The Golden Gourd

Having Celiacs can sometimes prove to be challenging. In small towns, such as Albion NY, the challenge of eating out (without fear) can be even more difficult as your options for dining establishments are generally few in number. So when I heard about The Golden Gourd having a Gluten-Free menu, it was a must on the list of places to visit. Last week I had the privilege of stopping in for a late lunch on a warm, rainy afternoon. I was greeted by the owner of the restaurant and offered a seat at one of the quaint little tables setup throughout the dining area. After spending some time looking over the menu, I decided on a Cheese & Apple Panini and instead of a side of potato salad or baked beans, chose to go with a Bacon Apple Walnut salad with Honey Mustard dressing on the side. I was in an apple mood apparently that day. First came a juicy slice of watermelon (which was a great starter in my opinion). I was assured by the owner that all of my food would be prepared in a separate area of the food station and was able to see her remove her gloves and wash her hands every time she came back to my food (there was a family there ordering off of the regular menu). That is a rarity among restaurants and definitely can help to put a Celiac (with severe reactions whenever cross-contamination occurs on accident) mind at ease. My Panini and salad arrived on a beautiful plate, just as ordered and were just as delicious as promised. The combination of the two cheeses, the apples, and the honey mustard dressing was like an explosion of tastes perfectly paired together. The salad was fresh and very light next to the filling sandwich. I had to complement the owner on her honey mustard dressing as it was not like most that I have had (it had a very smooth taste to it, not too sweet or too spicy) and the secret, she makes it herself. And with that, I had to complement her again. She also brought me out a small bowl of her bake beans which she also makes from scratch. They were wonderful, not too sweet and were of the right consistency (I am not a fan of runny baked beans). I certainly was not disappointed with my trip to the Golden Gourd and cannot wait to stop in again and try something new from Gluten-Free menu.