Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
    • Seasons
    • See all
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Accessibility
    • Arts
    • Attractions
    • Downtown
    • Health & Wellness
    • History
    • Live Music
    • Parks
    • Shopping
    • Stories
    • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
    • Hiking
    • Nature Walks
    • ADK Guides & Tours
    • Birding
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Cycling
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Paddling
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • North Country New Year
    • Northern Current
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Packages
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
    • Accessibility
    • Downtown
    • Getting Here
    • Greater Region
    • Guide
    • Stories
    • Seasons
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Local
    • Local
    • See all
    • Live Here
    • Meet the Locals
    • Real Estate
    • Town of Harrietstown
    • Town of North Elba
    • Town of St. Armand
    • Village of Saranac Lake
    • Do Business Here
    • Chamber Job Board
    • Essex County IDA
    • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
    • Professional Services
    • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Community Initiatives
    • Arts & Culture Master Plan
    • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    • Saranac Lake Brand
    • Village Community Development Department

Celebrate Paddling ADK

Homepage Story 1 Special Dining Options Gluten Free Vegan
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
      3. Seasons
      4. See all
      5. Spring
      6. Summer
      7. Fall
      8. Winter
      9. Accessibility
      10. Arts
      11. Attractions
      12. Downtown
      13. Health & Wellness
      14. History
      15. Live Music
      16. Parks
      17. Shopping
      18. Stories
      19. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
      3. Hiking
      4. Nature Walks
      5. ADK Guides & Tours
      6. Birding
      7. Boating
      8. Camping
      9. Cross-Country Skiing
      10. Cycling
      11. Downhill Skiing
      12. Fishing
      13. Golfing
      14. Ice Fishing
      15. Mountain Biking
      16. Paddling
      17. Snowmobiling
      18. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      4. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      5. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      6. North Country New Year
      7. Northern Current
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Packages
      7. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      8. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
      3. Accessibility
      4. Downtown
      5. Getting Here
      6. Greater Region
      7. Guide
      8. Stories
      9. Seasons
      10. Spring
      11. Summer
      12. Fall
      13. Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
      2. See all
      3. Live Here
      4. Meet the Locals
      5. Real Estate
      6. Town of Harrietstown
      7. Town of North Elba
      8. Town of St. Armand
      9. Village of Saranac Lake
      10. Do Business Here
      11. Chamber Job Board
      12. Essex County IDA
      13. Franklin County Economic Development Co.
      14. Professional Services
      15. Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      16. Community Initiatives
      17. Arts & Culture Master Plan
      18. Downtown Revitalization Initiative
      19. Saranac Lake Brand
      20. Village Community Development Department

Special Dining Options - Gluten Free & Vegan

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!

Pamela Merritt

January 13, 2016

Share

When we have special dietary needs, it's easy to feel like there is "nothing to eat." But in the Saranac Lake area, we have fresh food prepared in kitchens with real chefs in the back. Our servers will be sympathetic and quick to check with them. We'll fill that plate in no time.

Specialty dining is not just close to my heart; it's close to my stomach. I've been dining gluten free since 2010. This challenge has made me sympathetic to all kinds of dining difficulties. So I'd like to share my tips, tricks, and favorite places.

communication is key

When we live with something that requires extra time and thought, it's easy to think that everybody understands it. But I've found this to be a thought that will create a problem. We need to be both clear, and specific, to make sure our requests are answered with accuracy.

This steak special at Downhill Grill was made gluten free by simply omitting the gravy portion

I tell servers I need to be gluten-free, but if they don't know what that means, they can't be helpful. I've had responses like "You can't have... cheese?" or simply a blank look because they are trying to remember if they ever heard the chef ask the staff for more gluten. Most people don't know what gluten is, or what foods might contain it.

So I follow up with additional information: "I need to be gluten free. I have to avoid wheat and flour." Now my servers have the right information to go into the kitchen with, or make suggestions about, or simply adjust a dish slightly. Much of the time a dish can work for me if they just skip the gravy (which is thickened with flour) or substitute a side ("It comes with mac and cheese so could I have a vegetable instead?")

They may not know all pasta and macaroni is wheat-based, or how gravy is made. I use my own knowledge to help them by making suggestions about how a dish might be checked or adjusted. Is the meat floured before cooking, and can the chef skip that step easily?

Didn't get to this plate of nachos in time for an untouched picture, but that's because they are so good. I can eat the corn tortilla chips at Casa del Sol because they are made with only corn, no added wheat.

I used to spend time in a large city with two Buddhist friends, and questions like these didn't come up because they knew all the vegan places. They would have to share similar teaching moments with servers if they are in unfamiliar places. Telling servers we are vegans and wish to avoid cheese and eggs in our dishes gives them the right information.

"Could the chef leave the cheese out of this dish?" works for vegans in places where the cheese is an optional topping, such as linguine in marinara sauce, but not in dishes where cheese is integral, like lasagna. 

It's all good at Blue Moon Cafe, who uses real eggs and no coating on their Cafe Taters. Some places put pancake batter in the omelettes to make them fluffy, and flour on the potatoes to make them brown faster. Beware!

