2. Mariposa Bakery This place is a miracle. Over the years I have learned how to make yummy brownies, muffins, scones even, without wheat, sugar, dairy. But bread- real crusty, soft, chewy bread- is a much harder challenge to recreate. And honestly, with those brick breads in the gluten-free freezer section at the store and me not knowing how to bake regular bread let alone one without wheat, sugar, dairy, I had given up on the idea of eating real bread ever again. Until I had a bagel at Mariposa. A bagel, people! It tasted just like the real thing, or what I remember the real thing tasting like 6 years ago! And the bread is just like real bread: rosemary rolls, focaccia, and even french baguettes! Their main bakery is in Oakland's Temescal neighborhood, but they also opened up a San Francisco kiosk at the Ferry Building!
3. Cha-Ya I love real sushi- sake, uni, hamachi, toro, so I was skeptical at first to try the vegan Japanese food at Cha Ya. But I was pleasantly surprised with the fresh ingredients and artistic composition of all the dishes. There is a salad that I love with lotus roots, blanched spinach, carrots, edamame, and some other Japanese vegetables topped with a creamy (vegan) tahini dressing. I also love the den gak ku- 3 pretty pieces of tofu, mushroom, and eggplant served with a miso-soy glaze. (I do eat soy sauce when I go out, even though it has wheat in it, but at home I use wheat free tamari.) Again, of course you gotta go to the Mission in SF to check out this place.
4. Cafe Gratitude This is the ultimate San Francisco crunchy-granola, super hippie, Burning Man kind of place, with dishes called "I am joyful," "I am renewed," etc. -which gives it all it's charm! Everything is raw and vegan- which is good for me since they have no dairy or wheat in the house (except the wheat grass) and only use agave and dates to sweeten their food. The warm grain bowls and "pizzas" are good, but what I really go here for is the DESSERTS! They make the most beautiful, delicious, decadent desserts all made from nuts- no wheat sugar or dairy. (If you are allergic to nuts do not go here!) And they have ice cream and milkshakes! They rotate their desserts serving strawberry chocolate pie, tiramisu, key lime cheesecake.... but I will always be devoted to my favorite dessert, "I am devoted" coconut cream pie! Run to the Mission in San Francisco for some "I am delicious!"
5. Ike's Place For years I passed by this little sandwich shop with it's cheesy blue sign and cartoonish sandwich on the awning and never would have guessed that I could (or honestly would want to) eat there. Until one day my roommate told me that they have the option of gluten free bread for all their sandwiches! Ike's buys loaves of gluten free bread (I think it's the Food For Life brand) and you can request it for any sandwich you like. It's a simple concept that so many restaurants could easily do. Now, not all of their sandwiches are gluten free (the vegan meats I'm sure are glutinous) but you can design your own sandwich (I love chicken, avocado, mushroom and honey mustard). Also, there is likely sugar in their mayo and sauces, so if you are extremely sensitive or allergic to sugar you probably can't go here. But if you're like me and can tolerate a small amount of sugar in your mayo then go here now! FYI, Ike's has moved to 3489 16th Street (across the street from the old location.)
6. Burma Super Star This restaurant is one the most popular restaurants in the Bay Area, with lines down the street. And it's completely worth the wait! Their coconut rice is so flavorful and fluffy, and topped with deliciously fried scallions. My favorite dish, sauteed pea shoots, is so simple yet they cook them perfectly. Their mango shrimp and basil chicken are fabulous. Now Burmese food uses lot's of soy sauce (that has wheat in it), and breaded meats, and some wheat noodles, and probably a good amount of sugar in their sauces, but Burma Super Star is very accommodating to dietary needs. Last time I was there, we ordered the rainbow salad, and I requested for the noodles to be on the side (since they are made of wheat), and the waiter instantly asked if I had a gluten allergy and began to advise me on what dishes to order and said they could prepare any dish without soy sauce if needed. I was very impressed.
7. Sol Food If you happen to be in San Rafael, you must stop by this fantastic Puerto Rican restaurant. There is the main restaurant, a little fancier and pricier, as well as the smaller to-go place around the corner. The energy is lively and colorful at Sol Food. And their menu is mostly wheat-free! They have fried shrimp battered in rice flour and plantains- so delicious I couldn't stop eating! They also have vegan dishes and desserts and Fizzy Izzy drinks which are only sweetened with fruit juice. This place is quiet popular so get there early!
8. Angelica Kitchen Now if you are in New York, you have to eat at this super healthy, wholesome and nurturing restaurant. All their delicious salads, soups, and entrees are made from vegetarian and sustainably grown ingredients such as quinoa,butternut squash, bok choy, walnuts, tempeh, radishes, collard greens. I also love their super dense and hearty wheat-free cornbread. And many of the desserts are wheat, dairy and sugar free. Please go here! Check out my post on this place: http://jasminshappytummy.blogspot.com/2010/07/angelica-kitchen.html
9. BabyCakes Also in New York, make sure you go to this adorable cupcake bakery right near Chinatown. First of all, when you walk in you feel like you are transported to a dreamy 1950's pink and fabulous kitchen. But most importantly they have the most mouth watering cupcakes- gluten free and sweetened with agave! Chocolate, lemon, vanilla, red velvet..... They also have brownies, cookies, muffins.... and other sweet treats. There are a few goods made with spelt flour and regular sugar- but just ask the cute ladies who work there for help!
Here are my new additions to friendly places to eat in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Also, check out these posts on my favorite places to out eat in:
Boston, and more Boston
Philadelphia
Seattle
Portland, OR
