Tag Archives: santa barbara

Pizza Guru

25 Sep

Tonight to celebrate my first day of work, my husband wanted to take me out to a nice dinner at Tre Lune. As delicious as that sounded though, all I really wanted was some pizza so that I could kick my feet up and enjoy some food in the comfort of our (temporary) home. After meeting my friend’s beautiful new baby boy, we went to pick up some pizza from Pizza Guru. We ordered two medium-sized GF pizzas… the Mystic Pizza and the Peaceful Pesto. They were both decent. As far as the toppings, we both thought they could have had a little more kick to them. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the crust which was firm enough to hold the toppings. It was pretty thin, but thicker than the cracker type crust you often see with GF pizzas. They also seemed very cautious of cross contamination. We just got the pizzas but apparently you can order GF wings, bread sticks, beer (Green’s), and even chocolate cake!

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Future Restaurant Posts

23 Sep

Even though I have only been back for a week, I am amazed at how far Santa Barbara has come. For those of you that are just visiting the area and would like more options for your stay here, below are restaurants that I know to be GF friendly but that I have not posted anything about yet. Many of them I have been to and have experienced no problems. Others are on my list of places to try. As always, know that you are eating at your own risk and speak with the staff to avoid any cross contamination issues.

Olio e limone (pasta) – I have had many fantastic meals here prior to them offering GF pasta. This is a great place to go for a special meal. Posted!

Ca Dario (pasta) – The last time I lived in Santa Barbara, I know they would cook your GF pasta if you brought it, but word is that they have their own stock now. Posted!

Pascucci (pasta) – This is a good option to go to if you are shopping downtown. Posted!

Bucatini (pasta) – I only had one meal here a very long time ago and didn’t love my experience, but they are owned by the same guy as Tre Lune and Luckys. I will definitely be giving it another chance now that they are carrying GF pasta.

Aldo’s (pasta) – This place seems to cater to more of the tourists, but they need to eat GF too! I ate here once many years ago and it was kind of mediocre, but I will try it again to taste some GF pasta.

Pastavino (pasta) – I just saw online that this place offers GF pasta. They are owned by the same people as Holdren’s.

Palazzio (pasta) – This is the place to go if you are hungry as their portions are HUGE. I haven’t tried this GF pasta yet, but I used to get salmon here and it was nicely prepared. Posted!

Adama – This is an entirely vegan restaurant that has GF items clearly marked on the menu online. Posted!

Le Crepe Shoppe – I read that they offer crepes that are made entirely of buckwheat flour. I haven’t been yet though to check out any cross contamination concerns. Posted! 

Taffy’s Pizza (pizza) – Saw that they have GF pizza. Plan to go there soon!

Pizza Mizza (pizza) – Never been, but will definitely be visiting since they have GF pizza! Posted! 

Pizza Guru (pizza) – Posted!

Woodstocks Pizza (pizza) – It would have been nice to have a GF pizza option in Isla Vista while I was still at UCSB! Posted!

Spiritland Bistro – We have been here a few times. It is fantastic for people that eat GF, vegetarian, or just want a tasty meal.

Simply Pies – I am not a huge pastry/dessert kind of girl, but this just sounds too good to pass up. Can’t wait to try a GF pie! Posted! 
Honey B. Bakeshop (entirely GF bakery) – I am not a sweets girl, but look at the pictures on this website. This place might change me.

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Jeannine’s

23 Sep

Today, we went to Jeannine’s in Montecito for lunch. I had one of those great unexpected GF moments while we were there. While putting in our order, I noticed a whole basket of individually wrapped gluten-free goodies! The banana bread looked too good to pass up, so I got that to snack on until the orders came to the table. I was so happy that I did. It was fantastic. My normal (i.e. non-GF) husband agreed that it had a great consistency and that he would definitely order it without being on the GF diet. The banana bread along with a special vegetable curry dish was the perfect lunch order.

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Silvergreens

22 Sep

We spent the whole morning looking at houses and building up our appetites. After reminiscing about the good old days in IV, I had a craving for Silvergreens so we went to the downtown location. On the menu, I saw the magical words, “Gluten-free pasta available”. Woohoo! Once I made sure that they took the necessary precautions to keep my villi safe, I ordered the Chicken spinach pesto pasta. I really enjoyed the goat cheese on top. I am just excited that there is another affordable option for GF pasta in Santa Barbara!

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D’Angelo

21 Sep

I know that most people on a GF diet would run in the other direction rather than eat at a place that is a bakery. Don’t. This morning I had one of my favorite breakfast items… the huevos rancheros at D’Angelos. It is hard to put it into words how tasty this dish is. If you are not a fan of huevos rancheros, you should order one of the omelettes at D’Angelo. They are equally as good as long as you ask for no bread.

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Sojourner Cafe

20 Sep

While perusing the menu at Sojourner Cafe at lunch, I saw that they had gluten-free pasta available on one of their items of the day! It really seems like local places are starting to cater more to those with the GF diet which makes me very happy. I ended up having the coconut curry butternut squash soup along with a caesar salad without croutons. I will definitely keep an eye on the special menu though in case another GF pasta shows up!

I also have to give a little shout out to one of my favorite people in Santa Barbara who just happens to also have Celiac Disease. She and her husband just had their first baby this morning. Congratulations!

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Lucky’s

19 Sep

I know that for many, Lucky’s isn’t the kind of place that you can afford to go to often. So if you are a pinch, follow these directions and you will be a very happy camper.

1. Go into the bar area and take a seat

2. Ask for an order of the onion rings but request that they be made using rice flour

3. Enjoy the people watching while you wait for the thinnest, most melt-in-your-mouth onion rings you have ever had

4. Upon receiving the onion rings, devour them. They are that good.

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Tre Lune

19 Sep

Tre Lune has always been one of my favorite places to eat in the area. At one point, we were eating there so often, that we even got a miniature chair with our name on it that is now hanging on the wall. You know those places where everything is so good but you always seem to order the same thing? This is one of those for me. I always start with the Insalata de Fagioli and then get a GF pasta. That’s right. They have GF pasta. As always, remind the staff to take the precautions necessary to keep your meal gluten-free. And if you can’t decide between all of the choices, Penne alla Norma is simple, yet delicious. Drizzle a little of their hot oil on top and you have an uber satisfying meal.

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Lazy Acres

18 Sep

Don’t get me wrong. I love Lazy Acres. They have such a great selection of GF products. Also, since returning to Santa Barbara, I have discovered through a GF friend of mine that they now have pizzas in their prepared foods display. BUT, for a place that is so accommodating to people on special diets, I find it disappointing they don’t have gluten-free bread or wraps available as an option at their sandwich counter. They even sell a variety of suitable breads in the store! Perhaps if I call them numerous times from different phone numbers asking about gluten-free sandwiches, they will consider it. (I know I sound crazy, but this has proven to be an effective technique before!)

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Fresco Cafe

18 Sep

My husband and I went to Fresco Cafe the other night. I used to always order one of their salads, but as I looked at the menu, a phrase jumped out at me. It said, “Ask your cashier about wheat free pasta”. So I did. It turns out it is gluten-free pasta (I am not sure why they didn’t just write that). They use a quinoa pasta, and the way it was prepared was quite tasty.

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