Relish Bar & Grill, 2152 Danforth Avenue (1 block east of Woodbine), Toronto; 416-425-4664

While I was in Toronto over Christmas, I went to a restaurant called Relish Bar & Grill twice. My first visit was with a friend who'd sussed out the spot before my visit. Relish is a small restaurant with a long, skinny bar, and it’s away from the downtown core but easily accessible by subway (it's a block east of Woodbine station). The menu is Mediterranean tapas — small plates meant for sharing — and the list of both gluten-free and vegetarian choices was impressive. My friend doesn’t have celiac disease, but she ordered off the gluten-free menu so that we’d be able to share dishes in the true spirit of tapas. It was a fantastic spread: warm olives with fresh rosemary and red peppers, a salad of heirloom tomatoes and feta atop pickled red onions, a wild mushroom risotto drizzled with black truffle oil, and a blue corn tortilla stuffed with chicken.

There were a couple of service issues on my second visit, but the food was still excellent (the full story is on my blog, the Gluten-Free Guidebook, if you'd like to read more). Nonetheless, Relish is well worth a visit.

Four, 187 Bay St. (lower level), Toronto; 416-368-1444

I've had great gluten-free dining experiences at Far Niente, but it's an expensive choice. But a moderately priced restaurant now resides in Far Niente’s basement, where there used to be a bar. The restaurant, Four, advertises itself as having a “balanced approach to guilt-free dining.” Every dish on the menu is less than 650 calories. That’s not such a feat with a starter salad like the beet-and-pear with goat cheese, but it’s pretty impressive with gluten-free main courses like the delicious ocean trout with beluga lentils and sherry-mustard-dressed greens.

Four isn’t such a health-crazed spot that they neglect the cocktail list (the pernod-chambord-raspberry cocktail is lovely). At lunchtime, Four offers sandwiches on gluten-free bread. There's a longer review on my blog, the Gluten-Free Guidebook, if you'd like to read more.

On my last visit to Toronto, I was excited to hear that Pizza Nova had started to offer a gluten-free crust. However, when I went to order, I found cause for concern. Pizza Nova provides a PDF document on its website to alert customers to allergens in their pizza toppings and other food products; it’s a pretty comprehensive list, covering peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk products, eggs, fish, seafood, soy, sulphites, wheat, and gluten (wheat and gluten are listed as separate categories on the chart). Each ingredient is rated from zero to 3; zero means that the allergen is not present, 1 means that the allergen was present in the factory, 2 means that the allergen was used on the same production line, and 3 means that the allergen is present in the product.

What I noticed on the chart is that there are discrepancies in the ratings for the wheat and gluten categories. Pepperoni is rated 1 for wheat content but zero for gluten, as is the sautéed spinach and the ketchup. The chicken wings and the Hellman’s blue cheese dip get a 2 for wheat, and zero for gluten. The veal cutlets get a 3 for wheat — meaning that they absolutely do contain wheat — and a zero for gluten. By definition, if a product contains wheat, it contains gluten (though the reverse is not true, since a product could contain gluten — say, in the form of barley malt — and yet contain no wheat).

In the end, I was worried about the information that didn’t add up, and I decided to order from Pizza Pizza instead. Has anyone ordered a gluten-free pizza from Pizza Nova? I've just blogged about this on the Gluten-Free Guidebook, if you'd like to read more.

Frankie's Ristorante, 1 Main St. South Uxbridge, Ontario, 905-852-1011 (45 minutes NE of Toronto)

Frankie's is a completely gluten-free & nut free restaurant specializing in traditional Mediterranean cuisine, including vegetarian options.

I haven't been to this restaurant, but I received a nice email message from the owners who explained: "Our food is 100% gluten-free (mostly started due to the severity of my Celiac sons.) but also for a healthy lifestyle which we find is becoming more popular. I would love to feed the Celiacs everywhere because I know first hand how difficult it is to eat gluten-free especially in a restaurant setting. However, I would like to think we have been very successful in providing delicious meals that not only Celiacs can enjoy but their 'regular' eating partners also and with no risk of cross contamination.

"Come over to Frankie's and enjoy our fare. We are at 1 Main Street North in Uxbridge Ontario. Approx. 45 minutes NE of Toronto. Call us at 905.852.1011 (we recommend making a reservations)."

Have a look at the menu.

Survey Request

Lisa asked me to post a survey for a research paper she is writing. If you have time to help her out, please consider completing the survey.

BACKGROUND: This survey is being conducted to help assess medical community treatment/awareness of Celiac Disease.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please circle your answer after each question. For questions that ask for lists, please list any information that applies. When completed please return to shelander29@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance for filling out this survey.


1. What is your Gender?

A. Male B. Female


2. What is your age?

A. 0-20 B. 21-30 C. 31-40 D. 41-50 E. 51 and older


3. What is your ethnicity?

A. African American B. Asian C. Hispanic D. Native American E. European decent¹


4. What is your education level?

A. High School B. Some College C. Associate’s D. Bachelor’s E. Master’s


5. What is your income level?

A. $0 to 30,000 B. $30,000 to 40,000 C. 40,000 to 50,000 D. 50,000 and above


6. Were you diagnosed with Celiac, Celiac Sprue or gluten sensitivity by a doctor or other method²?

A. Doctor B. Other


7. Did/do you have the classis symptoms: weight loss and chronic diarrhea?

A. Yes B. No


8. Did/do you have any other symptoms? Please list all

A. Yes B. No

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Have you been diagnosed with any other autoimmune diseases’? (Diabetes Type 1, thyroid or liver disease, anemia or others)

A. Yes B. No

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


10. How long from the time the symptoms first appeared did it take to get a diagnosis? (by a doctor or other method2)

A. 0-1 yr B. 1-2 yrs C. 2-5 yrs D. 5 or more years


11. Did the doctor perform a blood test to conform Celiac?

A. Yes B. No C. If yes was it positive? _________________


12. If you answered yes to question 11, did the doctor perform a small intestine biopsy?

A. Yes B. No C. If no why not? _______________________________________


13. Has anyone else in your immediate family been diagnosed with Celiac, Celiac Sprue or gluten sensitivity? (mother, father , siblings, children)

A. Yes B. No


14. If you answered yes to question 13, were they diagnosed by a doctor or othermethod2?

A. Doctor B. Other


15. Did/do they have the classis symptoms: weight loss and chronic diarrhea?

A. Yes B. No


16. Did/do they have any other symptoms? Please list all

A. Yes B. No

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Have they been diagnosed with any other autoimmune diseases’? (Diabetes Type 1, thyroid or liver disease, anemia or others)

A. Yes B. No
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


18. How long from the time the symptoms first appeared did it take to get a diagnosis? (by a doctor or other method2)

A. 0-1 yr B. 1-2 yrs C. 2-5 yrs D. 5 or more years


19. Did the doctor perform a blood test to conform Celiac?

A. Yes B. No C. If yes was it positive? _________________


20. If you answered yes to question 11, did the doctor perform a small intestine biopsy?

A. Yes B. No C. If “No” why not?


21. This area is for any other information that you wish to supply.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Notes
1 European decent includes Italian, English, Irish, French, German, Russian and Canadian French
2 Other Method means any other method than by doctor. This can include adhering to a gluten-free diet and symptoms abating.

Toronto Celiac

Toronto Celiac

The Specialty Food Shop in Sick Kids Hospital is great! They have a whole dedicated freezer, and loads of GF products and baking items. I picked up some glutino bagels(pretty good!), El peto frozen pie shells (hubby made a quiche this morning- yum!), lasagna noodles, cereal, granola, oh, and INCREDIBLE chocolate maccaroons! They even deliver, and have a truly comprehensive website. http://www.specialtyfoodshop.ca/

JR's Natural Health & Bulk

I was trotting down Queen West in Parkdale when I popped in here to see if they had soy milk. Gasp! On my way to the fridge to pick up my milk, I was amazed to see so many gluten free goodies! Cookies, mixes, pasta, pizza, bagels, muffins... The delightful lady who owns the place is gluten free herself and really knows her stuff. There's a mouthwatering stock of products by Glutino, O'Dough's, I Can't Believe It's Gluten Free, Amy's and dozens more. Yum! Yay!

