Categories: Food & Wine

Gluten Free New Hampshire

My best friend recently had to give up gluten as she learned she had a gluten intolerance. At first I chalked this up to just another diet, similar to Atkins. I was very wrong. She is so sensitive to Gluten she can not have foods that have been prepared with foods that have gluten in them. On top of it she explained to me that she can’t even go out to eat with confidence that she will not get sick. She lives in Pennsylvania so I was able to offer comfort from afar. It wasn’t until she was planning her annual summit to New Hampshire that I realize I would have to find some delicious food for her to eat while she vacationed in my back yard. So my quest to find delicious gluten free food began.

I at first made all of the mistakes a rookie Gluten free person would make. I went to my favorite restaurants and tried to find a gluten free options. While some of the chain restaurants boasted such things after examination they were not that yummy, and, also were probably cooked on the same surfaces as their gluten fare. As a vegetarian I know how frustrating it can be to order a veggie burger and find out it was cooked on the same surface as the meat burgers, but for her this could cause her to be sick. So I kept looking and much to my surprise I found not only one but three delicious, gluten free restaurants right in my New Hampshire back yard. I was in business.

1. The Old Theater Restaurant and Tavern:
This restaurant is located in down town Peterborough. It is in Depot square so after a nice lunch you can walk around and check out the antique stores and local businesses. The Old Theater Restaurant and Tavern has an extensive menu and right on the menu it boasts they can modify most meals to accommodate any diet. I decided to take them up on the offer and they got my modifications right every time. On top of it they have a variety of gluten free options right on the menu. I was trepidations about ordering gluten free- images of disgusting meager offerings flew threw my head but in this restaurant the large portions have been wonderful. The menu changes seasonally to reflect the freshest produce and local ingredients. Additionally every day they have new specials to try. My husband who did not take the gluten free challenge also had plenty of options to try. He particularly enjoyed the fried fish sandwich. The gluten free mac and cheese caught my eye and it was not gummy as other gluten free pastas can be it was exactly the way I remember a good mac and cheese, the gluten was definitely not missing from this delicious dish. This is a great restaurant on its own, so to have wonderful gluten free options was particularly exciting.

2. Zeppelin and Kaleidoscope:
Zeppelin and Kaleidoscope is a vegetarian coffee shop and lunch restaurant. I have always enjoyed their lattes and breakfast foods on my way to work. I was at the counter one day when I learned that they had a gluten free menu. I decided to partake. Every sandwich they offer can be served with gluten free bread and most of the food is already gluten free. To think i had been eating gluten free and hadn’t realized it was exciting. I can imagine it now my friend and I sitting at one of their outdoor tables having lunch and coffee. Everything at Zeppelin and Kaleidoscope is delicious and care it taken to make sure when one orders gluten free it stays that way no mixing and matching and preparing on the same service for them.

3. Gillians Foods:
Gillians Foods is a supplier to area stores and also provides shipping to anywhere in the United States (and internationally.) I came across their products in Keene, NH. I slowly and with fear ate one of their gluten free baked goods and fell in love. It was delicious! When my best friend comes to visit I am already planning on having many of these products on hand. The sell everything from bread to pasta to baked treats. I can purchase a selection locally in Keene, NH at the grocery store Hannafords or have their products shipped right to my door. On their website you can find local suppliers and also order any of their products.

I am less anxious about feeding my best friend when she visits now thanks to my own gluten free eating challenge. I have a plan in place for a wonderful time with her and of course wonderful food. We will start at my house with coffee and Gillians baked goods, we will then go to Marlborough to have lunch at Zeppelin and Kaleidoscope after visiting Keene, NH, we will go to Peterborough, NH walk around depot square and stop in at The Old Theater Restaurant and Tavern. Back home we will snack and watch movies eating more of Gillians desert goods. As I continue my gluten free challenge I am convinced more gluten free foods will appear that will be delicious, appetizing, and set the stage for long chats with my best friend.