Great food, gold medals, and a fresh month.
No. 51 A short list for where to dine out in August.
Other than the Olympics pretty much consuming my life outside of work, I’d say it’s been a pretty strong start to August! And those endless hours of watching the summer games is not actually a waste of time - I’m so proud of the athletes! They are incredible! Look at all those medals they’re racking up by being the best of the best of the best. I am beyond impressed.
Personally, I am physically incapable of swimming that fast, running that fast, or doing any version of the movements in gymnastics (or any of the other sports) so I just sit in awe while watching every race, routine, match, or game. Major applause is coming from our couch; nothing like the summer Olympics to make one feel proud, and mildly lazy, all at once.
August is here and that means we’re inching closer to the change in season, which, given the absurd heat and humidity of the last several weeks, doesn’t sound so bad! Don’t get me wrong - I love summer - but I am aching for days where my hair isn’t just frizzy. I have abandoned the hair dryer and will probably not bother with it until October. And thinking of wearing socks right now makes me shudder. I am a sneaker fan through and through, but these days it’s the Birkenstock Life for me.
This month also brings the installation (finally) of our patio, which I was informed about last week, so stay tuned for a future issue where I’ll share the finished space. I can’t wait! Next time I want something done that will be enjoyed during the summer, remind me to take care of it in April. The furniture is waiting impatiently in our garage. ;)
And lastly, August is my birthday month - woohoo! I discussed my feelings on turning 39 in a previous post and they haven’t really changed. I’m still anxious about the last year of my 30s, but I am working on changing that attitude. How is that going, you may be thinking(or not)? It’s tough! I am not one to escape the thought of feeling “not good enough” at this age/stage of life. Turning 39 will definitely keep me in the ‘young’ category to a degree, but it’s hard in this life to not constantly compare and contrast your choices with everyone else’s without a dollop of doubt here and there. Thank you, social media!
But enough about me and wishing it was still 1997. We’ve got something far more exciting to discuss: food!
As a 38-almost-39-year-old living in this world with celiac disease for over a decade, I’ve learned a thing or two about great food, delicious dishes, and the best places to go for an awesome, very safe (read: gluten free) meal. The best part about gluten free food? It’s still food! There is literally no difference between an amazing gluten free dish and a non-gluten free one — it’s all food my friends.
Sure, I have to avoid gluten, which includes wheat, barley, and rye, but I’ve been living like this for so long that it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Save your tears and the “I’m so sorry” for someone who needs it. There are so many people in this world living with far more difficult diseases and situations; I feel lucky that gluten is the only thing I have to avoid. Now, if it were a shellfish allergy, then this would be an entirely different conversation. ;)
Without further ado or any more dancing around the topic, can we please get to the good stuff? I love food and going out to eat is one of my favorite activities. So this summer, if you’re also inclined to go out, then I suggest one of these spots in the Boston area for your next dining out adventure. I confidently put my “Gluten Free Mollie D” stamp of approval on each of them.
Editor’s note: Trust your gut. Dining out with a dietary restriction can be scary and you must be an advocate for yourself. Always ask for a gluten free menu and if something seems fishy (i.e. not safely gluten free), then speak up. It’s your body! Take care of it however you see fit.
Second Editor’s note: We rarely make reservations save for dining out with friends so my recommendations are for grabbing seats at the bar for dinnertime. Make a reservation if you must, but my preference is always to just walk in.
A Tavola - Go for the friendly staff, delicious food, and welcoming, neighborhood vibes. This Winchester Center mainstay is our go-to for sprucing up an otherwise-busy work week and it never fails to make us smile. We love sitting at the kitchen bar, chatting with Chef Joe and David, who have become friends of ours over the years. Joyfully, they’ve expanded into the space next door, so now we tend to grab seats on the new side where the menu is the same and the bar offers Olympic viewing as well. ;) While the menu changes frequently, I always enjoy the grilled eggplant, antipasto platter, or any of the fish or steak entrees. So good!
The Bancroft - A family favorite since it opened in 2014, this will always be a ‘must go’ on my list (it’s a steakhouse, but better, in my opinion). The nicest waitstaff, a dedicated GF menu, and a separate fryer. What else do you need? Everything on the menu is great, truly, so I can’t possibly list the ‘best’ items to order. I love their GF fries, or polenta fries, steak frites, shrimp cocktail, any of the salads, and often the ‘sundae of the month’ if it can be made gluten free - always ask!
Faccia a Faccia - A Newbury Street Must if you find yourself in Back Bay seeking out some of the best Italian food in the city. Go early if you prefer bar seats, otherwise this one will require a reservation (or pop downstairs to Bar Pallino that doesn’t fill up as quickly if you’re there somewhat early). My goodness the food here is phenomenal. Almost everything is - or can be made - gluten free which includes the best GF pasta I’ve ever had.
Honestly, the first couple times we went, I was basically weeping from how delicious every single dish was and how I couldn’t believe how lucky we are to have this caliber of restaurant cater to those of us in the GF community. Five stars, every single time.
Public Kitchen - A local spot that has locations in both Reading and Wakefield, I’m always deeply impressed with the extensive GF options and the high-quality bar food available. Great burgers, fries, nachos, and all of the ‘snacks,’ we crave, Seth and I are frequent visitors here because the food is reliably delicious and satisfying. Plus, the casual vibe and super nice staff is exactly what I want while enjoying fried pickles and a swordfish BLT.
Verveine Cafe and Bakery - A new-on-the-scene spot that has won everyone over the second you walk through the door, this cafe is 100% gluten free and goodness gracious it is glorious. However, that GF ‘label’ is nowhere to be seen because great GF food is, you guessed it, just food! Amazing, right? The lines are long, the food is fantastic, and I literally can’t walk away without ordering half the menu and every single pastry and cookie.
While I wish we lived closer to this Cambridge gem, it’s probably for the best that I can’t walk in every morning. I’d tell you what to order, but I’d have to list the entire menu. The hot Italian sandwich is unreal, the spicy chili biscuit is stellar, and the cookies are some of the best I’ve ever eaten in my life. So grateful for this cafe to exist because the food is perfection and the constant crowds mean it will be around for a long time. I just love it. In fact, I think we may pop over for lunch today!
Stay tuned for next week’s edition where I will hopefully share our brand-new patio, my August workout goals, and inching closer to my birthday. Ha! It’ll be OK. Who’s going out to celebrate with me? ;)
Cheers and joy,
Mollie