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Topic ID 3459

12/03/2008 by Willow

Coeliac Diet - restaurant recommendations

Hi Can anyone recommend any places in Hertford (or nearby) that cater for a Coeliac Diet? Am newly diagnosed with the condition so a bit wary about eating out. I know the George & Dragon at Watton-At Stone do, we are trying there on Sunday. Also, I noticed Serendipity offer gluton free bread but I need to ask them if they understand about cross contamination. Thanks[:)]

Replies

Reply ID 50544

12/03/2008 by shunt

I'm also Coeliac and though it should be easy, the modern world's obsession with wheat, monosodium glutamate, and malt flavourings means it's more limiting than it should be. You'll come to enjoy the G&D as one of the few places to safely eat out and you'll re-discover the delight of home cooked food. Forget packaged or frozen meals. Even cod in sauce uses wheat! Alternatively, you can eat all of an Indian menu, except for the naan, as everything else is chick pea flour. Watch out for gravies and sauces when out. There's a tendancy to cut corners and use wheat flour rather than corn flour as a thickener. Don't be afraid to ask "chef" and be specific. Bread is hardest of all. Most gluten-free bread is like a building product. Best I've found is Sainsbury baguettes. The Tesco ones weigh like concrete and are frequently mouldy and/or out of date.

Reply ID 50568

13/03/2008 by KarenS

Outback Steakhouses cater for Coeliacs, also The Vine in Ware are excellent - one of the managers/owners also is Coeliac, when we asked about the wheat content of certain things on the menu they said anything that looks like it wouldn't be gluten free isn't ie bread, yorki puds, when pressed further, all of the gravies/sauces contain cornflour not wheat, burgers are homemade without rusk and if we'd have wanted to take gluten free sausages in with us there wasn't a problem! Takeaway wise - John at the Empire Chinese is very helpful with telling you what is in the sauces he makes!

Reply ID 50588

13/03/2008 by Willow

Thanks both - have tried a few GF snacks from the supermarkets & some are actually OK ;o) Now received my bible 'GF Food & Drink Directory' which will be a help. I'll just have to make sure I ask all the right questions when eating out.

Reply ID 50591

13/03/2008 by Bengeobabe

the restaurant at hertford heath (owned by same as hillside) - name escapes me! do gluten free if you ask them to.