It had only been like 5 months since I’d been home, and in that time Canada’s gluten-free awareness levels had gone way up. In my family’s suburban town, Whitby, Ontario, there are BIG gf product sections in most chain supermarkets. This might be another good reason to defect to Canada and forces me to question, "Why did I move to New York again?" I enthusiastically loaded up, of course. First, I love Kinnikinnick products and I don’t think I’m alone. I see on their website that their stuff is available at Garden of Eden on 14th Street, which is wrong. I tracked down the U.S. distributor and discovered that The Health Nuts location at 2141 Broadway & 75th carries most of the Kinnikinnick line! On my bread rating scale, Kinnikinnick and Food for Life are tied. We’ve also tried their chocolate and lemon cake mixes and both were divine.
Also, I discovered a bread company from Vancouver that produces Quejos, a Brazilian cheese bun that is gluten-free and yeast-free, plus they offer a dairy-free version. They’re made with manioc powder (the manioc plant is a tuber) which produces a similar doughy texture to tapioca flour. The only store that carries them in the U.S. is in Santa Monica, CA, BUT, they ship anywhere in the U.S., and I feel these little buns are very worth the effort.
Click on thumbnail to see toasted Quejos
That brings me to Il Fornello restaurant. There are several locations in the Toronto area … we went to the one on King Street. They serve gf pizza and pasta and I ordered both … it’s the kind of sacrifice I’m always willing to make. Lo and behold, Il Fornello uses Quejos pizza crusts! AND, they use Tinkyada gf pasta! Tinkyada is awesome, never mushy, and brown rice-based so it’s good for you too. I ordered the Pollo E Pesto w/ Tinkyada and it was divine. Eating pasta that was prepared for me in a restaurant was almost too much to handle. The creamy pesto sauce was absolutely delicious and the lightly toasted pine nuts were a perfect topper. (We passed on posting my Pollo E Pesto picture due to poor quality)
The pizza is Italian sausage, oven cured tomatoes, and grilled red onions, very tasty fresh toppings. Since the Quejos crust is made of tuber, it’s crispy on the outside and kinda chewy on the inside .. different from a rice flour crust. I thoroughly enjoyed Il Fornello, its gf friendliness, its tastes, and its atmosphere. My family really enjoyed their non-gf dishes. So … fellow Canadian celiacs in the Toronto area, and gluten-free tourists should go get their Italian on at Il Fornello. You won’t be disappointed. Ciao.
Hi Kim,
thanks for adding the comments about Toronto. I have only been diagnosed with Celiac for about 15 months but there are loads of gf finds in Toronto. Try the Oliver and Bonnacini Restaurant at Bayview Village who will cater to those with food sensitivities. I have enjoyed several meals and have never been disappointed or sick. The Bier Market on the Esplanade is also very accomodating. Given you are from Whitby you should try Casa Verde in Pickering Village who will also accomodate. The best source for gf goodies in Toronto is a booth called Sweet Expressions in the north market of the St. Lawrence market Saturday Mornings only. The gf cookies, brownies, biscotti, and cakes are absolutely define and you cannot tell the difference from non gf baking. His breads, scones, buns and muffins are also great. Rube’s rice in the south market has a great selection of gf pasta including lasagna noodles.
I have been to Il Fornello’s at the Bloor West Village and at Queen’s Quay. I had an excellent experience at both locations. If you have Celiac and are in Toronto…I totally recommend it!
Yes, Il Fornello is fabulous — love the pizza, and it is a great place to go with friends without having to go through the whole “quiz the wait staff” thing.
There are many accomodating restaurants in TO. A great resource page for people living/visiting the city is Gluten Free Toronto: http://www.geocities.com/glutenfreetoronto/.
The best bread I have ever tasted is made in Vancouver by the Choices health food store chain. Their multi-grain bread is to die for, and is even edible without toasting. Unfortunately you can’t order it, but if you visit the city be sure to try it. I miss it (just as I miss Quejo’s buns — I used to buy them frozen and then bake them at home.)
A close second is the bread from Sterk’s bakery (Sterk’s is in Vineland, ON, but you can get their products in several locations in Toronto.) I will have to try Sweet Expressions; I have heard about it a couple of times now. Just have to actually wake up in the morning on Saturday instead of at the crack of noon!
I really love your site, it’s so friendly and a great resource!
I’m from Toronto and I live in Montreal now. Every time I go back to Toronto, I have to go to Il Fornello. It’s great. And, when I go with friends or family they usually get the gf pasta or crust too – it’s such a treat to be able to taste someone else’s meal!
