Crosswinds Grille at The Lakehouse Inn and Winery

"Casual upscale dining on the shores of Lake Erie
featuring wood-fired Farm to Table cuisine."

Dinner at the Crosswinds Grille was a delight!

There are number of items on the menu indicated as gluten-free options including the Chopped Salad, Scallops, Mussels, Chicken and Duck - there are specialty beef options which I suspect can be prepared gluten-free as well.  I can say unequivocally that the Duck entree is divine.

The property sits right on the lake in Geneva, Oh with amazing views and outdoor seating for enjoying your wine.  Dinners are not served outdoors as of yet and breakfast service to the public is expected to begin in June 2014!  This would be a great early morning drive to see the sunrise and dine on local eggs and bacon.

If you are looking for a perfect stay-cation this is a great choice as they have the bed and breakfast, spa, winery and restaurant all within walking distance of Geneva on the Lake including the Geneva Lodge!

Ingredients for the preparation of your meals are sourced locally (as much as possible) from eggs to steaks to chops to chickens and all the trimmings in between. 

Also offered at the winery are wine tastings, tours and private events for groups.  Among the wines available from the winery are a number of whites both lightly sweet and dry, a semi-sweet rose and reds of the drier variety. 

Hope to see you there this summer at both Sunrise and Sunset!

Michelangelo's - Little Italy

Super beautiful Saturday evening in Cleveland, OH - The Summer Solstice.

Heading to the Cleveland Museum of Art Solstice Celebration we stopped first for dinner at Michelangelo's in Little Italy.  While I was not sure what to expect since I will typically call ahead and find out the details of their gluten-free awareness I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are very accommodating.

Our server explained that they have gluten-free pasta and lots of sauces to have with it but since I do not typically eat pasta I was more interested in the Entree Offerings.  I was not disappointed.  The gluten-free options offered included two fish items, duck and tenderloin.   The evenings specials included a Mushroom Risotto and a Cioppino - both of which might have appealed to me but which I forgot to inquire about - next time!  Sarah, our server, recommended either the Duck or the Tenderloin coupled with a risotto on the side and I opted for the duck!  It was perfectly prepared and totally yummy!   Sarah also recommended the Arneis wine which was amazing and which I had never had before.  The restaurant was packed - including a huge private party in one of the dining rooms so service was a bit bogged down but Sarah was attentive and gracious and extremely helpful. 

Paws - The Bertram Inn Hotel in Aurora.

 

Paws is the casual dining and cocktail lounge adjacent to Leopard - the upscale restaurant at The Bertram Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Aurora, OH.  While attending an event in the private party seating area of Paws I was offered a specially printed gluten-free menu put together for the event guests.  I am fairly certain that I was the only attendee in need of a gluten-free menu so I was deeply honored that my hosts had thought to include this for me!  The specialty menu had many of the items that were being offered on the traditional menu with some modifications.   The Shrimp and Grits and the Glazed Ribs on a bed of Slaw were both appetizer options but the servings were substantial enough for my meal. 

Paws is a cozy dining room and a nice cocktail lounge.  Although I neglected to inquire on g-f beer:(  the bartender recommended a beautiful French Sauvignon Blanc from their extensive and impressive wine list!
I will make it back there soon and check out the beer options.

Pass through the glass doors to the upscale dining room, Leopard Restaurant.  While I have not eaten yet at Leopard the menu posted on-line states the kitchens willingness to accommodate all dietary requests.  (6/14)

Paladar Latin Kitchen

An absolutely gorgeous summer late-afternoon/early evening!  Sunshine, Light breezes, and good company with my niece Jess at the Eton Place, Paladar.  Being particularly fond of Latin food it seems I can never get enough and Paladar offers a slew of options for the gluten-free diner.  I dined on Duck tacos with the corn tortillas, Jess had the Rum Glazed Pulled Pork - both items are available from the regular menu and the gluten-free menu.

Please!  Remember to politely remind the server - every time you request anything during your visit that your order should be handled g-f.  DO NOT expect them to remember - they are very busy. 

While it may leave you feeling like a pest - You are always your greatest asset and advocate!  That being said, at Paladar your server will take your order and check in on you periodically for follow up but your order will come from the kitchen from a runner -  SO, again you must ask that the dish you are being given is the dish you ordered, g-f and all!

The guacamole is divine - I suggest you try the Trio.  The house version, the spicy version and the special!  It is handmade to order, so again, remind your server.  Sadly, the chips are not g-f but they will gladly provide you with lovely veggies to indulge in the wonderful treat that is their guacamole.

Dessert - only the Flan is g-f.  It is thick, it is creamy, it is cold, and it is served in just the right size to finish off your meal and big enough to share  because at Paladar the entree portions are huge and the guacamole substantial so a couple of bites of dessert is just right!  Their coffee has always been a nice finish to the cocktails options of margaritas, caipirinhas, run tastings, sangrias and more.  But, Alas - still no g-f beer!