Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Asheville, Nc

kimjoy24

By kimjoy24
in Traveling with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

kimjoy24 Apprentice
kimjoy24
Posted

Over New Year's I stayed in Asheville, NC for a few days. It has kind of a hippy, organic vibe to it, so I figured it would be gluten-free friendly, and did some Internet research beforehand.

I stayed at the 1900 Inn on Montford, a bed and breakfast. I indicated on their online form that I needed gluten-free meals, but apparently that transmission did not transfer properly to them. Luckily, they had a guest that had just left that was also on a gluten-free diet, so they knew what to expect. Overall, they did an excellent job. Breakfast was served each morning, which included a fruit course (one day they tried to serve me fruit with granola but that was the only error during my entire stay), then the main course (which was almost always egg based) and the dessert course, which they had no gluten-free substitutions for (it was a breakfast pastry). Frankly, I'm not used to eating hearty breakfasts every morning so 2 courses was more than sufficient for me. I'm sure they would have no problem if you wanted to bring your own gluten-free donuts or whatever and have them heat it up in the kitchen. There is a resident cat so if you have pet allergies, you might want to stay elsewhere. To me this was a bonus, a surrogate cat to keep me from missing my own kitties too much. :)

Open Original Shared Link

The first night we ate at Bouchon. It's a little bohemian-like cafe. I had a great seafood entree that was gluten-free. They are best known for their mussels and fries- I did not inquire about the gluten-free status of the fries.

Chocolate Fetish is a popular candy shop in Downtown Asheville. The owner's son has Celiac, so the owner is very aware of the gluten-free status of his confections. It's a great place to stop for a sweet fix:

Open Original Shared Link

New Year's Eve dinner was at MarketPlace. I wasn't that impressed. I was served bread and an amuse bouche that had a pancake on the bottom. I know NYE isn't the time to test a restaurant, but if you are used to big-city fine dining, you are apt to be a bit disappointed.

I had a good meal at The Lobster Trap. In addition to fresh lobsters which you can get with gluten-free sides, I had a very nice entree of scallops with risotto. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much, since it is a more casual, lobster bib wearing kind of place, but it was really yummy. Surprisingly nice wine list as well. It also was one of the only places open on New Year's Day.

Open Original Shared Link

For lunches, I hit Laurey's, Bistro 1896 and Tupelo Honey. Laurey's offers a selection of side dishes that you can combine into a meal. I had a tasty grilled avocado stuffed with salsa and a grilled chicken breast. I had a good apple, pear and walnut salad at Bistro 1896. Tupelo Honey was somewhat of a disappointment. I had to wait almost an hour for a table. I had already looked over the menu and despite the place having an organic focus, there were very limited gluten-free options (though it was nice that they labeled them gluten-free right on the menu). So I ended up with a veggie plate of salad, carrots and broccoli.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

I also visited the Biltmore Estates one day, and had lunch at the Stable cafe. I had the rotisserie chicken entree which was tasty. The wine tasting was great, but I really wished I had brought my own gluten-free "palate cleanser".

My last nice dinner was at the Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn. This is a semi-formal, pricey affair. The food was good, if not necessarily creative. I had a spinach salad, then a steak with a side of potatoes.

Open Original Shared Link

There are plenty of health food stores in town: Earth Fare, French Broad Co-Op, Greenlife Grocery. I was finally able to try New Grist and Bard's Tale beer, which I was excited about. Overall, Asheville seems to be aware and accommodating to those with special dietary needs.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

You are now appointed the "Official Gluten Free Restaurant Food Critic" You did a wonderful job.

We don't get the Asheville very often, but I love it. I could live there easily!

Thanks for your information.

Corkdarrr Enthusiast
Corkdarrr
Posted

Thanks for such a thorough review! I LOVE Asheville and the surrounding areas, and now I have another reason to visit.

kimjoy24 Apprentice
kimjoy24
Posted
  • Author
You are now appointed the "Official Gluten Free Restaurant Food Critic" You did a wonderful job.

We don't get the Asheville very often, but I love it. I could live there easily!

Thanks for your information.

