Hattie Approved GF Eating Out

Quick background information on my life: 

Part one…My family love eating out and therefore do it a lot; I have definitely not inherited this.

Part two…I don’t eat out. Yes, that is an exaggeration*, quite obviously from my previous posts but I am broken, and as a rule I don’t eat out. I really struggle to eat food I have not made myself. So much so, that even my boyfriend has never cooked a meal for me fully on his own that I have eaten. Why? I don’t fully know whether it’s trust issues (worrying about gluten contamination), not knowing what is in the meal or bacterial issues. I don’t know!

I have been like this for quite a number of years now and for the past few years I have just got worse. It’s fine when I am at uni as I can get round it quite easily, bringing in my own food, or going back to my flat to eat, but at home it never fails to cause arguments. So, I often get made to eat out, very much against my will.

*although quite a few meals and snacks I didn’t actually eat and my dad did instead.

Part three…There are three ways my parents have worked out getting round the problem. One. I consistently order the same meal at the same restaurant (I must have had the minute steak  at Cafe Rouge at least 20 times). Once I have had a meal once, after interrogating the staff about it, I am slightly less hesitant to eat it again. Although I am always the last person to finish by quite a long way. Most of the time I just give up as I hate people watching me eat – another reason I hate eating out. Two. When they have got bored with that restaurant then I’m allowed to just order a vegetable or salad side dish. Whether its green beans, spinach or a rocket and parmesan salad, I can just about manage it. Three. During the holidays I have found more and more completely gluten free restaurants and cafes – my dad loves it! And this way I tend to eat the most and find it more enjoyable.

So here are the Hattie Approved places to eat…

• Jamie’s Italian
  • Right – it was a lot better the first time I went in Harrogate, with the best gluten free pasta ever. But, every other time I have been since (probably about 4-5 times) I have still ordered the gluten free carbonara even though they use different pasta because the flavours work so well together in such a simple dish. I now make carbonara using leeks at home because it works so well.
• Cafe Rouge
  • We have been to Cafe Rouge in Newbury sooo many times over the past year the waitress doesn’t even ask me what I want to eat anymore. Minute steak with a side of pesto. Not a dish on the menu, but I like to challenge the chefs.
• Marks and spencer
  • M&S have improved there free from range so much over the past year. Their sliced round loaf always used to be my favourite before I found Bfree bread and it has always been my go to when Bfree isn’t stocked. They have started doing a few gluten free meals in the cafe, but I have only ventured so far as the millionaires bar and kids packet of raisins. In the store the crumpets and pasta are also among my favourites although they are very expensive. But I often find the crumpets on offer, going out of date that day. 4 crumpets in a day – challenge accepted.
• Starbene Italy
  • Such beautiful pastries, all gluten free and each one deifying the laws of baking. I will forever be trying to recreate the amazing profiteroles.
• Nisby’s Reading
  • Great choice of bakes!! They also serve sandwiches and other savoury food but I haven’t been that brave yet.
• Bella Italia
  • Bella Italia surprised me, being one of the last chain restaurants to cater for gluten free (to my knowledge), but we have been there a few times recently after I tried their gluten free garlic pizza bread and was in heaven. When you go from eating gluten to being gluten free, there are certain cravings that can follow and never be fulfilled. For me I dreamed of the day I could eat cheesy garlic bread and warm chewy ciabatta again – two of the very short list of food I would eat age 14. Bella Italia went beyond my dreams for the garlic bread and Beyond bread – well, lets just say their bread was good.
• Beyond Bread Bakery, London
  • Everything about this place is amazing!! The bread but also the cakes – especially the dark chocolate and walnut brownie!!! The staff are absolutely lovely and were so helpful when I was anxious choosing what I was going to eat.
• Coori in Selfridges food hall, London
  • Loved this place both times I have been. There is so much choice – although I have had the same meal both times I went. B.T.W. the cheese and ham torteloini in their tomato sauce is delicious!!
• Bills
  • This is a newly Hattie reapproved restaurant but serving all meals of the day, my family are already regulars, known by the staff. They serve the best gluten free toast I have ever had in a restaurant, they have a separate gluten free menu packed full of beautiful flavours. But I have to say I was disappointed when the menu changed a few months ago now. My favourite, the mushroom risotto was removed so last time we went for dinner I had to go with the classic combination of steak with a toasted gluten free bun (adapted version of steak and mash).
• The Local Pantry, Otley
  • This is an amazing farm shop, restaurant, cafe AND ice cream parlour!! I love this place and I will definitely be visiting this year while I am at uni to get some lovely British vegetables. The menu changes regularly, using seasonal foods which often makes it scary when I visit – but I know, if in doubt, there’s always ice cream.
• Bagel Nash
  • If you haven’t heard of it, this is a chain of bagel stored in Leeds. At least 3 of the stores are within a 5 minute walk! There is a bit of an issue with gluten contamination, but if you make it clear you are allergic rather than intolerance, they are generally happy to cater. The bagels here used to be the best around, but now I think Bfree have the title.
• Square and Compass, Rigton hill, Leeds.
  • BEST STEAK EVER. No further justification needed.
• Five Bells Wickham
  • This is one of my family’s favorite pubs. There are loads of gf options, my dad has had a different meal every time we have gone. Never the less, every time I have had the BBQ baby back ribs with vegetables rather than salad. If anything, this place is worth a visit for the chips. They are beautifully seasoned, with crispy casing around fluffy centers and there is always an abundance.