Amsterdam Beer

Okay, it's not all from Amsterdam, but that's where I encountered it.  Given the challenges of finding gluten-free grog, I take it when I can get it.  I tried three o' the fellas.

Yummiest, yummier, and yum.

The first, Mongozo Premium Pilsener, brewed in Belgium for a Dutch company, is the closest thing to 'real' beer I shall likely encounter.  It tasted like real beer, so much so that I thought "Molson?"  But I was told by a current real beer swiller that it was more of a Heineken, and as it has been a while since I have partaken of the real stuff, I must defer.  But here is why it might taste that way:  it contains barley malt.  I can tell you it took me a bit of surfing before I had the confidence to drink it.  The brewery indicates that they have a process which removes the offending protein, and they have it tested by an independent lab.  They even provided a pdf from said lab to another web denizen.  They have won kudos from at least one actual organization and have a GF seal with a registration number.  All of it could be bunk, but I chose faith and really enjoyed it.  I don't obviously react (in the short term) to gluten, and did not react negatively to this drink.  I would probably drink this all the time were it available, but I would also actually invest in a test kit to set my mind at ease.  The fear is just too ingrained at this point.

The second, a Riedenburger Gluten Free from Germany, I found to be very similar to the sorghum-based brew of New Grist, although it is actually millet based.  It had a nice malty flavour, a good presence, without an unpleasant aftertase.

Finally, St. Peter's Gluten Free Beer from the UK, gets a few points for having a nifty old bottle. It certainly wasn't a bad pint, with a pleasant bitterness and just a slight but not prolonged aftertaste. I wouldn't say no to another although I'd prefer either of the first.

Bottoms up!

Proeverij 274

Prinsengracht 274
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 4211848

Description:  The is a great little restaurant, and we actually returned to it on a second occasion rather than risk disappointment at another establishment.  The menu lists a moderate number of dishes and local fair is used.  The dishes are just off the traditional track, but stop well before reaching too trendy.  The wait staff was exceptionally friendly, and well tolerant of a 6 month old, although we are always careful not to disturb fellow patrons.   

We were thus able to try a handful of dishes.  A starter of white asparagus with chive sauce and poached egg was excellent the first night, as we caught the tail end of the local season.  The second night I had a delightful herring with beets and a vodka jelly, while my comrade-in-forks was exceptionally pleased with the cold lentil soup, which was a new take on gazpacho with a little island of diced tomato and cucumber topped with raita floating in the centre.  For the main, I reprised a variation on beef, which was done to tender perfection and accompanied by tasty vegetables on both occasions.  My fellow diner had a succulent guinea fowl with raison-wine sauce and a creative but not off the wall poppy-seed croquette accompaniment.  Dessert for me was a delicious chocolate mousse, while the rhubarb cake was good. 

As noted, the staff were patient regarding gluten inquiries, and they were wonderfully friendly without being overly intrusive.  The restaurant itself is in an old building (an unremarkable fact in Amsterdam) with plenty of beautiful wood and a warm, homey, intimate feel.  We debated whether this restaurant was 'just' excellent or was outstanding, but the consensus was that anything short of outstanding would be unfair.  If you are in Amsterdam, eat at Proeverij 274.

Amsterdam

We have had the great fortune to visit this lovely city in the Netherlands, as well as some nearby cities on day trips.  It is a great place, although it is not as good as others in terms of gluten-free dining.  The prevalence of celiac disease is lower here, although underdiagnosis likely contributes to this.  In fact, the whole darn country seems slim and fit, so maybe they all have it.  At any rate, gluten awareness, while not terrible, does not match my Canadian, American, or other experiences.  I encountered no gluten-free bakery, although others have reported fresh products at one chain. 

Keizersgracht, Amsterdam.  If only home were this pretty.

