Canadians?

[Lynxear]

If anyone goes to the restaurant let me know how everything went! Oh and if anyone has an address that would be great too!

I don't know the address...but it occured to me that it might be a nice place to get to meet eachother.

[Carriefaith]

I don't know the address...but it occured to me that it might be a nice place to get to meet eachother.

Yea, I know there are a few people from Calgary here. I don't live there yet, but I plan on moving out there soon.

[Lynxear]

here is a newspaper article on the restaurant

Open Original Shared Link

Actually I think it is within 15 min walking distance for me. There was a pub that was under renovation until a few days ago....if I am correct it is on the southwest cornor of a small shopping mall at 75th ave SW and Elbow drive.

Hmmmmm....I am getting hungry....it is noon....I will head that way... I'll check it out and see if their prices are reasonable or if they charge the earth....

[2Boys4Me]

I did some digging. It's called Splitt Pourhouse & Grill at 7746 Elbow Drive S.W. (about 5 blocks south of Glenmore on Elbow Dr.) ph: (403) 212-0304. Owners name is Jeff. Right now it is breakfast type items from open until 4pm and from 4pm until close it's a lounge/pub type thing. All food is gluten free and lactose free. In a couple of weeks they'll decide whether or not they'll let kids in on weekends only until 4pm.

[Carriefaith]

Thanks for your help

[Lynxear]

Well I was right.....it is in that shopping mall on Elbow Drive and 75th Ave SW in the SW cornor...newly renovated.

I went and had lunch there and here are some of my comments:

1. from their menu

"All of our menu items with the exception of beverages are considered to be gluten and lactose free. Bread products are available gluten free upon request, please ask your server for details. We use only the freshest, low fat, health conscious ingredients where possible."

comments: You have to be carefull here. The restaurant caters to a normal eating crowd as well as a celiac/lactose intolerant crowd. BUT the default is the normal crowd. The staff did not ASK me if I was wheat or lactose intolerant ... I had to tell them.

The staff are exceptionally friendly and "Jeff" visited my table and we had a short chat. My impression is that they are very new at this game BUT they are open to suggestion for improving their operation...not being really celiac I could not comment on their setup....most of you could do a much better job of that....I would bet that Jeff would give you a tour of the kitchen.

2. Their rice bread

You pay $2 more for having a rice bread alternative. Either white or brown rice bread. I commented to him that I had not much luck with rice breads. He said that theirs come from Lakeview Bakery...I was not aware that they make a gluten free rice bread of any kind....All I ever had from there was an inedible white rice loaf frozen made by Kingsland(??). So I decided to try this toast.

I was told that they had 2 work stations in the galley....one for gluten...one for non-gluten

3. I had their "All Day Breakfast" consisting of Two eggs, two strips of bacon, hashbrowns & toast normally for $6.00 but add $2 for the toast being rice toast.

What arrived was a rather nice plate with what I would describe as Home fried potatoes (much better than hash browns) I also got a bonus of 2 maple sausages (nice taste...I assume the filling was gluten free) and some fruit garnishes along with my eggs, toast and bacon. Add another $2 for a bottomless cup of coffee (a little weak for my taste) and the whole billl came to $10.00 less tip.

Comments: I enjoyed the meal BUT I had a mild stomach upset about 10 minutes after I left the place. I don't usually have that after a meal....Does Lakeview Bakery make a gluten free bread? The toast was like those small german square loafs of rye bread. It had excellent texture...not at all like any rice/tapioca/corn bread I ever tasted...or maybe the sausage. The upset didn't last long....but it bothered me a bit.

4. The coffee I was served came with Parmalat cream....Lactose free???

5. They have a number of pancakes/waffles/pie crusts...I assume wheat-free but not stated

6. Prices for entries range from $9 - $15 Add $2 for rice bread where applicable

Overall the staff were very pleasant and I think open to suggestion. The meal I had was pretty good.....except for the stomach upset a while later...I have suspicions about that rice bread from Lakeview bakery...I will check that out soon.

