Gluten Free Options at the Detroit International Airport

Traveling back from Greece ended up being a 24 hour affair and our last stop of the day was at the Detroit International Airport. We weren’t there for very long, but I’ve compiled a list of potential gluten-free restaurants based off their restaurant page: www.metroairport.com/pdf/maps/mcnamara_concession_map_new.pdf

Wendys- Doesn’t need much explanation as everyone is familiar with the chain, but if you’re unsure of their gluten-free items, check out their online allergen menu 

Boar’s Head Deli-If you bring along a box of gluten free crackers, or snag a bag of PopChips from a snack shop, you can make your own lunchable with gluten free cold cuts and cheese.

Chilis- Find a variety of salads and main dishes that are gluten-free with their online allergen menu here.   I typically opt for the Caribbean salad when dining at airport Chili's and haven't had any negative reactions. 

Max and Ermas- According to their gluten free menu, you can get a variety of salads, steaks, grilled chicken, salmon, tilapia and vegetables.  Check out their gluten-free menu here  for more details.

Hope this helps anyone traveling through the airport.  Please feel free to leave comments if you find another gluten free option in the Detroit airport.

Dining Gluten Free in Greece

Traditional Greek Breakfast

With the help of a friend, I compilied a list of authentic Greek dishes that may naturally be gluten free before embarking on my spontaneous Greece trip.

While short, I hope this list will give anyone traveling to Greece a few ideas when dining out.  As always though, make sure to double check!

Breakfast- this meal was my lifeline during my trip as it was always a safe bet.  Everywhere we stayed the breakfast consisted of greek yogurt, an assortment of fruit, cheese, local meats, bacon, hard boiled eggs and on occasion potatoes, scrambled eggs and bacon (to appease the American travelers I'm sure).  One word of caution though: ask about the salami before eating it.  I found that our Athens hotel's salami was actually a beer cured salami.  Strange, I know.

Greek Salad

Greek Salad- This salad is very refreshing and is simply cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, tomato, olive oil, capers and feta cheese. Word of Caution: In Crete I’ve read they may include cracked wheat.

Svoulaki-traditional meat skewer that’s brushed with olive oil, lemon and oregano.  It’s typically served on pita bread, so make sure to order it without the pita.  Word of caution: you may run into cross-contamination issues as most skewers are grilled alongside their pita counterparts.

Svoulaki and Greek Salad

Dolmas-vine leaves stuffed with rice, vegetables and possibly lamb.  Everyone makes them differently, so make sure to ask before ordering.

Paidakia-grilled lamb chop usually seasoned with only lemon, oregano and salt.

Gemista- vegetables like tomatoes or peppers stuffed with minced meat and then baked.

Arakas Me Anginares- peas and artichokes mixed with olive oil and baked in the oven.

Kotopoulo sto fourno me patates- Oven roasted chicken or lamb served with a side of potatoes. 

Gluten Free in Greece Part 3: Santorini

When you look at pictures of Greece, I’m willing to bet that 90% of those pictures were taken in Santorini.  The views from this volcanic island are exquisite, dramatic and simply breathtaking.

Oia, Santorini

Built on a volcano that erupted over 3,600 years ago, the island of Santorini is rumored by some to be the lost Atlantis.  The eruption changed the landscape of the Caldera and left the island of Santorini with a dramatically high elevation on one side and a sea-level elevation on the other. Oia, one of the most recognizable cities in Greece, is perfectly balanced at the top of the island at 984 feet above sea level (nearly equivalent to a 100 story building). The other half of the island slants down to the sea and is actually on a beach.  Santorini’s beaches offer a variety of colors as the dried lava varies from black to red to white.

We stayed in Perissa and ventured into Fira and Oia during our 2 day-stay.  We enjoyed walking around the markets in Fira, but after about 2 hours we felt we had seen it all. From Fira we took a bus into Oia, which was an experience in itself.  The windy roads as you climb the volcano were definitely not for the faint of heart, or the claustrophobic.

