Gluten-free Weekend in Atlanta

Typically, I would be writing about Chicago and its many restaurants, but being that I just returned from a trip to Atlanta and Charleston, I thought I would write about some of my gluten-free highlights.

Since being diagnosed with celiac disease, I try to do some research before I travel.  The last thing I want is to be totally unprepared and having to spend time on my iPhone to search for a restaurant last minute.  Just because we have to eat gluten-free doesn’t mean we have to be restricted from eating out when traveling.  I am a firm believer that one does not have to limit oneself to a chain in order to find a safe meal.  However, it is always necessary to keep in mind there is always risk when not dining in a 100% gluten-free environment, being a national chain or a local independent restaurant.  If gluten is found in the restaurant, there is always some risk we assume not matter how minimal.  I find it is much more comforting when I speak with someone at the restaurant and they know what gluten is and can answer my questions right away.  It is when people look at me with their eyebrows raised asking if gluten is animal fat that I know I have chosen the wrong place.  Personally, my requirement is that if the restaurant waitstaff and management are clueless about gluten and food intolerances, how can I trust they will be careful with preparing my meal?

This was my first trip home to Atlanta since being gluten-free, and as usual I wanted to hit up as many of my favorite hangouts as possible.  Before heading to Atlanta, I actually called some of my favorite places to be sure they had options that were gluten-free and was pleasantly surprised.

Waffle House was out of the question for me, which is unfortunate, but I am sure better in the long run!  The first place I wanted to head to was Flying Biscuit for breakfast.  They have always been a favorite of mine since its first location in Candler Park.  I called ahead of time, and the woman who answered my call ate gluten-free as well, so she was extremely helpful and assured me they could accommodate me.  I was able to enjoy the exact meal I have ordered for years before eating gluten-free.  I ordered the love cakes, which are black bean corn meal cakes topped with tomatillo salsa, sour cream and feta.  I had it served with a side salad and a side of cheese grits.  The only item I had to miss was the biscuit, a bit sad, but honestly, I didn’t have the room.  It was incredibly enjoyable to eat one of my favorite Atlanta meals and feel like a “normal” person.  The meal set me up in a great mood for the remainder of the day.  Flying Biscuit now has several locations throughout Atlanta and a couple in North Carolina.

I also had the pleasure of having a gluten-free pizza from Blue Moon Pizza in the West Village community just outside of Vinings.  They serve gluten-free pizzas in personal pizza size.  I ordered a Margherita pizza and a side Greek salad and was not disappointed.  The crust was thin, crispy and extremely delicious.  They also carry gluten-free brownies, that I heard from a non-employee, were also delicious, but I was full!  Blue Moon Pizza has 2 locations, but currently, only their West Village location offers gluten-free pizza.

Because one pizza is not enough, I also had a meal at Z Pizza in Alpharetta.  I ordered the Provence pizza with roasted garlic tomato sauce, capers, artichoke hearts, mozzarella and basil.  I took one bite of the crust and had to find the manager because I was so sure they gave me a gluten-filled pizza by mistake, I was scared to take another bite.  But much to my enjoyment, it was indeed gluten-free, and it tasted so good it was almost unbelievable.  The garlic in that particular sauce was a bit overwhelming, but I would definitely go back and try a different pizza.  They have many unique versions from which to choose.  For dessert we enjoyed a generous slice of moist and flavorful carrot cake and delicious brownie, even all of the gluten-eaters at my table loved them.  Z Pizza is located nationally with 2 locations in the Atlanta-area.

On our last night, we dined at a hip new restaurant, Crepe Revolution in the West Village community just outside of Vinings.  Their waitstaff was extremely helpful and assured me they have many gluten-free customers, and offer cornmeal and buckwheat crepes, free of any gluten.  However, be sure to tell them if you need to eat gluten-free, because otherwise, they may mix some of the wheat flour crepe mix with the buckwheat or cornmeal.  If you tell them you are gluten-free, it will be absolute 100% buckwheat or 100% cornmeal crepe, and they will clean the crepe pan before cooking.  I ordered the ratatouille buckwheat crepe with goat cheese, and it was fabulous!  It was so difficult to choose, everything on the menu sounded so good and they have over 15 different savory crepes and a huge selection of dessert crepes.  Again, another great meal!

During our trip to the South, we stayed a night in Charleston, South Carolina, and enjoyed a wonderful modern-southern meal at Hominy Grill.  They have a lovely fenced-in patio, and a cozy casual atmosphere.  As usual, I asked the server about gluten-free options, and not only was she knowledge, she came out with a gluten-free menu, which made ordering so much easier!  I ordered the special, which was a fish dish smothered with a tomato crab sauce, and served with hoppin’ john and cheese grits.  For dessert I had the chocolate pudding, which was extremely rich and chocolaty and topped with homemade whipped cream.

All of the reviewed meals are meals I would have enjoyed whether they were gluten-free or not.  I was thoroughly impressed with all of them.

Unfortunately, there was one favorite of mine in Atlanta that we did not have the chance to visit on this trip, Raging Burrito, in Decatur.  I have seen them on many gluten-free friendly lists and they have extremely tasty burrito bowls.  I will be sure to get back there next time.

The only disappointment was on our stop in Nashville on the return drive to Chicago.  After calling many restaurants there and being met with “Gluten, what is gluten?”  I was getting pretty discouraged, so I choose one of my fail-safes, an Indian restaurant.  Indian is one cuisine that is for the most part naturally gluten-free without the naan and some appetizers.  As always ask questions before ordering.  The meal was enjoyable, but it was disappointing that the places I called in a city the size of Nashville were not as knowledgeable as other cities.