Cafe Abbracci - AMAZING Gluten Free Pasta with Bolognese Sauce

Cafe Abbracci, in Coral Gables, a popular Italian restaurant, that will always have my business -- because they have the BEST gluten free pasta in the Gables.  I've actually become an addict and have to have my Cafe Abracci gluten free pasta with old School bolognese meat sauce regularly.  For $18, it's not the least expensive pasta - but, it's worth every penny.  Cafe Abbracci carries gluten free pasta on site, and you get to choose your sauce.  There are many pasta options, but I'm hooked on the meat sauce and can't even think of not having it.  I'm always ecstatic when local restaurants step up to the plate and accommodate us Celiac's - I'm thrilled to have Cafe Abbracci as a scrumptious lunch and dinner choice. 

Long Island, New York, A Great Place for Celiac's

For Celiac's traveling is daunting. You always wonder if you'll be able to go out to eat, how accommodating and knowledgeable the restaurants will be, and we're always scared of cross contamination - as we should be! Doing research in advance of travel is always important. I personally like the http://glutenfreeregistry.com/ and who doesn't just google?! What was really refreshing when I traveled to Long Island, was the complete awareness and pleasure to accommodate. It seemed commonplace that all Italian restaurants had gluten free pasta, knew to cook it separately, and knew which of the sauces they used were gluten free. I was in heaven!

Best GF Pasta I've Ever Had -- Cafe Europa

Cafe Europa, located at 910 East Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale has GF pasta options! I must say, it was the BEST GF pasta/sauce I've ever had, since starting my GF diet. Inside Fort Lauderdale has a good review of Cafe Europa here - with some great images of the inside - it's very nicely decorated inside, a perfect date place. Their review isn't focused on the GF aspect - but, good to get an idea nonetheless

For my meal... I started with the caesar salad, they were very accommodating and held the croutons for me. They confirmed the caesar dressing was GF, and it was great. I asked for crushed pepper and extra dressing - the pepper was thick and had me chocking for a second, but, it was still a great salad.

The kitchen is exposed, and the shelf separating the kitchen from the dinning room is decorated with pasta boxes. Included in the mix is the GF pasta offered. I've never seen De Boles before, but, was so happy Cafe Europa knew of them!

I had the vodka sauce - I've heard many differing opinions on vodka and whether or not they are GF. Some say all triple distilled or more are absolutely GF, some say if its grain based it'll never be GF - if anyone has more on this - I'm all ears. In this instance, this was by far the best tasting sauce I've ever had in my life, but, I had immediate heart burn. I was devastated. It was SO delicious, I literally wanted to dive in my plate and live in the pasta sauce, but, I had to stop eating and run to Walgreen's for Zantac.

Would I absolutely go back and try a different sauce that isn't tomato/vodka based, YES! The pasta was AMAZING and they absolutely know what they're doing in the kitchen.

I'm excited that Cafe Europa offers a GF pasta - and shows everyone the box to boot! It's a great Italian dinner - just be careful with the sauce you choose to accompany the delicious pasta.

Update 3-24-2012 -

I recently went back to Cafe Europa, and again, was pleasantly surprised.  I tried the pasta pretty plain this time, just had garlic and olive oil - still delicious - but, in the spirit of full disclosure, nothing compares to the vodka sauce!!

THUMBS UP!

AMAZING GF PASTA!!!

Of course, I just started loving pasta before I became diagnosed.  I naively thought pasta was over for me, at least good pasta, until I found Tinkyada rice pasta.  It's delicious (and found easily at supermarkets Publix/Whole Foods close to me)!  In my opinion, it must be undercooked (my first experiment cooking it as normal pasta for 15-20 minutes didn't cut it.  My second attempt, at more like 10-12 minutes was just perfect).  I've tried at least 4 types of pasta from Tinkyada, and have never been disappointed.  They even share some great recipes on their website.  HUGE Thumbs Up!