Hello All,

I'll be joined on my next Paris trip by a friend for her very first visit there (she travels mostly in Italy and went to school in Rome). She'll be there for a week, and she's happy to leave all the "planning" (what there is of it . . . ) to me, and I'm happy with it --

Except for this.

She has celiac disease and cannot eat gluten. In addition, she doesn't like red meat. She's not a vegetarian and will eat fish & chicken & eggs.

These are the restaurants that I thought would be a start:

Al-Ajami, Lebanese, 58, rue François
Chez Gabrielle 7 Rue Etoile, 75017
Le Boudoir 25 rue Collsee, 75008
La Verriere 24 Avenue de Tourville, 75007
Fee Nature 69, rue d’Argout, 75002

I thought vegetarian restaurants would have more things she could eat -- lots of veggies and potatoes. Risotto is good.

So, any thoughts? Do you know of someplace we should add?

Thanks much!!

s

And wouldn't you know it??

Two minutes after I posted this, I saw that Paris by Mouth just posted a bunch of gluten-free options at Facebook. Well, it'll be fun to go through that!

s

If you want risotto, you might want an Italian restaurant. she could eat Mozzarella di Bufala as an appetizer, as well as risotto with fish. There are many in Paris, I like Auberge de Venise in MOntparnasse where I often stay, they have a branch, but they are not one of the real cheap ones, but are good. http://www.aubergedevenise.fr/Carte-montparnasse.html

You can also eat gluten free at Indian restaurants, and they can be cheaper. At least where I eat. I like Kastoori in the 9th, I always eat there if I'm staying in that quartier http://www.kastoori.fr/
They have the best raita I've ever had (the appetizer/salad of yogurt, cucumber and tomato). Lots of rice, and some of my favorite dishes like lamb korma do not have gluten in them (that dish has a sauce of yogurt, onion, various spices and ghee). Just don't eat the naan. The various biryanis, which I also love, shouldn't have any gluten, either.

A super place for vegetarian & gluten free is Cafe Pinson, in the 3rd arr of le Marais. They have great smoothies & coffee as well, plus it's just adorable. I just had an amazing risotto dish & smoothie there a few days ago!

Also, speaking of risotto, Monop' (Monoprix's togo food section) has really varieties that you just heat up and eat. Not sure about the gluten in any of these, but they always have a range of toppings. I just had a tomato and mozzarella risotto from there for lunch today! Not fancy, but great for a quick & cheap eat.

Oooh thanks so much, Christina & hellomoe! I'll put those in the list & map them out!

I appreciate your help!

s

You don't have to go to special restaurants just because your friend needs to avoid gluten and doesn't like red meat.

All restaurants and cafes have menus posted outside, and there will always be salads, omelettes, fish and chicken dishes, etc. Many people want to avoid gluten these days, and if you have any questions about a dish, just ask the waiter if it is "sans gluten".

A nice, inexpensive vegetarian restaurant is "The Loving Hut" near the Marais.