing food.

Adele's Vanilla Frozen Custard with Strawberries — Adele’s Vanilla Frozen Custard with Strawberries

June 15, 2012

Excelsior, Minneosta getting a dose of Irish hospitality and really good pub grub at Jake O’Connor’s Public House

Restaurant: Jake O’Connor’s Public House, Excelsior, Minnesota

Remember how I said I love Irish pubs? Well…if not…let me remind you…

I LOVE IRISH PUBS!

Take to heart that as a gluten-free vegetarian, this often means no more than a salad and a ‘safe’ side of mashed potatoes (or champ), but I am okay with that…as long as it is good. And I have reviewed so many salads at restaurants that they really need to wow me in order for me to really rave about them anymore. Once you’ve had one salad, you’ve had them all, yes?

WRONG!

And Jake O’Connor’s Public House in Excelsior, Minnesota proved that to me once and for all.

My friend Heather, formerly of Chicago, now back in Minnesota, came out to my half-marathon. Following which we all went out to celebrate my first ever sub-2 hour half with some good food and atmosphere. She had sent me a link for this pub weeks prior and we decided it would be the ideal place to go after my race. After all, they even had items on the menu marked that could be made gluten-free. My heart was so happy that day! So, after a shower and some chat time, we headed out to get some food for our hungry bellies.

First of all, this pub is beautiful. It really is. Stained glass. A wooden bar. Dimly lit. Perfect pub atmosphere. We were seated in a little corner booth and brought our drink orders. For me…water. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! We were given ample time to look over the menu, and after discussing the fact that the fish and chips showed up beneath the sandwich category (leading to confusion of whether it was traditional fish and chips or a fish sandwich), and it was confirmed that both Heather and Cathy (the roomie) would be getting the traditional fish and chips, we were ready to place our order. I went last because I was the confusing one…

My order was simple. I got the Berry and Chicken Salad (without the chicken!!) done up gluten-free ($8.75). With a side of fries ($5.95), made gluten-free. Easy peasy, yes? And we all decided to celebrate with a pint of Magners from the tap ($3.50). It was necessary. The three of us LOVE our Magners.

Orders in, we sat and talked and just had a blast waiting on our food. And when it arrived…let me tell you…portions are HUGE!!

My salad was bigger than my head, I swear. But it was delicious looking. At first I didn’t receive my fries with the order, but they arrived soon after, lacking the malt they are usually cooked in and done in a separate frier. So much love for that.

Jake O'Connor's side of fries done gluten-free — Jake O’Connor’s side of fries done gluten-free

I gave my salad a small dash of the poppyseed vinaigrette and took my first bite. Here is what I loved about this salad and why I would totally order it again. It had a myriad of flavors. Every bite was different. Textures were different. This salad was fully loaded with spinach and romaine as the greens. Then was topped with fresh strawberries and blackberries. It doesn’t stop there. Cubes of soft Cambozola cheese (a combination of a French soft-ripened triple cream cheese and Italian Gorgonzola) were at each “corner” of the salad. Also included were caramelized figs and candied walnuts.

Sounds like an epic salad, yes?

Well…it was. And quite filling. I have actually never been full from eating a salad…but I was this time. In fact, I hardly touched my plate of fries. I was intrigued by the layers in my salad…how the flavors all worked together. How there were sweet parts and salty parts. And how it just worked over the greens. There wasn’t too much of anything. An equal balance was found and that was what made this salad work. Being a vegetarian meant I ordered mine sans-chicken, but I didn’t miss it in the slightest. I was filled with green, fruity goodness.

What fries I did munch on were really well done. They had that crisp outside and were soft inside. Fried to perfection. And, thankfully, not over-seasoned. Nothing kills good fries like too much salt. These hardly tasted of salt. And perhaps the seasoning was left off. I loved it that way and enjoyed what I managed to eat before calling myself at capacity and setting my fork down.

