We've moved to ctrlalteat.org! You'll be re-directed there shortly

Hi ctrl alt eat readers,

If you've been wondering where all the updates have gone to, we've moved.

You can now find better and more frequent gluten-free updates at www.ctrlalteat.org

Eventually this blogspot url will be shut down. So we hope to see you at our beautiful new project at www.ctrlalteat.org

Lots of love. x

The Suveran

 

The Suveran in Bondi Junction has hit the nail on unconventional dining's head. When you're presented with a pizza base made of sprouts only, you no doubt begin to wonder how you landed in this steamy, unmarked crack in the wall amid dreadlocks and Harry Potter glasses alike.

As inconspicuous the cafe attempts to be, it is so off-beat that it's borderline pretentious. I mean, any haunt serving up coconut juice directly from the fruit is on par with the beverage trends of Sydney summer 2011.

But the guys at the Suveran are, in actual fact, not trying to hide their indifference to the world outside of their chia seed blends and grumpy service. They say it like it is - everything is always - sugar free, dairy free, flour free, gluten free, wheat free, yeast free, grain free, soy free, egg free, legume free, tap water and nightshade free?! What is there left to eat?

Surprisingly, the food is delicious. Sure, both our pizza crap and burgar resembled brown mush with leaves on the side but like Magritte, they're spelling it out. 'This is not a salad' (it's a salud - see snapshot menu above).

The Suveran could very easily amass a cult following, if they haven't already. It's one-of-a-kind and worth venturing beyond the grandeur of Westfield to the glory of eating food made with conviction. 

The Suveran, 244 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, NSW. (02) 9369 4040. http://www.thesuv.org/

Pad Thai

Sometimes when you have a craving for something, you've just got to concoct it up yourself. It's super rewarding.

Thailand's most popular dish consumed as street eats to high-end restaurant specialities is often naturally gluten-free and boasts painless ingredients such as fresh lemon, lime and rice noodles which all contribute to the squeaky clean colour and flavours. It's the sprinkled roasted peanuts at completion to give thanks to for roughing up the dish.

This recipe came close to what I've surveyed in Thailand but I would recommend lightly adding white sugar along with the coriander and lime juice when serving, as Thai people often do.

Matsuri

Matsuri gives reason to flick its neighbouring allergen-free Japanese restaurant, the exclusive and rule-bound Wafu for its hospitable service and low key atmosphere.

You can also expect indistinguishable gluten-free Japanese food for the whole group to enjoy including deep fried tempura (cooked in rice flour), a teriyaki chicken main that is mouth-blowing and sushi galore.

Not only is GF soy sauce decanted into regular wheat-labelled soy sauce bottles, there is nothing written on the menu saying they cater. Rest assured, mention "gluten-free" and waitress after waitress smile as if you were the 100th person saying those 2 special words for the day.

It is advised, however to make sure as there are some things on the menu which clearly state they are made from wheat, despite staff saying that 'everything' is safe.

Matsuri and Matsuri takeaway (2 doors down) are Professional Members of the Coeliac Society of NSW.

Matsuri, 614 Crown St, Surry Hills 2010. (02) 9690 1336. (No website supplied). ‎

Messina Gelato

Messina achieves their gelato and sorbet success from using ingredients in their "raw, most natural form" - just the way coeliacs tolerate their food. Every creative flavour calling out to the queues each night until around 11pm are edible for gluten-intolerant folk, minus the usual suspects - cookies and cream, tiramisu, et al. Things have been worse. Messina bursts with ideas to feed all cravings. Think lychee and coconut on a balmy night, or white chocolate for a decadent hit. 

Gelato Messina, Shop 1/241 Victoria St, Darlinghurst 2010. (02) 8354 1223.  http://www.gelatomessina.com.au

Spice I am

 

There are two guarantees when dining at Wentworth Street's Spice I Am on a Saturday night. One, is that you will wait up to an hour for a table regardless of the time you arrive, and two, you are bound to end up with a red, dripping face from the super spicy Thai food.

First thing first, it's one of only a few traditional Thai restaurants that are allergy-aware. Mention "coeliac" or "gluten-free" to the Spice I Am waiters and they can list around 5 dishes that are not made with gluten. Yes, subtract the request for ingredient subtraction ("take out the soy, oyster sauces") and eat a dish that is delicious and safe, as is on the menu.

A real winner is number 32 - Pad Kra Prao, a basil infused dish with again, lots of kick! 

Spice I Am is notorious not for its avant-garde decor, crowd or location. It is actually positioned in a quiet and unassuming part of Surry Hills and has crowds waiting outside each night simply because their food is fantastic and is as close to what you'd expect of Thai food from its origin. They've got a bevy of awards to prove it. 

Dishes come in realistic portions so you don't have to undo your jean button once you've stepped away from the swarms outside. A main meal will set you short around $15. Remember to take tissues!

Spice I Am, 90 Wentworth Ave. (corner Campbell St. & Elizabeth St.), Surry Hills. (02) 9280 0928. www.spiceiam.com