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). ‎

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

The Tratt

Bondi Trattoria has boasted 'institution' status since the late 1980's. While locals know it just as 'the Tratt', everyone seems to have had a different taste of its many identities throughout its time.

The restaurant's name alone partly sums up the theme. 'Trattoria,'  meaning an Italian restaurant, which serves simple food is what to expect when dining here, but in this case, take the word 'simple' as meaning pure, with quality. The menu retains Italian ingredients as the basis, without compromising too much for our confused Australian taste buds. The fresh taste of every morsel affirms authenticity - or at least as close to being in Rome as we can get, yet with a beach view.

Inside, framed, black and white shots of Italian scenery decorate the walls, with a large, almost retro bar featuring as the centrepiece of the restaurant. The décor oozes class without pretentiousness. It's an all round eating haunt for families, small groups, and couples, if a romantic dinner allows for noise. There are certainly some boisterous Italian vibrations going on in there on a busy night.

Experienced Tratt staff are very used to catering for special dietary needs. The manager can tell you off the tip of a hat what is naturally gluten-free on the menu or what can be altered. Recommendation - the cheesy risotto with zucchini, mushroom and truffle oil is out-of-this-world delicious.

Bondi Trattoria, 34 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. (02)9365 4303. www.bonditrattoria.com.au

The Flying Squirrel

The Flying Squirrel on Bondi Road was a forerunner in the eensy weensy, offbeat (that it's so on) bars that have sprung up like sprouts in the last 2 years. While the others were opening and competing concurrently in the Darlo/Surry area, The Flying Squirrel was undergoing it's 6th or so mural change on its facade.

And the exciting news about the bar/restaurant is that they're still bulging at the seams with diners and drinkers and now they've expanded a one page season-based menu to 3 pages with dietary codes!

This means that gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian eaters can be guided and encouraged to join in with the tapas sharing of the rest of the party. Expect no particular category of food with Asian edamame beans featuring alongside a chorizo dish and a beetroot, mint and pea mash salad (refreshing for the palate)!

The Miang dish is consistently marveled by all - betel leaves with cashews, peanuts, roasted coconut, ginger and lychee, which comes as 4 bite sizes for $10. Be sure to order several, various dishes to fill up the hungry tum!

The Flying Squirrel Tapas Parlour, 249 Bondi Rd, Bondi. (02) 9130 1033. www.flyingsquirreltapasparlour.com.au

Tamana's Indian Diner

Affordable, authentic and understated are just some of the qualities that describe Tamana's Indian Restaurant. They're keeping it real.

Located in Newtown on lively King Street, this cafeteria style restaurant serves up Indian delights including a mammoth array of vego and meat curries (all GF) and some interesting treats like Dosa (lentil and rice pancakes) and lassis (traditional milk drinks).

They've recently introduced a gluten-free naan bread for just $2.90 so before you get distracted by every 'GF' labelled option, why not try their curry combo deals, which come served on a silver compartmentalised tray, fit for a big, royal baby.

Log onto their website and prepare for salivation while reading their menu. It's also a place you can take your 'low-maintenance' lactose intolerant friend.

Tamana's Indian Diner, 196 King Street, Newtown. (02) 9519 2035. www.tamanas.com.au

Baladieh Salad

This recipe comes from Sharon Salloum, one half of Almond Bar's parents. You might have read the recent post recommending Almond Bar in Darlinghurst and particularly their Baladieh Salad. With just a few ingredients, you can now make the exact concoction at home. It's a wonderful mixture of refreshing and nutty flavours. Serves 3-4.

Salad
250g Baladieh cheese/Fetta/Paneer, cubed
2 tomatoes, cut into small wedges
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup almonds, roasted and chopped
1/3 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Dressing
2 tbsp allspice 
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil 

Add the cheese and tomatoes to a salad bowl, followed by the remaining salad ingredients. Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl and pour over salad. Toss lightly.

Yulli's

Talk about Yulli's Vegetarian has been long over-due, largely because vegos and coeliacs are too fussy when you put them together at a dinner table.

