Pickle Barrel Restaurant

What to eat? So not prepared. This is why I need an iPhone!!


In another city, not too sure what I can eat and just hoping for no fast food. We decide to check out the mall and if nothing, at least I know I can have New York Fries since they only do french fries.


Just in the door of the mall is the Pickle Barrel restaurant at Sherway Gardens Mall.They had a sign right on the hostess sign saying "Allergies, please let us know" So far so good. I check with the hostess. She's not too sure and I start to scan the menu. I find a few things I think might be okay and ask to speak with someone who may know. The manager comes out and we start to talk.

I never make this much effort or bring this much attention to it. He offered to bring me a copy of what they had and he did in a few minutes and made a point to mention it to the server as well who seemed aware. A server who is aware is also new to me. It was fairly limited but that's okay, since I'm fairly picky anyway!

I chose the Grilled 10oz New York, Striploin Steak  - Premium and well marbled beef with P.B.
special spice rub. Served with grilled vegetables, baby bok choy, mini potatoes and side salad.

Just salt and pepper on the steak, the veggies steamed and salad with balsamic and oil.

What a wonderful dinner at the Pickel Barrel!!!

Gluten Free @NatureValley Roasted Nut Crunch Bars

Wow, that sure is a mouthful to say. Much easier to say is I <3 General Mills. The poor USA/CANADA border patrol. They must know me by now for how much shopping I do over the river in the US.

Anyways, General Mills. I love them for their Chex. Their Betty Crocker Mixes. The upcoming Gluten free Bisquick mix this summer which I CANNOT wait for. www.liveglutenfreely.com

And now, their granola bars.

To be honest, I thought it was the granola bars that they were going to have. Much to my surprise, it's actually whole almonds, sunflower seeds and peanuts.

A nice sweet treat. Granted, it looks just like something you can make at home. I had to check the label a few times since it looks like there are faux Rice Krispies in them but it's from the corn flour I think. Anyways, I certainly don't have a packaging plant in my house which is why I love these. So easy to throw in the purse to have as a snack which is definitely one of the hardest things about this.

 


So good!!!

Maple Grove Gluten Free Pancakes

Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday. Pancake Tuesday.

Bring it to my mouth!

I've tried another pancake mix before and they just did not turn out. I was happy to find Maple Grove Gluten Free Pancake Mix at the store and it was in the regular food section as well. Not in the Natural Foods area. Sweet!

Looking good.

You can't really see it but mine are more square-ish.

I can't even begin to tell you how good these were.

They do have soy flour in them so I don't know that I would buy them again but for $2.79, if you can eat soy, they are worth it.

Picazzo's Pizza Review

One day I saw a link to Picazzo's Gluten Free Menu and knew that one day I would go there.
And one day last fall, I did.
Driving through Arizona, led me to Flagstaff to stay for the night.

I asked for the gluten free menu and a beer! My first Bard's Tale beer. It was just like drinking a microbrewery beer.

I ordered the garlic bread and the server asked if I wanted some marinara sauce to dip it in. Oh, heck yeah! My first garlic bread in months. It's a little heavier than you might be used to but it was still great.




 I also ordered pizza. Of course. Now I could have ordered any kind of specialty pizza but I just wanted a good old fashioned Pepperoni Pizza.

Nice and thin crust. Covered in parm.
I just wish they were closer. Franchise anyone?










Y'all need to get some!

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornbread Review

I was driving through the southern states last year and wasn't able to have a lot of the regional foods. South Carolina and its hushpuppies and honey butter were particularly tempting but I could only watch as everyone around me ate them.

I found Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornbread Mix and thought I could make some hushpuppies out of that. Changed my mind and just decided to first try it as cornbread. Just add eggs, oil or butter and milk and mix it up and pour in the pan. It really doesn't get much easier. I added some Cajun spice which was nice. I think it's a little more on the sweeter side of the cornbread scale though.  

Also made some Honey Butter for the cornbread. 1/2 cup of butter with 2.5 tbsp of honey mixed in. 

Y'all need to get some. 

Swiss Chalet

Sometimes you just want something familiar. When I was on vacation with friends in the Dominican a few years ago, we were chilling in the pool area, having some cocktails and lamenting the lack of familiar food. Granted, the food was great to me to me at least since I've always been a bit of a plain eater.

But the talk soon turned to Swiss Chalet. Rotisserie chicken with chalet sauce with french fries and a soft roll is a classic. We all made plans for a couple of weeks after the trip, to meet there and have dinner once again.


Now I can't eat the exact same thing that I did then but I don't mind. Quarter chicken with white meat, salad with Italian dressing and no bun and I'm a happy camper.


The fries are cooked in oil that sometimes fries other breaded items so I stay far away from that.

But other than that, it's a quick fantastic gluten free meal. Check it out here: Swiss Chalet Allergy Guide