Do you have a holiday guest with a food allergy? The holidays are here, and with that is the arrival of out-of-town guests. Fortunately, when Mireille Schwartz, CEO and founder of the Bay Area Allergy Advisory Board, published her article "Top 10 Holiday Tips," she was happy to expand this list to include food allergy-friendly eateries in the Bay Area. After all, part of having a happy holiday is making guests feel at home.
Vegan for egg and lactose intolerance
When your guests have a dairy or egg allergy, it is good to know that the Bay Area is perfect for accommodating these types of individuals. Thankfully, dairy and eggs can usually be avoided at most restaurants. Regardless, when it comes to baked goods, finding bakery items without dairy or eggs can be next to impossible.
For that matter, finding a full vegan bakery in the Bay Area is also difficult. However, Crave Bakery and Wholesome Bakery in San Francisco save the day. If you are looking for fine dining, try a fancy egg- and dairy-free dinner with dessert at the vegan Millennium Restaurant. Other casein-free and vegan options can be found at VeganSaurus.com and VegSF.com.
Wheat- and gluten-free Bay Area holidays
Those with celiac disease and other wheat allergy sufferers usually deal with the holidays by attending parties and eating nothing. However, the Bay Area is abundant with gluten- and wheat-free bakery options that have festive touches. On the top of the recommendation list is Miglet's in Danville and the East Bay's Mariposa Baking.
When it comes to championing the gluten-free pizza movement, Amici's is the at the top and has this feature at nine Bay Area locations. Other suggestions for wheat-free pizzerias at GoneGluten-Free.com include a rice crust from Pizza Rustica in Oakland, Extreme Pizza, and Goat Hill Pizza.
Christmas without the nuts
When it comes to pastries, San Jose's Let Them Eat Cake is guaranteed to be nut-free.
Altogether, you do not need to worry about food allergic guests in the Bay Area going without a heavy dose of tasty holiday cheer.
Maryam Louise is a former English instructor and materials developer for the Department of Defense Refugee Resettlement and Education Program in Louisville, Kentucky. Since 1997, she has contributed to academic works on the topic of gender. She has been living in the Bay Area since 2009, continuing her 15-year career in media.