But Yulli's, a restaurant that despite answering to the ultimate food requirements of vegetarians, is also calling all gluten intolerant folk to eat from their separate, GF menu. All you have to do is ask for it! The menu simply filters out the gluten-free options from the real menu, which makes food envy and sharing issues problems only at the restaurant next door.

It's not surprising they're famous for their melt-in-your-mouth grilled haloumi served with lemon wedges, while the massaman curry is a great, modern take on the original Thai version. By the bottle, Yulli's offers O'Brien gluten-free lager.  Although somewhat overshadowed by the candlelight, faux green grass and a light installation above head creates a virtual world as you eat.

If you're bent on uncomplicated, healthy, home-cooked meals in simulated surroundings, Yulli's might just satisfy your appetite.

Yulli's Bar, 417 Crown St, Surry Hills. (02)9319 6609. http://yullis.com.au

Almond Bar

The term 'hot and heavy' doesn't only describe the intensity of that new relationship you've been sporting. In this case, almost everything about Almond Bar is hot (room temperature, ambience, the coffee) and heavy (dips, fried foods, mahogany decor, the bill).

A Syrian tapas theme is what you'd expect from this family business. If it's spilling out with diners, ask to sit at the bar and you might become acquainted with the very lovely and attentive restaurateurs. Be sure to counterbalance the robust flavours of the Middle East with the wonderfully refreshing Baladieh salad - think parsley, tomatoes chickpeas and almonds, fine and fused. And fear not - a vast menu, labelled with 'GF' and 'LF', caters to multiple audiences. 

 

It's not common to find a Middle Eastern restaurant that taps into the needs of the inner city trend tracker. It's the niche, Syrian appeal combined with it's traditional character that makes Almond Bar one to visit.

Almond Bar, 379 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst. (02) 9380 5318.

Mamasita

One of the perks of working for a city guide magazine, is that I suck up insider tips before the readers. Melbourne is a feature of the publication this month and in my research, I've discovered a fully gluten-free menu at Mexican restaurant, Mamasita.

If you're around the area of marvelous Melbourne, it might be a nice idea to pop in and try it out. There's nothing better than having the option of everything on the menu, minus the questions.

Mamasita, Level 1, 11 Collins St, Melbourne. (03) 9650 3821.

Pocket Bar Crepes

Pocket Bar is not only a watering-hole for Saturday night watermelon martinis spent with 30-something trendoids, it's a pop art-covered, couch-hoarding, french-babbling spot to nibble (or gobble) on some crepes!

Obviously I'm mentioning this because they do gluten-free, buckwheat crepes for $3 extra. On offer is a full menu of crepes that range from the decadent and savoury (think four cheeses A++) to the light and low-fat (ricotta and mushroom) and includes of course, as they come in Paree - sweet and chocolatey, but here just a little more gourmet (nutella and coconut).

Pocket's kitchen is open late (plates were landing on tables still at 10.30pm) so if you miss the crepe opp. for lunchtime, head there for a light dinner followed by a relaxed and civilized cocktail or French wine session.

Find Pocket Bar on the corner at 13 Burton street, Surry Hills (close to the corner of Oxford Street).

Pad See Yeew Hoo!

I don't know about you, but I love Pad See Yu!

Fat rice noodles in sweet soy sauce tossed with stir-fried vegies and tofu.

Last night was the first time I've eaten this traditional Thai dish in 3 years. Now you can head to Spice Market on New South Head Road in Double Bay and order anything that requires soy sauce because they keep tamari sauce on hand (gluten-free soy sauce) and can make up any dish with it. All you have to do is notify them that you have food issues and they can accommodate - it says so on their menu. Just beautiful!

(I must add... "notify" to me means drill the crap out of them until they could have coeliac themselves, they're so informed. It's become a habit.)

http://www.spicemarket.com.au/index.php

WAFU

Wafu is located on Cleveland Street, Surry Hills.

