Monday, June 30, 2008

Cafe Campagne

Cafe Campagne
1600 Post Aly
Seattle, WA
(206) 728-2233
website

Four out of Ten

Cafe Campagne on Urbanspoon

I really wanted to like the breakfast at Cafe Campagne, and find it very difficult to criticise a place that I have enjoyed so many really wonderful and memorable meals. Unfortunately I find it more difficult to find very much good to say about breakfast. The dining room is crowded and cramped to the point where you will be sharing your conversation with the people next to you. The breakfast menu is pretty limited and the food is just not as good as it is for dinner.

I had a chevre omelet with the sausage. The portions were pretty small. Most surprising was the orange juice cut with club soda (or something fizzy). It was billed as orange juice not an orange cooler cocktail.

The service was mediocre and the coffee cups were empty often. It is not that I will never eat here again, it is just that I will never eat breakfast here. This is still a great dinner.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Celiac In Seattle

For me, breakfast is the easiest meal to have out. There is no wheat in eggs and bacon. So other than any cross contamination, it is pretty easy to go anywhere and be able to find something. However, the anxiety of trying to find something at times for dinner or lunch can be pretty painful, and often times resulting in nothing but some lettuce and oil and vinegar. So here's my list of friendly places for anyone with Celiac or a wheat allergy to enjoy a really nice meal.

Outback Steakhouse and P.F. Chang's
PFChangs China Bistro (Downtown) on Urbanspoon
I know I am going to get some pretentious heat for this one, but not from anyone who understands how good it feels when a place actually has a gluten free menu (and a full bar). Both of these chains have a full gluten free menu upon asking, and P.F. Chang's has tamari (gluten free soy sauce). The food is fine. it won't be the best meal you ever have, but you can eat worry free.

The Triple Door
Triple Door Mainstage on Urbanspoon
It was a great surprise to find out they had a gluten free menu. The food is prepared by Wild Ginger (and oddly, Wild Ginger does not have a gluten free menu, although they have the same dishes). This is dinner theater, so depending on the show your whole experience will vary. The food is really good with great spice. Ample choices for both appetizers and entrees will satisfy any level of hunger, from a few things to nosh on during the show or a full meal.

Lola
Lola on Urbanspoon
This is a unique and fun dining experiences, and the incredible food makes this a must. A couple of appetizer skewers, a couple of tagines, and an amazing bottle of wine make a very romantic dinner. This place has a great cozy atmosphere, and a very professional staff. The prices are downtown reasonable as well. This did not have a gluten free menu, but the staff was very knowledgeable, and I ate with confidence. A definite treat!

Tango
Tango on Urbanspoon
Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum. And still not enough yums. This place will be your new favorite after a single visit. The food is fantastic, and those in the know will leave room for the el diablo. And all wheat free. This is a definite must. I recommend Monday night for half price bottle night (which my wife says doesn't mean you save money, it means you drink twice as much). Every dish we got was full of flavor, and when we looked up we saw we had been sitting there for hours. The ambiance and professional service makes this a must.

Impromptu
Impromptu Wine & Art Bar on Urbanspoon
If you are reading this because you too have Celiac, you probably already know about this place. This is the mecca for Celiacs in Seattle, but everyone will enjoy the food. A great selection of wine, and a small cafe feel make this a great place to celebrate life.