Gluten Free and Grain Free is stamped right there on all the packages, so after confirming that the products are in fact made in a gluten free facility (peanut and dairy free too!) I rounded up my husband and the kids and we gave the products a try.
Showing posts with label Product Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Product Review. Show all posts
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Product Review: Grain Free JK Gourmet
Gluten Free and Grain Free is stamped right there on all the packages, so after confirming that the products are in fact made in a gluten free facility (peanut and dairy free too!) I rounded up my husband and the kids and we gave the products a try.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Product Review: GoGo Quinoa's Quinoa Crunchies
Yesterday I was at Bulk Barn scoping out the gluten free section to see if there was anything new on offer, when these babies caught my eye. I don't buy excess amounts of gluten free packaged goods, but since I do like to try new things and offer suggestions to readers of the blog, I picked up a pack. The cheap price also caught my eye- they were priced at around $3. That's fantastic for a gluten free product.
I've been noticing GoGo Quinoa products around a lot more lately. Previously I've tried their pasta, but then last week my neighbour bought my son a bag of their chocolate chip cookies. I wasn't sure that my son would like a chocolate chip cookie made out of quinoa, but the speed at which that bag was eaten proved me wrong! So when I saw the Crunchies, I couldn't resist.
The Original flavour have three ingredients: White Rice Flour, Quinoa Flour, and Cane Sugar. They are organic, vegan, gluten and dairy free. For roughly a quarter of the bag, there are only 100 calories and 0.2 grams of fat. They're still a treat, but if you're going to snack, these are a pretty good choice. They have a satisfying crunch, and are sweet but not too sweet.
Best of all, my gluten free 4 year old liked them as well, which is the most important part, since he's the one who must eat gluten free. A serving size for him is far smaller than a quarter of the bag.
If you're looking for a portable snack that's reasonably priced and free from ingredients you don't recognize and can't pronounce but that doesn't taste suspiciously like cardboard, these are a good option.
I found this product at Bulk Barn, but I know they're available in other stores too. If you can't find GoGo Quinoa products where you shop, they offer free flat rate shipping within Canada and to the US.
I've been noticing GoGo Quinoa products around a lot more lately. Previously I've tried their pasta, but then last week my neighbour bought my son a bag of their chocolate chip cookies. I wasn't sure that my son would like a chocolate chip cookie made out of quinoa, but the speed at which that bag was eaten proved me wrong! So when I saw the Crunchies, I couldn't resist.
The Original flavour have three ingredients: White Rice Flour, Quinoa Flour, and Cane Sugar. They are organic, vegan, gluten and dairy free. For roughly a quarter of the bag, there are only 100 calories and 0.2 grams of fat. They're still a treat, but if you're going to snack, these are a pretty good choice. They have a satisfying crunch, and are sweet but not too sweet.
Best of all, my gluten free 4 year old liked them as well, which is the most important part, since he's the one who must eat gluten free. A serving size for him is far smaller than a quarter of the bag.
If you're looking for a portable snack that's reasonably priced and free from ingredients you don't recognize and can't pronounce but that doesn't taste suspiciously like cardboard, these are a good option.
I found this product at Bulk Barn, but I know they're available in other stores too. If you can't find GoGo Quinoa products where you shop, they offer free flat rate shipping within Canada and to the US.
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| Photo Source |
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Product Review: XO Baking Co. Vanilla Cake Mix
For my husband's birthday in March my son wanted to bake him a birthday cake. Usually we just pick up or make some gluten free cupcakes, but this year he was excited about baking a cake, so we went out to check out gluten free cake mixes. I've used a few different mixes in the past with varying results, but I always like to try new things. While browsing Bulk Barn for something unrelated, I came across XO Baking Co.'s mixes.
I had never heard of this company before. My local grocery store doesn't carry their products. The packaging called my attention, and there were a few different products to choose from. My son decided that Daddy would want a vanilla cake, so we picked up the mix and went home to bake a cake.
Not one to be content with just trying out a product, I always like to do my research. There's a lot to like about this company. The founder, Lindsey Deitch, has been diagnosed with Celiac disease, so safe gluten free food is a priority for her. She's also a certified health and nutrition coach, and her baking mixes are all natural, produced in a dedicated gluten free facility and certified gluten free (Source).
I was surprised when looking at the cake mix to find that one mix actually makes a double layer cake. Most mixes make a one layer, 8 inch cake, but this one doubles that for roughly the same price as other mixes. The mix is also dairy free. The cake baked nice and fluffy, and the taste was easily one of the best cakes I've tasted from a mix, gluten free or not. I was really impressed with how moist and soft the cake was. I frosted it with a plain gluten free frosting, but the company offers a frosting mix as well. It wasn't available where I shopped. We topped it with some shredded coconut that my son insisted we turn blue because Daddy would like it that way.
The result: A delicious, double layer cake that was gone in one sitting. I used 9 inch baking pans, so the cake would have been even taller if I had used 8 inch ones. The slices held together, and there was nothing dry and crumbly about the final product.
I would highly recommend this mix.
I had never heard of this company before. My local grocery store doesn't carry their products. The packaging called my attention, and there were a few different products to choose from. My son decided that Daddy would want a vanilla cake, so we picked up the mix and went home to bake a cake.
I was surprised when looking at the cake mix to find that one mix actually makes a double layer cake. Most mixes make a one layer, 8 inch cake, but this one doubles that for roughly the same price as other mixes. The mix is also dairy free. The cake baked nice and fluffy, and the taste was easily one of the best cakes I've tasted from a mix, gluten free or not. I was really impressed with how moist and soft the cake was. I frosted it with a plain gluten free frosting, but the company offers a frosting mix as well. It wasn't available where I shopped. We topped it with some shredded coconut that my son insisted we turn blue because Daddy would like it that way.