I agree, Kinnikinnick is amazing. The Sobey’s in Fort Erie has a pretty good selection.
For all you Canadians (and interested Americans), I highly recommend going to the annual Canadian Celiac Association conference. I went for the first time last year (in Halifax) and it was great – it’s like a big party of people with celiac, plus up-to-date medical and nutrition information.
And finally, a question — does anybody know of good gf restaurants, bakeries, etc. in Montreal? I’ve found it really hard to find good gf (or sg – sans gluten) resources here.
Cheers!
Being a Celiac I have been reading your website for months. My daughter who is also Celiac first let me know about you.
This month you mentioned Canada so I thought I’d write. I own a gluten-free bakery in Montreal PatsyPie Gluten-Free. We make Biscotti (Cranberry/Orange, Almond, Pecan, Almond/Raisin, Chocolate Chip and Pecan) Cookies (Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Snappy Ginger and Raisin) and the best Double Chocolate Brownie Bites. If you are at all interested in trying PatsyPie you contact me at
1-87-PATSYPIE or email at info@patsypie.com. Our website is under reconstruction right now but if you want to take a look at what is to come you can visit at http://www.patsypie.com
If we are not available in your area we are offering a special on shipping: purchase a case of 8 bags (can be assorted) and the shipping is free anywhere in Canada and the US. So give me a call and I can tell you all about us. And if the Celiac Chicks contact me I can send along some samples for you to try.
Patsy
I have been diagnosed with Celiac for only 13 months.
I think its wonderful that Canada has so much wonderful foods, especially bread. But how about here in the U.S. I have yet to have any bread that tastes good. My question is why?
Thanks, fellow Canadians, for all the additional information! Sharing is cool …
Next time you’re in Canada, try the gluten-free beer too. It’s made in Quebec from rice and buckwheat and is available across the country. In Ontario, you can buy it by the six pack in the LCBO stores. It’s called La Messagere.
Hello
I have not been diagnosed with Celiac Disease by my family Dr..but my naturopathic dr..strongly believes that i have it…since I have been anemic for so long.
I would like to know which blood tests I can have to confirm this…and whom can I go see
Regards
Filomena
Hi Canada experts-
I am planning a trip to Montreal in a few weeks and am looking for tasty, GF-friendly places to eat. Does anyone have any suggestions? I will definitely be checking out the PastyPie bakery!
Thanks,
Michelle
I’ve found that even in the last two years the selection of GF foods on Toronto has really grown! And yes Sweet Expressions in the St. Lawrence make the best GF banana breads, muffins (harvest muffin is my favourtie) and brownies are excellent!! I also love to get my Kinnikinnick chocolate covered donuts at Whole Foods in Yorkville (they are even better when eaten frozen for some reason, like a girl guide cookie). I’ve also picked up Kinnikinnick pizza crusts (really good for a pizza craving at home) and a really great brand of bagels that I can’t remember the brand name of! I have no problem finding GF food to prepare or at restaurants!
I was recently diagnosed with Celiac and have just moved downtown toronto. I was wondering if Sweet Expressions was still open in the St.Lawerence market? I couldn’t find it and I have such a sweet tooth! Also wondering if anyone has tried the magic over pizza? It sells and delivers gluten free pizza. Has anyone found kinnikinni bread here? They had it out in new brunswick and it was soooo delicious, I want to find it here, I believe its based out of Ontario. If there are any other good places or products to try let me know! Thanks!!!
There’s a new restaurant in Toronto that caters to celiacs called Big Mamma’s Boy, located at 554 Parliament St, in Cabbagetown. The restaurant features home cooking, with an emphasis on organics, and gluten free meals. All of their food can be delivered, and they also have fantastic pizzas. They have a great gluten free pizza crusts (there is a gluten/dairy/yeast free crust made with potato starch and tapioca starches). They make all desserts in house, and all of them are gluten free. Their desserts change daily, but I’ve come across otameal raisin rosewater cookies made into ice cream sandwhiches, flourless chocolate cakes, and nutty pavlovas.
The owner/chef is really accomodating to speial needs and requests. This place is a must eat for all Torontonian celiacs.
Will be living temporarily in Montreal in fall, 2005. I would appreciate any and all tips about places to eat out and where to buy GF products. Thanks!
The quejos sound wonderful! I am nowhere near Canada, but I googled around and found many recipes for these. The usual name is Pão de Queijo, and the usual translation is Brazilian tapioca-cheese rolls. When I googled this, I found lots of recipes which look easy, albeit caloric. Manioc is just another word for tapioca.
