Monterey/Salinas/Marina trip

angelicarjackson · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Sierra Foothills

My husband's family lives in Salinas and we're making a trip out there in late June and in September. In the past, his grandmother has cooked but it ends up that there is Nothing safe for me to eat. Same thing happens with the restaurants they pick (nasty buffets) so I just bring nonperishable food.

We'd like to find a restaurant that we can all enjoy, though, any recommendations? I think there is a PF Changs and a Whole Foods in Monterey.

P.S. because of the damage from being undiagnosed for so long, I have other food sensitivities/allergies, including: chicken, eggs, dairy/casein, nitrates, sulfites, can stand a little soy. So what can I eat? Turkey, fin fish, shrimp, veggies, fruit, nuts, rice, corn ... Oh yeah, and low-glycemic, too. Don't be jealous of me!

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8607 Location: WI, USA

Hi Angela,

It's good to see you again!

I'll poke around and see what resources are out there. I know it's beginning to be late June Wink

_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Lil Bit's Mummy · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 26

Mmmm, I miss Monterey. I wanna visit (and get some fresh artichokes!) I lived there on/off for most of my childhood. Unfortunately I haven't been back since I had to go GF.

The Whole Foods is at Del Monte Center. Pretty much the only mall in Monterey.

There's a Wendy's across from the mall, but last time I was there, it was the only one on the peninsula!

angelicarjackson · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Sierra Foothills

We found out there's a Whole Foods in Monterey, so we'll definitely be making a stop there. We have also eaten at Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing, but that was before some of the "extra" food allergies appeared, so I'll have to see what I can find when we get there. Didn't get a lot of posts on this one (I also couldn't find a celiac group for the area), but thanks to those who did post. We're leaving Fri morning, so I think I'll have to wing it.

angelicarjackson · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Sierra Foothills

Before we left, I found a bakery in Pacific Grove called Central Ave Bakery that offers GF and vegan (I can't have dairy or eggs) items. I was excited to try their food since they were close to the aquarium, but we discovered their GF bread has milk powder and eggs in it (their vegan version was "nasty" according to them). I ordered a nut burger with a salad, and while we were waiting we overheard that they are closing the place next week. Nut burger turned out to be unremarkable, but I did like their vegan/gf chocolate almond macaroons. Too bad they didn't make it, I think there's just too much competition for eateries in PG. Most people want the familiar chain restaurants.

angelicarjackson · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Sierra Foothills

Me again, had a conference near Monterey/Salinas and found a nice bed and breakfast that will accommodate special diet requests. It's the Captain's Inn at Moss Landing, http://www.captainsinn.com/start.html Rates and room details are on their website (and yes, they have a FULLY accessible ground floor room too).

The first time we stayed there we had the Admiral's Wife room in the historic building. Comfy bed (which is definitely an issue with my back) and very romantic room with a fireplace and oversized bathtub. The only thing missing was some comfortable chairs, though the parlor downstairs was available for reading and lounging.

Had to leave early the next morning for the conference, so the innkeeper left me a GF bag of goodies to go: 2 Glutino fruit bars, a banana, and a juice (which I couldn't have because of the high fructose corn syrup). The next morning I was able to do the sit-down breakfast and I had GF pecan pancakes (also dairy and egg free) and turkey sausage, yum.

Just a week later we stayed there again on our way down the coast (I'll post more on the central coast under another heading) and our room was the Cast Away in the boathouse. Much nicer seating area looking right out on the water. The bed was built from a boat and was a little high off the floor---be careful on those midnight bathroom jaunts!

The dietary experience was not quite as perfect, I was so impressed by how well she did the first trip that I got complacent. The innkeeper was making stuffed french toast for the other guests and I reminded her that I was her GF guest. I did not say dairy-free, egg-free as well, thinking that since she remembered me she would remember that too. Judging by my reaction later that day, there were eggs and/or dairy in them. Not enough to ruin our trip, thank goodness. So be sure to remind her about your needs.

We also ate at a few restaurants in Moss Landing, the Thai Seafood place and Sea Harvest. Sea Harvest was Fantastic, highly recommend it. The Thai place had good fresh spring rolls; my sole with green curry arrived breaded, so I traded my husband for his yellow curry halibut. The innkeeper says she usually sends her special diet folks to the Moss Landing Cafe but we didn't go there, Sea Harvest was able to accommodate me just fine (and my meal also came with flavor! You know how unusual that can be for GF restaurant fare).

The Outback restaurant in Salinas was fine, too, using their allergy menu. So all in all a good experience.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8607 Location: WI, USA

Hi Angelica,

Thanks for the review! How cool to get GF goodies [even though you couldn't do the HFCS]. Sorry to hear about the mixup in the DF & EF. I bet you'll give gentle reminders next time, eh?

Looking forward to the next review.
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa