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

Restaurant Review : Ecco

One of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta is Ecco. I always have a great experience at this romantic, vibrant restaurant even with my gluten free diet. I was thrilled to see Fifth Group Restaurants - the group behind Ecco and another favorite, South City Kitchen - start offering a gluten free menu. While they were always able to help me navigate the menu and choose carefully before, the dedicated gluten free menu helps me choose things without having to ask a thousand questions. While I understand it's my right to ask those questions, sometimes you just want to feel like every other diner and just choose something off the menu to eat, no?

Ecco serves seasonal cuisine with a European flair. Influences of the Mediterranean, Italy and Spain can all be seen on their menu. Headed by Chef Micah Willix, Ecco's menu rotates regularly, implementing the best flavors of each season with a focus on house made ingredients, and even house grown on their roof top garden. Some of my favorite dishes here are the risottos. Since the dishes change often, each time I go it's different, but any risotto they make is an instant favorite. I've had many variations and they never disappoint. Ecco also makes me favorite mussels, ever. They're served in a rich and creamy romesco broth and always perfectly cooked. And while I used to think that I disliked lamb, Ecco is the only place I will choose this dish.

If you're feeling like a glass of wine and some small plates, I enthusiastically recommend the cured meats & cheese selections. They generally have Speck on hand, a smoked proscuitto that's out of this world. I like it paired with Cana de Oveja, a soft sheep's milk cheese from Spain.

Full yet? Should you have saved any room for dessert, Ecco's house-made ice creams are incredible. I've tasted them all between my many meals here, and while you can't really go wrong, I keep coming back to the chocolate roasted orange. It reminds me of those orange flavored chocolate candies that came in the orange tin foil wrapper I used to get for Christmas.

While Ecco serves many gluten and non gluten filled selections, the staff is always incredibly helpful with their recommendations and takes great care to avoid cross-contamination. I've never had anything but excellence at Ecco, and I highly recommend it for gluten free diners.

Ecco is located in Midtown Atlanta at 40 Seventh Street NE, 404.347.9555.