IGA Marketplace is relatively new to me. Being an Ontario native, it’s taken me some time to learn the various grocery stores in and around Vancouver.
I stopped by the IGA on Burrard and Smithe the other day to pick up a few items. I was pleased to find an extensive selection of some of my favorite gluten-free products! Many gluten-free items can be found in the designated ‘health food’ section. But there are also gluten-free products throughout the store in the appropriate departments.
Gluten-free grocery shopping in Canada is getting easier everyday!

Location:
Throughout British Columbia
Visit website for store locator
www.marketplaceiga.com

Just because I eat gluten-free doesn’t mean I have to give up red meat! Of course, when you dine out, you must be careful of meats that have been marinaded or seasoned.
Saltlik Steakhouse is another great place that you can stop in for a casual gluten-free dinner, or dress up a bit and take that special someone. The atmosphere welcomes casual and fine diners.
And let’s not forget the food! The menu does not list gluten-free items, but the kitchen can easily adapt various dishes to ensure a safe meal. Everything from steak, to chicken, to salmon. My server was very helpful at making suggestions and willing to accommodate my gluten-free needs.
Celiacs, Rejoice! A great steakhouse willing to cook gluten-free in the heart of Vancouver and Calgary.

Location:
1032 Alberni Street,
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-689-9749
~or~
101 8th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
Tel: 403-537-1160
www.saltlik.com

Because Joey’s has a gluten-free menu available, I used to eat there about once a month. Now that I’ve begun to expand my horizons and explore the delicious variety of gluten-free dining experiences available, I realized that directly beside the Joey’s at Burrard and Robson is Don Francesco Ristorante.
I still find it amazing how easily an Italian restaurant can meet the needs of a celiac. From the moment I walked in the door, the staff at Don Francesco was friendly and reassuring that they could accommodate gluten-free eating without trouble. Although they do not have any gluten-free pastas, Don Francesco has a wide selection of fine dining meals which can be adjusted and altered to be gluten-friendly.
The Chef is willing to make necessary changes, or even come up with something completely unique! I was very pleased with the willingness to make my dining experience relaxed, delicious and safe from gluten.

Location:
860 Burrard Street,
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-685-7770
www.donfrancesco.ca

I grew up living a fairly sheltered life (with respect to food). I was rarely exposed to cuisines from other cultures. They just weren’t readily available to me in my home town.
So I didn’t get my first taste of Indian food until I was near the ripe old age of 25! The aromas, spices, curries and flavours quickly became a favorite to me.
Now that I’m gluten-free, Indian food has become even more of a love. As long as the kitchen staff understands that gluten is an allergy and not just something I prefer to avoid, I’ve had no trouble with almost any Indian Restaurant I’ve been to.
After an afternoon of wandering around Robson Street in Vancouver, I stopped in at Salam Bombay for a bite to eat. The restaurant has a fine dining feel to it, but I did not feel out of place dining casually, either. The manager was quick to meet with me and re-assure me that they would accommodate my gluten-free needs. He helped with suggestion and what items to avoid. He also told me that his there was absolutely no soy in the kitchen at all (which wasn’t a big surprise since there really shouldn’t be). And for those of you who need to eat dairy-free, as well, the meats (lamb in particular) is not marinaded in any yogurt. It is only the tandoori’s that are marinaded, and even then, I don’t believe they use dairy (but may want to ask when you go).
So I was able to enjoy some delicious gluten-free alu gobhi and lamb curry. I’ll be going back again to try some other dishes now that I know they will accommodate celiacs.

Location:
217 – 755 Burrard Street,
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 1X6.
Tel: 604-681-6300
www.salambombay.ca

I’ve walked past Le Crocodile countless times and always had some curiosity about the food. I’m not sure why I have waited so long to try it out. Perhaps the French intimidates me since my own french is rusty at best. I’m glad I finally took the time to stop in.
Le Crocodile is a fine dining French restaurant in the center of Vancouver. The unique, elegant atmosphere, combined with the delicious food makes for a memorable experience. The entire staff was friendly, knowledgeable and willing to make adjustments so I could order nearly anything and feel confident it was gluten-free. The chef was willing to substitute ingredients so I could make my selections from the menu, or even just make something not even listed. Either way, they were prepared to go the extra distance to ensure a safe gluten-free meal for me.