I have found Downhill Grill happy to hold the gravy and check on ingredients. Blue Moon Cafe will always ask the chef and hold the toast. Casa del Sol has dishes with no gluten, like my favorite, the Duck Adobo, or no animal products, like the Casa Guacamole.

Degrees of fussy

Fortunately for me, I'm not so gluten sensitive that I can't go into a bakery (some celiacs find the air too loaded with flour), or a strict vegan who has difficulty eating in a place whose kitchen is not designed for them. I'm adaptable in terms of what is known as cross-contamination, such as a cutting board or cooking implements that would also be used to prepare something for a diner without restrictions.

If we need to be a little more vigilant, Saranac Lake has places with ingredients, or even whole dishes, which might make us more comfortable about our choices.

Nori's deli section has soups, sandwiches, treats, and even more!

Nori's Village Market is our local go-to when it comes to vegan dining. They have a dedicated deli section with many breakfast and lunch options, along with their famous regular and gluten free brownies (which are most excellent, I can say from personal experience). The clear case by the hot beverage station has an ever-changing display of baked treats that are either vegan, gluten free, or both. Likewise, there are always two hot soups that are vegan and/or gluten free.

There is also a bright and cheerful dining room to eat in, with big windows and a wide range of coffees and teas to accompany the meal. Or, choose from a variety of exotic sodas from the cooler.

Nori's dining section has big windows and seasonal decor.

Origin Coffee Company has soy or almond milk for vegan customers to have in their coffee or tea. Their dining options are mostly vegan or vegan-adaptable, such as their highly popular avocado toast.

Sometimes gluten free treats can be found in the treat dome by the cash register. Their soup is often gluten-free and their Caesar salad can become so by asking them to hold the croutons.

Delightful coffee bar with both gluten free (my buckeye peanut butter cup on left) and regular treats (like my husband's brownie he couldn't help sampling)

Italian can seem like a minefield for the gluten free (all that pasta!) or the vegan (all that cheese!), so it's great that both Nonna Fina and Little Italy have gluten-free pasta and pizza crust options. For the vegan, the homemade pasta can come dressed in olive oil or a tomato sauce, and they can enjoy the fresh bread.

My friends used to second guess themselves about meeting us for Italian, but they don't have to. The last time we met at Nonna Fina, the special was an exceptional Fra Diavolo over seafood. Everyone at the table was envious of my choice!

Nonna Fina is attentive to their special diners, even when it comes to their choice of special beverages

One would think that ordering drinks is something everyone can agree upon, but the gluten free should keep in mind that some of us are sensitive to the gluten in distilled spirits. Bourbon, whiskey, and beer, which are distilled from grains, are obvious troublemakers. However, even some vodkas are now distilled from grain; not, as tradition has it, from potatoes.

For best results from a busy bartender, pick a few national brands that we know will get along with us. Or, choose wine (from grapes,) rum (from sugar cane — but beware of flavored rums,) or tequila that was distilled from “100 percent agave.”

China Jade will, upon request, make any of their dishes with tofu. They have no dairy on their menu. Lakeview Deli will make one of their glorious sandwiches with gluten free bread. Many of their soups and side salads are either gluten free or vegan friendly. They also offer a wide range of vegetarian sandwich makings.

When we have special dietary needs, travel can be daunting. We are fortunate that Saranac Lake has the right combination of foodie support, on-site chefs, and caring service staff that will help us confidently make the right choices.

And have a great time.

Embrace our dining. Choose delightful lodging. Work up an appetite in our great outdoors.

Nori's treat case really does have something for everyone!

Share

Packages and Promotions

Valid

-

Valid Apr. 1

- Apr. 1

The Wild Center Family Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy 2 adult and 1 child admission tickets to The Wild Center, where nature meets discovery.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Jan. 30

Valid Jan. 21

- Jan. 21

Pet Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Your dog deserves an Adirondack getaway too. Book our pet friendly hotel near Lake Placid welcomes every member of your crew. Book our Pet Package...

package
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Bike & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Explore the beauty of Saranac Lake and the newly developed Adirondack Rail Trail.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 18

- May. 13

Valid Apr. 18

- May. 13

Canadian Love - Victoria Day Package

Traverse Lodge

Traverse Lodge

20% off stays from May 15 to May 20 for our Canadian friends!

package
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Fish & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy a 2-hour fishing session on Lake Flower for two, guided by expert anglers.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Aug. 1

- Aug. 3

Valid Apr. 1

- May. 31

BikeADK Loves Canada - Weekender

BikeADK

BikeADK

Canadian Residents receive 15% off Registration!

package
Other
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Golf & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Tee off at one of the Adirondacks' historic golf courses, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

package
Golf
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Paddle & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Escape to the serene beauty of the Adirondacks and immerse yourself in nature as you paddle the tranquil waters of Lake Flower in a kayak, canoe,...

package
Activities and Attractions
Load More
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•All Are Welcome•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES

Success!

You have successfully entered this contest. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for updating your information. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome by subscribing to our newsletter. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Success! Message Sent.

Thanks for being awesome. We have received your message and look forward to talking with you soon.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome. You can now download the guide.

Thank you!

You have successfully completed the Snowmobile Map Request form. You should receive a physical copy by mail in 1-2 weeks.

Share to: