Platano - Berkeley, CA

Platano (ROTD 3/16/2014)

Go for the lunch specials and you will leave happy with a full belly and only $6 lighter. Outside of lunch time, the entrees are a little splurgier, but there are plenty of other options that will still get you out the door for under $10. Pupusas are $2.50 all the time, and the fried yucca are perfection.

Don't be shy with the tomato-ey sauce and vinegared cabbage on the table - it's the perfect complement to anything and everything on the menu!

I particularly love how satisfying the menu is for someone who needs both gluten AND lactose free options. I never feel like I'm missing out on anything at all!

The ambiance can be a little desolate at night, but just keep your head down and buried in the food (and hopefully good company?) and you'll be good to go.

Red Tomato Pizza House - Berkeley, CA

Red Tomato Pizza House
Downtown Berkeley, CA

Four available sizes of delicious gluten free pizza, with a vegan option as well. This really is as good as it gets, and I've never had such satisfying pizza since being riddled with both gluten and lactose intolerance. To close the deal, they are generous with toppings, and use all fresh ingredients.

The prices are beyond reasonable, they're one of the few places in Berkeley to accept AMEX, and delivery is FREE!

Zico Chocolate Coconut Water

a.k.a. The Best Thing to Hit My Taste Buds Since....

I don't know, since I discovered Red Mango, probably!

I initially tried this chocolate coconut water at a Yelp event, and I practically gave my soul away for refill after refill.

The best day ever was when I saw it again at Trader Joe's for $3.49 for the large 33.8 oz tetrapak (the same size at Safeway was $7.00, and they didn't have chocolate). Amazing!

I can't remember what Yoohoo tastes like, but friends have likened it to that. All I know is, it's the perfect chocolate fix when I need some electrolytes, and not necessarily a protein shake. It does come in at 70 calories per 8 oz serving, so it takes a bit of self-control to regulate how often I indulge.

IT'S SO GOOD THOUGH!

ps - I researched the smaller travel size options on Amazon, and reviews indicate that Zico in bottles taste different from tetrapaks due to different types of cococuts that are used. Definitely stick to the tetrapaks for the best taste experience.

Shucker's Oyster Bar - Lincoln City, OR

Shucker's

Just south of the outlets along the Oregon Coast in Lincoln City.

As could be optimally expected from a divey seafood shack along the Oregon Coast, the food was fresh, portions plentiful, drinks strong, and service stellar. Phenomenal pricing on top of everything, this pit stop is a no brainer for anyone in the area.

The oyster shooters are a steal at a dollar apiece, and enough vodka in each shooter to make me think my whiskey cocktail ($3.50) was the perfect chaser.

Just a reminder, anything distilled basically kills the gluten, so go ahead and drink your heart out!

And if you've got room, the Crab Louie here was huge with globs of crab. Yum.

You know it was good if I dove into the food without even thinking to take a photo.....

Tselogs - San Francisco, CA

Tselogs

Daly City, San Franciso

Chicken Sisigsilog

Mmm...somehow I hit the jackpot here. Parking just a few doors down, beat the lunch rush, and immediate, friendly service. I'm never sure what I want, but waited less than 10 minutes for a to-go order after walking in and ordering.

Like many others have said, the Sisigsilog (chicken with onions and seasonings) is BOMB! For $5.99, it comes with a fried egg and a side of garlic fried rice. To admit I shoveled it in may be a near understatement.

Other sisigs include spam, hot dog, filipino sausage ($4.99), pork, beef, and fish. The lumpiang were good too, however make sure you eat it while it's hot - once it cools, it definitely gets less crispy.

Next time, I'm definitely trying a sago't gulaman drink - i love balls!

The dining area is super clean, and apparently they're open late night now, until 3am on the weekends!

*Gluten alert*

Although lumpiang are wrapped in rice paper before frying, be aware that not all rice paper are created equal.  Some contain wheat, while others are made with pure rice flour.  If you are particularly sensitive, be sure to ask if you can check the packaging.  Also, as with most asian cuisines, always ask whether or not something contains soy or oyster sauce - both are gluten traps!

Slow - Berkeley, CA

Slow

Downtown Berkeley, CA

Niman Ranch Pulled Pork "sandwich"

This soup/sandwich/salad place is just the epitomy of valuing quality over quantity. The menu is brief, but everything here is fresh, local, organic, and tasty. I tend to like the sandwiches sans bread, which they kindly accommodate for me by plating over a pile of luscious greens. And the sides....they just might shine as bright as the entrees.

The back patio is the true gem - there are little bistro tables nestled among rose bushes, and larger picnic tables if you're there with a larger group. Even the iced teas and lemonades are fresh!

Sip slow and eat slow, it's good for the soul every now and then.

