Gluten Free In Anchorage, Alaska: Returning After Two Years
It's been almost exactly two years since I was last in Anchorage, but 2012 will be a pretty Alaska heavy year for travel. I've already got two other trips planned in July and August. On this trip I was able to find some great new-to-me gluten free friendly eateries that I will definitely be returning to. I also visited some old favorites and was pleasantly surprised with a new menu addition at one of them.
I loved the ambiance in Terra Bella - great music and just an overall great feel. They offer vegan and gluten free items on their regular menu as well as some gluten free goodies in their pastry case. They make gluten free bread for their sandwiches and offer rice milk as an alternative for their espresso drinks. I ordered a turkey avocado sandwich and rice milk latte. I will most definitely come back for lunch on another trip!
I didn't get a chance to stop in at Middle Way until the morning I was departing and I'm bummed I didn't go earlier! This cafe had just the right vibe that felt like home to me - they were even playing the same music I had loaded on my iPod for the trip! They offer house made gluten free and vegan goodies that were all separately wrapped - something I totally appreciate. In addition, there is a juice, smoothie, and coffee bar with oodles of options. I spotted both almond and rice milk on their non-dairy milk list. While their regular menu wasn't marked with any particular gluten free indicators (although it did have vegan options), there seemed to be some options available. Since this was just a quick stop before the airport, I ended up with a tropical smoothie and blueberry muffin - both were great!
Two years ago, Moose's Tooth was one of the first places I went to in Anchorage. I had planned on getting a salad and wrapping it in a gluten free tortilla. That was until the wait staff heard about my plans. They offered to make me a pizza on my tortillas. They put it it on a special plate to avoid cross contamination and totally made my day.
Fast forward to this year where a friend of mine had just returned from Anchorage and told me that Moose's Tooth was now offering a gluten free menu and pizza crust. So of course I had to try it! I got their veggie pizza with no cheese and it was wonderful. It even came on it's own separate little tin. It's wonderful to see how places change over time.
I also visited Orso and Natural Pantry again. One thing I learned at Orso is that a lot of their dishes include chicken stock - which as gluten in it. So just a note of caution! I was able to work with my server to order a wonderful Mediterranean salad and shrimp cocktail that were both delightful and safe from that chicken broth. Natural Pantry continues to offer a great variety of gluten free goodies - I also picked up a great pack able bag a with a lovely chevron pattern and some fun looking teas.
Have you ever come back to a restaurant years later to find an increase in their gluten free offerings?
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