The Anonymous Widower

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.

April 15, 2013 Posted by | Food | , , , | Leave a comment

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.

DSCN1508

But not in Germany! The manager of this Starbucks in Munich, said they might be getting something later in the year.

April 15, 2013 Posted by | Food | , , , | 2 Comments

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

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

it Salad From Nuremberg

At least I got a fork with it.

April 15, 2013 Posted by | Food, World | , , , , | Leave a comment

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.

 

April 14, 2013 Posted by | Food, World | , , , | 1 Comment

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.

April 13, 2013 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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!

April 13, 2013 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | , , , | 1 Comment

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.

April 7, 2013 Posted by | Food, Health, Transport/Travel | , , , | Leave a comment

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!

April 6, 2013 Posted by | Food, News | | Leave a comment

How To Cut Strokes

I like to think, I’m more or less following what is said in this story. Here’s an extract.

Increasing potassium in our diets as well as cutting down on salt will reduce blood pressure levels and the risk of stroke, research in the British Medical Journal suggests.

One study review found that eating an extra two to three servings of fruit or vegetables per day – which are high in potassium – was beneficial.

Funnily enough though, I’ve never really liked salt on my food.  Perhaps, it was because my late mother-in-law used it so liberally, but I think the preference goes back further than that.

In some ways though, the older I get, the more I believe that a gluten-free diet is good for you. I suppose Novak Djokovitch would agree!

April 5, 2013 Posted by | Food, Health | , | Leave a comment

The Awareness Of Coeliac Disease

According to the Restaurant Manager, there were twenty-four people on a gluten-free diet out of a total of 1,800 passengers.

But what surprised me was the number of passengers, who on seeing my bread or asking, why I declined a roll  and hearing the answer, said that they knew of a coeliac or had one in the family.

Without doubt, the awareness of coeliac disease is increasing and this can only be a good thing!

March 31, 2013 Posted by | Food, Health, Transport/Travel | , , | Leave a comment