The result: A delicious, double layer cake that was gone in one sitting. I used 9 inch baking pans, so the cake would have been even taller if I had used 8 inch ones. The slices held together, and there was nothing dry and crumbly about the final product.
I would highly recommend this mix.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Product Review: Luna & Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
While searching for an alternative to sorbet for my son, my husband came across this product. It's a coconut and dark chocolate "ice cream", that is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, sugar free, vegan and organic.
Checking out the ingredient list, the list was surprisingly short: organic coconut milk, organic agave syrup, organic fair trade cocoa, and organic fair trade vanilla extract.
Many dairy-free ice cream substitutes I've tried have a strange texture, a bland taste or a funny aftertaste. Not with this product.
The container suggests that the product be taken out of the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving, and it makes a huge difference. The texture of the product softens up jut enough to be rich and creamy, impossible to distinguish from real ice cream. The agave syrup provides a hint of sweetness, but the rich dark chocolate flavour of the cocoa powder really stands out and blends nicely with the coconut milk. The flavour is rich enough that jut a small amount is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth. It also appeals to children, as both my son and my niece ate their servings in record time.
The product is marketed and packaged as a specialty product, in a small container that comes with a fairly large price tag when compared to a traditional tub of ice cream. That being said, most non-dairy products also cost more and come in small packages.
I feel that this product is worth the price for a few reasons:
1- The short list of all natural ingredients that are also organic and fair trade are a nice change from the long list of unrecognizable ingredients that certainly don't grow on trees
2- The agave syrup adds a nice hint of sweetness without the product being full of white sugar or artificial sweetners
3- The TASTE! It was delicious! High in fat, but a small serving goes a long way, and an occasional indulgence is worth it.
I would highly recommend this product to anyone who needs to eat gluten and dairy free but but misses ice cream. The look and texture are similar to regular ice cream, and the taste is just as delicious. I can't wait to see what other flavours they offer!
Checking out the ingredient list, the list was surprisingly short: organic coconut milk, organic agave syrup, organic fair trade cocoa, and organic fair trade vanilla extract.
Many dairy-free ice cream substitutes I've tried have a strange texture, a bland taste or a funny aftertaste. Not with this product.
The container suggests that the product be taken out of the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving, and it makes a huge difference. The texture of the product softens up jut enough to be rich and creamy, impossible to distinguish from real ice cream. The agave syrup provides a hint of sweetness, but the rich dark chocolate flavour of the cocoa powder really stands out and blends nicely with the coconut milk. The flavour is rich enough that jut a small amount is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth. It also appeals to children, as both my son and my niece ate their servings in record time.
The product is marketed and packaged as a specialty product, in a small container that comes with a fairly large price tag when compared to a traditional tub of ice cream. That being said, most non-dairy products also cost more and come in small packages.
I feel that this product is worth the price for a few reasons:
1- The short list of all natural ingredients that are also organic and fair trade are a nice change from the long list of unrecognizable ingredients that certainly don't grow on trees
2- The agave syrup adds a nice hint of sweetness without the product being full of white sugar or artificial sweetners
3- The TASTE! It was delicious! High in fat, but a small serving goes a long way, and an occasional indulgence is worth it.
I would highly recommend this product to anyone who needs to eat gluten and dairy free but but misses ice cream. The look and texture are similar to regular ice cream, and the taste is just as delicious. I can't wait to see what other flavours they offer!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix
Last night I made some cupcakes for my cousin's birthday party. I always bring a few along for my son since he can't have regular cake. I usually make the Betty Crocker Mix, but I had a Bob's Red Mill Vanilla Cake Mix lying around, and decided to give it a try.
The mix calls for 3 eggs, 1/2 cup of oil and 1/2 cup of water. After blending everything according to the mix instructions, I was a bit concerned about the texture of the batter. Where most cake batters are relatively thin and runny, this mixture was thick, climbing the beaters of my mixer. I had to spoon it into the cupcake holders, and found the batter quite sticky. The mix made about 18 cupcakes, a pretty good number for one cake mix.
How did they taste? I'm happy to say, the cupcakes were delicious. The cupcakes rose and were really light and fluffy. The flavour had a nice hint of vanilla, but nothing too overpowering. My son ate two, and would have eaten more had I let him. Usually he just licks the icing off the cupcake instead of eating the whole thing.
I would definitely make this mix again. I love chocolate cake, but these vanilla cupcakes were fantastic. There will be a space in my cupboard for Bob's Red Mill Vanilla Cake Mix from now on!
The mix calls for 3 eggs, 1/2 cup of oil and 1/2 cup of water. After blending everything according to the mix instructions, I was a bit concerned about the texture of the batter. Where most cake batters are relatively thin and runny, this mixture was thick, climbing the beaters of my mixer. I had to spoon it into the cupcake holders, and found the batter quite sticky. The mix made about 18 cupcakes, a pretty good number for one cake mix.
How did they taste? I'm happy to say, the cupcakes were delicious. The cupcakes rose and were really light and fluffy. The flavour had a nice hint of vanilla, but nothing too overpowering. My son ate two, and would have eaten more had I let him. Usually he just licks the icing off the cupcake instead of eating the whole thing.
I would definitely make this mix again. I love chocolate cake, but these vanilla cupcakes were fantastic. There will be a space in my cupboard for Bob's Red Mill Vanilla Cake Mix from now on!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Product Review: Food For Life Brown Rice Tortillas
This week I tried out gluten free tortillas that resemble a traditional flour tortilla to make vegetable and bean burritos. I found them in the gluten free frozen section at my local grocery store and decided to give them a try.
They come in packs of 6, and the instructions say to keep frozen or refrigerated until use. I kept them frozen until the night before use, and then defrosted them in the fridge. When I was ready to use them, I opened the resealable package and pulled a few out.
