Author: Mariann

Dining Out G-F in NEO

May 2017

Club Isabella
Little Italy/University Circle/Uptown

ClubIsabellaonFacebook

Mariann writes:

While Club Isabella does not have a gluten-free menu my recent dining experience was quite pleasant.

I was offered three dishes from the menu that have no gluten component and for which the kitchen would modify the sides to accommodate my needs.  These included the Grilled Bone-in Ribeye, Braised Short-ribs, and Seared Scallops.  I chose the Braised Short-ribs and subbed out sweet potato puree and a side of roasted brussels sprouts.  

Everyone enjoyed their selections and mine was very good.  Chef/Owner, Fabio Mota, graciously visited out table after our meals were eaten and plates cleared to thank us for coming!   Sadly, my taste buds missed out on dessert, there is no g-f dessert option but since none of the diners chose dessert we all finished with an after dinner drink and coffee!

 
The dining room at Club Isabella is quite lovely and the restaurant was quiet on the evening we dined.  Club Isabella is a very nice option for an evening of Fine Dining which makes it a great location for dinner before Cleveland Orchestra events or to complement a trip to any of the University Circle museums including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, Botanical Gardens, and the Cleveland Historical Society!

Thai Spice
Westlake

http://thaispice.weebly.com/

http://thaispice.weebly.com/gluten-free-menu.html

Every few meetings of the NEOCN are scheduled as ‘Dinner With…..’ meetings.
Our most recent ‘Dinner With’ was Tuesday, May 2nd at Thai Spice.

Thai Spice has an extensive g-f menu (link above) and the 12 diners who gathered to share dinner together this month enjoyed a wide variety of selections including Curries, Pho, Summer Rolls, Pad Thai – chicken, shrimp and tofu, Tofu Triangles, and Lemon Grass, Coconut, and Glass noodle soups!

Our next ‘Dinner With…’ meeting is scheduled for November – the location is to be determined.  Past ‘Dinner With…’ events have brought us to The Oak Barrel in Independence, Melt in Rocky River, Melting Pot in Lyndhurst, Paladar in Woodmere, PF Chang’s in Beachwood, and Bomba Tacos in Rocky River.

News Notes and Things to Know!

May 2017,   Check out the news at cleveland.com   
http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/04/recent_food_news_to_bring_you.html

  

If you are not already familiar with Gluten Free Watchdog check out the webpage of founder Trisha Thompson, MS RD  here:

https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/

The GFW webpage has lots of public information for the Celiac and gluten-free community to stay informed.  But, GFW, also has a subscribers option that has Trisha Thompson’s ongoing research published.  The subscription cost will be going up soon so if you are interested in joining you can save on the monthly charge by registering now!  

GIG Gluten Intolerance Group – April 2017

Celebrate Gluten Free eMagazine

on facebook at –  gluten intolerance group

Each month the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) publishes a newsletter with tips and news for LIVING! gluten-free.  Included in each issue are coupons, recipes, nutrition information, news pieces and lifestyle tips.

The April edition lives up to GIG’s goals.  Among the numerous articles in the April issue you’ll find information on the Mediterranean Diet, and about eating Mexican, how to make healthy and safe choices at your favorite stadium/ballpark/arena, and how to modify your home kitchen to keep your space safe from cross contamination!

 

 

 

Mia Bella Little Italy

East, Little Italy, University Circle

http://www.mblittleitaly.com/

12200 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH 44106
216.795.2355

Mariann writes:

Mia Bella – Little Italy, located at the corner of Murray Hill Rd. and Mayfield Rd., has much to offer the g-f diner.  In every section of the menu – Soups, Salads, Appetizers, Pizzas, Entrees and Sides there are items to choose.

Our party of 6 had a reservation this past Saturday evening and we were happy that we reserved in advance.  The dining room is small and super busy, but we were impressed that they are sufficiently staffed to make it all happen.  

Reservations are most highly recommended!!

We chose salads to start our meal off.  The selections at our table included Roasted Beet Salad, Caesar Salad, and Albanian Chopped Salad.  All  were freshly prepared with nice crisp vegetables and great dressings.  The entrees chosen by our party included Seafood Risotto (the scampi were huge), Cheese Tortellini (pictured here)
Cheese Ravioli with Artichoke Hearts, and Mushroom Risotto.  

My fellow diners declared each and every dish to be wonderful!

For the g-f diner Mia Bella offers a g-f pasta with most pasta dishes able to be modified to accommodate.  According to the on-line menu there is also the option for g-f pizza although I did not notice this while in the restaurant so will need to go back and do some investigating on that. The Risotto dishes are g-f – the seafood option has a red sauce and the mushroom option has a white sauce.  G-F Entree options include Lamb Chops, Ribeye Steak and Scallops.  To finish the meal my fellow diners chose Espresso’s or digestive liqueurs – me – I chose the Spumoni Gelato!

I’m looking forward to going back to dine at Mia Bella – to try the pizza or one of the pasta dishes and also the calamari appetizer.  

And to have another Spumoni…….