370 Brant Street
Burlington, Ontario
905-632-6682
Type of cuisine: bistro
Date of Review: December, 2009
Overall Quality Ranking: Okay
Cost: Expensive
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Reasonable
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Anxious to Cautiously Comfortable
Description: It was a weeknight when we ventured out to the Native. Although weekends typically lend a restaurant more energy, you are more likely to have the ear of the waiter on a weeknight if you are navigating a food issue. So it was in a rather quiet restaurant that we pored over the menu.
The options appear to be reasonable, and the waiter was patient if not aware of the gluten-free issue. The prices are not particularly cheap, which might not be an issue if the quality of the food was better. To start, we shared a cold tomato salad with beets and goat cheese. Likely as a result of low customer volumes, the tomatoes were really quite cold, and the taste of the dressing left the salad ranking as only fair. As a principal plate, I had halibut with an orange glaze. Unfortunately, it came off as too simplistically orange, and by texture I suspect it contained corn starch. It was fine, but nothing to seek out. Conversely, my fellow diner had the Moroccan curry with couscous, which was reported as good, and might make a soothing spot of pub food. We both had a glass of wine, but at $11 and $14 for a glass, the Native is charging seriously chic bar rates. Given the first and second courses, we did not pursue dessert.
Service was fine, if not warm. The waiter did take the time to question the chef about a gluten issue. The physical state of the restaurant is unremarkable, and does not warrant the cost of its wine.
The Rude Native may have a few good dishes tucked into its menu, but this first taste left me with relatively little enthusiasm to return and find them.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Maccheroni Cucina Al Fresco
1560 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
(905) 527-6422
Type of cuisine: Italian
Date of Review: January, 2010
Overall Quality Ranking: Okay
Cost: Moderate
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Reasonable
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Cautiously Comfortable
Description: As a celiac, writing about an Italian restaurant doesn't entirely seem natural. In my previous life, I sampled a few, but present circumstances make them a challenge. And all too frequently, the quality of the pasta can be matched by a bit of work at home.
Maccheroni's recognizes that there is a market for gluten-free Italian. They use a separate colander to strain their (rice) pasta, and they can reportedly make most of their pasta dishes gluten-free. Although their appetizer selection is limited for GF eaters, they have reasonable salads and also offer GF pizza, which I understand employs the same crust supplied to PizzaPizza.
The menu selection is therefore reasonable. On this occasion, and admittedly for the second time, I had their baked ziti. Doused in cream and cheese and containing a generous portion of bacon, this good if heavy dish could readily feed two. Slightly monotonous, it might go better with the simple greek salad rather than after it. On this occasion, all three of us originals chose the same dish. I am told that on past visits the pizza was also good.
Service is friendly and brisk. On this Tuesday evening, there were enough other diners to give the place a bit of a buzz. The decor is pseudo-rustic, with plastic vines and interior trellises; it is comfortable, if a little on the shabby side.
Although restaurant Italian food is not typically my first choice, Maccheroni's offers reasonable fair, and I appreciated their efforts at supporting gluten-free dining.
Hamilton, Ontario
(905) 527-6422
Type of cuisine: Italian
Date of Review: January, 2010
Overall Quality Ranking: Okay
Cost: Moderate
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Reasonable
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Cautiously Comfortable
Description: As a celiac, writing about an Italian restaurant doesn't entirely seem natural. In my previous life, I sampled a few, but present circumstances make them a challenge. And all too frequently, the quality of the pasta can be matched by a bit of work at home.
Maccheroni's recognizes that there is a market for gluten-free Italian. They use a separate colander to strain their (rice) pasta, and they can reportedly make most of their pasta dishes gluten-free. Although their appetizer selection is limited for GF eaters, they have reasonable salads and also offer GF pizza, which I understand employs the same crust supplied to PizzaPizza.
The menu selection is therefore reasonable. On this occasion, and admittedly for the second time, I had their baked ziti. Doused in cream and cheese and containing a generous portion of bacon, this good if heavy dish could readily feed two. Slightly monotonous, it might go better with the simple greek salad rather than after it. On this occasion, all three of us originals chose the same dish. I am told that on past visits the pizza was also good.
Service is friendly and brisk. On this Tuesday evening, there were enough other diners to give the place a bit of a buzz. The decor is pseudo-rustic, with plastic vines and interior trellises; it is comfortable, if a little on the shabby side.
Although restaurant Italian food is not typically my first choice, Maccheroni's offers reasonable fair, and I appreciated their efforts at supporting gluten-free dining.
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