Conversely, English is almost universal, so communication is easy.  Furthermore, several health food stores, as well as the ubiquitous Albert Heijn, have excellent GF supplies.  The latter also has a clear GF symbol on its GF products, which I much appreciated.  In addition, more than one restaurant had a GF list they would consult on inquiry. 

Words to watch out for? Tarwe, rogger, and gerst are wheat, rye, and barley. I did get burned on malt on one occasion. If you are reading labels, beware barely malt, gerstemout. Finally, haver is oats.

Don't worry, all Dutch cheese is fat free. 

You won't suffer for food, however.  The selection of Dutch cheeses is excellent.  The olives are the good ones the Europeans don't export to us North Americans, and the wine is a wee spot better priced than that of the LCBO.  Our typical lunch (left) also included fresh little red currents, which I have rarely encountered in my Golden Horseshoe shopping.

Kalendar

546 College Street
Toronto, Ontario
416.923.4138

Type of cuisine: Brunch
Date of Review: October, 2010

Overall Quality Ranking: Good

Cost: Moderate
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Reasonable
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Comfortable

Description:  Fortunately there was no line-up for this pre-matinee brunch visit.  A seat was available and our server was with us quickly.  The menu was typical for brunch, with omelettes, French toast, and so forth, but also included some salads, wraps and naan bread open sandwiches.  We started with fresh orange juice, a nice sunny start.  This morning three of us had omelettes, with two having the delicious (if a bit salty) smoked salmon.  The chevre and snow pea omelette was also very good.  Each came with delicious, GF-friendly, herbed home fries and fruit (with toast for those so inclined).  The French toast was very good, with good fresh bread, although the side of ham was declared quite tasteless by two diners. 

Service was zippy and friendly.  The restaurant itself is quaint, with lots of wood, old chandeliers, and ornamental flourishes in the plasterwork.  By one popular measure, it has been declared the most romantic place for a first date, and some of that may be attributable to the decor.

This was a tasty bite, and I'm curious to check out dinner when the opportunity presents itself.

Quatrefoils

16 Sydenham Street
Dundas, Ontario
905-628-7800 

Type of cuisine: French
Date of Review: September, 2010

Overall Quality Ranking: Excellent

Cost: Expensive
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Good
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Comfortable

Description:  Yes, you can get darn good food outside of Toronto.  After apparently struggling with regulations and sinking a pile of money into the establishment, Quatrefoils is now earning kudos from its patrons. 

The menu is tight, not unnecessarily long.  It met my preference for a focused, fresh sampling with good food turnover rather than an 8-page "please everybody" menu.  No, the menu is not vegetarian focused, but yes, a vegetarian could find a satisfying meal here with a soup or salad and gnocci.  Otherwise, fish and meat reign and most of the menu can accommodate the gluten-free eater. 

The four of us shared a nice Domaine des Anges 2006 Ventoux, which matched our food nicely.  For those inclined, the crispy rolls were very nice.  As an appetizer, we tried the heirloom tomoto salad with arugula and pesto, which was perfectly ripe and a perfect room temperature.  The Foie gras torchon, which I took without the toast, was well portioned (i.e. small) and came with cherries, lettuce, and a sherry jelly--no toast required.  It was a delight. 

Foie Gras Torchons - That'll be three slices of Yum!

For the main, I had the flank steak and frites--something I'm frequently tempted to do when the fries are not cross-contaminated--and was happy on both accounts.  The steak was excellent and the frites top notch, although I'm afraid cholesterol pills don't come as a side.  A fellow diner went with the duck with an orange sauce, and had no regrets.  It was nicely done and nicely accompanied.  One tablemate did have the lightly herbed gnocci with sweet baby squash and found it satisfying but not overly heavy.  Another had the rack of lamb with home made lamb ravioli and declared himself a very happy and contented diner, though he was generous enough to share.

Settling in for the final chapter, two of use shared the baked chocolate mousse, which was rich and excellent.  Our partners shared the blueberry lemon cake and were equally happy.