GF Canada has a lot to offer! I too visit Il Fornello to satisfy my pizza cravings, there’s also a stall at the farmers market in Toronto that sells GF muffins (their morning glory’s are awesome!), GF brownies (really good since they make their own Belgian chocolate), GF banana bread etc. They rotate their offerings as well so it’s not the same stuff all the time.
The Magic Oven Pizzeria on Broadview also offers a gluten free rice based crust. And the best GF bagels I’ve had were Glutino brand available at Whole Foods in Yorkville (the ones that come in regular bread or bagel bag, not the sealed bags)! I’m also glad to see that Whole Foods is offering their own GF muffins and loaves. And ok, if you haven’t tried Kinnikinnick’s chocolate frosted donuts – order some or drop by Whole Foods!! They’re like Girl Guide cookies in that they taste as good if not better when semi-frozen!
I was diagnosed 3 ½ years ago and I have to say that in that short time the products available to celiac’s in Toronto has grown by leaps and bounds. A great thing to see!
Thanks for the great tips sarah! Do you know where the gluten free stall is at the St.Lawrence Market? I went on a saturday and couldn’t find it anywhere. I think I will order a magic oven pizza for dinner tonight!
For those of you who were asking about GF friendly places in Montreal, I can share some of my own knowledge. I was diagnosed in 1994 (when I was 16) so I may be able to help some neophytes. Feel free to e-mail me.
There’s a bakery in Cavendish Mall that sells GF products – bread, cookies, brownies, etc.
The pastry chef at Le Paltoquet on Van Horne in Outremont makes two different GF cakes: pistachio and chocolate, and a chestnut-based one. Very delicious – just be sure to mention something when you order. He can clean out his whole kitchen before preparing the cakes.
As for restaurants, there are a few that I enjoy going to. Obviously, not everything on the menu is GF but the stuff that is is very good. Here are the restaurants I have tried and am confident about: Casa Pescara (pasta & pizza), Baton Rouge (ribs), Entrecote St-Jean (steak), Au Coin d’Asie, Bonaparte, Entrepont (fish). I know that I must be forgetting some but it’s a start.
Good luck to all the celiac Montrealers!
Thanks for the tips about Montreal, Millie. I also appreciate information about Toronto and other Canadian locations…I am going to enjoy checking out all the new places.
I just found out I have celiac disease and am having a hard time coping with the lack bread and well…lack of everything. I live in Mississauga and work in Toronto, so I think I have a few choices for a gf restaurant. If anyone can give some helpful advice as to how to start my new lifestyle, it would be greatly appreciated.
Adriana, please join the Canadian Celiac Association. You will be a member of the Toronto Chapter and there is a satellite in Mississauga for a local support group. Toronto is hosting the national conference in May 2006 so you will be able to meet many other celiacs, hear great speakers from the US and Canada on all the latest research and how to cope. All the fabulous meals are included in the confernce and are, of course, GF. We have a Help Line for questions (416-781-9140)and a peer conselling program in place.
Hi Celiac Chicks!
I found your website through my client, the Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association. I’m building their website right now, and we have a link to your site. I notice that you are linked to our website, too – thanks!
I have a small correction to suggest for your Celiac Orgs links section:
http://www.celiac.ca – Canadian Celiac Association
http://www.torontoceliac.org – Toronto Chapter of the above
Currently you have the title Canadian Celiac Association pointing to the http://www.torontoceliac.org website.
Just thought I’d point that out to avoid confusion.
Thanks for keeping this blog, too!
Magda
The Gluten-Free Toronto site has moved to:
http://www.ryerson.ca/~bcameron/gft/
And, there is a blog at:
http://torontoceliac.blogspot.com/
I totally agree that GF food, especially “goodies” have become MUCH easier to find in Toronto in the last two years. Still costs a fortune though, but oh well!
This thread is really useful. I’m going to bookmark it!
I have been on a gf diet for approx. 8 years. I have found the outback steakhouse has been the easiest place to eat at. Ask for the gluten free menu, there is so much that you can eat even choc. brownie dessert is gf -if you aren’t too full to eat it! when travelling it can be hard to know where it is safe to eat, the outback has been a lifesaver! I have tried las vegas, arizona, buffalo and michigan and they are the same – very accomodating!
Bonefish Grill is a national chain and they have their Gluten-Free menu posted on line. See http://www.Bonefishgrill.com. Last night I dined at Bonefish Grill in Northbrook, IL. location and had a wonderful dining experience. My husband was thrilled with his meal and I thought mine was fabulous too.
When you ask for the Gluten Free menu, they give you the regular menu with the Gluten Free items labeled GF. Over 70%of the items were marked Gluten-free, there is a notation on the bottom that the menu was reviewed by a dietician etc. You can see for yourself online.