JR's Natural Health & Bulk
1382 Queen Street West
416 539 9422

Yanjing is not gluten free.


Two weeks ago, the wine columnist (Beppi) in the globe said that Yanjing beer from china is gluten free as it is made with rice (I am pretty sure he said then that there was no barley). Today, he apologized saying that he got it wrong. They do use barley - "I should have not said gluten-free. I now have it from two laboratories (not to mention the brewery) that the beer contains gluten because it was made with barley. .... My sincere apologies." Oddly, I quaffed the first one last night with no symptoms..... (my spouse bought it for me - I sort of object from beer from that distance....) - so beware.

A lovely new dessert place called lpks culinary groove on Queen Street just East of Broadview. They do cakes, pastries and chocolates, select items gluten free and vegan. I bought some (GF- vegan) chocolates for a friend on her birthday, and she was ecstatic! Check out their website- really beautiful stuff.
www.lksculinarygroove.com

Nature's Path Organic Whole O's

Recently, I was able to sample a new cereal from Nature's Path. Whole O's are made from organic ingredients: brown rice flour, corn flour, evaporated cane juice, and pomegranate juice concentrate.

I suppose they might be a little like Cheerios, but since I have tasted a Cheerio since I was about 6 years old, I am only guessing. In fact, it's been so long since I have had a non-GF cereal, I forget what they taste like.

I think these are very good and I would probably buy them regularly if I am able to find them locally. I have a really hard time finding Nature's Path cereals from time-to-time. No Frills has not had any GF cereals from Nature's Path in months, which is a shame because the price was reasonable there, unlike the price at Noah's Natural Foods, which is almost double. Generally, Noah's is over-priced and I will never understand why anyone shops there. So, just to digress even further, I am generally able to find Nature's Path cereals at Strictly Bulk, for much cheaper than Noah's and a bit more than No Frills.

I like this cereal, and you might too.

Ivory Thailand, 81 Church Street, Toronto, ON; 416-363-0081

Thanks to Rita for telling me about Ivory Thailand, located at the north east corner of Adelaide and Church. She tells me that the chef can make almost any item on the menu gluten-free. Just ask.

Akasaka, Unit L10, 280 West Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill, ON; 905-764-9291

A kind reader alerted me to Akasaka, a Japanese restaurant and Teppanyaki Steak House. The menus clearly label gluten-free options. The restaurant also provides take-out and catering.

FYI

I was asked to post these two items, so here they are:

"1. To those who have been able to eat McDonald's fries without incident (I am very sensitive and do not react) a gentle reminder to always question McDonald's on their fries, every time. ie. the fries at the McDonald's on Hwy 400, just south of Barrie (before Dunlop)on east side has recent change in policy - now fries fryer shares with hashbrowns (which are not safe).

2. Living Without Magazine now available in Toronto at World's Biggest Bookstore - $5.95 ($6.73 tax incl)

P.S. I have no financial interest in Living Without Magazine or World's Biggest Bookstore."

The Cookie Connection on the Danforth now has gluten free treats. It's on the north side between Broadview and Chester. They have a freezer full of Molly-B (crepes, perogies, mini-quiche, butter tarts) and a freezer full of O'Doughs bread and buns. Unthawed are some gluten-free blueberry and butter tarts. It was really nice to have a coffee and a treat in the same place. I had never tried Molly-B's stuff and it is really good if maybe even a little pricier that the usual stuff ($9.00 for 6 butter tarts) but worth it for the taste.

The Best Wheat and Gluten Free Restaurants in Toronto (from blogTO)

This article from blogTO is well worth reading. It lists 18 restaurants and cafes that are friendly to our diet. Thanks to Tim, the author of the post, for passing it along to me.

Judy's Magic Mixes

I just tried out the first of the packages of Judy's Magic Mixes I have acquired. I used the Morning Magic Pancakes & Waffles mix, opting for the pancakes. These were easy to make and tasted great. Granted, it has been so long since I have had wheat pancakes, I find it more and more difficult to ascertain how close the taste is to 'real' pancakes.

