Please welcome today's guest blogger Christine Carty. Christine is an Irish girl in her late twenties who was diagnosed with celiac disease at the age of 24. She currently lives in Dublin. Her favorite things to do are play Gaelic Football (Ireland's national sport), travel and discover new and fun places to eat gluten-free.
Glasgow is severely underrated as a destination, as it's quite often overlooked for it's more picturesque sister Edinburgh.
Owing to family who live in Glasgow, I have visited now on average once a year. My brother and his wife have a love of food, and go explore the food delights that Glasgow have to offer. They are also extremely conscientious of the fact that I have celiac disease and every time I come to visit there are gluten-free breads and snacks added to the weekly shopping from the local Sainsbury's. (If you end up staying in an apartment, Sainsbury's has a specific "Free From" range of food.)
Some years ago, they stumbled upon Cafe Andaluz and have been regulars ever since. They have a love of Spanish food and Spanish wine, so it has become a haunt of theirs and upon discovering the little GF symbol after the tapas on the menu, they decided it was the perfect place for me.
I was very excited the first time I went to Cafe Andaluz. I had only recently been eating the gluten-free way at the time and was excited by a menu I could relax about for once. Upon learning I had celiac disease, the staff was quick to reassure me that they understood what it was all about. Most of the most popular dishes there are suitable for celiacs, which means for once you are spoiled for choice.
I have been back twice to this restaurant in Glasgow. I love the relaxed atmosphere, the no nonsense fuss towards food and of course the fact that you walk out of there extremely full and feeling like you've had a bit of a Spanish adventure due to the amazing food.
They also have cleverly place a GF after the tapas that are suitable for celiacs, however I would still tell your waiter that you are a celiac just in case there are menu amendments. I have a particular weakness for the Gambas, and being a potato gratin fiend I've been known to almost lick the plate clean.
Overall, if you want an enjoyable meal in Glasgow, I thoroughly recommend digging in with a bottle of Siglo Rioja Crianza on the side.
Cafe Andaluz West End
2 Cresswell Lane
Glasgow G12 8AA
T. 0141 339 111
http://www.cafeandaluz.com
Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/album.
Celiac Society Contacts UK
Coeliac UK
http://www.coeliac.org.uk/
3rd Floor, Apollo Centre
Desborough Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP11 2QW
Tel: +44 1494 437 278
Fax: +44 1494 474 349