They are new....need to get experience for their staff who should ask questions before they take an order IMHO. Would I go again? I think so but it is not so cheap that you could go daily.

[Rusla]

Lakeview bakery makes gluten-free bread but I have never liked their rice bread and I did have a problem after I ate their rice bread before. Lakeview bakery also makes normal bread and they think that Spelt and Kamut are gluten-free.

[Lynxear]

Lakeview bakery makes gluten-free bread but I have never liked their rice bread and I did have a problem after I ate their rice bread before. Lakeview bakery also makes normal bread and they think that Spelt and Kamut are gluten-free.

Hi Rusla

Then it was THAT BREAD...I knew it was too good to be true. The texture was too perfect. It is probably a mixture of Spelt and Rice. The brown bread was "chocolate brown"...far browner that I have seen brown rice bread before.

I'm going to Lakeview to check what is in that bread tomorrow. Apparently they never advertised this bread as gluten free according to Jeff at the restaurant but now they do.

Hmmmmm....I know I am not celiac but having been off wheat for 2 months makes me more sensitive to it now it seems.

[Carriefaith]

That's disapointing, I was under the impression that there were no gluten products in the restaurant except beverages. I really hope that the rice bread doesn't have gluten in it I don't know if I could trust this place. My doctor has recommended that I don't eat food that I haven't seen being prepared becasue of my bad reactions, which we think are wheat allergy reactions. I thought this place was perfect if there was no gluten in the place. I guess that wish is too good to be true

Thanks for checking the place out. I may go in and scope the place out and ask a lot of questions before I eat there.

[Lynxear]

That's disapointing, I was under the impression that there were no gluten products in the restaurant except beverages. I really hope that the rice bread doesn't have gluten in it I don't know if I could trust this place. My doctor has recommended that I don't eat food that I haven't seen being prepared becasue of my bad reactions, which we think are wheat allergy reactions. I thought this place was perfect if there was no gluten in the place. I guess that wish is too good to be true

Thanks for checking the place out. I may go in and scope the place out and ask a lot of questions before I eat there.

Well I have determined that it is not the bread....Lakeview Bakery is off the hook.

The bread in fact was Kinnikinnic brown rice bread...not bad I bought a loaf.

So I went back to the restaurant and talked to the food manager. He showed a suitable amount of concern...but I am not sure it goes much further.

Perhaps my stomach upset was not related to the meal...the fact that it occured 5 minutes after leaving the restaurant might have been a coincidence. But I had a similar meal at Phils (they subsitute bread with sliced tomatoes) with no ill effects. I doubt Phils is suitable for serious celiacs but they seem fine for my level of wheat intolerance

[2kids4me]

I live in a rural area outside of Calgary, I shop a lot at Planet Organic and Community natural foods. Eating out is hard for us since I also have to know carb values for myself and my son when we are served food. I order Kinnickinnick online and the delivery is speedy most times.

The kids love the pizzirilli crakers and the tapicoa bread mix I use to make bread. Pamelas brownie mix is awesome, President's Choice (at Superstore/Extra foods) sells Crunchy corn cereal and is labeled gluten free.

I havent figured out how you add the info at the bottom so ..this is our siutation: I have a son (11 yr) diabetic/celiac - diabetes diagnosed Sept 2003, celiac confirmed by biopsy Aug 2004. A daughter (13yr) diagnosed hypothyroid age 4, Hypotonia at birth, Aspergers at age 7, Kawasaki June 2003, celiac May 2004, stinging insect allergy diagnosed by RAST test 2005 (after reaction to wasp sting prior). I have insulin dependent diabetes (25 at diagnosis), hypothyroidism, and pernisious anemia. We are refered to as a family with polyendocrine failure because 3 family members are affected with multiple immune mediated diseases.

The kids are doing very well since going gluten-free. Son had severe joint pains, slow growth and bedwetting prior to going gluten-free - all gone except minor flares of joint pain. Daughter had severe migraines, stomach aches and back aches. Only come back if accidental gluten ingestion. Daughter is most sensitive to trace amounts.

