The Anonymous Widower

Gluten Free in Greece

In some ways being gluten-free in Greece is easy.  On my recent trip, I found several restaurants that could do me an excellent gluten-free meal.

I had no trouble in Athens, Syros or Mykonos and Tinos for lunch, but it turned a bit dodgy on Sunday evening on the last island.

I think it was partly due to the early time in the season, but there wasn’t really any restaurants open on my last night in Greece.  As I was catching an early boat in the morning, back to Athens, I skipped supper.  It didn’t really matter, as I’d had a large moussaka, for lunch.  As I didn’t have any reaction to it,  I can assume it was safely gluten-free, as the owner had assured me. And as moussaka should be!

It was on the boat this morning that I was reduced to drinking coffee and eating jce cream again, as that was all that was safe. There was no fruit, but I did have two bananas with me, that were the only gluten-free snack in the supermarket at Tinos.

At Rafina I got a bus to the airport and bought a ticket to London on easyJet, as it was a quarter of the cost of a BA one. But there was nothing that wasn’t gluten-free at the airport.  Not even any chocolate or fruit.

Since I last few easyJet a few years ago, their menu has broadened, but not in the gluten-free area, although on some flights there are halal and kosher dishes.  I have a feeling one of the latter might be gluten-free, but it didn’t say so.

In the end it didn’t really matter, as I was home around six and had plenty of time to pop to Carluccio’s in Upper Street.

I think next time, I need some sun, I’ll go to Italy.

On previous trips, I’ve often bought sesame biscuits and I can buy them in my local deli.  But I didn’t see any anywhere! Why?

March 28, 2011 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Musks Sausages in London

I like my sausages and they have to be gluten-free.  But finding my preferred brand of Musks in London is difficult.  It used to be that you could buy them in some Waitrose shops and I definitely saw some in Canary Wharf.  But after a trip on Friday especially to the shop, they were no longer there.

I could get them mail order, but really I only like to buy a pack occasionally and don’t want to buy a freezer full.

So does anybody know a shop that sells Musks gluten-free sausages in London.

I can get Black Farmer ones in Sainsburys at Upper Street, but although I like them, I prefer the Musks, as they are not so filling.

Update on the 10th March 2011 – I’ve found some in the Brunswick Branch.  The only trouble is that that is an expensive Waitrose to visit, as I can’t resist buying a snack or even lunch in the Carluccio’s there.

March 6, 2011 Posted by | Food | , , , | 2 Comments

Carluccio’s Gluten-Free Pasta

Here it is in its packaging in Upper Street.

Carluccio's Gluten-Free Pasta

I don’t know whether this is the final packaging, but at least it stands out from the other pasta.

February 10, 2011 Posted by | Food | , , | Leave a comment

Carluccio’s Have Formalised the Gluten-Free Breakfast Menu

I was in the Upper Street branch today and the manager showed me a copy of their gluten-free breakfast menu.  Effectively, they’ve had it for some time, but it’s now properly printed.

He also said that they are doing a lot of gluten-free meals.

January 28, 2011 Posted by | Food | , | 2 Comments

Carluccio’s to Sell Gluten Free Pasta in Their Delis

I have just received this message from Carluccio’s.

I just wanted to drop you a line to say from this week we have added the Gluten Free pasta into our range across all the delis and so it is available to buy for £2.95 for 500gm packet.

It ceertainly is pretty good pasta.  I’ve just got to learn how to cook it properly.

January 24, 2011 Posted by | Food | , | Leave a comment

Carluccio’s Start Selling Gluten-Free Pasta

According to the manager of their Islington Upper Street branch, they’ve now started selling the gluten-free pasta they serve in the caffes in the attached shops, where the demand is strong enough.

But yet again we have another reputable company targeting the coeliac market. Who’d be a specialist gluten-free food manufacturer?

They’ll be one main group of winners; coeliacs like me.

December 30, 2010 Posted by | Food | , | Leave a comment

Carluccio’s Offer

Carluccio’s are now giving out vouchers for a two for one offer on main courses to customers.  There are a few conditions, but none would seem to apply to the gluten-free menu. They must be used between the 4th January and the 13th of February next year. I suspect that won’t be a problem for me, as I’m now well known in the Upper Street branch and eat there at least twice a week with my son.

December 19, 2010 Posted by | Food | , | 1 Comment

    Next Entries »