Restaurant Review : Masala Dosa in San Francisco, CA (Inner Sunset)

Dreamy, delicious Indian food is finally available gluten free in our neighborhood, the Inner Sunset. Masala Dosa recently opened and when we saw that were offering South Indian food along with the widely available Northern Indian cuisine, we knew we were in for a treat. Masala Dosa serves your traditional curries but also a thin crepe dish called a dosa. The dosas are made with rice flour and are usually gluten free, naturally. Inside is a choice of filling, usually a mix of spiced potatoes and onions. The dish is always served with sambhar (center), a soup made of lentils, and various chutneys. Here, they have a coconut chutney that's out of this world.

The staff is incredibly welcoming to those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. We've been here several times and while the menu is extensive even with my dietary restrictions, I always order this traditional masala dosa. From first bite they hooked me, and I find myself craving this at odd hours of the day.

Masala Dosa is located at 1375 9th Avenue (Between Irving & Judah) / San Francisco, CA 94122 / (415) 564-6976

Restaurant Review : Paprika Cafe in Monterey, CA

As I mentioned in this post, we hopped in our car and headed down Highway 1 to Carmel Valley for Labor Day weekend. I did a bit of research before our trip for potential restaurants and stops, and found what looked to be an excellent gluten free option in Monterey, CA called Paprika Cafe. I adore any Mediterranean influenced meal. Something about the cuisine makes my taste buds sing. The food is light, delicious, yet satisfying.

We entered the tiny cafe and Christophe, the owner, warmly greeted us. Christophe is not just the owner - he's the waiter, the chef, the busy boy, and the cashier. He welcomed us as if we were guests in his home. When I told him of my dietary restrictions, he smiled and said he could absolutely take care of me - that I could have any of the vegetarian or meat platters, but that he would switch the pita bread with some warmed corn tortillas and the tabouleh with a spinach salad. How nice to have someone who immediately understands and also has thought ahead about substitutions so you can still enjoy a full meal! I chose the garlic chicken based on the Yelp reviews and my word, I was not disappointed. Behold...

Paprika Cafe is located at 309 Lighthouse Avenue / Monterey, CA 93940 / (831) 375-7452