[2kids4me]

For your upset stomach following the meal... I know of other celiacs that react to the pea flour in some of the kinnickinnick products. Do you get upset stomach form peas / pea flour? Check on the sausages too.

[Lynxear]

For your upset stomach following the meal... I know of other celiacs that react to the pea flour in some of the kinnickinnick products. Do you get upset stomach form peas / pea flour? Check on the sausages too.

No....the kinnickinnick bread was not the problem. Actually the only +ve experience from this was being introduced to this bread. It must be the pea flour that gives it the nice texture.

As far as the sausage goes I questioned them on this and they say the manufacturer says it is ok. I was a bit disappointed in the manager "Jeff" who I was told was going to contact me...but he never did. I suppose he didn't because I went to their place 2 times afterward to discuss this event. He is supposed to be celiac. Anyway, I won't go there anymore...it is too expensive for me on a regular basis compared to other non-gluten free restaurants nearby where I don't have a problem.

[Rea]

Hi guys,

This will be my first post to the glutenfreeforum - nice to meet you all!

I went to Splitt last night for the first time and was quite impressed actually... I got to look at the breakfast menu (and will be back to try their gluten-free corncakes) before I realized it wasn't the dinner menu, and then was just as impressed with the selection on the dinner menu.

There was an asian section (including Ginger beef - which I saw at a table near us and drooled at), appy's, and a good selection of entrees overall. I had the fish'n'chips for something like $11.50 (mentioned that I was Celiac, though actually gluten-intolerant) which had a tasty almost-sweet corn fritter type batter and yummy homestyle seasoned fries.

We started off with the spring rolls, which could be a light meal in and of themselves. There were 3 large rice rolls cut in half, deep fried, filled with rice noodles with some veggies/sauce. There was a side of plum sauce, and a garnish of about 1/2 cup of basmati rice. They were probably the hottest (heat) thing I've ever eaten at a restaurant, and took nearly 10 minutes to cool down to safe-eating - yummy, but initially I nearly scorched my fingers and lips.

My husband had the Payella (sp?) for $16ish which had several large prawns, sausage, diced chicken, and a good portion of veggies over rice. He asked for a 4/5 on the spiciness, and ended up with a dish almost too hot for him (and he's tough!).

We were both too stuffed from the spring rolls to finish dinner and each got about half of our dinners to go. I just warmed my 1 piece of fish and chips leftovers in the oven and it was all quite tasty! The only thing I had forgotton about fish'n'chips (it's been so long it seems) is that the batter is almost less cooked right against the fish. I did end up picking off the top half of the batter, but I'm not one for deep fried too often and as such this isn't so much a criticizm of the fish as it is an obsrevation about myself.

The servers were almost Hooters worthy, all in boots, skirts, tanks/tees... very friendly, and knew a lot about the food. Mind you I didn't get a refill on my drink now that I think about it.

Happy hour is from 4-7. Tuesdays is cheap tacos, Thursdays was $4 shots Tequila and $2 Chips'n'Salsa, and there was another Wednesday special that I forget but think was wing related.

There were lots of large flat TV screens on the one wall that were showing the game, and actually a good crowd there to watch it. There's a large round couch-like seating area just at the front that looked great for large groups, and indeed the rowdiest folks had that corner :-) The volume wasn't too bad either, though we sat in the raised area and it could be different down on the main floor.

I'm pretty sure I saw Lynxear there last night - which was funny because I only know his face from the one websearch I did for Splitt a couple of weeks ago that brought me here. He looked happy with things... ;-)

I took pictures of our dishes and will post them in the coming week.

I had no adverse reactions other than my mysterious nose itching. It will itch guaranteed if I have gluten (and that's just the start of it all), and occasionally if I have other foods - I think I have some other unidentified sensitivity too. Mind you, it could have been the three sips of my husband's beer... heh heh.