Pub grub can swing either way…good or bad. The same is said for the atmosphere. Jake O’Connor’s got it right. The food is fantastic. The Magners pours were delicious. And the atmosphere was what I expect from a good pub. No touristy Irish music playing here. Just the buzz of happy customers and some regular tunes over the sound system. That, my friends, is how it is done in Ireland. And that is how Jake O’Connor’s Public House does it in Excelsior, Minnesota. A taste of Ireland…right in the heart of Lake Country.

Yeah…I fell in love with the place. Head over heels.

Oh…and my friends really enjoyed their plates of fish and chips. They found the fish cooked to perfection and not overly greasy or overly breaded. And the salt ‘n malt chips were to their liking as well. For those of you who have a thing for fish and chips…well…there you go. Two very happy customers.

But this gluten-free vegetarian is going to be raving about that salad for life. Who would have thought something as basic and simple as that could fill me up after running 13.1 miles…and leave such an impression. Jake O’Connor’s Public House…you are doing Ireland justice. And I salute you for that…and your gluten-free menu options.

As if I needed another reason to go back to Minnesota…

Jake O'Connor's Berry and Chicken Salad (NO CHICKEN!) done gluten-free (and vegetarian) — Jake O’Connor’s Berry and Chicken Salad (NO CHICKEN!) done gluten-free (and vegetarian)

May 23, 2012

A gluten-free and vegetarian paradise found at Cheeseburger in Paradise

Restaurant: Cheeseburger in Paradise, Indianapolis, Indiana

Before you harp on me too much…I know. I know. I vowed not to cover chain restaurants and here I am…yet again…covering one. But, if it helps, this chain isn’t too widely spread. And I feel when a restaurant makes a concerted and fantastic effort to cater to those that are gluten-free they should be rewarded with a blog. Chain or no chain.

If anyone is familiar with Jimmy Buffet, you are probably familiar with Cheeseburger in Paradise. This is his sister-restaurant chain to Margaritaville. And their specialty? Burgers, of course.

I know…I know what you’re thinking.

Cheeseburger in Paradise's Gluten-Free Menu — Cheeseburger in Paradise’s Gluten-Free Menu

“But…you’re vegetarian.”

HAHA! Yes…I am. And on their menu, any burger can be substituted for a gluten-free veggie burger that they make. And the icing on this (gluten-free) cake is that they also offer gluten-free buns. Yes. While I have been to some local eateries that offer a gluten-free veggie burger, none of them have gluten-free buns. Do you realize that ever since I went gluten-free over a year ago, I haven’t had a veggie burger that I could pick up and eat like a burger? Do you realize how stupidly happy the fact that I could eat a veggie burger without a knife and fork made me? Yeah…stupidly, stupidly happy.

It was decided, then, that the perfect time to try out Cheeseburger in Paradise would be after I ran in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon. After all, the closest one to us is in Indianapolis (2 hours away) and that’s where I would be for the race. And after running 13.1 miles, a veggie burger and some celebratory fries (also gluten-free!) would be awesome. So, I came, I ran, I found myself at the threshold of Cheeseburger in Paradise…a little giddy with excitement.

We were seated and handed menus. Our waitress was immediately told that I was medically gluten-free and she said she would grab me a gluten-free menu. As is the case in every other restaurant I go to, I expected to get a little sheet of paper that gave the run-down of the items I could consume.

Not here. At Cheeseburger in Paradise…you actually get a menu. Like…laminated, folding, looks just like the regular menu…menu! I didn’t look like a weirdo reading off a small sheet of paper, trying to make out faded ink from an inkjet printer. Nope. I was looking at a full-color, pictures included, looks just like any other menu, gluten-free menu. I wasn’t an outsider here. It was an awesome feeling.

I perused…and settled on the Gluten-Free BBQ Cheddar Burger, with a veggie burger, on the gluten-free bun. My side…the french fried potatoes, of course. The BBQ Cheddar Burger was simple. Cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, lettuce, and caramelized onions. Sounded delicious to me. The waitress took the order, retrieved the menus, and went to put it in.