Location:
100-909 Burrard St. (on Smythe)
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2N2
Tel: 604-669-4298
www.lecrocodilerestaurant.com

Another great Thai restaurant in the heart of Vancouver is Sala Thai. They also have a 2nd location on Cambie, but I have only eaten downtown. I’ve mentioned before that Thai food is traditionally made with mainly gluten-free ingredients. Having traveled through Thailand, I have experienced the countries cuisine first hand and appreciate the lack of gluten. That’s not to say it doesn’t existing, but most of their curries are free from the enemy I call gluten.
Sala Thai does use soy sauce in many dishes, so there is a risk of cross-contamination. But the staff is fairly knowledgeable and very willing to make necessary substitutions to accommodate a gluten-free meal. Quiet often, Thai restaurants can use fish sauce in place of soy and not miss out on any flavours. The manager at Sala Thai even brought me a bottle of the fish sauce so I could check the ingredients myself, just to be safe.
Delicious food and a safe, friendly, gluten-free dining experience!

Location:
102-888 Burrard St
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 1X9
Tel: 604-683-7999
~ or ~
3364 Cambie St.
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 2W5
Tel: 604-875-6999
www.salathai.ca

http://www.sonray.com/amano page.htm

Amano produces several types of sauces including gluten-free tamari soy sauce. I’ve tried several different brands of wheat-free tamari, but Amano is my favorite so far.
I have made it a habit to bring a small container of this tamari with me when I go out to a restaurant (especially sushi). It’s nice to have my own supply of gluten-free soy sauce at my finger tips when I need it.
Amano may not be available everywhere, but I have had luck picking it up at places like Choices, Wholefoods/Capers, and FamousFoods in Vancouver.
It’s a little bit pricey, but a delicious, safe, gluten-free soy sauce is worth a bit more money.

It was great fun sitting at Tsunami Sushi on Robson Street and grabbing my meal from tiny boats as they float past me! That’s right… Vancouver’s floating sushi train can cater to the gluten-free eating.
To be honest, you’re safer to order a-la-carte rather than picking your dishes from the floating boats. This way you can make sure the staff has prepared your food away from any tempura or soy products.
I was very impressed that when I told the server I could not eat gluten/wheat, they immediately told me they would bring me some gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce! They brought me out an entire bottle of San-J Organic Wheat Free Tamari Soy Sauce.
The sushi itself wasn’t too bad. It’s not top of the line, but it is a convenient and affordable place in the heart of Vancouver where you can stop in for a quick bite to satisfy your gluten-free sushi cravings. It can be tough to find somewhere to grab a quick, cheap meal when you’re shopping on Robson Street.
The staff was very accommodating and easy to communicate with.

Location:
238 – 1025 Robson
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-687-8744
No Website

www.san-j.com

If you’re newly diagnosed with celiac disease, you may not realize that soy sauce is loaded with gluten. Fortunately there are alternatives. San-J offers an organic wheat-free tamari soy sauce. Not everything San-J produces is gluten-free, so be careful when you grab the bottle off the shelf. The taste is pretty good and many Japanese or sushi restaurants will have some on hand if you request it. The only downside to gluten-free soy sauce or tamari is the price. You’ll notice it is significantly more than the regular stuff (but then again, isn’t all gluten-free food more money?)
San-J wheat free tamari soy sauce is certified gluten free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (as indicated on their website).

www.turtlemountain.com/products/purely_decadent_Coconut_Milk.html

You probably noticed that the Product Title is Turtle Mountain, but the link takes you to their So Delicious brand. That’s because So Delicious is a product produce by Turtle Mountain which offers gluten-free coconut milk ice cream and gluten-free coconut milk yogurt. So don’t be confused.

Good news for Celiacs who can’t eat dairy or soy! So Delicious has released a line of gluten-free Coconut Milk Ice Cream and Yogurt. Celiac Disease will often lead to other digestive ailments and allergies (like dairy). So being able to devour a tub of ice cream again is fantastic! The best part about the coconut milk (besides the taste), is the health benefits compared to soy. The general population is lead to believe that soy is a healthy alternative to milk, but there is a lot that we are not made aware of. I won’t get into details since I am not a nutritionist, but I do suggest being careful and doing lots of research.

So Delicious really is just that… so delicious! They offer gluten-free coconut milk ice cream flavours from chocolate to cookies and cream. Take a look around the website. They also have some other gluten-free products besides the coconut milk ice cream and yogurt. But I’ve posted these because the website confirms the entire lines are gluten-free. Coconut milk ice cream… unbelievably good!