Most travelers anticipate enjoying food as well as experiences while on the road. But for a celiac, eating while traveling, and for me especially on road trips, can be tricky but navigable with planning. Oddly, destinations like African safari camps with their own chefs who ensure safe food have proven easier places to eat than many a restaurant in our neighboring state California.
Black bean soup, Think Thin bars and other snacks fill in when safe food is scarce when traveling.
Options for a celiac pescatarian-semi vegan are good in Monterey, CA, where we stayed four nights. After a long day of driving in heavy traffic, we reached Monterey late on a Saturday afternoon. A quick search of gluten-free friendly restaurants yielded Alvarado Street Brewery and Grille, which was open and within walking distance of our hotel. The kitchen staff understands celiac and I ended up with a decent meal of tilapia street tacos with a side of sautéed brussels sprouts, minus bacon and cheese. Not a bad start to the trip.
A highlight of our stay in Monterey was kayaking the Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing where we made fast friends with sea otters, harbor seals, and lots of birds. While kayaking the slough was an exceptional wildlife treat, the food after at Phil’s Fish Market was a delicious food treat. I brought some Schär’s gluten-free bread with me in preparation for Phil’s cioppino. While I ordered the individual size ($25), the portion was large enough for two people — but I ate the whole serving by myself. It was the best cioppino ever and I’ve made a hobby of sampling cioppino whenever I find it on a menu.
Officially, the best cioppino I’ve ever eaten.
Next, we traveled south to Cambria, a delightful little Central California village located on the coast where we spent three nights and celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. On our anniversary, we lined up with a colorful collection of wine sipping (gulping?) folks for a table at The Sea Chest (no reservations, cash only). I ordered their small cioppino which is still huge. While I enjoyed the stew, the cioppino at Phil’s Fish Market is the best.
Of the restaurants we tried in Cambria, Robin’s is the place for consistently excellent, safe, healthier, though pricey food. One evening I devoured prawn enchiladas in a tomatillo sauce that were gluten-free, delicious, but not quite vegan. Rather than salads, that evening we ordered crispy brussels sprouts without cheese. Everything was wonderful.
After hiking one day, I ordered Robin’s veggie tacos for lunch — butternut squash, black bean purée, lettuce, onions, avocado cream, cashews. These gluten free beauties were unbelievably delectable.
I can’t decide which I liked better — the veggie tacos or prawn enchiladas.
Next we headed further south to the desert, making our way through torturous Los Angeles traffic. Our reward was dinner at Guillermos’s Restaurante in Palm Desert. While Guillermos’s does not offer a huge selection of celiac safe, pescatarian options, the restaurant takes care to ensure safe food.
Shrimp fajitas which were photographed poorly but quite delicious.
Our other favorite in the desert is Pacifica Seafood Restaurant. Richard loves their Quinoa Kale Salad and I love most everything on the menu.
Until next time, safe eating.
RetireTravelCeliacGo 