Maffeoberries Adventures in Seattle

We went to Seattle in late May.  While in Seattle we visited the Aquarium, Space Needle, Chihuly Glass and Garden exhibit, the Pacific Science Center and Pikes Place Fish Market.  The girls were missing some school to go, so I made sure to pack the adventure full of whatever educational and enriching experiences were in walking distance (or accessible via the monorail).  The kids loved the monorail.  I guess that is how you can tell we no longer live in a dense population anymore.  Public transportation is an 'experience'.  I had the girls write the days events in journals - and later at night we researched some of the animals from the Aquarium.  We were all fascinated by the Giant Pacific Octopus that they had there.  I learned the Giant Pacific Octopus grows to at least 100 pounds, but the baby they had there was only a couple months and less than ten pounds!

The first night there we saw the May Day Anarchist riot from our hotel room.  We all stood at our hotel room window captivated by the many police officers moving a riotous crowd by making a line of bikes across the street and chanting move.  The crowd continually set off fireworks.  It was very entertaining for the kids and my man.  I found the experience a bit unnerving.  

Once we finished with the city itself we visited family - our German Aunt and Uncle were also in town, plus our many US based relatives.  It was a blast.

Udi's Café & Bar

Of course, we are traveling gluten-free, which brings complications where ever we go.  On this note, we are thrilled to mention the Denver Airport has an Udi's Café!  This Café has many hot and cold gluten-free sandwiches, there were also gluten-free salads, and various other goodies.  Unfortunately not everything was gluten-free; however, everything was clearly marked and the gluten-free food was available with a variety of options.  Progress my friends!  It is fair to mention, like all airport food and gluten-free food, progress comes at a cost.  It might save money to bring your own home goodies, but in a pinch there are sandwiches.

 

Coffee & A Specialty Bakery

Once we were in Seattle we looked up several gluten-free places through yelp.com.  We tried out the highly recommended Coffee & A Specialty Bakery of Pike's Place, 1500 Western Ave, Seattle WA.  It is on the lower level of Pike's Place, sort of tucked away, but located conveniently close to the elevator.  We tried their freshly made pizza (I highly recommend), their cinnamon rolls (the girls highly recommend) and their fresh made bread.  It has been a long time since we have had fresh made bread!  That novelty alone is worth going for.

Blue Moon Burgers

Lastly we ate a Blue Moon Burgers.  A hipster joint with a local and natural mentality.  They use only locally sourced meat, make their own fries and sauces, plus get their gluten-free bread products from a local bakery.  Their employees are friendly, informed, know what Celiac Disease is and are able to answer with confidence cross-contamination based questions.

Blue Moon Burgers employees told us that they prepare their food in dedicated gluten-free areas, and are careful about contamination.  We were told they use dedicated grills and fryers. 

On their menu are gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches and gluten-free burgers!  This is the first time my daughter has been able to order a grilled cheese sandwich off the kids menu, with fries, and from a restaurant since her diagnosis in 2009.  She felt content and relaxed, as if the restaurant was made for her.  This feeling can only be equated to the feeling of coming home after traveling for a long time. 

Also, the burgers are worth writing home about!  Not just the standard American/Cheddar Cheese Burger - I got a the Blue Shroom gluten-free.  The Blue Shroom has portabella mushrooms, crumbled blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onions, pickles, and the Blue Moon sauce.  AH-MAZING.  All on a gluten-free bun.
 Plus, for the people 21 and over they offer gluten-free beers.  Worth stopping by.  Make sure to ask your own questions and do your own research.  I have only visited once and sometimes things change, but if they stay the same - great, great gluten-free stop in Seattle!

Happy Week Everybody!