To the pancake mix, you add 2 eggs, 1 & 1/3 cups of water and 1/3 cup of vegetable oil. I added some applesauce, but that is not called for in the recipe. I have a few other mixes, and if they are as good as this one, I will certainly make sure to pick some more up.

The mixes are available at The Mercantile, which has moved to 297 Roncesvalles Avenue (formerly, 626 College Street).

Hi, me again, the celiac newbie.. I wrote to Webbers Naturals, who makes my Calcium with Vit. D supplement and this is the reply I got.. would you trust this and continue taking the supplement?

"

Thank you for your question. This supplement is made in our factory where gluten is used. However, we feel that the chance of cross-contamination is remote since we strictly follow the Natural Health Product Directorate’s (NHPD) Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP)."

How careful do I need to be?

p.s. thanks so much to whoever responded to my last message.. It REALLY helped!

Just about to relocate to Toronto from Germany (where I was diagnosed 2 years ago). It has been a real challenge shopping for GF food here and knowledge of cealiac disease is really limited which makes eating out a real challenge.

Reading this blog gives me hope that things could be easier in Canada. Just one question - where is the best place to by GF food? Do supermarkets stock it as a rule - or is it just health food shops (as here)? Any tips would be appreciated.

Hi,
I was just diagnosed with Celiac disease 2 weeks ago. I also am allergic to milk. But I read that lactose intolerance can be a symptom of celiac, so maybe I will be able to have dairy products when I become gluten free???!!

I am happy to find this blog and have found many useful things on it.
It scares me that I can read ingredients and think that something is gluten free, when it may not be.

Am I supposed to research every single product I eat by contacting manufacturers?
Does this mean I really should not eat at restaurants?
Is tofu safe?
Anyone with any insight would be very much appreciated!
Rita :)

I'm new in town and am amazed to have discovered so many GF options!

Yesterday I chose from several varieties of gluten free Sweets from the Earth cookies (the cashew ones were delicious) at TAN (the Alternative Network Cafe) on West Queen West near Ossington. They also have pecan caramel squares that are not only yummy, but organic and vegan, etc, etc. 

Then I trotted along the few blocks to the Gladstone and tucked into a slow roasted porchetta and green chutney sandwich in their Ballroom Cafe. 

The Kensington cafe in the market also has butter tarts. Mmmm....

Exploring this city tastes good!

Howzit all?

I hope you're all well!

Does anyone know of any place that delivers gluten free food (& I'm vegitarian too)? My office orders dinner weekly and I am the one with the allergy so I have to pick the place. Oh the office I am currently freelancing in is in the King/Sherbourne area of Toronto.

I wouldn't really call it catering as there are usually around 10-14 of us when we order.

Thanks in advance!

Creative nomad

Pizza Pizza - GF now Chainwide

Press Release:

Gluten-free pizza makes its debut in Pizza Pizza traditional restaurants

Responding to the dietary needs and trends expressed by consumers, Pizza Pizza will now offer gluten-free pizza at all of its traditional restaurants. The wide-scale introduction of gluten-free pizza by Pizza Pizza follows the favorable results of a recent pilot test of the product in select GTA restaurants.

“The pilot results exceeded our expectations,” said Pizza Pizza’s Chief Marketing Officer, Pat Finelli. “One of our objectives in offering this menu option is to provide a dietary alternative for people that are unable to eat gluten products. The reaction we received from market testing was extremely positive, especially from those with celiac disease. Consumers that had been unable to enjoy pizza were thanking us for introducing this new menu offering and allowing them to enjoy pizza once again.”

Gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, affects an estimated 1 in 133 Canadians, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Celiac Association. It is an inherited immune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged by gluten, a protein found in such grains as wheat, barley and rye. The only therapy for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet.

Pizza Pizza is the first major player in the quick-service restaurant industry to provide a gluten-free crust, which uses rice and potato-based flour as the main ingredient. By choosing the light and crispy rice-based dough – along with toppings from our gluten-free list – consumers can enjoy a delicious gluten-free meal made especially for them. Currently, Pizza Pizza’s gluten-free crusts are available in the 12-inch medium format, the company’s most popular pizza size.