Service was top notch.  Making everything from scratch, the kitchen had no difficulty with gluten avoidance.  The physical space was clean and refined, with interesting sconces evoking both a nod to Hamilton metal working and an update on the traditional crystal variety.  It is evident they dropped some coin on the place.  The patio was also beautiful, and I hope to return in warmer days.

Quatrefoils is a great restaurant.  May it thrive and grow roots in this great community. 

Bangkok Spoon Deluxe

57 King St. West
Dundas, Ontario
905-628-8808

Type of cuisine:  Thai
Date of Review: Sept, 2010

Overall Quality Ranking: Okay

Cost: Moderate
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Reasonable
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Comfortable

Description:  Taking over from the Deluxe Restaurant, which closed in 1979 and sat empty for over a quarter century, Bangkok Spoon Deluxe retains a piece of that history while largely moving on. 

The menu is fairly extensive, but in a rare letdown, gluten-free eaters can not have either the green or red curry, as the kitchen uses a gluten containing oyster sauce in them.  Similar to other Thai and Vietnamese restaurants, some of the dipping sauces are also a no go.  Noting that, we started with a green mango salad.  This was generally reviewed as being good, although one diner found it a little heavy on the fish sauce.  We also shared the Mieng Goong, a wrap-it-yourself shrimp, ginger, peanut and lettuce affair which was quite tasty and fresh. 

For main dishes, we shared the (gluten-containing) green curry chicken, which was good but lacked a spicy punch.  The stir-fried scallops were a little plain, though generous.  Conversely, the pad Thai, while tasty, was a little short on protein content.  The tiger shrimp with pepper, orange and cashew nut in a chili paste was good but perhaps not as flavourful as hoped.  The sticky rice and coconut rice were both very good.  We washed all this down with a reasonably priced (for Ontario) Yellow Tail Shiraz.  The desserts, which in our case were largely ice cream, were considered quite tasty, with actual coconut chunks in the coconut flavour.  Remind the waiter not to give you the complementary cookie.

The service was pleasant, timely, and helpful, and the restaurant was well staffed.  The decor is a departure from the old days of the diner, having a clean, bright, and modern look.

Bangkok Spoon is a decent restaurant, and I would return if it came up.  It is unfortunate that the curries are off limits for the gluten averse, and the spice level might have been overly diluted for us North Americans.  If you live in the area, consider Pomelo as an alternative.  

Harbord House

150 Harbord St.
Toronto, Ontario
647-430-7365

Type of cuisine: Pub
Date of Review: Sept, 2010

Overall Quality Ranking: Excellent

Cost: Moderate
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Somewhat restricted
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Cautiously Comfortable

Description:  A self proclaimed gastro pub, Harbord House takes it's food more seriously than most North American pubs.  The liquid refreshment is not the only draw here.  Although the menu is a little tight for gluten free eaters, it appears quite appealing on the comfort food side, and you don't pay top dollar.  Note that the fries are off limits on account of floured foods sharing the same oil.

First, if you are of the persuasion, the bread was rated as good.  The oysters were also fresh and yummy.  For an appetizer, I tried the buffalo mozzarella salad with chorizo.  A touch on the too cold side, this was nonetheless a fruity, fresh, and tasty start.  A culinary comrade took up with the cobb salad and was pleased.  Oddly, perhaps, it included onion rings, but these were light and crisp. 

Part of the team continued on with the tomato soup, which was reported to have a rich roasted tomato flavour with hints of garlic.  The arctic char with hazelnut gnocci and pickled radish was chosen by three diners, and rated highly by all.  I went with the halibut, which came with chorizo and a smokey harissa sauce, and I cleaned the plate with delight.   

Service was friendly and patient, although our waiter was quite busy.  The decor was comfortable while not being overly dark.

In sum, this would be a fine place to have in your neighbourhood.  Although the menu is somewhat restricted for the GF eater, the food is prepared with care and the prices are reasonable.  Cheers.