Re: An amazingly life affirming gluten free vegan restaurant in SF

[Guest guest]

http://www.cafegratitude.com/node/211

“Is Cafe Gratitude Gluten Free?â€

We are completely gluten-free other than our bottled beer, Pinkus Hefen and our sprouted tortillas that we serve solely at our San location for their warm burritos and tacos.

Sent from my tin can and string. Please excuse mumbling and static.

-----Original Message-----

From: mqputnam <mqputnam@...>

Sent: Sat, Aug 28, 2010 5:38 am

Subject: [ ] An amazingly life affirming gluten free vegan restaurant in SF

I just wanted to let people who are feeling deprived if they can't eat gluten and also dairy (but they need to be able to eat nuts and seeds) that there is the most amazing restaurant in San Francisco called Cafe Gratitude on 20th and on. They make everything on site so there is no processed fake mystery meat. They make sour cream from homemade cashew nut milk. They make key lime pie from avocados. The food tastes amazing and it is totally healthy. I did notice from some of their recipes that they in their cookbook mthat they use soy in some of their salad dressigs so if you go, you may want to check on that. They have enchiladas that are so good that you feel like you had a real enchilada even though there isn't meat or real cheese in site. It's also nice to know that I don't have to worry about hidden dairy like most other restaurants.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for this info!!!!! =) I can't wait to try this place out!!!

-Christie

>

> I just wanted to let people who are feeling deprived if they can't eat gluten

and also dairy (but they need to be able to eat nuts and seeds) that there is

the most amazing restaurant in San Francisco called Cafe Gratitude on 20th and

on. They make everything on site so there is no processed fake mystery

meat. They make sour cream from homemade cashew nut milk. They make key lime pie

from avocados. The food tastes amazing and it is totally healthy. I did notice

from some of their recipes that they in their cookbook mthat they use soy in

some of their salad dressigs so if you go, you may want to check on that. They

have enchiladas that are so good that you feel like you had a real enchilada

even though there isn't meat or real cheese in site. It's also nice to know that

I don't have to worry about hidden dairy like most other restaurants.

>

[Guest guest]

Even better than Cafe Gratitude, because I'm too keen on raw food meals, is their sister restaurant Gracias Madre on Mission at 18th in SF. It's all vegan cuisine, sourcing ingredients from their farm, and I can't remember anything being glutenous on their menu... ie: corn tortillas! Plus they have great happy hour prices on drinks like sangria and mojitos that are sweetened with agave. Mmm... I want some now!Best,SaraFrom: mqputnam <mqputnam@...> Sent: Sat, August 28, 2010 5:38:34 AMSubject: [ ] An amazingly life affirming gluten free vegan restaurant in SF

I just wanted to let people who are feeling deprived if they can't eat gluten and also dairy (but they need to be able to eat nuts and seeds) that there is the most amazing restaurant in San Francisco called Cafe Gratitude on 20th and on. They make everything on site so there is no processed fake mystery meat. They make sour cream from homemade cashew nut milk. They make key lime pie from avocados. The food tastes amazing and it is totally healthy. I did notice from some of their recipes that they in their cookbook mthat they use soy in some of their salad dressigs so if you go, you may want to check on that. They have enchiladas that are so good that you feel like you had a real enchilada even though there isn't meat or real cheese in site. It's also nice to know that I don't have to worry about hidden dairy like most other restaurants.

[Guest guest]

I have been eating at Cafe Gratitude restaurants for years and they have indeed become more gluten friendly by changing their soy sauce, etc.  But you should be aware that their definition of gluten free includes the use of wheatgrass.  Many of us aren't willing to take a chance on that.  So make sure to ask about that if you are concerned.

I have taken their cooking classes and at that time they were using wheatgrass in their key lime pie but that may have changed or it may be in other things as well.  They have a binder of ingredients in each dish you can look at to verify your dishes.   Wheatgrass is technically gluten free as long as no seeds/wheat kernals have been accidently included but I am not willing to trust someone elses dilligence in this.  

However, I do extend that confidence to the Healthforce Nutritionals Vitamineral Green Version 4.8 that they have and sell  at Cafe Gratitude for a couple of reasons.  One is that after a contamination issue with one of their ingredients from an outside provider, they are now testing every ingredient and each finished batch for gluten.  The other  thing is that the owner's wife has celiac so they fully understand the importance of dilligence in manufactuing for their products to to remain gluten free.  This makes me feel that I might chance it for their product but not any other wheatgrass product if I wanted to use one.  Just my opinion for me.

Bottom line is it is still wise to ask questions.  Confirm the soy sauce, miso, etc is acceptable for you and ask about the inclusion of wheatgrass and if so, is it Vitamineral Green 4.8 or a hand pressed wheatgrass or other powder.  Just my opinion, but know that I go there as often as I can afford and have never had a problem that I am aware of.  (I never order Key Lime pie or other things with wheatgrass there.)  

They have a couple of cookbooks and often offer classes as well if you want to affordably make their food yourself.  I love raw food places as it is much easier to stay gluten free.  (Also note, some raw/vegan places use kamut or spelt without realizing that it is full of gluten so be dilligent whenever eating out.)

Maia-- Maia AlpernPlease note my new email address:delightfullyraw@...