The tortillas are separated by wax paper, keeping them from sticking together. I was impressed by the size and look of the tortillas. They look very much like a traditional flour tortilla, with just a slightly tougher consistency. I followed the package directions and heated the tortilla before filling it with beans, peppers, onions, dairy free cheese, salsa and cilantro.
I piled on the ingredients to see how the tortillas would hold up under pressure (and because I like my burritos that way). The true test came when I rolled up the burrito. The tortillas had a flakier texture than a regular tortilla, so they were a bit tougher to wrap, but they performed well. I would suggest perhaps heating them a bit more (I put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds), or using toothpicks to keep them together. Here's what my burrito looked like on the first try:
You can see in the photo that the tortilla cracked at one end, but after I made a few more I was able to better manage it. The photo below shows how it held up after being cut in half. I didn't rearrange anything for the photo, because I wanted to show how it worked the first time. As I mentioned before, with a toothpick to hold it together, a nice, tight burrito would be easy to achieve.
What's that? How did they taste????
Pretty darn good!
I was ready for some dry, mealy tortilla, but instead I found that they had a mildly nutty, buttery flavour with a bit of an al dente texture. I actually found myself nibbling on a plain tortilla because I liked the flavour so much. The only drawback is that they don't absorb liquid the same way a flour tortilla does, so the juices flowed right out. I remedied this by wrapping a napkin around the bottom end while I was eating. No problem!
The Verdict: I really like this product. It's the closest to a regular flour tortilla I've had since my son went gluten free almost a year ago. The texture and flavour is a bit different, but still good, and they held up well to my overflowing burrito. These will become a staple in my house.
Pretty darn good!
I was ready for some dry, mealy tortilla, but instead I found that they had a mildly nutty, buttery flavour with a bit of an al dente texture. I actually found myself nibbling on a plain tortilla because I liked the flavour so much. The only drawback is that they don't absorb liquid the same way a flour tortilla does, so the juices flowed right out. I remedied this by wrapping a napkin around the bottom end while I was eating. No problem!
The Verdict: I really like this product. It's the closest to a regular flour tortilla I've had since my son went gluten free almost a year ago. The texture and flavour is a bit different, but still good, and they held up well to my overflowing burrito. These will become a staple in my house.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake
While visiting the US this summer, I brought home a box of Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake to try and review. Last week I wrote THIS POST about finding two Betty Crocker GF products available at my local Fortino's grocery store. The box states that the product is produced in a dedicated gluten free facility.
I meant to bake up the cake over the weekend but ended up canning roasted red peppers at my parents' house instead. This weekend I'll be canning tomatoes for sauce (family traditions at their best!), so I got a craving and decided to bake last night. Smack dab in the middle of a thunderstorm and tornado warnings. I wanted something sweet to munch on while huddling in the cold room in the basement in the dark.
Preparing the mix is straightforward- add water, eggs and butter (I always use a dairy substitute), mix and bake. Easy-peasy.
The cake took on the longer end of the stated time spread to cook all the way through, but it rose nicely and was springy to the touch.
This icing was light and fluffy and really, really sweet. I iced the cake quickly because I was worried about the power going out in the middle of the operation, so you can still see some of the loose crumbs kind of mixed in with the icing. If I had taken more time, the icing itself would have done a good job of covering the cake. Regardless, it set really nicely. More importantly, it tasted like regular icing.
Verdict: I really liked the cake. It was a little crumbly right out of the pan, but it set nicely and the slices held together without problem. Even my husband, who doesn't like cake in general, had two slices last night and brought another slice to work today. I found that I actually enjoyed the cake more today than I did yesterday. I left it on the counter overnight, like I would any regular cake. I've been picking at it all day, and it hasn't dried out at all.
As far as boxed-mix baking goes, everyone knows Betty Crocker, and those who are gluten free are no longer left out of the party. The price was comparable to regular mixes, and the taste was just as good.
Looking forward to trying the Yellow Cake mix next!
I meant to bake up the cake over the weekend but ended up canning roasted red peppers at my parents' house instead. This weekend I'll be canning tomatoes for sauce (family traditions at their best!), so I got a craving and decided to bake last night. Smack dab in the middle of a thunderstorm and tornado warnings. I wanted something sweet to munch on while huddling in the cold room in the basement in the dark.
Preparing the mix is straightforward- add water, eggs and butter (I always use a dairy substitute), mix and bake. Easy-peasy.
The cake took on the longer end of the stated time spread to cook all the way through, but it rose nicely and was springy to the touch.
The only complaint I have is that the cake cooked a bit too much on the very bottom, and despite greasing the bottom of the pan as per the box instructions, it was a little tricky getting it out without breaking it. Next time I'll use a springform pan. It had a lot of loose crumbs around the edges as well, but I think that was a result of all my efforts to get it out of the pan in one piece. The cake itself held together well once on the plate.
For icing, I decided to give the Duncan Hines white icing a try, after seeing "gluten free" listed on the back of the container, underneath the ingredient list. The only reason I checked was that someone had mentioned to me that they thought it was safe for my son to eat. Listing it on the front of the container might make it a more obvious option for those of us who can spot the words "gluten free" on a shelf full of 50 different products from the other end of the aisle.
This icing was light and fluffy and really, really sweet. I iced the cake quickly because I was worried about the power going out in the middle of the operation, so you can still see some of the loose crumbs kind of mixed in with the icing. If I had taken more time, the icing itself would have done a good job of covering the cake. Regardless, it set really nicely. More importantly, it tasted like regular icing.
As far as boxed-mix baking goes, everyone knows Betty Crocker, and those who are gluten free are no longer left out of the party. The price was comparable to regular mixes, and the taste was just as good.
