An inconsistent wrap

Chic Espresso
Where:109 Leichhardt Street Spring Hill QLD 4000 (07) 3839 2593
Lunch: Gluten Free Chicken Wrap ($6.50)

This is a great little coffee shop just up the road from me that started doing gluten free wraps (very handy). I say inconsistent about the wrap because I had one the other day that was the most delicious chicken wrap I'd ever had. Today, however it was pretty ho-hum, which was disappointing because I was really looking forward to it. They make them fresh so it could have been a different chef/cook today and that's why it wasn't as great.

Anyway it's still a pretty quick and cheap lunch in the city. And if you get a good one... they are fantastic.

A pastry magician

Bonjour Patisserie
Where:876 Brunswick Street New Farm QLD 4005
Treat: Lemon Meringue Pie

This place makes it worth while being gluten free. The pastry chef here is an absolute magician with Gluten Free pastry. They have everything from mini cupcakes to chocolate eclairs to lemon meringue pie to the best gluten free pies I've ever tasted. They also have a pretty impressive selection of full size cakes that I've converted my last two workplaces to for birthday cakes.

If you have the slightest sweet tooth you simply must visit this place. The cabinets are just full of gluten free delights, so much so that they mark the non gluten free items with a gold star.

The only thing I could say against them is they have so many things I can never choose. At Christmas time there is a special treat they do a Bûche de Noël. I had one for Christmas a couple of years ago and it was divine.

Now that's embarrassing

Grill'd
Where:134 Racecourse Road, Ascot QLD 4007
Other Locations
Nutrition Information: http://www.grilld.com.au/section/nutrition/
Meal: Mustard and Pickle ($9.90) + Gluten Free Bun ($1.50)

Well that was a little unplanned, I managed to visit the same chain two days in a row. Early days of the blog and already duplicating... woops. As it happens my client was taking a trip to grill'd for lunch and I was hardly going to turn down a GF lunch option.

This time I took one of my favourite burgers and had the Mustard and Pickle. I will say that it is worth finding a grill'd that you like as many of them use different gluten free buns. The ones they serve here were much more cake like than the ones in the CDB. Still the burger was pretty delicious, cakelike bun aside.

When sometimes only a burger will do

Grill'd
Where:Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane 4000 Ph. 3221 2907
Other Locations
Nutrition Information: http://www.grilld.com.au/section/nutrition/
Meal: Grill'd Caesar's Palace ($11.90) + Gluten Free Bun ($1.50)

This post comes with a bit of a caveat, and a pretty funny one at that. Really there menu board says it all "Gluten Free Bun* $1.50 *May contain traces of gluten".

Basically at Grill'd they've got all the ingredients for the delicious Gluten Free burger around just not the environment for it. So whether you eat here or not comes down to your opinion on the zero gluten policy. Most stores are quite good and cover cutting boards and surfaces for the gluten free orders but there is always that chance. (I've also tagged this post Low Gluten because it might not be gluten free)

Doom and gloom aside Grill'd do make some of tastiest burgers around gluten free or not. The hardest part I find is choosing. My favourites tend to be chicken ones but I often order beef because I'm at a burger place. Today I opted for the "Caesar's palace" which I'd basically the burger equivalent of a caesar salad. Not my number one favorite but every bit as good as it sounds.

My top 3 burgers would have to be:

• Bird and Brie
• Mustard and pickled!
• Baa Baa' Burger

It may not be a 100% gluten free solution but if you need a nice "up market" fast food place and not have to worry about strange looks it might be worth the risk.

Nandos - fast food and gluten free friendly

Today is a bit of a back to earth post after the awesome breakfast yesterday. I was out and about and was looking for some quick easy take away. One of my default fast food options is Nandos. They have quite a few menu items that are gluten free. My favorite is the chicken steak combo with spicy rice. They are relatively quick and heaps of locations (3 alone in the CBD). Relatively though they aren't very cheap for fast food but always pretty tasty and cooked fresh.

Here are some of their other gluten free menu items (always pays to check the menu though they update it quite often)

Flame grilled chicken
1/4 Chicken breast with skin
1/4 Chicken breast without skin
1/4 Chicken leg with skin
1/4 Chicken leg without skin
Grilled Tenderloins 4 pieces

Sides & Salads
Regular Spicy Rice
Corn on the Cob (contains dairy)
Fresh Garden Salad with dressing
Fresh Garden Salad without dressing
Chicken Garden Salad with dressing
Chicken Garden Salad without dressing
Chicken Mediterranean Salad with dressing (contains dairy)
Chicken Mediterranean Salad without dressing (contains dairy)

Nandos
Where: Multiple locations across greater Brisbane
Meal: Chicken Steak combo with spicy rice and a drink ($16.60)

My Top 5 Quick CDB Lunches

This was a post I did a while ago but though it was a good one to update for this blog. Here is a list of some great places to go if you're looking for lunch in the CBD.

Cool Beans & Baguettes - Brisbane Square

This is my first choice for a lunch out in the city, they have a great selection of premade gluten free sandwiches (that you can get toasted) for $6.50. They come in a pair and have a range of different fillings each day. They also have a great selection of GF cakes and slices and will make Coffee's with Lactose free milk

Address: 266 George Street Brisbane, Australia

Fav Lunch: Chicken Caeser Sandwich - $6.50

Fav Snack: Peanut Caramel Slice - $4.50

Alen's Espresso

These guys are really close and make fabulous coffee. They usually have a couple of Gluten free options on for the day and have a great selection of cakes and nibbles. Be prepared for a little wait though, their coffee is so good there is usually a line out the door to get one.

Address: 420 George Street Brisbane, Australia
Fav Lunch: Breakfast Quiche

Fav Snack: Caramel Cheesecake

Extract

It's a bit hard to find tucked away on Adelaide st but these guys have a great selection of the Gluten Free Topless Tarts and will often have bread to make up sandwiches with.

Address: Shop 7a / 200 Adelaide Street Brisbane, Australia

Fav Lunch: Spinach Risotto

Fav Snack: Lemon Polenta Cake

Spoon Deli (Festival Towers)

I haven't been down this end of town for ages but this used to be a good staple for my weekday lunches, they have lots of the sol breads in stock and lots of biscuit selections
Address:  Corner Albert and Charlotte Street Brisbane, Australia

Fav Lunch:  Beef Lasagne $8.50

Fav Snack: Gingerbread man

Vapiano

I've saved this one for last because it's not an every day lunch. This one is for when I'm feeling like decadent lunch, a trip to Vapiano isn't the cheapest on the list but their Gluten Free gnocchi is amazing.

Menu: Our Food
Address: Albert Lane Queen St Mall, Brisbane Australia 
Fav Lunch: Pollo E Spinaci $25.90