Huntin’ for Pumpkins: An Allergen-Free Adventure

Friday was interesting to say the least.  I had food allergies testing, found out I have ten (10!) new not-so-lovely food allergies, and then I had a bad reaction to the testing, itself and consequently felt pretty crummy afterwards.  I also just felt pretty darn overwhelmed.   But, luckily, it’s fall and I’m not allergic to pumpkins.

Pumpkins!  So pretty, colorful, and not one of my allergens.  The perfect cheer-Kelsey-up-by-focusing-on-things-that-she-is-not-allergic-to outing.

Despite the relatively clear skies, the ground was extremely muddy. My boots still bear the scars (err … mud).  Made it even more authentically fall-like for the greater Seattle area though.

It was a good day to break out the gloves and a scarf.

Mr. Munger getting ready to haul the pumpkins.

Our lovely little pumpkin pals.  We ended up with four total.

Now that we have the pumpkins, the next step is to finish carving them (one left to go!) and post pictures.  Prepare for more pumpkins.

The Old Spaghetti Factory: Is it Really "Gluten-Free?"

My community college’s radio program just had their end of the year banquet and award ceremony  for all of the radio students from the last school year and, to my surprise, I actually won a certificate of achievement for “excellence in broadcasting.”  While I enjoyed my AM radio class I was only able to take one before completing my two-year transfer degree (going to the University of Washington in the fall), so I was so surprised to win something.

As with most events, food played a key part in the festivities and the banquet was held at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Seattle.  It’s a restaurant I’d never been to before, but I’d heard generally good things about it and according to their website they offered a complete gluten-free menu.  My sister Shannon (who also is gluten-free) and I even got a cutesy little “gluten-free” flag (note the pic) planted right in the middle of our pasta.

Unfortunately, despite the “gluten-free” menu, talking about each option with the server, and the nifty little flag, Shannon and I both ended up getting glutened.  We were there right at dinnertime and because we were a part of a banquet, the kitchen and wait staff were going a million miles an hour.  It was the perfect setting to have someone forget to wash their hands before making my food, to use the same serving spoon that they had already used with the gluten pasta, or not be careful enough with a crumbly piece of bread.

Perhaps The Spaghetti Factory was having an off day due to the number of people they were feeding.  I don’t know.  It was odd though that both Shannon and I ended up getting sick  when we’d both ordered different things off the “gluten-free” menu.  When my future mother-in-law found out about our most recent glutening, she said that a young lady she knows never goes there because every time she’s been to the Spaghetti Factory in Seattle she’s gotten sick due to gluten.              

To their credit, I loved the general atmosphere of the restaurant and the servers were friendly; if I didn’t have celiac I’d totally go back.   I’m glad that I went to the banquet so that I could see everyone and be there to accept my certificate, but I wish I would’ve packed my own dinner.  I appreciate the fact that they’re trying to be accommodating to their gluten-free guest. Unfortunately, due to the seriousness of celiac disease, “trying” isn’t good enough because now Shannon and I will be sick for a couple of days. 

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Other Articles of Interest:       

• Gluten-Free 101: Cross-Contamination
• What the Menu Isn’t Telling You 
• Frosted Brownies (gluten-free & sugar-free)

Gluten-Free Dining: Anthony’s Homeport

Recently, in honor of my 25th birthday, I went to Anthony’s Homeport at Pier 66 in Seattle (there are several different locations in the Puget Sound).  I’m madly in love with sea food and Anthony’s has a gluten-free menu, so going there makes me a very happy camper.  It’s also right by the water, which is definitely a plus. 

I ordered Cajon prawns with red potatoes and asparagus on the side.  Yum!  Now I want to learn how to make Cajon red potatoes.  It was amazing; I couldn’t have been happier with my meal and the view of the waterfront was beautiful.  And the fact that there was a specific gluten-free menu, made me feel so much safer dinning out.     

For some reason the gluten-free menu doesn’t seem to be listed on the website (check out the website for locations), so if you want to know specifically what is available just call ahead of time.  I had to call Anthony’s back around Christmas to make dinner reservations and the staff was very helpful.  They serve slightly different things based on if you’re going during lunch or dinner, but there are gluten-free menus with several delicious options for both meals. 

The only downside to Anthony’s is that it’s a bit more than I’d usually like to spend on a meal ($10 – $15 for lunch and $20 – $25 for dinner), so I only go once in a while for special occasions like Christmas Eve or my birthday.  If you’re in the Puget Sound, though, and are in the mood for some gluten-free sea food, I don’t think you can do better.  Happy (and safe) dining!

25th Birthday Adventure

In honor of my 25th birthday, my fiancé Mr. M treated me to a Seattle adventure.  

Pike Place Market in Seattle is one of the very first places my fiancé and I ever went on a date, so it’s a special place to both of us.  And just generally a lot of fun.

I love how the food looks at Pike Place, so many bright colors and cute little signs.

More beautiful food.  I’m not sure why, but it’s so much more fun to buy produce from a farmers’ market than from the supermarket.  Perhaps this is due in part to the crates.

This is the very first Starbucks.  We’d wanted to walk through it just to say we’d been, but there was always a crowd of people waiting.

I made a new friend.  Not entirely sure why, but there seem to be quite a few pig status in the Pike Place area. 

Standing in the street outside of Pike Place Market.  Yes, I was one of the annoying people who blocked traffic in order to snag a photo.

After wondering around Pike Place for a while, Mr. M and I walked down by the water.  We must have looked a little pitiful trying to take a picture of ourselves because a nice couple offered to take the picture for us. 

I’m madly in love with sea food, so for my birthday dinner Mr. M took me to Anthony’s Home Port at Pier 66 because they have a gluten-free menu!  It was delicious.

Despite the Seattle stereotype, it was a beautiful and very sunny day.

Before heading out, I picked up a nice little box of blackberries to eat on the drive home.  I wonder if the other people in the parking lot thought it was odd that I was photographing something on top of the car.

I had a great birthday.  If you ever end up in the Seattle area, don’t forget to check out Pike Place, Pier 66, and Anthony’s Home Port.  They’re some of my very favorite places.