Looking forward to trying the Yellow Cake mix next!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Review: Atlantic View Hotel in Dewey Beach, Delaware
Let me begin by saying that I absolutely loved our brief stay in Dewey Beach. After spending 5 days in Washington for a family wedding, my husband, son and I were looking forward to a few days of relaxing on the beach. We originally chose Dewey Beach for its proximity to Washington and because there is a family bonfire every Wednesday night in the summer. It sounded like a quieter alternative to nearby Rehoboth Beach while being close enough that visiting Rehoboth was only about a 5 minute drive.
Where is Dewey Beach? Dewey Beach is located on the Atlantic coast of Delaware. It's about 10- 15 minutes from Lewes, the first town in the first state. Click HERE for a map of the area.
The Atlantic View Hotel claims to offer "the best views and easiest access to the beach of any hotel in Delaware." I can't speak for all of Delaware, but I can attest to the fact that the hotel does sit directly beachfront, and is surrounded by private residences, not other hotels. Their motto is "Friendliness and Cleanliness", and we saw the words "Simpler Hotels" in several locations.
The Hotel: The hotel really does remind me of a smaller, simpler establishment than newer hotels, but it still had many of the amenities one would expect from a larger chain. It really is just steps from the hotel door to the beach, and the hotel offers beach chairs at no additional cost. Just let the front desk know how many you're taking for the day, and inform them when you bring them back. Simple!
An important note however is that the hotel has stairs only, so accessibility could be an issue. I'm not certain if ground floor rooms are fully accessible or not. Atlantic View Hotel is located on a small street off the main highway. This makes getting around easy to navigate. Rehoboth Beach, the outlets, Lewes, and other attractions are all a short drive away.
Amenities:
Oceanfront and with an outdoor pool open from 10am until dark
Free parking and free beach chairs
Rooms: We did not have an ocean view room, and our room only had one king bed. We booked the room quite late, and it was the only vacancy available. The hotel had a no vacancy sign posted when we arrived. Our son alternated between sleeping in the play pen we brought and between us on the bed.
The hotel does offer a variety of rooms with various sleeping options, we just booked too late. We booked this vacation on a whim, but next time I'll book in advance. That being said, the room itself was lovely and the private balcony was a nice touch. The room had a small but modern bathroom with a hairdryer and Bath and Body Works toiletries, a table and two chairs, air-conditioning, a TV with many channels, a fridge and microwave, a king size bed and a balcony. We knew it would be a bit tight with our son there as well, but it was roomy enough for two people.
Prices fluctuate depending on the season. When I booked I thought that the price was high since it isn't a big chain, but after staying there I feel the price is reasonable. The hotel manages to have instant access to the beach, while still keeping the pool area relatively private. The common sundeck allows everyone to have a beach view, and stays open until 11 pm. Having a fridge and microwave in the room allowed us to keep fresh food for our son and slashed our additional food costs considerably.
Hotel Service and General Observations: The hotel is kept in good condition, and the view from the 4th floor sundeck is incredible. The pool is small but warm, and there are plenty of lounge chairs. We spent most of our time at the beach, but we did swim in the pool a few times.
The lobby is small, spacious enough to check in but not much more. The breakfast was limited, but still offered french toast, pastries, scrambled and hard boiled eggs, yogurt and fresh fruit, coffee and juice, bagels, toast, etc.
The hotel is kept clean and the windows in the stairwell provide a nice breeze. The service was friendly as well and free parking is always a plus.
Verdict: This hotel is a keeper. A beach vacation is all about proximity to the beach, and this hotel has it. The fridge and microwave provided reassurance that gluten free options would always be available for my son. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The lack of elevator is the only drawback for those with limited mobility. My husband and I have already talked about going back at some point in the future, and this hotel would be our first choice for accommodation.
Where is Dewey Beach? Dewey Beach is located on the Atlantic coast of Delaware. It's about 10- 15 minutes from Lewes, the first town in the first state. Click HERE for a map of the area.
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| Beach behind hotel |
The Atlantic View Hotel claims to offer "the best views and easiest access to the beach of any hotel in Delaware." I can't speak for all of Delaware, but I can attest to the fact that the hotel does sit directly beachfront, and is surrounded by private residences, not other hotels. Their motto is "Friendliness and Cleanliness", and we saw the words "Simpler Hotels" in several locations.
The Hotel: The hotel really does remind me of a smaller, simpler establishment than newer hotels, but it still had many of the amenities one would expect from a larger chain. It really is just steps from the hotel door to the beach, and the hotel offers beach chairs at no additional cost. Just let the front desk know how many you're taking for the day, and inform them when you bring them back. Simple!
An important note however is that the hotel has stairs only, so accessibility could be an issue. I'm not certain if ground floor rooms are fully accessible or not. Atlantic View Hotel is located on a small street off the main highway. This makes getting around easy to navigate. Rehoboth Beach, the outlets, Lewes, and other attractions are all a short drive away.
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| Hotel photo taken from the beach. Note the top floor sundeck. |
Amenities:
Oceanfront and with an outdoor pool open from 10am until dark
Free parking and free beach chairs
Free in-room Wi-Fi
Continental Breakfast, Vending Machines, Coffee and Chocolate Chip Cookies in Lobby all day
Private Balconies and a common 4th floor sundeck facing the ocean for those without an ocean view room (like us)
Mini-fridge and microwave in room
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| Hotel Pool |
Rooms: We did not have an ocean view room, and our room only had one king bed. We booked the room quite late, and it was the only vacancy available. The hotel had a no vacancy sign posted when we arrived. Our son alternated between sleeping in the play pen we brought and between us on the bed.
The hotel does offer a variety of rooms with various sleeping options, we just booked too late. We booked this vacation on a whim, but next time I'll book in advance. That being said, the room itself was lovely and the private balcony was a nice touch. The room had a small but modern bathroom with a hairdryer and Bath and Body Works toiletries, a table and two chairs, air-conditioning, a TV with many channels, a fridge and microwave, a king size bed and a balcony. We knew it would be a bit tight with our son there as well, but it was roomy enough for two people.
