More on Posana Cafe!

Check out Gluten Free Greenie's in depth review on Posana Cafe here.

Posana Cafe on Celiac-Disease.com

Kristen wrote about Posana Cafe here a few weeks ago but check out this very in-depth review of the 100% GF restaurant on Celiac-Disease.com.

Restaurant Review: Posana Cafe

We recently enjoyed the great pleasure that was an evening out at Asheville's brand new gluten-free restaurant Posana Cafe.

The summer evening atmosphere on the outdoor patio was ideal--even our gluten-free dog Waylon enjoyed it! The wait staff was utterly accommodating. And the food was simply amazing!

I dove into a bowl of the Penne Pasta, my boyfriend utterly enjoyed his Lump Crab Cakes and his father loved the Smoky Chipotle Spare Ribs so much he swore it was the best meal he's had in ages! Everything was wonderful, and the relief I felt not having to pick from narrowed choices based on what could be altered to accommodate my intolerance was pretty awesome.

Gluten-free or not, I highly recommend this new downtown eatery!

Restaurant Review: Havana Restaurant

While this weekend, we went back to gluten-free fav, fine dining restaurant Carmel, we did manage to stray from what's becoming our norm the weekend prior with a trip to downtown's Havana Restaurant on the corners of Battery Park and Page.

We chose Havana's because there were open tables outdoors and it looked like a nice, relaxing setting for casual dining. I was immediately impressed by the assurance of our waitress that they could prepare gluten-free chips for me, and even more so when the delicious chips arrived!

The staff was so kind and accommodating and I had no ill reactions from my meal, which featured some combination of rice, chicken and, my favorite--plantains!

It was probably not the best meal I'll have in Asheville, but for a comfortable outdoor eatery with great chips and salsa, it sure hit the spot!

Restaurant Review: Carmel's Restaurant and Bar

Travelling cross-country via I-10 with gluten and casein intolerances was not very easy. But alas, we are in Asheville now, and it's only getting better here by the day.

After stopping off to visit with family in Texas and Georgia, we finally arrived in Asheville on Saturday evening. So Sunday morning we were more than eager to go downtown and meet our new city.

We looked online for a list of restaurants that would allow us to sit outside with our big dog, Waylon. And we walked around a while to see what all was available.

Taylor's parents had reminisced about a wonderful meal enjoyed at Carmel's Restaurant, but at first glance we imagined that the alfresco eatery would be beyond our price range. Finally after a stroll to size up our dog-friendly options, the host at Carmel profusely complimented Waylon's good looks--which, of course, demonstrated his impeccable taste and causing us to like the place instantly.

After a quick perusal of the menu, we realized that the lunch price list at this fine restaurant was not at all shocking, not even a little bit appalling, rather, it was modest. Not bad at all.

Our waiter was very understanding about my food sensitivities or "allergies" as I usually call them at restaurants. But I decided to make things easy and ordered just a plate of grilled ham and bacon. What can I say, I'm a meat eater.

Taylor, who does not always adhere to a sympathetic gluten-free diet on mine and Waylon's behalf, ordered shrimp and grits which he is still raving about, calling it "the best meal he's ever had." And though my plate looked far less impressive, I've got to say, I am still puzzled as to how that bacon was so incredibly good.

If I were a less picky eater, I imagine there would have been more options available to me besides the obvious meats or bunless burgers, but honestly, I'd go back and get the same thing all over again. The service was wonderful, the atmosphere at our sidewalk table was ideal for a summer day and I still don't know why that bacon was so darn good.

Carmel's Restaurant and Bar is located at:
1 Page Avenue
Suite 129
Asheville, NC 28801

I Can't Wait to Try: Well-Bred Cafe

Thanks to Zach for the warm welcome, and for setting up these great local resource sites! I am actually still counting down the days until we leave San Francisco on June 4th for our cross country move to Asheville, and it seems like every day I hear some great new compliment for our favorite city.

In the meantime, it's great what a little networking can do! While looking for a short-term rental to stay in while we look for a long-term home, I found myself in touch with Judy Glicken who in addition to the Asheville Swiss Chalets owns Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe in Weaverville.

Now all I can do in the meantime is tell you how cute this bistro bakery looks and how wonderful it sounds. But as soon as we arrive, I will be stopping in for one of these amazing gluten-free delights!

Here is a list of Well-Bred's gluten-free menu items:
Espresso Roulade
Swedish Creams
Crème Brulee
English Toffee
Double Chocolate Macaroons