The restaurant was packed. It was a great treat that it was smoke-free too!

All-in-all with a pop, 2 beers, spring rolls, fish'n'chips, and the payella it came to $55ish including tip. Not too out of line for a well-done dinner, and would have been cheaper if we had gone during happy hour. I'm looking forward to going again and am giggling in anticipation at trying their desserts, which of course we were too full to indulge in last night.

Like Lynxear said it's not too cheap, but if I can count on that place as insurance I won't be sick that night (and into the following days) it's worth it. Plus, not even 10 minutes drive from my home. Yay!

It's impressive how many more options there have come to be in the last 5 years that I've been living gluten-free. I'm meeting more and more gluten intolerant folks, and full fledged celiacs, so it must mean that the word is spreading for both diagnosis and service. It's a little depressing that we've obviously been screwing with our systems enough that 1 in 130-200 are gluten intolerant, and that nearly everyone has something they must avoid these days, but how else do we humans change other than when we're forced to?

I've found many great tips from you all in the last few days of lurking around, and hope to see many more. Thanks to everyone!

Cheers,

-Rea

[Chako]

Fellow Canuck chiming in here from the Ottawa area and wondering where to go for good gluten free stuff, especially for a 4 year old child? Just want to do some research for it now please. Thanks! We mainly seem to shop at the Loblaws and have been directed to the Wheat Berry as well. Sounds a bit strange to go there for it, but so I have been told...

[2Boys4Me]

Don't know if you have a Bulk Barn there, but my sister in Windsor called me in Calgary to see if we had one here. She said they have TONS of gluten-free stuff. Not sure about the cc issues though.

[Chako]

We do have a bulk barn here and I worry big time about cross contamination (I assume that is what cc means?). We have had a few issues where we have needed to avoid all dairy for Curran and have definately had a reaction with foods from there and I suspected it was due to dairy. Too bad people in general do not adhere to wearing a glove and are not concious of using one dedicated scoop per bin rather than walk around with one scoop! We are not gluten free here yet as we are discussing whether or not to wait out until my son is scoped, but it is so tempting right now.

By the way, I used to live in Alberta. Three Hills and Elnora. How is that for desolate?! lol

[Lynxear]

I'm pretty sure I saw Lynxear there last night - which was funny because I only know his face from the one websearch I did for Splitt a couple of weeks ago that brought me here. He looked happy with things... ;-)

I have a clone in Calgary...some think I look like a paramedic from Stars Air Ambulance.

No, I have not been back to Splitt since that incident. I went there on the second day they were open. Their staff were not very experienced at all then and perhaps they made a mistake or perhaps it was just a coincidence that I had a problem. I don't know.

Either way as you confirmed they are rather expensive and I have no troubles at other restaurants in the area (I usually eat Asian dishes)...so going back has not been high on my list. I wish them luck though.

[2kids4me]

I am so excited - Terra Cotta just opened their bakery in Nanton last Friday - Nanton is about 80 km south of Calgary. They plan on shipping the products to Calgary from here but will have stuff available for sale "over the counter". I imagine they chose Nanton cause real estate is way cheaper here. I DID most of my shopping at Planet Organic in the SW (a strip mall at the southwest corner of Elbow and Southland). The manager is celiac.

I just tried some muffins from Terra cotta - they are AWESOME!!! The food is flying out of the bakery almost as fast as they can stock it! I am soooo happy - as living in small town - I never dreamed I could walk to the bakery and pick up anything I wanted for my kids!!!!!!!! They have cereal mixes made up for hot cereal... no more $$$ in gas for trips to the big city!! They have premade pans of lasagna...a friend of mine was excited too as she wants to be able to feed my kids without me having to bring food for them - now she can buy a pan of lasgana and tell me to leave my food at home.