Prices fluctuate depending on the season. When I booked I thought that the price was high since it isn't a big chain, but after staying there I feel the price is reasonable. The hotel manages to have instant access to the beach, while still keeping the pool area relatively private. The common sundeck allows everyone to have a beach view, and stays open until 11 pm. Having a fridge and microwave in the room allowed us to keep fresh food for our son and slashed our additional food costs considerably.
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| Our room |
Hotel Service and General Observations: The hotel is kept in good condition, and the view from the 4th floor sundeck is incredible. The pool is small but warm, and there are plenty of lounge chairs. We spent most of our time at the beach, but we did swim in the pool a few times.
The lobby is small, spacious enough to check in but not much more. The breakfast was limited, but still offered french toast, pastries, scrambled and hard boiled eggs, yogurt and fresh fruit, coffee and juice, bagels, toast, etc.
The hotel is kept clean and the windows in the stairwell provide a nice breeze. The service was friendly as well and free parking is always a plus.
Verdict: This hotel is a keeper. A beach vacation is all about proximity to the beach, and this hotel has it. The fridge and microwave provided reassurance that gluten free options would always be available for my son. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The lack of elevator is the only drawback for those with limited mobility. My husband and I have already talked about going back at some point in the future, and this hotel would be our first choice for accommodation.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Review: Mitsitam Native Foods Café
Much of the sightseeing and attractions in Washington DC centre around the National Mall area, where the monuments and museums are clustered. Located on the National Mall between the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol Building is the formidable National Museum of the American Indian. (Fourth Street & Independence Ave., SW). Click HERE for a map of the area.
Like so many other museums in Washington, entry to the museum is free, and the museum is open from 10AM- 5:30 PM daily.
While the museum itself merits its own post, this post is specifically about food!
Inside the museum lies Mitsitam Café. Whether visiting the museum (which I highly recommend), or just looking for a unique place to eat while in Washington, the Mitsitam Café is not to be missed.
Food: The menu changes with the seasons, and can be found on the Mitsitam Café website. The summer menu that we chose from can be found HERE. The café is set up with different "stations" featuring cuisine from different indigenous traditions of the Americas. It features Northern Woodlands, Mesoamerica, South America, Northwest Coast, and Great Plains. It's not everyday that I come across indigenous eateries on my travels, and I also liked that it provided the visitor with another way to experience the cultures on display in the museum. While some items reflect more traditional recipes, others are more modern takes on traditional recipes using ingredients native to the specific region being represented.
Gluten Free at the Mitsitam Café: This is one of my favourite things about the restaurant. Items are labeled, and on each label, gluten free items are indicated with the words "gluten free" in red type. See the photo below for an example. This made ordering so simple. Additionally, a large number of dishes are gluten free, so there is much to choose from.
My brother in law ordered the ceviche, type of fish salad, because he wanted to compare it with the ones he eats at home. He declared it delicious, and I was pretty impressed with the presentation. It's a GF option.
My husband and I ordered a simple, familiar dish for our son. Totopos with Carne, which are a type of tortilla chip covered in marinated meat, with a side dish of cilantro scented rice and a side order of Yucca salsa. Simple, but delicious.
My son approved.
Other dishes were more complex, such as Coconut and Chili Braised Rabbit, or Grilled Bison Steak. Definitely not items seen on the menus of every eatery in town. If I had been ordering just for myself, I would have tried something more adventurous.
Verdict: In my opinion, this is a definite hit. The menu had something on it for every taste, from safe to adventurous. The food was delicious and there were many gluten free options to choose from. The café has a wall of windows that let in natural light and provide a bright and cheery atmosphere. The menu changes with the seasons and features several dishes that would be difficult to find anywhere else.
The Mitsitam Café also has a cookbook available for purchase at the museum or online through the Smithsonian store.
Like so many other museums in Washington, entry to the museum is free, and the museum is open from 10AM- 5:30 PM daily.
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| A Gift from the Government of Canada to the Museum |
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| A sample of some traditional handwoven textiles |
While the museum itself merits its own post, this post is specifically about food!
Inside the museum lies Mitsitam Café. Whether visiting the museum (which I highly recommend), or just looking for a unique place to eat while in Washington, the Mitsitam Café is not to be missed.
Food: The menu changes with the seasons, and can be found on the Mitsitam Café website. The summer menu that we chose from can be found HERE. The café is set up with different "stations" featuring cuisine from different indigenous traditions of the Americas. It features Northern Woodlands, Mesoamerica, South America, Northwest Coast, and Great Plains. It's not everyday that I come across indigenous eateries on my travels, and I also liked that it provided the visitor with another way to experience the cultures on display in the museum. While some items reflect more traditional recipes, others are more modern takes on traditional recipes using ingredients native to the specific region being represented.
Gluten Free at the Mitsitam Café: This is one of my favourite things about the restaurant. Items are labeled, and on each label, gluten free items are indicated with the words "gluten free" in red type. See the photo below for an example. This made ordering so simple. Additionally, a large number of dishes are gluten free, so there is much to choose from.
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| Sign in Mitsitam Café, indicating that an item is gluten free |
My brother in law ordered the ceviche, type of fish salad, because he wanted to compare it with the ones he eats at home. He declared it delicious, and I was pretty impressed with the presentation. It's a GF option.
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| Mitsitam Café's Ceviche |
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| My husband's Totopos (his had cheese) |
My son approved.
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| Etienne with his Tio Jaime |
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| Our order at the restaurant |
Other dishes were more complex, such as Coconut and Chili Braised Rabbit, or Grilled Bison Steak. Definitely not items seen on the menus of every eatery in town. If I had been ordering just for myself, I would have tried something more adventurous.