Thanks- I wish that job was available, I would apply in a heartbeat! :D

I actually do restaurant reviews for a local alternative paper. They don't know I'm gluten-free, so luckily I get to pick my own restaurants, otherwise I might get stuck reviewing a bakery and really be in a bind. :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,073
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Steph4213
    Newest Member
    Steph4213
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.2k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Wheatwacked
      Options - 7 year old boy - Helicobacter pylori and serology

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      You can sell it better if the whole family does gluten free.  If he does have Celiac Diease, it is genetic so either you, your spouse, or both have a 40% chance of also having Celiac.  There are over 200 non classic symptoms also caused by celiac disease not often considered by doctors. Joint pain, muscle pain, muscle cramps, osteoporosis, and allergies for starters.  
    • Wheatwacked
      On the cusp of facing a new life of managing a life with Celiac Disease

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Hello @MHavoc, thank you for your question and welcome to the clinic. First, has the contstipation abated with the GFD? If your are pursuing further diagnostics you must continue to eat gluten. Each lab has their own reference range for their test, but they indicate an H for high.  Typically anything above 11 is considered positive. Mild chronic inflammation (gastritis) can interfere with intrinsic factor for B12 leading to low B12 causing low MCHC (anemia). So what is causing your gastritis?  A high tTG IgA level generally indicates potential gastrointestinal problems most commonly associated with celiac disease.  Although the biopsy is the Gold Standard for diagnosis, not finding damage in the biopsy does not rule out Celiac Disease. It means they did not find damage where they looked.  The small intestine is over 20 feet long. Many here have been blood positive and biopsy negative, it just delays the diagnosis until you have enough damage to find and fit their diagnostic profile. The Ttg-iga is not only sensitive (90%) but highly specific (98%) and won’t show positive until the damage is severe.  It is estimated that 40% of first degree relatives of diagnosed Celiacs have undiagnosed Celiac Disease, so your sister is a big risk factor in whether you have it. Are You Confused About Your Celiac Disease Lab Results?  This article explains it better and is quite readable. Celiac Disease can cause deficient vitamin D.  Low vitamin D compromises the immune system.  Any other symptoms? liver enzymes?  Recent cold or flue? Celiac Disease and the malabsorption it causes through vitamin and mineral deficiencies can elicit symptoms not usually associated with Celiac Disease. Case in point maybe your gastritis and anemia.  
    • MHavoc
      On the cusp of facing a new life of managing a life with Celiac Disease

      By MHavoc · Posted

      As with most of the people that come here, I have questions and need perspective/info from this wonderful community.  Some background, started having severe constipation that would not abate even with softners (not really fun to talk about), so I was able to finally get in to see my primary and she scheduled some blood work.  One of things she wanted to test for is Celiac Disease due to my sister having celiac disease since a young child. Here are my test results: MCHC = 31.4 so considered slightly low TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE AB, IGA = 78.8 H So with that result, I was scheduled for an endoscope for confirmation of celiac disease, but I am very confused with the results: Diagnosis 1. Duodenum, biopsy: -No pathologic alteration. 2. Stomach, biopsy: -Mild chronic inflammation with reactive epithelial change -H. pylori not identified on immunostained section. -No intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia I am now scheduled to meet with a GI Specialist from the Celiac team, but that won't be until after the New Year.  I would appreciate thoughts about the biopsy report to understand whether it confirms the celiac disease as was indicated by the blood test results. I have been gluten free for two weeks and it is a very difficult adjustment for me as an older 50+ person.
    • Vozzyv
      Weird Symptoms

      By Vozzyv · Posted

      Anyone else have intermittent left ear ringing and outer right ear pain? Both seem to happen in the evenings. 
    • cristiana
      Options - 7 year old boy - Helicobacter pylori and serology

      By cristiana · Posted

      If your son eventually becomes very symptomatic, that in itself will help keep him on the diet.  I had a friend who was diagnosed roughly the same time as me and she used to tell me a lot that she could get away with eating certain gluten containing foods.  (Not a good thing to do, but she did all the same).  In time she was unable to tolerate them anymore,  and is now very strict with her diet.   The football situation with the candy:   here in the UK at least, a lot of mainstream chocolate bars and sweets don't actually contain gluten (Bounty Bar, Snickers, Cadbury's Whirl, Crunchie etc) and you may find that that is the case where you live.      
×
×
  • Create New...