Black's Pub- in Whistler, Canada

       

  Black’s Pub has gluten free food- yummy gluten free food. It resides in the heart of Whistler Village and is an ideal place grab a bite to eat after you get off the slopes or need a break from shopping. A steady flow of foot traffic sweeps by the restaurant, even during its off-season. Since the pub is in Canada, and since lots of Australians come up there to ski, about 70% of the waiters had accents of some sort (be it Australian, Swiss, or Canadian). Our waiter called the appetizers “appies”…seriously? How rad is that?

Now about the food, let’s just say that Black’s Pub had a menu that made me smile. They offered gluten-free pasta, gluten-free pizza, and gluten-free hamburger buns. I did NOT see that coming! The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. When I explained that I was working on a food blog and I needed extra information regarding their gluten-free menu, they said I was welcome to talk to the chef. Unfortunately, once I interrogated one of the chefs I learned their weakness—they did not fry their fries in a special gluten-free fryer (try saying that seven times). This means that bread crumbs floating around in the oil could have gotten on the fries they had labeled “Gluten Free.” Those with celiac disease or intense gluten allergies beware ….Black’s Pub is not a dedicated gluten-free facility, they merely offer options with no gluten.

 This classic Whistler restaurant has a seasonal menu that is subject to change. (Don’t worry! The gluten-free options are always available). The average price of an entrée was fifteen dollars. The demand for gluten-free food is growing and Black’s Pub  first started offering options for wheat-free customers about three years ago. Each gluten free item is marked with a G.F. They also offer vegan and vegetarian options as well. The staff was friendly and helpful even when interrogated (their word not mine). I almost cried however, when I found out that the yam fries were breaded. How could such  scrumptious appetizers be banned from my list of foods I could eat?

Moving on~ My family (otherwise known as my entourage) and I, all ordered a different item off of the menu in order to taste as wide variety of items as possible.

Everyone was in agreement as to which dish was the best: THE HAMBURGERS!  The gluten-free buns were  DELICIOUS! They were not dry or crumbly but had a nice spongy texture to them. The pasta as well was fairly yummy, but nothing to rave about. They used penne noodles to substitute for the regular noodles in all of the dishes. Sadly, the pizza fell short of delighting me. It was extremely thin, almost like a tortilla. And was extremely pale as if it were not cooked through. It was not terrible though- I’ve seen worse. The reviews from my "entourage" are as follows~

The Mermaid Critic (ordered pasta) “It was delicious, ten stars”

 J’aime Fromage (ordered pizza): “I didn’t like it that much…the crust was kinda thin.”

Hypo-allergenic Carnivore (ordered a burger wrapped in a salad wrap): “It was good!”

Picky Patrice (ordered a burger and sampled the pizza and pasta as well): “My favorite was the hamburger because of the bun: it was very soft and airy and spongy. It wasn’t dense and didn’t have a  hard crust. I did not think a whole lot of the gluten-free pizza…it was white, probably mostly tapioca.

Pizza Pete/Healthy Harry (ordered Caesar Salad and sampled the burger): “I liked the hamburger bun I thought it was very good. It was exceptional”

A big THANK YOU to Black’s Pub for offering gluten free options!

The Gluten-Free Newsy Food Tasting Panel

My ENTIRE family is gluten free.

And.

We all have ENTIRELY different tastes.

I decided.

My family can be my food tasting panel!

Thus, in my future blog posts I will be featuring comments and reviews from the different members of my family (or as like to refer to them my.... “entourage”).

Below is a description of each panel member (or family member) to help give you an idea of their background and food preferences.

The first person on my food tasting panel is the...
Hyper-allergenic Carnivore (or for short the H.A.C.): His food preference is for any type of meat or sugary substance that he can eat without getting a stomach ache. He likes his food spicy and hot and is an avid eater of sausages. (Salad generally makes him frown). His food allergies include: Gluten, soy, lactose and corn. At the moment however he is also not eating any grains (that includes rice) and sugar. If you want the opinion of someone who’s options are limited…then listen to him.

Next I have...
Picky Patrice: Her flavor profile includes quinoa salads, seafood (particularly scallops), Indian and Thai curries, thousand island dressing, and Americanos with almond milk in place of cream. She likes healthy food in any shape or form. Her standards however are precariously high. Sub-standards do not cut it. Food must be piping hot and properly prepared in order to please her.

