We’ve recently heard about a new restaurant/store concept on Chicago’s north side, called Balanced Kitchen. Anticipation seems to be just as high around the architecture, as for its food. Designed by 2 point perspective, the space is LEED certified to be “green,” and they claim the same about the menu. Both vegan and gluten-free, the restaurant is an outgrowth of G-Free-V LLC, a company deeply committed to gluten-free foods. Under the mantra “Food Without Limits, for People Living Without,” the company conducts gluten testing and certification as well.
A restaurant willing to go completely gluten-free is a refreshing idea. When you walk in the door, you know that everything is safe. Peace of mind for sure.
Have you been to the Balanced Kitchen? If so, let us know. We’ll be posting a formal review soon, and we’d love to know what others thing as well. Please comment by clicking on the link above…
Mexican food, which prior to my diagnosis was not a favorite of mine, is often a relatively easy go-to food for celiacs. Many of its staples are naturally gluten-free (save the flour tortillas), and if done right can be an eclectic meal. That being said, I’ve had more than my fair share of Chipotle burrito bowls, so I’ve been looking for something a little more tantalizing.
Enter Adobo Grill, a daVinci Group restaurant with locations in Chicago, Lombard, IL and Indianapolis. During my recent meal at Adobo’s Wicker Park location, I was pleased by the dedicated gluten-free menu, as well as our server’s knowledge of - and respect for - the GF menu and its patrons.
The table ordered some guacamole, which was made table-side and the best I’ve had since my trip to Mexico in 2005. While the gluten-abled friends enjoyed the corn chips (which the server told me were not gluten-free) I tried
After perusing Adobo’s extensive gluten-free menu, I narrowed my options down to the chicken skewers. Prepared with a
Last but not least, I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention their margaritas. With dozens of 100% agave GF tequila variates in stock, one can easily find a marg to their liking. Of course, you have to be careful with some mixers, but the bartender was just as knowledgeable as the server and assured me my
I hope to go back soon to try their other intriguing GF menu options. When I do I’ll let you know what I find!
Adobo Grill’s Gluten-Free Menu [Adobo Grill]
Ben Pao, an upscale Chinese restaurant located a few short blocks from the Magnificent Mile in Chicago, has a reputation within the celiac community as a safe harbor for delicious asian cuisine. With a dedicated gluten-free menu, knowledgeable staff, and and rigid food preparation standards, Ben Pao calms the fears most celiac’s have while eating out.
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Ben Pao’s gluten-free menu [PDF] is more extensive than its GF counterpart Big Bowl, and runs the gamut from appetizer to desert. My basil chicken was delicious if not a little bland; ask for extra spicy. The lettuce wrap appetizers were crisp and presented with GF soy sauce. The only slip-up was a minor one; the server dropped off the traditional pair of fortune cookies when the bill came, out of habit I’m sure. The only reason I even noticed was because they had been so careful during the entire meal.
But just as important as the taste was the assurance that my meal was indeed gluten-free. With the exception of the fortune cookies, the server clearly stated, “gluten-free” every time a dish was presented to me, a nice touch for the those concerned about mix-ups in the kitchen.
After my recent meal I had a chance to speak with manager Emily Collins, who was eager to explain the steps they take to ensure a gluten-free dining experience. Much like process we wrote about in our review of Webber Grill, Ben Pao tracks your food from table to kitchen and back, with the manager signing off on the order. This ticket follows your order throughout the kitchen. Collins said the possibility of cross contamination is reduced by boiling cooking utensils before each order and using dedicated woks.
Unlike Webber, their kitchen and processes are not approved by the Celiac Disease Center, but by the time my interview was over Collins was pledging to look into it.
All in all, Ben Pao’s is an excellent go-to spot for celiacs and their GF brethren. The dining experience is almost as effortless as my pre-celiac days, a rare and welcome change.
Clean Coffee & Smoothies is getting some press in Chicago. Owner Brian White discusses the gluten-intolerant options to munch on while sipping his highly-regarded coffees and teas. From the Daily Herald…
Brian Smith is offering a healthier alternative at his new shop, Clean Coffee & Smoothies in Glen Ellyn.
The shop at 546 Crescent Blvd. offers organic, fair trade coffees from around the world and more than 20 organic and natural teas.
All natural smoothies along with organic fruits and gluten-free snacks are also offered at the shop, which opened earlier this year.
Read the full story by Kim Mikus. [Chicago Daily Herald]