Smokehouse rice crackers

Gluten and lactose free crackers that taste like BACON?!

Yes please!

Available at most big box retailers such as Safeway, Giant, and even Wal-Mart.

Recipes from Twitter pics

Hello Readers,

As the school year picks up, I may be blogging less, and I apologize in advance for not writing as much.  For those of you who don't follow me on Twitter, I wanted to let you know that I tend to tweet more than I blog - mostly photos of especially good gluten and lactose free foods/meals I eat throughout the week.
If you ever see anything especially intriguing, please send me a tweet or message and I'll be sure to blog the recipe!

Follow tingeroo @nobreadnobutter

Thanks for your support and readership!

Wicked Spoon - Las Vegas, NV

The Wicked Spoon Buffet 

(inside the Cosmopolitan on The Strip)

The small plate style of many of the food options made the buffet less trough-like, and although we caught the tail end of brunch, everything was still fresh and hot. I avoided the token asian dishes (lo mein, fried rice, kung pao chicken), and focused on the real food - boiled egg with avocado and bacon vinaigrette, sashimi, lamb chops, steamed clams.....i could go on, but basically this was the classiest buffet I'd seen. Like most buffets, plenty of items had lactose and/or gluten, but there were a surprising number of lactose and gluten free options as well. Goat cheese was readily available at the omelet bar, and the eggs were milk-free (always ask!). There were actually so many things I could eat, I didn't miss out on what I couldn't.

The desserts were my favorite - there were actually lactose/gluten free options!  I had a choice of several sorbets, house-made marshmallows served in a dark chocolate cone, and dark chocolate dipped strawberries with nuts or toffee topping. In comparison, my dessert selection at the Wynn buffet was confined to one thing: candied apples.

Great service (we never felt rushed out), and nice spacious table set ups in addition to the non-buffet like food really made this a great dining experience.

Sun in Bloom

Vegan and gluten-free pancakes

And if you're feeling the sass, this eatery near the Atlantic-Pacific Ave station in Brooklyn, NY also serves raw foods. Given the convenient location, 52 and counting business photos on Yelp, and only 2 $$s, this place will be a must-stop on my next trip to nyc. 

In the meantime, please someone go there and eat for me!  

Sun in Bloom

Vic's Chaat & Market

This beloved nook in West Berkeley has some great gluten-free offerings, including:

• Dosa - a crepe-like concoction made from rice and lentil flour, either with filling or plain. It's also a great vehicle for getting yummy condiments into your mouth!
• Idli - savory steamed rice cakes made of fermented lentils and rice. Also great for dipping. 
• Pakora - golden fritters fried with a chickpea batter, and usually consisting of vegetables or potato. 

It's still on my list to try, but I've been salivating over the reviews and photos in the meantime:

Vic's 

Gluten Free Domino's Pizza?!

Yup, Domino's is officially savvy with the hottest dietary "trend" and has come out with their own gluten-free crust. It only comes in a small, for $9.99, but it's just as well because a larger size probably wouldn't allow it to cook through enough. There are fewer instances in life that I'm willing to pop a Lactaid pill for these days, but I just had to try this:

Verdict: It's GOOD!  One of the best gluten-free pizza crusts I've ever had. Not gummy, not heavy, and tastes just like a regular Domino's pizza. Don't judge - beggers can't be too choosy!

The Original Pancake House

The Original Pancake House
Falls Church, VA

My sister excitedly told me about the gluten free pancakes here - I've yet to try, but further inspection of the menu shows 6 flavors: Plain, Blueberry, Pecan, Chocolate Chip, Strawberry

The picture my sister sent looks like an impressively large (and fluffy!) portion:

 (she's not lactose or gluten intolerant, but tried these gf pancakes out of curiosity)

Here's a link to the menu if you're curious too!

Sandwiches

With all the carb-free diet crazes, it can actually be quite easy to access a sandwich when you're eating out. Most places will happily put the sandwich innards over a bed of greens, or make a neat lettuce wrap. Not the best as an on-the-go solution, but pretty good if you're dining in.

This is a pulled pork "sandwich" with mole and a tomato marmalade over a bed of greens:

Sidenote: Although I will sometimes ask for GF bread just to increase awareness, I often prefer no bread due to the propensity of GF bread to be heavy, dense and crumble with moisture.

La Note - Berkeley, CA

La Note

Downtown Berkeley

Among the many hits and misses in Berkeley, this place is consistently a hit. Yes, be prepared to spend $15 and up for breakfast/brunch, but you will not regret a single dollar. There's always a wait from 9:30am on the weekends, and when reservations are accepted, still be prepared for a wait of at least 45 minutes. BUT - the food is well worth it!

