The Problems Of Eating On The Move For A Coeliac In Germany
Just because I’m a coeliac, it doesn’t mean that I don’t want to eat gluten-free food on the move.
In the UK, there are a lot of options.
I can get gluten-free bars like EatNakd or Eat Natural in many places.
At stations, there is usually a good choice at Marks and Spencer of various snacks, which often include sandwiches.
There is also the coffee chains, like Starbucks, where I can usually find a bite of something.
And on top of that most pubs can probably rustle up something to go with half of decent cider or a glass of wine.
But in Germany, I found little to eat on the move.
As I returned from Ulm, I was very hungry, as I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. But there was nothing obvious at the station. So I looked at this vending machine.
Vending Machine At Ulm Station
I got a bag of crisps, which at least said they were glutenfrei.
Note though there is only one flavour in the machine and they were paprika. But I was so hungry, that I ate three packets.
Back in Munich, I had time to kill, as the sleeper to Paris didn’t leave until 22:50.
I should have done the sensible thing and go to the pizza restaurant, but I thought that I’d find something. I did and it was this salad.
A Revolting Salad At Munich Station
It was one of the most revolting I’ve ever tried to eat. Especially, as the only implements were my fingers. The picture doesn’t really do justice to the salad and especially the cheese and ham mixture on the top. Alternative layers of revolting cheese and ham had been sandwiched together and sliced up. In the end I gave up and put it in a bin.
I should have been entitled as I was on a First Class sleeper, to use of the DB Lounge. But after installing myself there at about 20:50, I was promptly turfed out, as it shuts at 21:00. So I was left to fend for myself in the cold for nearly two hours.
Incidentally, I could have gone back to the hotel and its warm bar, but there had been an altercation in the subway linking the station to the city centre, so I had to stay put.
It was then, that I met half a dozen Watford supporters on a stag do. They were trying to buy a sausage without bread from a fast food stall and not getting much joy, as apparently, it was against the rules. They were just getting fed up with their restricted diet of beer, bread and sausage.
I had been in Germany for two days, and I’d never found anything acceptable to eat on the move.
If it hadn’t been for the wonderful pizza, I might have starved. I can’t live by coffee with two sugars alone.
I think the rule is you must plan, where you are going to eat. Germany doesn’t seem to be like the UK, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium and France.
On the other hand, I tried to plan at Ulm and that didn’t work out! Years ago, I didn’t plan in Berlin, but the hotel was good and sorted out two of the best gluten-free restaurants I ever went to with C.
Gluten Free Pizza And Beer In Munich
I never thought, I’d be able to write a post with this title.
But I had the second memorable meal of the trip at Pizzesco.
The beer was one of the best gluten free beers I’ve ever had and is available from Beers of Europe.
The pizza was excellent too.
I have a feeling that this restaurant was working a rather informal payment method. If you wanted another bottle of beer, you just seemed to get it out of the fridge and they then counted the empties for the bill.
I doubt that would work in the UK.
Incidentally, the Italian owner used to work with Dr. Schar and that could be why his pizzas were so good.
And I Think I Had Problems!
I had now not eaten anything, except for the fruit salad and an EatNakd bar since lunchtime on Wednesday, over twenty four hours ago. It hadn’t been helped on the train from Nuremberg, as the well-upholstered fraulein, ate a supersize baguette stuffed with sausage. So I booked into the Excelsior Hotel by the station and got connected to the wi-fi. I knew that usually good hotels can do a good gluten-free meal, if pushed. But this one probably couldn’t tonight, as they had a function on and cooking was limited.
But no matter, as I found this WordPress blog called Gluten Free In Munich. And with a bit of help from one of the receptionists in traditional Bavarian costume, with her frontage in full sail, I was able to get directions to a gluten free restaurant.
But my problems were really quite small compared to those of this guy here.
Starbucks Don’t Do Gluten-Free In Germany
One of my standbys in the UK is Starbucks, where at a pinch, you can usually get something that is gluten-free.
But not in Germany! The manager of this Starbucks in Munich, said they might be getting something later in the year.
A Disastrous Attempt At A Meal
I tried to eat in Nuremberg and found it difficult. Eventually, I was served a meal, but as you can see it was cooked in flour.
A Disastrous Attempt At A Meal
I’ll say this though, they didn’t charge me.
What seemed lacking in all my searching was a restaurant that was serving something like a salad Nicoise.
Eventually, I bought a good fruit salad from a stall.
it Salad From Nuremberg
At least I got a fork with it.
A Superb Hotel And Memorable Gluten-Free Meal In Bratislava
I hadn’t booked the hotel in Bratislava, but I had sussed that one of the best in the city was the Hotel Arcadia. So after a few minutes at the station, I took a taxi to the hotel.
My choice was vindicated, as it was one of the best hotels, I’ve stayed in since C’s death. I know she would have liked it, as the beds were comfortable, the bath was large and easily filled with the very hot water she liked and the dressing gowns and towels were luxurious.
The evening meal was absolutely memorable and I can’t tell you what I had, as I can’t get an on-line copy of the menu. The main course was lamb and it was some of the best I’ve ever tasted.
They even had a gastronomic tasting menu of umpteen courses, where except for the cheese and sweet courses, I could eat everything.
I shall certainly make sure next time I’m in the area, I will spend a night at the hotel.
Inside And Around Le Meridien, Budapest
I stayed in Budapest at Le Merieden. Not the cheapest hotel, but I got a reasonable deal and I could trust the food for breakfast. These pictures show the hotel in its very central location, on the major interchange of the Budapest Metro.
They even offered to bake some gluten-free bread, as I left. That sounds late, but I suspect they hadn’t realised I was coeliac before.
They did find me an excellent restaurant though called Rezkakas. I did take a Hungarian celiac travel card.
I’d certainly stay in the hotel again.
Jamie’s Italian At North Terminal, Gatwick Airport
I was surprised to see a branch of Jamie’s Italian at Gatwick and that it had the full gluten-free menu as well.
Wild Rabbit Tagliolini
I had a wild rabbit tagliolini.
The only problem was the texture on the table, that made it difficult for me to write. But food, wine and especially the service were all very good.
It was also good to see a decent gluten free offering in an airport.
I do like to see rabbits working!
London Is My Gymnasium
The weather is better today, so I did a trip round the various construction and other sites that I keep a watch on.
The pictures are in order and show how I went to the Excel to see the CrossRail progress, then over the cable-car to Greenwich. I then took the Jubilee line to Stratford and the DLR to Pudding Mill Lane station, again to look at CrossRail. I also had a coffee and some delicious gluten-free cake at the ViewTube, before coming back to Highbury and Islington station, where I did a bit of shopping.
I tend to use these trips as long walks with the occasional climb up and down stairs to get fit. I found that on the cruise stair-climbing with a rail on the left, was good for that side of my body.
Britain Is Running Out Of Wheat
As a coeliac, I had to laugh when i saw this headline on a newspaper on my way to Derby today. But it’s true according to this report on the BBC.
Let them eat rice, maize and millet I say! It’ll be good for them to get off the dreaded gluten!
The Anonymous Widower 