Another finicky eater is...
Mermaid Critic: She is known for her preference for food from the past. When I say “food from the past” I mean the food she used to eat before she became gluten-free. Her gluten filled history is a source for much chagrin. She does not sugar coat her opinions, so beware. I call her the “Mermaid Critic” because of her love of seafood. Her tastes are very broad but above all she loves seafood. However, she is not prone to liking food merely for its health benefits so do not expect her to jump for joy over a salad.

As well there is the critic with a duo personality, like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! He has his unhealthy meat-loving side “Pizza Pete” and his health obsessed side that can’t get enough raw nuts and protein bars “Healthy Harry.”

Lastly is....
J’aime Fromage: Thus named for her love of cheese. It is interesting however, because she does not like any type of cheese {no indeed} only medium cheddar cheese. Her passion for food is ignited by any dish that heavily incorporates cheese, pasta and bread. She is definitely not the healthiest diner on the block (nor the most adventurous). She likes to stay away from spicy foods and anything new and exotic is out of the question.

And of course there is me-The G.F. Newsy. What do I like? I would consider myself a blend of all the different qualities described above. I love cheese, some curries and spicy dishes (but not too spicy). I enjoy keeping myself healthy, but I also love to splurge on outrageously delicious desserts.

There you have it. The Gluten Free Newsy's Food Panel.
FUNNY FOOD PHOTO!

Mongolie Grill- in Whistler, Canada

The Mongolie Grill is an upbeat contemporary restaurant in Whistler, Canada that offers gluten-free options. This restraurant has become a classic for me and my family. By classic, I mean that every single time we go to Whistler, Canada we eat at the Mongolie Grill. There was one time that we didn't eat there....that's because they were closed.

Their gluten-free friendly menu makes it the ideal place to eat out. The food service is unique in that it operates like a buffet. Each  diner picks a bowl, large or small, to fill with food. You go through a sort of buffet that has a wide selection of raw vegetables, noodles and meats. You can take as much or as little as you want. I especially love the Mongoli Grill because I don't have to share. I can get my own bowl, and fill it with what I want, topped with the sauce I like, and get as much food as I'm hungry for. In a regular restaruant, if I was especially hungry, I would have to beg for scraps from my siblings plates. Usually I get a couple of fries that way, sometimes carrot sticks, maybe even a piece of half-bitten chicken.

The Mongoli Grill offers gluten-free rice noodles and a wide selection of gluten free meats. There is pork, chicken, scallops, shrimp, salmon, and even some spicy Italian sausage. Be sure to check the labels however, as some of the meats are marinated in sauces that are NOT gluten free.  Once you have completed your personalized entrée, take your bowl over to the sauce station. Clearly labeled signs indicate which sauces are gluten-free, wheat-free and vegan. 

 You can mix and match the sauces or stay with one or two classics. I like to top my bowl of shrimp, noodles, and cashews with a tangy sweet chili sauce. Once you are done making your selection, you bring your bowl to the grill. The food prices are by weight. It allows you some flexibility to get less or more food, depending on the size of your appetite. Tell the chef you are gluten-free and they will sanitize the grill for you before they grill your meal. Wait for your meal to cook and watch the chefs flip their spatulas in the air as they cook your meal to just the right temperature. While you are waiting you can also take a look at the “Wall of Fame.” The “Wall of Fame” consists of a list of the customers who ordered and ate the largest amounts of food. The most food ever eaten was  5000 grams. That is either a testimony to Mongolie Grill’s delicious food, or evidence of the fact that the person was starving.
~Once your food is cooked, you can head back to your table to enjoy your food. Complimentary brown or white rice is served with your meal along with the option of miso soup.
 The atmosphere of the restaurant is contemporary and upbeat-yet still relaxing. The large windows look down onto the square below and afford a perfect opportunity for people watching. 
IMPORTANT: Customers who order before 4:00 p.m. get a 20% discount. And diners who choose to eat vegetarian AFTER 4:00 also get a 20% discount. 
Thank you Mongoli Grill for offering gluten-free options!