Although this is a french-style bistro, the many goat cheese and emmentaler options make breakfast plates especially lactose-free friendly, and the coffee is deeeeeeelish. (Remember to ask for any dishes be made with no milk and butter! Olive oil is a fine substitute.)

With all the appetizing options on the menu, eating family style is a stellar way to taste many different dishes if you come with a group and are prepared for a wait. Once you know what you like though, it's a much better experience coming with a smaller group (as in, 2), and the back patio is lovely.

Bon appetite!

Sotto Mare - San Francisco, CA

Sotto Mare

North Beach

Eat at your own risk! You will never be satisfied with cioppino elsewhere EVER again after having it here. It's portioned perfectly for 2 to share as a meal, or for 4 to share with another dish. The perfect balance between seafood, sauce, herbs, and consistency rests on a bed of rigatoni, and you won't be able to put your spoon down until the last bit is swiped off with bread!

I also LOVE the welcoming service, and how nicely they are willing to accommodate my gluten and lactose dietary issues. They'll swap my pasta for a risotto specially made without dairy, and it's still so creamy and flavorful I always think it's too good to be true. But true it is! The first time I ate here, I nearly wept because I couldn't finish my plate, and wasn't able to take the leftovers. Every return visit since then, I go prepared with no post-dinner barhopping, just so I never have to abandon the goodness again.

This is a family-run operation that truly values serving good food. Beware the word is out! Go early, or go on a non Fri/Sat night, or else be prepared for a wait.

Stogo - NYC, NY

Stogo
(East Village)

dairy-free, AND gluten free treats?! this is my new happy place!  i found the service to be impeccable, as our group of 4 was offered sample after sample before ordering.  the flavors are as good as could be, and even my 3 dairy-fiend friends concurred they didn't miss the dairy.

the mexican spiced chocolate did garner a bit of a kick towards the end, but was perfect mixed with another flavor.  likewise, the salted pecan caramel packed a sweet punch, but combined with another flavor, perfectly luscious. the plethora of coconut flavors was nice too; the toasted coconut almond joy was quite joyful indeed.

sadly, no cones, but you can create your own ice-cream cookie sandwich. a small cup=1 flavor scoop, medium=2 flavor scoops, and large=3 flavor scoops.

i almost can't wait for cold weather to try the hot chocolate, truffles, and cupcake treats!  until then, i'll be gorging myself on triple scoops...thank goodness the stuff happens to also be lower in fat, sugar, and cholesterol free.

Babycakes - NYC, NY

Babycakes Bakery
(Lower East Side)

another gem in the world of vegan bakery!  although some items get pricey (1 donut, $3.50), you realize the cost is well-deserved because it is so incredibly well made.  the ginger cookies were the best i've ever had, including those from the old days before all my food sensitivities.  i don't really have much of a sweet tooth, but the brownie bites with the chocolate burst in the middle was nearly orgasmic (i had the chocolate chip and agave). same goes for the cupcakes (red velvet, vanilla, chocolate, and chocolate mocha); i had to keep reassuring myself it was dairy-free because the cake was so moist and buttery (without being actually buttery). and the frosting.....usually i scrap all the frosting off cakes and such, but i licked every luscious morsel off my fingers here.

lastly, the blueberry crumb cake and biscuits with raspberries and cream made for a truly delightful breakfast....just beware if you have a serious gluten allergy, the biscuits are made with spelt, a derivative of wheat.

not only did i order every aforementioned item in one go, i also ate everything over the span of 48 hours!  if i could live on baked goods alone, babycakes would do it for me. it might also be the quickest way to my heart, shhhh........

one warning: as with most diary-free items, the melting point tends to be a little lower than regular dairy.  be advised.

* A few years after discovering this bakery, it got a lot of press because Chelsea Clinton ordered her wedding cake from here

Red Bamboo, NYC, NY

Red Bamboo
(West Village)

i had the first strawberry milkshake i've had in years, and it tasted just like how i remembered it....creamy, like real strawberries, and delicious.  except this one was gloriously dairy-free!

and the cheesecake....i deliberately tasted a bit with nothing but just the cake, and nearly had a psychosomatic lactose attack!  add in the whipped cream topping and chocolate chips, and i came close to nirvana.

i will go a long ways out of my way to return for another milkshake, and until i try every available dessert on the all-vegan menu.  At $6 a shake, i think i've found my new anti-depressant!

Phileo Yogurt - Philadelphia, PA

Phileo Yogurt
(South Street)

Great flavors, and live cultures in the yogurt verify the high quality product. It also makes it an amazing lactose-free treat!

This is another pay by the ounce type of place, with a topping bar you can hit up to your heart's content. Amazing prices. I filled a large container (enough for 4) all the way up to the brim, topped it with Cap'n Crunch, and barely crossed the $6 mark.

Very clean and well-kept. Credit cards accepted.