Eating Out

  Truly Scrumptious: Maldon, Essex

I found a treat of a tea room style cafe in Maldon, Essex called Truly Scrumptious.

Here I enjoyed a huge piece of gluten free carrot cake.

They also do gluten free bread and tea cakes and at least one gluten free cake a day (and not forgetting the vast selection of jacket potatoes and other things on the menu we are able to enjoy.)

Teapots and teacups are everywhere in this oldy worldy style cafe and there is even a teapot/ teacup/ cakestand selection for sale in the wonky, creaky old room upstairs - it's a bit like a jumble sale of china!

Full of character this is a lovely little place to enjoy a gluten free treat.

 

 

Dover, Kent: Wallett's Court Hotel Restaurant

During an amazing stay here we ate in their restaurant and enjoyed a stunning top class meal.

They could easily tell me what I could and couldnt have and there were about 4 delicious desserts I could indulge in!!

For main I had - Monkshill Farm fruit-fed pork, buttered greens, apple & five spice puree, sarladaise potatoes with prune, apple cider jus
(No photo, I was too busy enjoying it to remember to take a photo - sorry!)

For dessert - Elderflower creme brulee with strawberry parfait and strawberry jelly and basil oil strawberry coulis

 

 Another of the delicious desserts, also gluten free - Vanilla pannacotta with rhubarb, burnt orange puree, orange powder and rhubard jelly.




WOW!!!!


At 34.95 for 2 courses it's not the cheapest, but well worth it for a special occasion - my mouth is watering now just thinking about it!

P.s I highly recommend a visit to the hotel, a peaceful retreat, the staff couldnt have been friendlier, everything was perfect! And a Crystal Massage by Mary is an absolute must, an hour of pure bliss!!!

 http://www.wallettscourthotelspa.com/The-Restaurant%281399639%29.htm

The Restaurant at Wallett's Court is the beating heart of the hotel. The Wallett's Court team's creative culinary experience brings imagination and flair that has seen them win recognition with entries in The Good Food Guide for 22 consecutive years, a 2 rosette award in The AA Best Restaurant Guide and many other plaudits from national and international guides and in the press.

 

 

Canterbury, Kent: Boho Cafe

We ate in here yesterday for lunch where I enjoyed a gluten free brie, bacon and sweet onion chutney pitta, which was delicious!

They're decor is funky and different and there is a fun and friendly vibe.

They offer white and brown gluten free bread and gluten free pittas.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo as it was so good I ate it all as soon as it was put infront of me!!

But here's a photo of the front of the cafe and my empty plate!

So if you pay a trip to Canterbury, Boho is your place for lunch!

 

 

Cambridge: Auntie's Tea Shop

Yesterday I enjoyed a gluten free afternoon tea in Cambridge - complete with sandwiches and scones with jam and cream, what a treat!!

Auntie's Tea Room in Cambridge was a great find - right in the city centre they serve all sorts of sandwiches on gf bread, afternoon teas and a delicious looking list of cakes! Perfect for getting your energy up before a bit of retail therapy!

See their website for an idea of their menu:

http://www.auntiesteashop.co.uk/

And also this website for a 10% off voucher which doesn't expire until 2013!!

 http://www.cityviewed.co.uk/cambridge-a-z/visit_cambridge/aunties-tea-shop

So the next time you visit Cambridge pay Auntie's Tea Room a visit!

 

 

Chelmsford, Essex: The Griffin

 The Griffin Pub in Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex caters for gluten free-ers well with gluten free bread (not your usual dry tasteless stuff, this is homebaked goodness!! And dipped in olive oil and vinegar.... heaven!!!), pizzas, burgers with buns and desserts. The best thing is they don't make you feel like a nuisance for asking lots of questions and the staff know everything that goes in their food.

Service can be a bit slow during busy periods but it's well worth the wait and you can leave feeling content and full after a good feed!!

Visit their website for menus and offers:

http://griffindanbury.co.uk/

 

 

 

My top 5 restaurants...

1. Da Niccola

One for when you're planning a trip to Madrid - my most favourite restaurant! Da Niccola does amazing gluten free pizza (also pasta etc but I always go for the pizza as it is so rare!), the best part is that they also do gluten free rolls - which are the best gluten free rolls I have ever tried - complete with olive oil and vinegar to dip - simply divine!! Also extremely friendly staff and brilliant service, and they will provide you with an entire gluten free menu stuffed with goodies.

2. Carluccio's 

The first restaurant I discovered to do gluten free pasta -  my favourite being the Pasta Giardinniera, their risottos are also gluten free and they do a gorgeous flourless chocolate dessert with kahlua and ice cream! They will also provide you with your own gluten free menu.

3. Zen Noodle

My all time favourite for gf chinese!! Here they can provide you with a list of gf options - which includes noodles and spring rolls yumyum!! They are only based in Chelmsford and Bury St Edmunds but if you are ever near these areas they are totally worth a visit!!

4. Wagamama

Possibly the most tolerant restaurant of gluten free eaters - they will happily stand there for as long as you need explaining what you can and can't eat/ what can be replaced etc. Extremely tolerant and friendly staff willing to go out of their way to cater to your needs - even bringing you sauce testers!

5. Zizzi

 Zizzi can provide you with an allergy/intolerance menu which is pretty handy - they do gluten free pasta which is scrummy - my favourite being the carbonara and adding chicken (it's rare to be able to stuff yourself silly in a restaurant so I take this opportunity to do so!) Their risottos are gluten free and they also do a great flourless choc dessert.