Trio of Treats at Packwood House

As blog readers will know, we're always on the look out for opportunities to try gluten free goodies when out and about.  This Easter weekend we decided to head to the National Trust's Packwood House for a mid-morning coffee (and cake) stop.

Although it was quiet when we arrived, we executed a speed visit (which is the norm with Sous Chef J) and left before the House opened (more on that later).  However, we still had time to have a wander in the walled kitchen garden - which is a lovely, calm space complete with Mole Deterrent and resident cat - before heading into the cafe.

Once indoors we decided to select one of each of the three, yes THREE, gluten free cake options on sale.  The hot drinks - one cappucino, one latte and a hot chocolate - were all very well prepared as there was nothing of 'surface of the sun' temperature to contend with (a bugbear of ours).

The cakes were delicious and each of us decided OUR cake choice was the best!! J's chocolate brownie was squishy in the middle, my toffee fudge cake was a decadent treat and B's almond cake was moist and moreish.

We have been to Packwood House a number of times now so have been round the house on previous visits... J particularly likes all the "dark and myserious stuff" in the house (there's a BIG key he loves to see) and the Great Hall is a lovely space  The parkland is a good choice for a wander with Peppie dog (we left him at home today as the weather didn't seem conducive to sitting outside for our cafe stop) and the yew tree topiary is a sight to behold in the formal garden area.

Definitely a destination we like to visit time and again to see the house and grounds in different seasons... and, of course, check out the cakes on offer in the cafe!

Proper Fish & Chips

When we started our gluten free regime (to support Sous Chef J) over six years ago, only the loss of a few food/meal options actually bothered us about the change.  Being a Yorkshire lass, for me fish and chips from a chippy was one of them.  Back in 2006 not many eateries seemed to know anything about what gluten was (one 'chain' restaurant's waitress famously said "oh, yes, that's eggs, isn't it"... having provided her with a brief explanation of what/where gluten is found, we left!)  But, the overwhelming urge to eat fish and chips (F&C) became stronger with time.  

Imagine our delight when we discovered a 'local' (less than ten miles away) chip shop that ALWAYS supplies gluten free F&C!  Whenever they are open, The Famous Mr Chips in Rugby sells gluten free fish and chips.  Not the first Monday of the month or just after the fat/oil/fryer has been cleaned.  No complex timetable to remember, no relief if we've got it right or dismay if we've missed the 'day'.  Fish and Chips when WE choose. 

The chip shop is at 21 Lower Hillmorton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 3ST.  Sadly, there's no website but it opens lunchtime and evenings Wednesday to Saturday.  When you order gluten free, it's treated as a special order (usually Mr Chips is in charge) and the fish is wrapped in foil, garnished with a lemon wedge and a sachet of gluten free tartare sauce is included.

Not a 'healthy' meal but it's a quick gluten free option that gives us choices we didn't have before.  Marvellous. 

If you google a map for CV21 3ST, and zoom in a bit The Famous Mr Chips is marked on it.  Barely 10 minutes West of Junction 18 of the M1... worth a diversion if you're looking for gluten free F&C goodies on a journey North/South.

Lovely Leon

When we travel to London for Sous Chef J's hospital appointments we are always on the look out for places that serve Gluten Free food.  Prior to this week's visit, we relied on Starbucks, M&S and Waitrose for whatever takeaway offerings they had on the shelves.  Not any more!  Having arranged to meet up with the lovely Charlotte (from Go Free Foods Ltd) to buy a batch of her (delicious) Almond Macaroons (more on them in the next post), we got talking about where to eat and she suggested we try Leon on Regent Street.  It sounded like a great plan so off we trotted.

Having arrived in our chosen Leon restaurant, we were pleased to see a menu which detailed clearly whether items were Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian and so on... and it didn't take Sous Chef J long to realise there was a kids' menu which offered a Gluten Free CHOICE!!  He was thrilled.

We made our selections, left B to place the order and grabbed a table for three.  Sous Chef J was tired out after a lot of walking in London but B turned up with a bowl of olives and some chilli roasted nuts... and they seemed to revive us all nicely!

Grilled Chicken Kids Meal

After a very short time the food arrived and we barely had room on our table for all the lovely bowls-ful of tastiness. We were so keen to dig in that Sous Chef J only had time to take this pic of his Grilled Chicken kids meal.  He chose fresh Leon-made lemonade as his drink and was delighted when a cloudy, lemony glassful arrived.  Having been able to have a kids meal, there was also a brown envelope containing an activity sheet, sticker and badge.

Kids pack

Pecan Pie

The food was delicious, freshly made and the service was spot on.  Staff were friendly and informative without being OTT.  In addition to Sous Chef J's meal, we chose bowls of broccoli and chilli, slaw and rice accompaniments to my BBQ chicken dish and B's hot grilled chorizo which was served on a wooden platter.  Having demolished the main course offerings, we re-visited the menu and opted to try out some puds "just because we can". And, my goodness, we were not disappointed.  Sous Chef J went for Life by Chocolate Mousse and B and I had the Pecan Pie with organic vanilla ice cream.  Luckily there were no calorific values on the menu but, whatever the amount, the pecan pie was divine.  I had a cup of jasmine tea with my pud and B tried out some rooibos.  We didn't get chance to try the Strawberry'ade but have it in our sights for our next visit.

Leon will be a "must visit" on our hospital day-trips for Sous Chef J... and he's already looked at the map and decided the Strand will be closest (and easiest to access on the bus) when he's next at Great Ormond Street.  If you haven't tried Leon, whether a Gluten avoider or not, give it a go - we think it is a fantastic find.  Thank you so much Charlotte, for pointing us in the right direction!