Okotoks also has a Nutters and they have recently added more gluten-free choices but there is nothing like fresh baked muffins!! I tried them and I "pretend wrestled" with the kids for muffins

They will update their website later in the week Open Original Shared Link

[Guest Viola]

I am so excited - Terra Cotta just opened their bakery in Nanton last Friday - Nanton is about 80 km south of Calgary. They plan on shipping the products to Calgary from here but will have stuff available for sale "over the counter". I imagine they chose Nanton cause real estate is way cheaper here. I DID most of my shopping at Planet Organic in the SW (a strip mall at the southwest corner of Elbow and Southland). The manager is celiac.

I just tried some muffins from Terra cotta - they are AWESOME!!! The food is flying out of the bakery almost as fast as they can stock it! I am soooo happy - as living in small town - I never dreamed I could walk to the bakery and pick up anything I wanted for my kids!!!!!!!! They have cereal mixes made up for hot cereal... no more $$$ in gas for trips to the big city!! They have premade pans of lasagna...a friend of mine was excited too as she wants to be able to feed my kids without me having to bring food for them - now she can buy a pan of lasgana and tell me to leave my food at home.

Okotoks also has a Nutters and they have recently added more gluten-free choices but there is nothing like fresh baked muffins!! I tried them and I "pretend wrestled" with the kids for muffins

They will update their website later in the week Open Original Shared Link

Isn't the Tarra Cotta hot cereal mixes just awsome! My daughter sent me some from Calgary last winter and I just loved it! Almost like my favourite Red River Cereal. My daughter is going to bring me some more out when she comes to visit That and my favourite wine that I can't get here

[jim-c]

just joined this fourm. i've known about it for awhile but never bothered with it. i'm from the west coast.

[Rusla]

I was at Splitt last night with my brothers and I did not have any problems and the food was great.

I did not find them nearly as expensive as Mongolie Grill (which I found totally bland), or if anyone has ever been to Chili's you are likely to be poisoned for sure there for no less than a small portion and $19.00. I paid actually more at Moxie's, the meal was good but no where compared to Splitt and much less food and it cost me $18.00. I paid around $18.00 last night for a delicious huge meal, which I have had the rest for lunch today.

There was a bit of a mix-up when my brothers ordered wine but they straightened it out and the manager reduced the price of the bottle and gave them two glasses free. Maybe they have figured out it is best to deal with these things right away or they may lose business.

When one is catering to a select clientelle in most aspects, it is always wise to settle any problems up front. Word of mouth can make or break a business, especially one like theirs.

If it was my restaurant, I would have no gluten at all in it because of the chance of cross contamination.

[Daxin]

Well, another Canadian and newly diagnosed celiac here. I live in Moose Jaw, Sask. I thought living in sucha small town would be he$$ for a celiac, but it's not.

I am also glad to see I am not the only one in Saskatchewan.

[kimchi]

Hi everyone

I am 'newly undiagnosed', as all my tests are, according to my doctor's verbal report, negative, and yet I have had a miraculous response to the gluten-free diet... I live in Chelsea, QC, which is about 10 min. drive north of Ottawa. I went to a local Cdn Celiac Assoc meeting last night and it looks like there's a pretty active chapter here, which is exciting. For the person who was looking for sources of gluten-free food in Ottawa, I like Rainbow Foods (off of Richmond Rd, in Brittania) and the Natural Food Pantry (I've only gone to the one on York St. in the Byward Market).

Cheers,

Kim

[Felidae]

Hi everyone

I am 'newly undiagnosed', as all my tests are, according to my doctor's verbal report, negative, and yet I have had a miraculous response to the gluten-free diet... I live in Chelsea, QC, which is about 10 min. drive north of Ottawa. I went to a local Cdn Celiac Assoc meeting last night and it looks like there's a pretty active chapter here, which is exciting. For the person who was looking for sources of gluten-free food in Ottawa, I like Rainbow Foods (off of Richmond Rd, in Brittania) and the Natural Food Pantry (I've only gone to the one on York St. in the Byward Market).

Cheers,

Kim

Listen to your body when it comes to gluten-free diet. My tests were negative too, but my doctor saw the vast improvement in my health and said, forget gluten, it's not helping you.