What it is important for restaurants to realize, and apparently Bonefish Grill has, is that Celiac’s have families and friends that they go out to eat with. It is good business for them to have a GF menu. As Celiacs, our strength in numbers comes from the fact that very few people dine out alone. So one Celiac brings a table of four or five with them. To the extent we want more Gluten Free menus available to us on a national level. We should approach restaurant chains with this fact. If they take the time, expense, and effort to accommodate us, we should also be gracious guests at these restaurants so that they do not perceive us as more trouble than we are worth.
It was a fantastic dining experience.
I have no financial interest in Bonefish Grill.
Diane Smith
Ottawa has become a great city for gluten free dining. The local celiac association convinced one of the best pizza joints in the city to make GF pizza for one night. It was such a great success that they put it on the menu. The Bella Vista Pizza at 2645 Alta Vista Dr., corner Bank Street (613-731-9841) has the best GF pizza I have ever tasted. It comes as close to authentic pizza parlour pizza as you can get. You need to call one hour in advance.
Not to be outdone, a gourmet pizzeria in Ottawa’s Little Italy also added gluten free pizza to their menu. They offer that any pizzas on their menu can be made with a GF crust for a small extra fee. The five cheese pizza is exquisite but you can’t go wrong. The restaurant is called the Dolce Vita at 180 Preston St. (613-233-6239).
Both restaurants have a chewy crust as opposed to the hard crusts at Il Fornello and even Risoteria in NYC. It is worth visiting Ottawa just to taste the pizza.
Another great choice for GF dining is The Table Vegetarian Restaurant at 1230 Wellington (613-729-5973). It is a buffet style where you weigh your plate. They list all the ingredients of each dish and mark which ones are GF. On Fridays they have a gluten free lasagna and they always have two or three GF cakes. The food is fantastic and very healthy.
Ottawa may be a cold city in the middle of winter but it has become a warm place for celiacs.
hi everyone, iv been on the diet for almost two years now and, doing really great.. Im form Montreal, Canada and, decided to make my own web-site with our own forum.. so you can visit if you like it.. bye bye
oops forgot to give ya the URL >> http://www.celiacquebec.com
My mother has just been diagnosed. Can you tell me of any bakeries or grocery stores in Montreal ( Lasalle or Verdun) that she can shop at?
Karen
Dear fellow celiacs,
I received the link to this page from a friend in the US. I’m from Mexico and soon planning to study French in Montreal for two weeks. I had some questions regarding health food stores and restaurants since the family will only provide breakfast and God only knows if they won’t have a problem with my health choice. I am glad many of you have visited these places and were able to recommend bakeries and the sort. Hopefully, I’ll have enough money (and stomach) to try them all!!! Warm greetings! Feel welcome to e-mail me with more info on your “finds.” I would really appreciate it!!
Hi fellow celiacs,
Our whole family of ‘foodies’ discovered our gluten-intolerance within the last few years – and we absolutely went nuts. Then we got working. We have dry mixes, frozen stuffed crepes, pierogies, and tons of baked goods – a huge part of our customer base is made up of people who don’t care about gluten at all – they love the taste of our goodies. For those of you looking for REALLY good gluten-free crepes, we supply many of the restaurants in the Oliver-Bonaccini chain (Auberge du Pommier, Biff’s, etc.). A lot of our gluten-free product line is at Whole Foods (Yorkville and Oakville locations) – including our butter raisin tarts and our lemon tarts!
If you come out to one of our weekend markets – one in Pickering Markets (we have a large booth, Aisle M) includes a hot cafe and store or the one in Thornhill (Waldorf Village Market) – you can try gluten-free New York style Cheesecake with organic berry topping, Carmelized Banana Chocolate Coconut Crepe Cake, Pierogies with fried onions and sour cream, Spinach Feta Crepes, Omelettes to order and much much more – lots available for take-home. Go to our website (www.mollybglutenfree.com) for more information and directions. We will be at the Celiac in the City 2006 conference and the Gluten Free Fair Day (June 1st) at Hospital for Sick Children, to name a few events.
Warmest Regards, Fran Earle
I noticed that some of the cakes at Dufflets pastry’s are Gluten Free. The one I remember is the chocolate mouse cake. It is made with cake as well as mouse. I think there were more but you have to contact them for information.
We are the only manufacturer of Potato Starch in Canada if we can help in any way.