Verdict: In my opinion, this is a definite hit. The menu had something on it for every taste, from safe to adventurous. The food was delicious and there were many gluten free options to choose from. The café has a wall of windows that let in natural light and provide a bright and cheery atmosphere. The menu changes with the seasons and features several dishes that would be difficult to find anywhere else.
The Mitsitam Café also has a cookbook available for purchase at the museum or online through the Smithsonian store.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Restaurant Review: Lidia's Italian Restaurant, Pittsburgh
When we stopped in Pittsburgh on our way to Washington, I had the opportunity to eat at a restaurant I've been dying to try for a long time, Lidia's in Pittsburgh. I'm a big fan of her show, Lidia's Italy, and enjoy trying her recipes at home. A few weeks back, her lamb recipe was part of my weekly menu plan. When I saw that she had a restaurant in Pittsburgh, I knew I had to try it.
Location: Lidia's is located at 1400 Smallman Street, in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. The outside of the restaurant is simple, with a small sign indicating that it's there. The inside is much larger, and was designed by the well-known architect David Rockwell. The main dining room on the ground floor has a warehouse-type feel, but with decorative details that create a warm, family atmosphere. The private dining room on the 2nd floor can accomodate private parties of up to 80 people. The strip district is located within walking distance of the downtown, but in a more industrial part of the city, close to the Convention Centre, the ball park and the river.
Atmosphere: The restaurant is upscale, but not stuffy. When we called to ask about bringing a two year old, the response was that children are "absolutely welcome". We asked for a 6 pm reservation, and there were several families with children there as well.
Food: The menu is simple, and can be found online HERE. There are different menus for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, as well as a daily pasta tasting menu featuring unlimited portions of three different pastas. There are no listed children's menu items, but the waiter was able to offer us several children's options, for $8.50. Lidia's restaurant does not have gluten free pasta options, but I was curious to see what they offered.
The children's plates are all items that contain gluten, but there are many meat dishes on the regular menu that are gluten free, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. Our server, Chris C., spoke with the chef and told us that we could order any non-pasta item for our son, and that the chef would prepare it gluten free and dairy free and would charge us for a children's entree. We ended up ordering the chef's suggestion of chicken breast on a bed of yukon gold potatoes and green beans with tomato sauce.
The restauarnt also has dairy free sorbet, and my son enjoyed a citrus sorbet at the end of his meal.
The food was delicious, and the price was excellent for the quality.
My husband ordered the pasta tasting trio, and enjoyed fettucine, orechiette with sausage and brocolli rabe, and ravioli with leek and potato. Servers came to the table and served him each pasta individually, and then returned to offer him more whenever he was running low. His meal cost $29.99 and came with a salad, unlimited pasta and dessert. The price was reasonable for a three course meal, and actually low considering the quality of the food.
I ordered an appetizer of prosciutto with beans and shaved cheese. The prosciutto melted in my mouth, but I would have liked the beans to have been a little bit softer.
As my main course, I ordered the gnocchi in a braised duck sauce. The pasta was the perfect texture, and the sauce was quite complex. Duck is not something I order often, but I didn't want to take the safe route. The meat was dark and flavourful. The portion was quite large, and I couldn't finish the entire plate.
Location: Lidia's is located at 1400 Smallman Street, in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. The outside of the restaurant is simple, with a small sign indicating that it's there. The inside is much larger, and was designed by the well-known architect David Rockwell. The main dining room on the ground floor has a warehouse-type feel, but with decorative details that create a warm, family atmosphere. The private dining room on the 2nd floor can accomodate private parties of up to 80 people. The strip district is located within walking distance of the downtown, but in a more industrial part of the city, close to the Convention Centre, the ball park and the river.
Atmosphere: The restaurant is upscale, but not stuffy. When we called to ask about bringing a two year old, the response was that children are "absolutely welcome". We asked for a 6 pm reservation, and there were several families with children there as well.
Food: The menu is simple, and can be found online HERE. There are different menus for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, as well as a daily pasta tasting menu featuring unlimited portions of three different pastas. There are no listed children's menu items, but the waiter was able to offer us several children's options, for $8.50. Lidia's restaurant does not have gluten free pasta options, but I was curious to see what they offered.
The children's plates are all items that contain gluten, but there are many meat dishes on the regular menu that are gluten free, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. Our server, Chris C., spoke with the chef and told us that we could order any non-pasta item for our son, and that the chef would prepare it gluten free and dairy free and would charge us for a children's entree. We ended up ordering the chef's suggestion of chicken breast on a bed of yukon gold potatoes and green beans with tomato sauce.
The restauarnt also has dairy free sorbet, and my son enjoyed a citrus sorbet at the end of his meal.
The food was delicious, and the price was excellent for the quality.
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| My son's "children's meal" prepared gluten and dairy free |
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| My son "cutting" his meat. He loved his dinner! |
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| Pasta Trio |
I ordered an appetizer of prosciutto with beans and shaved cheese. The prosciutto melted in my mouth, but I would have liked the beans to have been a little bit softer.
 |
| My appetizer |
As my main course, I ordered the gnocchi in a braised duck sauce. The pasta was the perfect texture, and the sauce was quite complex. Duck is not something I order often, but I didn't want to take the safe route. The meat was dark and flavourful. The portion was quite large, and I couldn't finish the entire plate.
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| Gnocchi with braised duck sauce |
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Verdict: I will admit that I went to this restaurant a little bit biased because I enjoy Lidia's show as well as her recipes. I had high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed. The atmosphere was classy but not stuffy, and children are welcome. The prices of the plates are reasonable for the class of restaurant and the quality of the food, and the dishes were familiar, but with something a little bit special, like the pairing of duck in a traditional pasta dish.
From a gluten free standpoint, I was surprised at the level of knowledge of the server, and the willingness of the chef to adapt any dish to suit my son's needs, and without increasing the price.