The views from Oia were absolutely spellbinding and something my mind would never have been able to conjure by itself.  The white architecture built into the side of the volcano contrasts vividly to the deep azure blue of the Sea.  It’s absolutely breathtaking.  We spent the rest of the day wandering around Oia as we were determined to stay for the famous sunset.  One travel tip I’d recommend though is to bring a jacket.  The island cools off quite a bit once the sun sets and we found ourselves huddled together to try to keep warm at one point (keep in mind, we travelled in June).

Alright alright, you clicked on this blog to get a feel for the gluten free Santorini cuisine, so here we go:

The group at Noma

 Noma Kuzina Mediterra: Our hotel was situated on a quaint little street facing the black beach and offered restaurants, shops and more right outside our door.   We  originally sat down at restaurant that seemed much more like a tourist restaurant than an authentic Greek restaurant and after viewing their picture-only menu decided to continue our search.  Down just a few feet was Noma, our hidden gem.  The restaurant was an indoor/outdoor type set up with a bit of a swanky feel to it but offered simple foods at simple prices.  As soon as we sat down we were greeted with a shot of a local spirit, which tasted of honey and organically sparked a conversation with the restaurant owner. Coincidentally, the owner had lived in the USA for a few years growing up and to my delight was also was very educated on Celiac Disease.  He even discussed his idea of creating and distributing a gluten free pizza crust to the restaurants he oversaw in the city (yes please!).  After a long discussion on how successful I think it would be, it was time to order.  I ordered a decadent potato casserole that was out of this world.  I wish I could recreate it somehow because the

Amazing potato casserole at Noma

flavors were simple yet divine.  It was oozing with cheese, bacon, chives and some type of tangy mix of spices, garlic and sour cream that threw it over the top.  The dish probably could have served 2, but I ate the whole thing accompanied by a refreshing Caprese salad.  I dreamt of this casserole the rest of our time in Santorini and highly recommend the restaurant for that reason only.  Before heading that way, you may want to send the restaurant a facebook message and see if they have started offering gluten free pizza crust!

Another view at Pelekanos

Oia is known to have some of the best sunsets in the world.  We had arrived in the city around noon and after exploring, shopping and picture taking, it was time to wait out the remaining  afternoon.  We ate light snacks, drank wine and just relaxed at quite a few restaurants within the town, but since everything was so simple I didn’t write down the restaurant names (oops!).   As with most small restaurants, I stuck to the Greek Salad just to be safe.

Shrimp at Pelekanos

 Pelekano’s: The time had finally come for the sun to set and cast it’s painting across the Aegean Sea.  We luckily got to the restaurant just in time to get a table at the corner of the glass-encased dining room that extended even further above the city of Oia than expected.  The restaurant played a dramatic opera concerto while the sun made it’s descent and then quickly changed to upbeat music once the event had passed.  The view from the dining room was absolutely stunning but the food for gluten free travelers was a bit bland. I ate shrimp, dusted with pink peppercorns accompanied with some garlic butter along with a side of roasted potatoes (a girl’s got to have some type of carb after a long day of walking!).  Because Oia is more of a tourist stop, the restaurants we found weren’t anything out of the ordinary.  I’d recommend getting a cocktail and light dinner while watching the sun set from the balcony but recommend dining elsewhere if a hearty gluten-free meal is what you’re looking for. 

Sunset at Pelekanos

Gluten Free in Greece Part 2: Mykonos

In case you’re just now tuning in, I’ll give you a brief recap of what brought me to Greece.  I had been itching for a vacation and mentioned taking one to my friend Callie.  We started throwing around the idea of Mexico and then just decided if we were going to take a week off work, we may as well go somewhere cool.  The Greece idea was conceived, we were able to get 2 of our friends on board with us and the entire trip was booked within 1 week.  Seems like a great movie storyline, right?

Kivotos Hotel Welcome Room

We arrived in Athens and then flew over to the island of Mykonos, which was just stunning. While it’s known to be a party island frequented by celebrities and the most extreme party-goers, our experience was a much more relaxed one.

When we arrived at our hotel, we instantly were all taken aback by the extravagance of the place and felt like we had to have been dreaming.  I felt as if I were Carrie Bradshaw walking into the palace in Abu Dhabi.  I still am not sure how in the world we got such a great rate, but let me tell you, it was out of this world.  Upon arriving, we were placed in their windowed sitting room and given a glass of champagne.  What more could we ask for? An amazing view, glass of champagne and a sea breeze-we were in heaven.

