I'm not sure there's anybody in the world that loves food as much as I do.
OK, bold statement and potentially not true having seen many documentaries about many people eating so much food that they can't actually physically move anymore but you get the gist, I really, really, really love food.
I also have coeliac disease which means I can't eat any kind of gluten and that my friends, can be a bit of a pain in the arse - literally.... #noshame #vilebuttrue - for someone that thinks about food 99.9% of the time.
But recently I've found a little cluster of restaurants that are not only so good for gluten free, but generally are frickin amazing in every single way and I'd thought I'd share the love for any fellow foodie/coeliacs/greedy beasts out there because I couldn't recommend each place enough.
If The Ivy's had a membership card or some kinda sassy equivalent to airmiles, I'm pretty sure I'd be owed all the rewards/avo on toast a girl could eat. It's a favourite with a lot of PR's/brands so the The Ivy Soho brasserie is pretty much a second home, and now we have a branch at Tower Bridge I am completely prepared to become a fully fledged member of The Ivy appreciation society. But jokes aside, there's a reason it's so popular... the decor (which is the most dreamy, pinterest worthy, incredible thing ever) and the food. Which always comes up quick - winning!! - and is always incredible.
For us coeliacs/gluten freers there's a good amount of options and the waiters/waitresses always have amazing knowledge too so never feel afraid to ask about cross contamination, ingredients etc. My personal fave is the Avocado on gluten free toast because it tastes like an absolute dream (the pomegranate is a babe'in touch fyi!) and I obvs always go for a side of poached eggs because Avo without eggs is like Ant without Dec!
OMG COELIACS I AM SO EXCITED TO TELL YOU ABOUT LEADBELLY'S.
OK, and breathe.
But, basically, Leadbelly's is great for a few reasons. Number 1 - because it is oh so close to where I live and basically where I live is the most boring place on earth so I am so damn happy to have some instagrammable and ridiculously tasty places close by!
Number 2 - because the vast majority of the breakfast/brunch menu is gluten free.
BRB while I cry of happiness, Instagram it and then eat my weight in waffles.
So Leadbelly's is wonderful. It has gluten free waffles (which come with all kinds of toppings), it has avo on toast, it has full english kinda breakfasts. It has it all, and it also has the dreamiest pinterest worthy interiors to top it all off too!
PS there was also once a super hot waiter in there so it's worth visiting for that alone #PrioritiesAlwaysInPlace
Potentially one of my favourite new finds, Barbecoa is a stunning Jamie Oliver restaurant chain based in London (I went to the Piccadilly branch but there's also one at St Pauls). It's not new but it's new to me and honestly, after I visited the first time - with DadNextDoor in tow - I have genuinely been so excited to go back each time. Essentially, Barbecoa Piccadilly is the most stunningly luxurious looking restaurant that serves up the most insane meat, dreamy cocktails, all with such an incredible buzzing atmosphere. To look at, Barbecoa is extremely decadent but what I love most is that it's not in any way pretentious. For me, you'll find nowhere better to have the most stunning roast dinner in the sexiest surroundings. (Can you call interiors/decor sexy? Pretty sure you can!)
I honestly couldn't recommend Barbecoa enough, they were also able to make the roast dinner totally gluten free, only missing the yorkshire pud (which yes is the best bit but we can't have it all guys). If you're in the Piccadilly area, go and check it out, I promise you won't regret it.
I do love a good sit down for 3949294 hours putting the world to rights kinda meal but I also just sometimes need some quick on the go, incredibly tasty meals and this is where Crepe Affaire comes in. I struggle with crepes. Mostly because I love them so much and I generally can never have them. So when I found out that the absolute babe of all babes Crepe Affaire had comes up with a gluten free option with lots of topping options too, obvs I ran down faster than you can say greedy beast to check it out.
I went for bacon and maple syrup because I know how to win at life (well, food choices) and omg they were divine!!! The actual crepe itself is surprisingly soft and not too dry at all, lots of flavour and just the perfect quick snack on the go. I was also mega impressed that most of the fillings for "normal people" were also gluten free so you don't feel like you're missing out at all.
Highly recommend.
*attempts to stop salivating just thinking about bacon maple crepes*
Whether you are coeliac/gluten free or not, if there's one place to put on your must visit list, please make it the Conrad St James for afternoon tea. From the incredible service, to the champagne greeting, my afternoon here with MumNextDoor was one of my all time favourites. The hotel itself is just stunningly beautiful, decadent, luxurious and just somewhere you could happily sit and people watch for hours. And whilst you're sitting and perving why not do it with a shed load of cake getting sloshed merry on champagne? Ok, so... the gluten free option comes with bread roll type sandwiches which were really really good. It didn't fall apart or taste like sawdust and the fillings were OH MY GOD SO GOOD. Coronation chicken being a personal fave but that's just me and my curry loving self. The cakes were an absolute dream. Each one beautifully presented and incredible tasting, my personal fave was the chocolate loaf that dreams were made of.
The scones were very good. I'd be lying if I said that they didn't fall apart as soon as I touched them with a knife but then I've literally never found gluten free scones that manage to stay in one piece (if you have, send your recommendations my way). But they were the perfect way to finish off a perfect evening. You just can't help but feel like a bit of a princess with such impeccable service and permanent refills. So yes, in case you couldn't tell, I really want you all to get your butts down to the Conrad St James because it is just stunning!
And that's it for my little foodie five. I'm actually surprised it's been so long since my last food post considering that I spend 99.999999% of my time thinking about when I'm about to eat next. I really, really hope you enjoyed it and I hope it's helpful for any coeliacs/gluten free eaters out there because trust me gal pals (and lads) I know how difficult it can be, but all 5 places mentioned here are a gluten free dream!
I'd love to know if you're loving anywhere in particular at the moment? Where do I need to eat my weight in carbs/goodness? I always love your blimmin lovely recommendations!
As always, thanks so much for reading!
xx