We had a respectable wait time for our food, which was always a good thing. I never want food rushed out to me when I eat. But this chain prides itself on making things to order, and that is definitely the case. Our food was brought out, and mine was served to me by the chef himself.

“One delicious gluten-free burger!” he said as he began to put the plate down.

Unfortunately, when the burger on the gluten-free bun was set in front of me, I immediately saw bacon.

“Oh no! There’s bacon!” I said.

The chef blinked. “She doesn’t like bacon!”

“I’m a vegetarian!” I exclaimed. And he snatched the plate away and said he’d be right back with a new one.

I had my roommate go ahead and dive into her plate of Sirloin Sliders, because I didn’t want her food to get cold. She was only halfway through when the chef carried out my plate once more. This time…a veggie burger, no bacon.

He said, “There was nothing vegetarian about that burger. Try this one.”

It looked fantastic and I thanked him immediately.

Now that I glance back over the menu, I think the waitress was so focused on the gluten-free part, she missed the veggie burger request and wrote it down as the Bacon Cheddar Burger, which is cheddar cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Because my veggie burger had no BBQ sauce and no caramelized onion. It did have lettuce, tomato and red onion with cheese, however. Mystery solved.

Cheeseburger in Paradise's Gluten-Free Cheese Veggie Burger w/ Fries — Cheeseburger in Paradise’s Gluten-Free Cheese Veggie Burger w/ Fries

I didn’t care. I was about to pick up a burger at a restaurant for the first time in over a year. It was actually a very emotional moment for me. One bite…and it was hard to stop. Honestly. The veggie burger itself was fantastic. Cooked perfectly. Made with fresh vegetables that you could see throughout it. The bun…flaky goodness. It made my burger actually…feel like a burger. I was so happy. So happy that I pretty much hoovered it and the fries without batting an eyelash. I was one happy gluten-free girl that day. I don’t think a veggie burger ever tasted so good. And the fries…those were so delicious too. Not overly seasoned. Done up to where I didn’t have to quiz the staff on if they have a separate frier. They did. It was on the menu.

I want to also point out a nice little disclaimer on the Cheeseburger in Paradise gluten-free menu. It was in the corner. I thought it would be the usual “we can’t guarantee cross-contamination won’t happen…” disclaimer that restaurants put on their gluten-free menus. But I was wrong. This one clearly read:

We want your experience to be the best one possible. Everything is made fresh to order, so if there is something you crave that is not listed, we would be happy to make it for you. Please speak to a manager when you arrive so we can make sure to meet all of your dietary needs.

It was just a refreshing change from the restaurants I normally go to. I felt like I belonged there. And the fact that the chef himself walked out my food, not once, but twice…was nice. They kept everything separate. They made me feel very confident in eating there. I was quite happy with the care they gave to my dining experience and would totally go back and eat there again in a heartbeat. Maybe even get that BBQ Cheddar Burger this time.

But my story doesn’t end there. We were brought the check for our order, and because of the mix-up with my burger, my dinner was comped. Completely. Nevermind that my gluten-free bun was an extra $1.00. It wasn’t on the check at all. I wasn’t upset about the mix-up. And despite not getting exactly what I ordered either time…I was quite happy with eating there. It was a very kind gesture made by the restaurant itself. And one that I honestly appreciated.

Like I said…when a chain goes out of their way…they do get a blog. I have never been so satisfied with service, food, and an experience at a restaurant chain before. I just want to advise anyone out there who has yet to go to a Cheeseburger in Paradise to go…because they make the journey well worth it. I can’t complain about anything because what they messed up, they made right. And then, unexpectedly, didn’t charge me for my meal after getting it wrong the first time.

Kudos to a well-run chain who not only treats their clients well, but takes care of them too. And they made this gluten-free vegetarian feel like just another customer. And that is how dining out should be.

Beyond impressed. I will be back.

Me being a happy gluten-free vegetarian with my Veggie Cheeseburger on a Gluten-Free Bun w/ Fries at Cheeseburger in Paradise.