It is a Japanese restaurant that is ---- wait for it ---- gluten, lactose and sugar free and completely organic.

And this does not compromise the taste in any way! Imagine eating teriyaki salmon, agedashi tofu (yes, that's deep fried) and sushi made with brown rice. In fact, imagine being able to eat EVERYTHING on the menu without having to ask questions. For once, I actually felt like a normal person. I wasn't different. That is scary.

It is a real treat and you should feel in really good hands.

My second time there, the Japanese owner gave me a piece of paper with Japanese writing for the purpose of explaining to other regular Japanese restaurants what coeliac disease is and what we can and can't eat. What a lovely lady!

Normal people rave too. It's not just me!

Check out their menu here ---> www.wafu.com.au ---- and get excited!

Indian Food

Did You know that most Indian food is naturally Gee-Free?

Obviously, you have to do the usual asking. But I have found Indian waiters to be the most easy-going, telling me exactly what I want to hear, 85% of the time.

Me: "blah blah blah (gluten shpeel)"
Them: "You can have anything on the menu, besides the naan bread."

This is because Indian curries are made from pastes which are all-natural, derived from herbs and spices. Also, often when they need to use flour (like in pappadums) they use chickpea flour.

There are some great Indian restaurants on Cleveland Street in Surry Hills. Better yet, go to India. And take me with you, please.

Forbes and Burton

I really don't want to be letting you in on this delightful secret. I've never enjoyed sitting in a cafe space so much. It gave a feeling as close to how you do when you're romanticising over an epic travel moment in your mind.

They have art like this...

....hanging on sandstone walls. It's real cosy. And I forgot to mention they have "GF" written on large parts of their menu. Important stuff!

So, I've done it. The name of the place is in the title (so is the address). Now that I've let it out the bag, check out their cool website and read up about what they offer.

http://forbesandburton.com.au/

And yes, I give you permission to go there too (just remember who told you about it). Enjoy!

Il Puntino

Pasta Napoletana - you got it!
Pizza also available.
For a homely sit-down dinner with the familia. ☺

Ciao Amore!

Here are my Top 5 Pizza Palazzi (that's Italian for 'Palaces').

The more European friends I make, the more I want to hide under the covers when it comes to Auzzie renditions of Euro delicacies. Okay, so I know Australian pizza is nothing like traditional Italian pizza but I still like the gourmet fusions that we have cleverly invented in true Australian form.

#1 Wilson's Place (65 Bondi Road, Bondi)
Pretty much Take-Away only. Friendly guys run it (read the cute stories typed on their pizza boxes) and they're endorsed by the Coeliac Society so you know you've arrived in safe territory. Try the one with asparagus and orange-coloured sauce. 7/10.

#2 Hugo's Pizza (1/33 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross)
A Swanky restaurant for those 'in vogue' folk. That aside, they make a damn good crunchy, thin-crusted pizza. My favourite - asparagus, egg, goats cheese, walnuts and truffle oil. Be prepared to feel sick after 2 slices. Oh-so-good, it's worth it. 9/10 for taste.

#3 The Little Gourmet Pizza Shop (278 Bondi Rd, Bondi)
A little hole in the wall - take-out and delivery only. The only size is pretty petite. You can choose your toppings. A bit more traditional. See their menu online - http://www.littlegourmetpizza.com.au/ 6.5/10.

#4 Crust (374 New South Head Road, Double Bay)
The food is as unrefined as you'd expect from a chain restaurant. Not bad. But not that great either. At least we can eat it! 5/10.

#5 Bondi Pizza (180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach)
Looks like they've done some sneaky cut/copy of Hugo's menu. I don't know the politics behind it but Hugo's reigns as king. Still pretty yum. 8/10.

*** Keep in mind, when finding gluten-free pizza options, always ask whether each ingredient and topping (not just the base) is ALSO gluten-free. Remember that gluten can be found in sauces, marinades, spices and the likes. Just a bit of friendly chat and you're on your way... Delizioso!