During our 2 day stay on the island we lounged by the pool, tried out the nightlife at the Paradise Club Mykonos, took a trip into Little Venice and walked our way around part of the island to a castaway beach.  I think our half-day of exploration to the castaway beach was my favorite experience.  As we made the 3-mile walk we stopped to take pictures with all the gorgeous Greek doors and were speechless when we arrived at the beach.  Again, it was like being in a movie.  The water changed colors from a vibrant turquoise into teal into navy blue and was situated between two rocky hills.  It looked photoshopped it was so beautiful. The water was freezing, but that didn’t stop us from swimming!

Alright, so getting to the food stuff; where did we eat?

Lunch at Ithanki

Ithaki: Located in Ornos Bay right on the beach, the restaurant offers authentic Greek foods with a gorgeous view of the water. It’s a bit more on the touristy side as it’s literally a beach restaurant, but the food was pretty good.  I ate a greek salad and chicken svoulaki (without the pita bread).  Petros, our fun waiter, said the chicken was only brushed with olive oil, lemon juice and oregano, so no hidden gluten. The most memorable part of this lunch was our conversation with Petros. He was a man probably in his early 40s who had such a passion for life.  We somehow got into a deep conversation and it made me realize, once again, that we are so lucky to live in such a great country. 

Gluten Free Sea Bass at the Kivotos Hotel

Kivotos Hotel:  This was our hotel during out 2 night stay in Mykonos and let me just say, it was beyond what any of us had expected.  We ate at the hotel restaurant one night and I opted for the fresh Sea Bass.  To be honest, the Sea Bass was pretty underwhelming, but their menu did include a variety of rissotos, filling salads and fish dishes, so there was plenty to chose from. The restaurant was very chic and had brilliant views of the Bay, but overall the food was pretty bland and overpriced.  I’d recommend coming to the restaurant for a drink as the sun sets but finding dinner elsewhere unless staying at the hotel.

L'ile Bistro & Cafe in Little Venice, Mykonos

L’ile Bistro & Café- Located in the heart of Little Venice, this quaint little café offered traditional French café items with a twist.  The owner talked to us for a bit, and as it turned out, he had many friends with Celiac and was able to help me find something on the menu. My friends ate sandwiches and quiche and I ordered a cold cut tray and potato salad.  The cold cut tray was divine; it included local meats and cheeses, olives and pickles. I just wish I had brought some gluten free crackers.  Keep in mind that this is a bread-based café, so I’d recommend it for a light meal or resting place during a day of shopping.

The cold cut tray at L'ile Bistro & Cafe

Gluten Free in Greece Part 1: Athens

As I mentioned a few blog posts back, a few girlfriends and I spontaneously decided to take a trip to Greece in May.  It was the first time I had been out of the country since being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2008 and have plenty to share about the experience.

Greeks are extremely nice people.  You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who can’t at least speak basic English and everyone I encountered seemed very willing to help me figure out what I could eat.  I’ve heard that Italy is very aware of Celiac Disease and was hoping Greece would be the same; but sadly, it wasn’t.  The one great thing about Greece is that most of their food is fresh and their only marinades are olive oil, lemon and oregano. I used my Triumph Dining cards every time I ate out and I highly recommend them to anyone preparing to travel.

Breakfast was my lifeline while in Greece.  All of our hotels had hearty breakfasts that included a variety of cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, hard boiled eggs, bacon, sausage and greek yogurt with all the fixings.  (The greek yogurt is out of this world!)  One word of caution though: in Athens I found out that our hotel’s salami was beer salami.  I’m not sure if that’s a hotel specialty or if it’s a tradition throughout Greece, but stay away just in case.

Okay, so where did I eat while in Athens?