I would highly recommend Lidia's restaurant when in Pittsburgh. The staff is attentive, the food is delicious and people with food restrictions are happily accommodated.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Product Review: The Hampton Inn, Pittsburgh, PA
We chose the Hampton Inn for our one night stay for two reasons: location and price. The hotel is located at 1247 Smallman Street.
Location: The hotel is located in the Strip District, walking distance from the downtown core and close to the Convention Centre. We had a view of the river from our room on the 6th floor. The hotel is walking distance to the stadium where the Pirates play baseball, and close to Heinz field where the Steelers play football. It was easy to find and in a fairly quiet area at night. The historical museum is directly across the street.
Price: We paid $219 for one night. The price includes parking and a buffet breakfast.
Breakfast: There were enough gluten and dairy free options (hard boiled and scrambled eggs, fruit salad and fresh apples and bananas, juice) for our son to have a good breakfast. W brought along some gluten free bread for him from home.
Amenities:
-2 Queen Beds, TV with cable, desk and chairs
-Buffet Breakfast
-Free internet in room
-Indoor Pool, Hot Tub
-Free parking
-Gym
The service was friendly and the room was clean. There were enough towels in the room and there were extra towels available in the pool area. We liked being outside of the downtown core and close to the highway. We were able to easily walk downtown, even pushing a stroller.
Verdict: If you are looking for a clean room, free breakfast and a convenient location, this hotel offers them all. It's the second time we've stayed at a Hampton Inn, and both times the value for the money has been excellent. Our son enjoyed the pool, I enjoyed the proximity to everything without having to be right in the middle of it, and the free parking and breakfast were a welcome addition. If you're coming to Pittsburgh to watch a baseball game, go to the theater or visit the museum, all are within walking distance of this hotel.
Location: The hotel is located in the Strip District, walking distance from the downtown core and close to the Convention Centre. We had a view of the river from our room on the 6th floor. The hotel is walking distance to the stadium where the Pirates play baseball, and close to Heinz field where the Steelers play football. It was easy to find and in a fairly quiet area at night. The historical museum is directly across the street.
Price: We paid $219 for one night. The price includes parking and a buffet breakfast.
Breakfast: There were enough gluten and dairy free options (hard boiled and scrambled eggs, fruit salad and fresh apples and bananas, juice) for our son to have a good breakfast. W brought along some gluten free bread for him from home.
Amenities:
-2 Queen Beds, TV with cable, desk and chairs
-Buffet Breakfast
-Free internet in room
-Indoor Pool, Hot Tub
-Free parking
-Gym
 |
| View from the door |
 |
| One bed with chair and reading lamp |
 |
| My two men watching some TV |
The service was friendly and the room was clean. There were enough towels in the room and there were extra towels available in the pool area. We liked being outside of the downtown core and close to the highway. We were able to easily walk downtown, even pushing a stroller.
Verdict: If you are looking for a clean room, free breakfast and a convenient location, this hotel offers them all. It's the second time we've stayed at a Hampton Inn, and both times the value for the money has been excellent. Our son enjoyed the pool, I enjoyed the proximity to everything without having to be right in the middle of it, and the free parking and breakfast were a welcome addition. If you're coming to Pittsburgh to watch a baseball game, go to the theater or visit the museum, all are within walking distance of this hotel.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Review: Golden Beach Resort in Rice Lake, Ontario
We spent the last week at the Golden Beach Resort, and I've been thinking about how to frame this review the whole time. I'm torn. I'll start with the facts, and then move into my feelings about the accommodations. Rice Lake is located in Ontario, Canada, about two hours from Toronto. The closest cities are Cobourg and Port Hope on the south side and Peterborough on the north. Click HERE for a map of the area.
The Location: The Resort is easy to find, located off a single lane road and well marked from the main street. I have always enjoyed Rice Lake because the water is generally warm in the summer, the lake is shallow for a good stretch before dropping down, and the area isn't overdeveloped.
The Resort: We chose this place because the cottages are located directly on the lake, and the website was well developed and informative. As well, bringing a 2 and 3 year old with us, we liked that the resort offers children's activities, a splash pad, wading pool and a children's centre. They also have a pool, playground, petting zoo, family restaurant, and boat rentals. For a full list of amenities, click HERE.
We were originally just looking for a traditional cottage experience, but were a bit worried that the two little ones wouldn't have enough to do with just a lake and a boat. They're too small to really go out fishing or to stay in the water all day. We thought the variety of activities would provide us with more options.
The resort is waterfront, with a beautiful view and a small (20 ft. or so) man-made sandy beach where kids can play. Rice lake's bottom is rocky and weedy, so the kids still had to wear water shoes to go in, but that's normal.
The resort offers cottages, trailers, and camping.
Accommodations: We stayed in a traditional, lakefront cottage. Click HERE for a slide show of photos of the cottage we stayed in. Our cottage faced the water, had a small charcoal BBQ and fire pit outside, 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and living room. The walls were wood paneled and there were ceiling fans in every room. We payed $1349 + tax for the week, plus an extra $115 for a 7th person, which was only half the usual rate because my son is only 2 years old. Not cheap, but we knew we were partially paying for the amenities of the resort. Boat rental is not included in the price.
The Pros: The Resort really does have all the amenities of a resort, including the many children's areas, a general store, fish cleaning and storing facilities, bicycle rentals, boat rentals, trails, etc. The small beach was nice with the kids, because Rice Lake has no natural beach front. My son and his cousin spent a lot of time filling their buckets with sand.
The view from the shore was spectacular, and we were treated to breathtaking sunsets each night. The general store was well stocked, the restaurant food was good and the service was friendly.
Our cottage neighbours had two children aged 4 and 6, and they were about the right age to take advantage of the children's program. There's enough variety at this resort that children really shouldn't get bored. Our neighbours said that this was their 3rd year visiting, and they planned to return again next year.
