Top Lunches in West End...

It's been a very long time since I've posted but I'm going to try and do it at least a little more often.

I've been working over in west end lately and have found some fabulous places to grab a bite from:

The top pick has to be SW1 Kitchen (which is only a very recent discovery) is fantastic. While everything on the menu isn't gluten free, everything that is is marked and the staff are very helpful and quite aware of food allergies. The other thing that is great about them is they are cheap and the food is simply fantastic. My favourite pick is the Nachos with Steak (which last time I went was $8.50) and very filling.

Next on the list is a great Korean Place Hong Depot. They have great lunch specials which are generally around the $10 mark and again some great delicious food. Everything that is GF on the meun is marked. My favourite lunch there is the Spicy Pork Bulgogi.. But beware... when they say spicy they really mean it... (even if you order mild).. don't say you weren't warned.

Last on the list is Tsuru Sushi. A great selection of sushi (but only some are gluten free but clearly marked and similarly with their dine in menu (although I've only got take away sushi). My go to is the Smoked Salmon.

Riding and Gluten Free

Last year I took to cycling in a big way (for one reason or another). One of the hardest things though was to find food (that I didn't make myself) to take on the rides. For some of the longer rides (a 600km weekend for example) it just wasn't practical to take made food for this long.

Here's what I found and take for a longer ride.

Hydration

Hydralyte Sports - I switched to this from the standard sport drinks because I thought it worked better (it's probably mostly psychological I know) and the satchels for a 600ml bottle are pretty handy to carry around.

Food

Bonk Breakers -  They have a pretty silly name but they are pretty tasty (for energy bars) and all their products are gluten and dairy free. My favourites are the Apple Pie and Peanut Butter and Jam ones. They are a bit more expensive but they are worth it for the taste (and to find something that is gluten free.

HoneyShotz - I don't like the gels, they are super goopy and sticky. I generally get them all over my hands and jersey before I get any to my mouth. One thing I do love is Honey (who doesn't) and HoneyShotz are perfect for taking on a ride... And added bonus, if you happen to split a tyre the honeyshotz case is perfect for sealing the hole and getting you home.

The cupcake winner for 2011 is Di..licious

For a long time I was a huge advocate for Poppy Cakes and their low gluten cupcake. Today though their thrown was cruelly torn away by Di..licious.

I was out with friends for lunch today and someone brought a whole pile of cupcakes for dessert and very kindly came with a nicely boxed gluten free version.

Heaven in a paper wrapper is about the best way to describe what I ate. No other words could do it justice.

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.

Honestly is there anyone who doesn't like cupcakes?

I don't care how old you are.... cupcakes are delicious!

Poppy Cakes
Where:1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 (07) 3257 4844
Treat: Low Gluten Cupcake

Now this is another one that you have to be a little careful of depending on how strict you are on the "Gluten Free" front. Poppy Cakes make (in my opinion) the best cupcakes around... for those of us who are gluten intolerant there is good news... They bake gluten free ones. So why the Low Gluten you ask? This is the reason "Classic vanilla made using gluten-free ingredients, baked fresh in the same kitchen as the glutenous cupcakes."

If you're happy with those odds then you HAVE to try these cupcakes!

If you're going with someone who is happy with Gluten the red velvets look devine

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.

What to do for lunch today?

Anyone have any suggestions for a lunch venue for today?