In making the gluten-free crust, Pizza Pizza has implemented a series of procedures and controls to prevent product cross-contamination. Mr. Brian S. Payne, Director, Commissary and Supply Chain Management for Pizza Pizza, says it is no different than handling any other allergen. In addition to having specific utensils for the product, the company has sent all franchisees an updated training guide containing new product information, educational material about celiac disease, as well as cooking and sanitizing procedures.

The gluten-free crust is another in a series of health-conscious innovations by Pizza Pizza. In recent years, the cutting-edge company has introduced whole-wheat multigrain dough, a source of Omega 3’s and fiber, partly skimmed mozzarella cheese and sodium-reduced sauces and cheese to its menu offerings. Pizza Pizza was one of the first in the industry to remove industrially-added trans-fats from its entire menu.

“The introduction of this new gluten-free menu offering is a natural extension of our initiatives in striving to provide our customers with a variety of healthy options that respond to their individual needs,” said Finelli. “We know that a significant segment of the population is gluten sensitive or intolerant, and offering this new menu option is a way of bringing pizza back into their lives and routine.”

For a complete list of allergens and menu options at Pizza Pizza, please visit www.pizzapizza.ca.

Hello all.

I am a newly diagnosed celiac and am thrilled to have found this blog. I have already found such useful information here.

I was hoping folks could help me out with this question: Does anyone know of a particular pharmacy in Toronto where the pharmacist knows about celiac disease? I am aware that some medications can contain gluten, and yet the pharmacists I have spoken to so far, do not seem to know how to help me figure out whether or not a particular medication contains gluten.

Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks.

GF soup to go-
For anyone that works near the eaton's centre downtown, at University and Dundas (south east side close to Wimpy's) there is a small sushi place called Sushi and Salad- Fresh To Go that serves gluten free soup (asparagus, carrot and ginger, and mushroom are a few i've had). The sushi selection isn't that great but they have a well equipped salad bar. The place is just for take out though since there are only 3 or 4 seats in the place. It's great for those days where you just dont feel life bringing your lunch and don't want New York fries from the food court

Went to Naturally Yours (First Canadian Place Food Court) last week and enjoyed a gluten free mexican lasagna (excellent!) This establishment regularly offers GF entrees and stocks GF baked goods as well as being a health food store. Give them a try if you work in the downtown core. See www.naturallyyours.ca for their weekly menu - not all offerings are gluten free, but they label them at their take-out counter.

Silver Spoon, 390 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, 416-516-8112, thesilverspoon@on.aibn.com

Several weeks ago, I enjoyed an amazing meal at the Silver Spoon on Roncesvalles Ave. Much of the menu appears to be naturally gluten-free, but the best part was that the entire staff was aware of gluten. After speaking with the maître d', the very-knowledgeable waiter gave me specific recommendations, and there were plenty of options.

I opted for the La Ferme Oven Roasted Cornish Hen with Braised Lentils, Wild Boar Bacon, vegetable veloute, and red wine/beet reduction for $23 with a glass of '04 Australian Shiraz.

If you are heading out for an evening of fine dining, I highly recommend Silver Spoon.


View Larger Map

Hello:

I was diagnosed in October '07 with a biopsy. I went GF right after. From my research I believe I have "atypical Celiac", which I believe started after I was sick with mono in late 1989. (there is a great presentation on youtube, search: Celiac).

Maybe 5 weeks ago I noticed sharp, painful- tingling "electric" shocks in my feet. These pains last more than 15 seconds and I can have 5-6 or these tremors in a row. Yesterday I had 6-7 episodes throughout the day, the worst being at night. (I have had numbness since i had my first child in Oct 2007, and after his birth I could not walk properly due to pain in my legs and feet for about 4 months.) I also now have these pains in my hands.

I also found that my left arm is numb in the morning ( I have to move it with right hand sometimes). Today the pains are on my left side.

(I am also expecting my second child in October.)

Has anyone else experienced this? Has is been diagnosed and if so, how was it diagnosed? Does anyone know why I might be experiencing this now since I have been GF for months? Does anyone have a good GI DR (or healthcare professional) they could suggest who knows Celiac?

Best Lisa B