I went on a great date recently with someone who is really cute, has a great smile, and loves gluten free food...my niece Pilar! she just turned two so grandma and I decided to take her for a grown up lunch at My Local Café located at 3772 west tenth avenue in the point grey neighborhood. we enjoyed one of the best gluten free lunches I have ever had (their deep dish gluten free lasagna, salad, and garlic rice bread…read on!) many of our loyal readers mentioned this little place to Andrea and I to let us know that they sell gluten free treats like chocolate cake and muffins, but I was so excited to see that many of their breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items are gluten free too!
My Local Café is also one of the only restaurants in Vancouver to make their own sorghum and brown rice bread in house and it is really really good! in fact, everything at My Local Café including the gluten free waffles, and muffins are made in house. they do use a few other gluten free brands including Rizopia rice pasta from Galloways, and Bobs Red Mill for their tasty gluten free pizza crust. My Local Café also offers a wide variety of vegan and dairy free alternatives and has a great atmosphere for dining in. gluten free dishes are also prepared in a separate area of the kitchen, with separate cutting boards, utensils and even a designated gluten free toaster, what a treat!
the philosophy behind the all vegetarian, organic dishes at My Local Café is ‘thoughtful food’ and thoughtful it is. the owner, Shafique Shivji (or cookie monster as noted on his business card ) wanted to open a café where everyone could enjoy good tasting food – even if it is secretly gluten or dairy free. this little café reminds me why living in Vancouver is absolutely the best place to be if you are celiac or gluten intolerant.
the menu at My Local Café is broken down into morning or midday plates. it is important to advise the staff if you are seeking a gluten free version of any of the dishes on the menu and they will be sure to substitute any bread items for their gluten free brown rice bread (at no extra charge!), but you do have to advise them first. by doing so also ensures that your dish is prepared in their separate gluten free area of the prep kitchen. it is important to also know that My Local Café is not a dedicated gluten free restaurant but takes ample measures to minimize cross contamination and the staff are well informed of what gluten free means.
here are the gluten free highlights:
morning plates:
either ‘the local’ or ‘2 eggs on toast’ (poached eggs, cheese, roasted potatoes, fruit) can be substituted with the café’s homemade brown rice bread. the ‘local’s quiche’ is also made on a wheat free crust and is layered with seasonal vegetables.
my favorites include the gluten free waffles and muffins! the waffles are made with buckwheat flour, and come with either roasted fruit or toasted pecans, maple syrup and whipped cream! they are toasted in a dedicated gluten free toaster. the gluten free muffins, made with gluten free oats, are probably the best I have had so far, and come in chocolate cranberry, blueberry banana, peanut butter and chocolate chip, and peach and coconut. the muffins are also placed on the top display shelf to minimize cross contamination with their wheat muffins. there are always a variety of other gluten free treats at the order counter including gluten free chocolate cake and rice crispy squares.
midday plates:
most of their ‘local’s soup’ varieties are gluten free, including a recent tomato basil soup, but it is advisable to ask if their daily soup is gluten free first. you can also have it with their brown rice bread as well. spreads available include an olive tapenade, garlic or pesto spread. they are all excellent!
I love their ‘create – your – own sandwich’ option with gluten free rice bread, and you can select what vegetarian options you would like with your choice of spread. I tried spinach, tomato and cucumber with the olive tapenade spread over the weekend and it was delicious! you can have your gluten free sandwich toasted or untoasted, both options taste great.
the ‘daily baked dish and ‘local’s cauldron’ vary from week to week but are often a gluten free deep dish vegetarian lasagna or vegan shephard’s pie! they each come with salad and bread (again ask for the gluten free bread substitute).
and if all of that was not enough, there is gluten free pizza! the pizza is really good! its thin crust with cheese and vegetables, and it also comes with one of their various daily salads. there are usually three salad options daily to choose from and are almost always gluten free including a wild rice and celery salad, mixed vegetables, or spinach and apple.
Pilar and I had so much fun and it is very kid friendly too! Andrea and I highly recommend this little café, the food is thoughtful with an abundance of gluten free variety! Robyn.
My Local Cafe is open monday to friday from 7am to 8pm & saturday and sunday from 8am to 8pm.
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