Gluten-Free in San Francisco

   Travelling while following a gluten-free diet can be a challenge.  It has become easier over the past couple of years with a few restaurants offering gluten-free options.  We now google gluten-free restaurants before we travel.  We recently went to San Francisco and were pleasantly surprised by how well I could eat there.  

   We stayed at a charming place called Hotel Drisco which was away from the downtown and near the Golden Gate Bridge.  It had a continental breakfast buffet that was complimentary.  There were many items I could eat like eggs, fruit and cheese.  They will also provide other gluten-free options if you request them.  They had teas, coffee and will even make specialty coffees as well.

   We were also within walking distance of Filmore Street, which had two restaurants with gluten-free options.  We loved the restaurant La Mediterranee, and never made it to Dosa, the second restaurant with gluten-free options.  La Mediterranee had a large gluten-free menu with most of their Mediterranean dishes.  Dosa is also highly recommended and has south indian food cuisine.

  One day we drove to Twin Peaks and went to an italian restaurant called Bacco in Noe Valley.  They make their own gluten-free bread and pasta daily.  The service was very professional and the owner came out to welcome us and assure us about the gluten-free options.  He was originally from Italy, but now eats gluten-free for health reasons.  He brought in consultants to help make a gluten-free place in his kitchen that was free from cross-contamination.  I enjoyed my meal and the knowledge that it would not make me ill.  My husband also enjoyed the homemade bread and pasta that was not gluten-free.  What a treat! 

   When we went to the Giants opening game, they also had gluten-free hot dogs as well as gluten-free beer.  I was so surprised when my husband came back to our seats with them.  I kept asking him if he was kidding me!

   My husband ran in the Headlands half-marathon on the weekend.  At the finish, they handed out a whole bunch of gluten-free snacks such as Larabars, Udi's Snickerdoodle Cookies and Earth Balance White Cheddar Puffs.  What a great way to end our trip!  Thanks San Francisco!