The Occasionally Gluten-Free Girl Wonders Why San Francisco Has So Few Gluten-Free Options

I don't have celiac disease.

At least, I don't think I do. I know a number of people who do, however, including my mother. She has a  severe case of celiac; for years, she was thin and brittle as a bird, wondering why so many foods made her sick. Now that she's living without gluten, she's feeling healthier and stronger than ever. I can't wait until Shauna's book comes out so that I can purchase one for my mom.

They say that gluten intolerance can be partially hereditary, much like certain cancers or diabetes.  I don't think I have celiac disease... but sometimes, after eating pasta for dinner or indulging in the bread basket at a good restaurant, I feel a certain sense of lethargy. It isn't overpowering; I don't feel the need to lie down and take a nap, but I do feel like my "batteries" have taken a hit. There are other small ways that gluten affects me; my stomach often puffs out unflatteringly after I eat it; I believe the correct term for this would be "bloat." Whoa. Too much information. Still, you get the picture.

I'm not ready to swear off the occasional handmade pasta at Quince, or the onion-cheese bread at The Dining Room. I'm not ready to walk away forever from Meetinghouse Biscuits or Kara's Cupcakes.

That said, I only indulge in those things on occasion, and I frequently take breaks from gluten. For a week, or two, or sometimes three. For the most part, it isn't difficult. I've never been one to design meals around starch - you'll rarely find pasta on the menu at my house, and I serve bread with dinner about four times a year. Wheat-based starches simply aren't something I crave.

The difficulty is when I'm out and about, rushing from one meeting to another, and I want something quick. I stop in at Peet's for a cappuccino, and there's not a single gluten-free pastry in the bakery case. Unless I'm nearby a Whole Foods, in which case I can find quick gluten-free treats, there are few safe things I can quickly access when I'm on the go. I know; I should plan ahead better. I should keep a stash of Lara Bars handy (and I often do), but still: it's frustrating.

I felt a stab of envy upon reading the recent New York Times article about the proliferation of gluten-free restaurants in New York; aren't they lucky?

Here in San Francisco, arguably one of the best food scenes on the planet, our gluten-free options are scarce... thus far. I'm hoping that will change; gluten-free food is a growing market, and not just among people who have celiac disease; some people, like me, are "occasionally gluten free" and enjoy the variety offered by gluten-free foods.

Are there fabulous gluten-free options in San Francisco that have escaped my notice? If so, please enlighten me. I'd love to have more resources.

Pictured above: A dish that does appear on my menu with some frequency: baby potatoes from Full Belly Farms, steamed in their skins and dressed with rough-cut Walnut-Asiago-Thai Basil Pesto.

Comments

[cookiecrumb]

I felt so sad, reading that NYTimes story. People had to worry whether the meal they were eating was "safe." Wow.
Listen: It sounds to me as if you are intuitively gluten-intolerant. Like, you know -- but you haven't been diagnosed.
Anyway. Potatoes and walnuts? moan, moan. Gonna do that.

[Steamy Kitchen]

rough-cut Walnut-Asiago-Thai Basil Pesto?!!!!

are you trying to make me insanely jealous?!

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

Cookie - yeah, I know. Eating out can be a huge nightmare for people with allergies. I consider myself to be borderline... which is why I'm careful.

Steamy - You jealous? From the looks of it, you're running a Michelin-starred operation there in your home! I love your pictures & recipes.

[shuna fish lydon]

ms jj,

what about cafe gratitude? I recently spoke with a gluten-free person who loves the place! if you go, get a side order of quinoa. it is the best i have ever had at any restaurant. and yes, they do cook it...

[Danielle]

I've just happened upon your blog while searching the Web for gluten-free restaurant options in San Francisco. I'm gluten intolerant, and while I've learned to order wisely while eating out, it would be so great if there were a few places that were more aware of celiac disease/gluten intolerance in the city. I've eaten in some of the NYC restaurants and nearly cried with joy at the freedom I felt in those restaurants. I'm always eager to know of options around here...

Thanks for your blog!

[The Bad Times on the Green Tortoise Guy]

I'm not surprised. I've been to your city, interacted with its people, and came to the conclusion that "laidback" is shorthand for "just don't care" - about some things. But they do care about food quality and authenticity, and that might be your salvation in this.

Mexican cooks almost never thicken a sauce with roux or any other flour based thickening. Central American food is a less safe bet, but get down to Peru, in culinary terms, and again, you might find plenty to eat. Chinatown - avoid the noodles and baked goods, and there will be a multitude of workable choices; the Chinese don't use roux, either. Or much breading.

What helps you is that while your neighbors might not care about the impact on your health of a lack of choice, if somebody muddied up a Mole Poblano ... well, nobody wants to deal with an angry SF foodie.

[Susan]

Just stumbled across this entry...

I want you to know that not everybody is affected by gluten the same way. I myself never had any symptoms, but I am gluten intolerant and probably have been my whole life.

My trigger event was the birth of my son. Immediately after that, I started having joint problems. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It is an incurable autoimmune disease that can be brought on by celiac disease. People with gluten intolerance are five times more likely to get an autoimmune disease.

So please consider going completely gluten free. It definitely sounds like you are intolerant. I am gluten free now and it has helped my symptoms, but I fight this disease every day and will do so for the rest of my life. I wish I had known I was intolerant before.