Cons: The cottage itself. Let me preface this by saying that I have no problems staying in a rustic cottage. I like to camp, and I don't need a ton of amenities. That being said, for the price we paid, the accommodations should have been better. The windows were difficult to open and several were stuck and stayed shut, making it unbearably hot inside the cottage.
The fridge didn't work properly. The first repair man told us it was because we had too much food in it so it would take a while to cool down. 24 hours later, we had to throw out a large chunk of our groceries. The next repair man offered us free bags of ice to keep our food cool. We refused to stay with a malfunctioning fridge for an entire week, and they eventually replaced the fridge.
The front door didn't close properly, and there was a wasp's nest above it that they kept promising to spray but never did.
The cupboards had bowls and plates, but literally only 6 bowls, six cups, six large plates, etc. We had to wash dishes after every meal.
Again, I wouldn't have a problem with this if the price matched the state of the cottage, but it didn't.
Verdict: This is where I'm torn. The price of this resort is high, but part of the price is undoubtedly the amenities. There is a lot to do there. Our kids were a bit too young to participate in most of the children's programming. Besides, they really were happy just swimming and "feeding the fishies" most of the time. I didn't use the pool once, since the water in the lake was such a nice temperature. We fished off the pier, BBq'd. and roasted marshmallows in our little fire pit.
Would I Stay Here Again? Although I see the appeal of this resort for many people, I don't think I would stay here again. There are nicer cottages for a lower price in the area, with air-conditioning. We scoped out a few other cottage rental places, many with children's playgrounds and pools. They were all a few hundred dollars cheaper, and the cottages were more modern and the boat rentals cheaper. None of them had the extensive amenities of Golden Beach Resort, but for the amenities that we used (BBQ, fire pit, lake and playground), we'll pay less and go somewhere else next year.
The Location: The Resort is easy to find, located off a single lane road and well marked from the main street. I have always enjoyed Rice Lake because the water is generally warm in the summer, the lake is shallow for a good stretch before dropping down, and the area isn't overdeveloped.
The Resort: We chose this place because the cottages are located directly on the lake, and the website was well developed and informative. As well, bringing a 2 and 3 year old with us, we liked that the resort offers children's activities, a splash pad, wading pool and a children's centre. They also have a pool, playground, petting zoo, family restaurant, and boat rentals. For a full list of amenities, click HERE.
 |
| My niece at the children's music show |
 |
| My son at the playground |
We were originally just looking for a traditional cottage experience, but were a bit worried that the two little ones wouldn't have enough to do with just a lake and a boat. They're too small to really go out fishing or to stay in the water all day. We thought the variety of activities would provide us with more options.
The resort is waterfront, with a beautiful view and a small (20 ft. or so) man-made sandy beach where kids can play. Rice lake's bottom is rocky and weedy, so the kids still had to wear water shoes to go in, but that's normal.
The resort offers cottages, trailers, and camping.
Accommodations: We stayed in a traditional, lakefront cottage. Click HERE for a slide show of photos of the cottage we stayed in. Our cottage faced the water, had a small charcoal BBQ and fire pit outside, 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and living room. The walls were wood paneled and there were ceiling fans in every room. We payed $1349 + tax for the week, plus an extra $115 for a 7th person, which was only half the usual rate because my son is only 2 years old. Not cheap, but we knew we were partially paying for the amenities of the resort. Boat rental is not included in the price.
The Pros: The Resort really does have all the amenities of a resort, including the many children's areas, a general store, fish cleaning and storing facilities, bicycle rentals, boat rentals, trails, etc. The small beach was nice with the kids, because Rice Lake has no natural beach front. My son and his cousin spent a lot of time filling their buckets with sand.
The view from the shore was spectacular, and we were treated to breathtaking sunsets each night. The general store was well stocked, the restaurant food was good and the service was friendly.
Our cottage neighbours had two children aged 4 and 6, and they were about the right age to take advantage of the children's program. There's enough variety at this resort that children really shouldn't get bored. Our neighbours said that this was their 3rd year visiting, and they planned to return again next year.
Cons: The cottage itself. Let me preface this by saying that I have no problems staying in a rustic cottage. I like to camp, and I don't need a ton of amenities. That being said, for the price we paid, the accommodations should have been better. The windows were difficult to open and several were stuck and stayed shut, making it unbearably hot inside the cottage.
 |
| The windows at the far end of the sofa don't open at all |
 |
| The only morning it was cool enough to eat breakfast inside |
The fridge didn't work properly. The first repair man told us it was because we had too much food in it so it would take a while to cool down. 24 hours later, we had to throw out a large chunk of our groceries. The next repair man offered us free bags of ice to keep our food cool. We refused to stay with a malfunctioning fridge for an entire week, and they eventually replaced the fridge.
The front door didn't close properly, and there was a wasp's nest above it that they kept promising to spray but never did.
The cupboards had bowls and plates, but literally only 6 bowls, six cups, six large plates, etc. We had to wash dishes after every meal.
Again, I wouldn't have a problem with this if the price matched the state of the cottage, but it didn't.
Verdict: This is where I'm torn. The price of this resort is high, but part of the price is undoubtedly the amenities. There is a lot to do there. Our kids were a bit too young to participate in most of the children's programming. Besides, they really were happy just swimming and "feeding the fishies" most of the time. I didn't use the pool once, since the water in the lake was such a nice temperature. We fished off the pier, BBq'd. and roasted marshmallows in our little fire pit.
Would I Stay Here Again? Although I see the appeal of this resort for many people, I don't think I would stay here again. There are nicer cottages for a lower price in the area, with air-conditioning. We scoped out a few other cottage rental places, many with children's playgrounds and pools. They were all a few hundred dollars cheaper, and the cottages were more modern and the boat rentals cheaper. None of them had the extensive amenities of Golden Beach Resort, but for the amenities that we used (BBQ, fire pit, lake and playground), we'll pay less and go somewhere else next year.
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