The view from Xenios Zeus 

Xenios Zeus: This Rick Steve’s suggestion was located at the very top of Restaurant Hill and was worth every step to get there.  The view of Athens at night from our table was absolutely stunning and the restaurant served authentic Greek platters at a great price.  The chef altered my plate due to my allergy and made me stuffed vine leaves, a fava bean salad and a stuffed onion accompanied by tzakiki, hummus and a mustard sauce. For desert, instead of the baklava he served my friends, he prepared a sweetened greek yogurt with a cherry compote. The food was absolutely spectacular and I devoured the entire plate.  Unfortunately, there must have been something in one of those dishes because I was not a happy camper soon after.  I still recommend this restaurant based on their view and the authenticity of the food, but recommend asking the chef more questions or sticking to the greek salad.

Enjoying a glass of wine at the Athens Gate Hotel restaurant

Athens Gate Hotel:  This hotel was home to us during our 3 days in Athens and was perfectly positioned near all the major attractions. The chef at the hotel’s restaurant was very helpful and made me a special salad using a special skillet, cutting board and knife to cut the chicken.  They were extremely helpful with my allergy and also offered a variety of risottos, fresh fish dishes and salads that seemed gluten-free.  Their breakfast was also very hearty and an easy bet for me, just don’t eat the salami!

Potatoes with olive oil, cheese & oregano at Filistron

Filistron's Deck during a rain shower

Filistro: The signs outside the restaurant read ‘Filistron’ and is divided into a ground-floor level and a detached terrace level. The entrance to this roof-top deck is hidden around the street corner.  The view of Athens as the sun sets is amazing, and is actually another one of Rick Steve’s suggestions. When we arrived we were greeted by a shot of tequila (not traditional but hey, we didn’t complain!), olives, hummus and bread (not gluten free unfortunately).  The waiter was well versed in gluten and told me he could suggest a variety of main dishes.  I stuck to a lighter dish and ordered the grilled potato slices with grated cheese, olive oil and oregano.  It was delicious and really hit the spot.  If you’re looking for an authentic Greek restaurant with a knowledgeable staff, this one is a great option!

Gluten Free in Athens' International Airport (ATH)

During our trip we had 2 departing flights and 2 incoming flights into this airport unfortunately, there weren’t many food options. The airport was filled with duty-free shopping and small coffee/sandwich/snack shops positioned near the departure gates, but no real restaurants.  My advice is to either eat before you get to the airport or bring some snacks with you in your carry on bag.  The only 2 options I found were:

Juice Bar-While I’m not quite sure what the name is, the juice bar is located just inside the airport door near the Aitalia check-in counters.  The down side to this option is that you’ll need to finish the drink before heading through security.

Food Village-I never found this ‘village’ while in the airport but the website suggests they offer traditional Greek food and a variety of salads that may be gluten free.

For a full list of Athens International Airport restaurants, click here. (www.aia.gr/traveler/shoping-centre/restaurants-and-cafes/).

Gluten Free in Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (AMS)

The first layover of our Greece trip was in Amsterdam and I was surprised at how fun this airport was!  There was a section of the airport on the second floor that made you feel as if you were in a forest.  They had nature noises piped into the area, large bean bags for quick naps, trees growing throughout the space, an outdoor garden deck and cool innovations like a bike charging station. After a quick power nap, I wandered around for a few minutes looking for something to eat.  While I didn’t explore past the D Concourse, I’ve gathered a list of potential gluten-free spots:

The outdoor deck in Schiphol's D Concourse

Harvest Market  - On the second floor of the D concourse, you’ll find a quick, cafeteria-style food court.  The Harvest Market offers an assortment of local foods such as Dutch cheese, local fruits and vegetables, salads, potatoes and a few other gluten-free options.  There’s also a juice bar in the middle that serves delicious smoothies and fruit concoctions. As always, make sure to ask about marinades and seasonings.

While I never ventured out of concourse D, here are a few options I found on the airport website that may be able to accommodate gluten allergies:

Brasserie- The airport’s website states that they provide ‘gourmet’ meals, so you may be able to find grilled chicken, salads and steaks. 

Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar- Who doesn’t love a glass of champagne while on vacation?  This restaurant looks like it may be a safe bet for Celiacs as it offers a variety of fresh fish.

Park Café- looks to be very similar to the Harvest Market and offers salads, fresh juices and more.

For a full list of restaurants within the Schiphol Airport click here (www.schiphol.nl/travellers/foodrelax/afterpassportcontrol/fooddrinks.html).