Tuesday 23 April 2013

Suck it Jimmy Buffet, Anejo has arrived.

I hate that song by Jimmy Buffet, "Margaritaville". Frankly, I hate most things that Jimmy Buffet did (or has done - is he dead? Who cares?). Like seriously, the song starts, "Nibbling on sponge cake..."WTF?Was there no other word choice there Jimmy? And people make fun of Katy Perry lyrics. Okay, I make fun of Katy Perry lyrics too BUT I HATE the song Margaritaville. Anything that makes a sweaty, smelly stranger at a wedding run over and drape their rolly polly arm over my shoulder, sloshing beer down my dress so we can all do a group sing makes me want to punch someone in the throat. That's why I hate the song "Margaritaville."

That being said, I love a good Margarita...like...a...lot. Let me be specific here. I don't like grown up Slurpee's that don't taste like liquor and come in flavors reminiscent of a pedophile's ice cream truck circa 1983. No, I like a short tumbler, loaded with lime and booze and ice and salt in that perfect harmony between thirst quenching and languishing, relaxing flavor. I love a well made Margarita.
And Anejo makes a good Margarita, no, that isn't right. Anjeo makes an amazing, mouthwatering, knock you on your ass, force my daughter to marry one, fantastic, delicious, perfect Margarita, in a whole bunch of flavors.

That one lasted only long enough to take the picture. Isn't it gorgeous?


They also make a hell of a Gluten Free meal.

Anejo is located on 4th street in that delightfully beautiful building that 4th Street Rose used to live in for years. Trev and I and some friends went to Anejo for dinner before going to see Cirque du Solei (which was amazing, highly recommend). Anejo's atmosphere strikes a balance between fresh brightness and intimate coziness. The menu matches the atmosphere.

Everything on the menu sounds and looks so amazingly fresh and bright, yet it all looks and tastes like home cooking. This delicate balance is no simple feat but one that Anejo takes on with ease. From the tacos to the ceviche to the molcajete -it is all delicious and fresh and made with love from beginning to end. We adored the table side guacamole and salsa making for both our servers charm and talent. The end result being the best guacamole I have ever had. Pair that with the best margarita I have ever had and you have one happy lady on your hands.

 There are loads of GF options available to the Celiac at Anejo. I felt completely comfortable with every step of the meal and my server's ability to handle it. They showed great knowledge of what I could or could not have and made me feel like it was no big deal, although, I know how much of a pain in the ass I am.

Did I mention the amazing margarita's? I have? Well, let me just make it clear, that they were amazing. I had a whole bunch of them. And, as we were leaving, some stranger started to sing that fucking song and I punched him in the throat thus making my night complete.

Go on by Anejo for a deliciously perfect GF meal, and a few (like twelve) margaritas and don't sing the song, or I will find you.


Tuesday 9 April 2013

The Calgary GF Expo

I need to apologise for not posting as often as I should. I have been working a lot on my newest novel and I have been neglecting my Celiac Duty. (Tee Hee, I said DUTY)

Ok - I have yet to blog about the GF expo here in Calgary. I was very excited for the GF expo and dragged my friend Megan along with me for the ride. Before I write my review of this event, let me make it clear that I suck at planning shit like this so I am no barometer for their quality. I can't plan them and yet I expect grand results. I feel like they have to be somewhere between Charlie's Chocolate Factory and the Mall of America. I am like a big weird baby who expects bright lights and highland dancers everywhere I go.

That being said, I was somewhat underwhelmed with the YYC GF Expo and I can give specifics about what I loved and what I didn't love.

DIDN'T LOVE
- The fact that there was ONE restaurant there. Really? You could only get ONE restaurant to come and share their wares? I wanted to see all those places that claim to have GF Menus and Celiac trained chefs handing out their menus and/or samples.
- There were no monkeys dancing
- That the big names handed out stuff that we have ALL had. Udi's handed out their white bread and Glutino handed out their pretzels - both of which everyone with even a slightly damaged villi have had many many times. Both these companies have new and exciting products, ones that should have been pulled out for everyone to try.
- It said on my ticket that the venue was in one building but it was in a different - slight annoyance
- Some companies selling items didn't bring enough to sell to everyone or they charged an ARM and a LEG for their products and it smelt like a fleecing
- We needed more foot rubbing and general pampering


LOVED!
- ALL the new products - it was fantastic to see  - look below for my winners of the day
- That there was even a GF expo! I am so thrilled that Celiacs is making a name for itself and we have to have a tradeshow for all the great products
- How many people were there - I like being surrounded by Celiacs - they are a happy folk
A bevy of Celiac's listening to some really really smart person
 


WINNERS of the Day

Lettie's Best Bread - they weren't selling anything but were handing out gorgeously HUGE samples of amazing bread - loved Lettie's Best

The Totally Gluten Free Bakery - bought a loaf of their white bread and I think I gained about ten pounds when I ate the whole thing. Soft, delicious and held up well unfrozen for over a week. Totally Gluten Free Bakery

This is me, eating bread, in public! Weeeeee!
 


Protein Bar Super Bar - My winner of the day. I LOVED these protein bars and gobbled them up so fast, I never even got a picture of them. I also didn't take down the website. I have the following picture of the ladies at the booth so if anyone knows where to find more of these bars, let me know because I adored them. I would put this picture on a milk carton but beacause most of us don't drink milk either, it would be useless. Please find the following picture on the side of all Guar Gum packages. Maybe then some Celiacs might see it.
Who are these woman and where can I get more of their magic food?

I loved that there was a Gluten Free Expo but for next year (and there best BE a next year), more products, more restaurants and more ferrets on motorcyles.