Regards;
Derek
I will be in Montreal in a week, staying downtown and working at the Palis De Congres, i am seeing a beautiful ladie doesnt eat anything with wheat. I would love to be able to accomadate her with some pizzas and desserts, and pasteries. We work long hours and short breaks. I would love to be able to surprize her, buy being able to support her in a healthy diet, while she works. Long hours and bad diet, not good. Would aprreciate any info of restaurants in that area. Palais De Congres.. area
Hi everyone! I’ve just, very recently, set up a celiac group on meetup.com – it’s for gluten-free people in Toronto who want to get together, chat, or go out and have a good time. We’re brand-spanking-new and we don’t have a lot of members yet, so I’d like to encourage everyone to check it out. The URL is celiacdisease.meetup.com/98/. Cheers!
I was just reading the opening reviews on the Il Fornello restaurants in Toronto. I’ve had they’re gf pizza, and they’re great. However, when I ordered the sausage pizza, I was approached by the manager/owner(?) of the restaurant who pointed out that most of the processed meats/sausages will most likely contain wheat as a binding agent. Just a word of advise to check the toppings too!!
Where is your bakery situated in Montreal?
My daughter will be attending York University in Toronto this September does anyone know of any stores selling gluten free or restaurants in that area?
I created a website listing restaurants and bakeries in Ontario, Canada that offer safe foods for Celiacs.
http://www.glutenfreeontario.ca
They either provide a gluten-free menu or clearly identify gluten-free options on the existing menu.
Most of them are in Toronto
I was wondering if anyone out there can help me remember the name of a restaurant I visited while in Toronto, Canada in either 1998 or 1999. It was a chain or franchise restaurant that sold all kinds of crepes. I believe that crepes were their specialty and they were made right in front of you and you picked the filling. I think that it was a fairly large restaurant that was decorated with bright colors and lots of floral and vegetation decorations. I remember it being always very busy. It was a seat yourself type of place if I remember properly. I do not think that there were any waitresses or waiters to serve you. I was in Toronto for three days to see “Phantom of the Opera” with my Mother and recall seeing several of these particular crepe restaurants on our trip in the Toronto area. The name of the restaurant may have started with an “A”. But, I am not quite sure. Please let me know if anyone knows what I am talking about. Thanks so much!!!
I will be going to Montreal very soon….can anyone give me a good place to have dinner or even to shop for good gluten free products?
Did no one anwer Patri’s post in September?
I’m leaving Friday 21 December for several days in Montreal and am searching for a couple of good places to eat and shop as well.
Thanks in advance!
Just back from several days in Montreal.
In Old Montreal we had several great meals. I had a great late evening mixed green salad at 3 Brasseurs (microbrewery). The service was great and the music was lively.
Dinner at Le Keg sweet chili chicken (not the rice pilaf, the chef uses flour) ; a lunch at Nonno’s in Little Italy, sausage and polenta; dinner at Galliano’s, Herb crusted grilled tilapia (with rice pilaf, chef does NOT use flour) and a great little dessert with oatmeal crust and dried cranberries.
At each of the restaurants the wait service was very solicitous and helpful. This appears to be a very GF-accommodating city.
Even a lunch at the Underground Mall in the Food Court (Indian)chicken, rice, vegetables.
I hope to hear from others what their culinary experiences are from nearly any big city in Canada or the US.
OH, and I forgot…we ran out of time but had checked out Bonaparte’s menu and would have eaten there if we were in the city longer.
hi all,
Thanks for this great site! I just got diagnosed last week! Yuck and yet its all gonna be ok. I can not believe how many people are not aware of Celiac.
I only got diagnosed because my boss recommended it (as she has Celiac as well).
I just found out that apparently LoneStar has a Gluten Free Menu (http://www.lonestarsteakhouse.com/files/menu-glutenfree.aspx)
I have yet to find bread/bagels/waffles that aren’t horrific tasting- but then again its only the beginning.
ok… bad news for Canadians- i just called and while the Lone Star in US has a gluten free menu – the ones in Canada do not:(
Hi everyone
I’m not sure if I have celiac but for the last 3yrs I have had bad stomach problems all of my symptons make me to believe that I do, so does anyone no what kind of test I can do to find out. Also where to buy gluten free food (super market)in toronto. Thank u
Hi there -
Just an FYI. O’Doughs (www.odoughs.com) was recently written up in the Toronto Star for GF goodness. This new bakery is 100% GF and offers breads, buns and cakes. The chocolate cake is heavenly – soft and moist. And the buns are great with hamburgers!
Visit http://www.odoughs.com to learn more – and for those not in the GTA, you can order online.
Is there anyone who would know of a good place to get a gluten free wedding cake in the Montreal area? I am getting married in September of 09 and am looking, I have found a place in Ottawa, but none here in Montreal.