Gluten-Free Events Calendar
If it’s gluten free and happening in Victoria, Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands, you’ll find it listed here! From tastings to contests, farmer’s markets to food trucks – this is your calendar to Gluten-Free Paradise! Join Victoria’s Gluten-Free Foodies and add a new restaurant – and possibly a new gluten-free friend – to your repertoire!
Meet Up at MeeT Vegan / Vegetarian Restaurant at 797 Hillside Ave in the former Boston Pizza location
4 – 6pm on Sunday, April 16
RSVPs REQUIRED to ellen@theceliacsene.com
eatmeet.ca • Menu • Facebook • Instagram • info@eatmeet.ca • 250-704-2900
MeeT Reshapes the Restaurant Industry
Never before in The Celiac Scene’s history have I interviewed a restaurant so aware of its ingredients and so committed to serving the unique needs of each and every diner.
Food sensitivities are not just accommodated, they are celebrated!
Because MeeT is committed to honouring the vegan and vegetarian choices of its diners, they visit with every supplier and build strong relationships with each one of them.
In the course of doing so, they become keenly aware which ingredients contain gluten along with a host of other food allergens. As a result, MeeT has effectively deconstructed the building blocks of food, and from there, created amazing meals in ways that meet almost any need – or want!
I spoke with Adam Twohey, former chef at MeeT’s Yaletown location in Vancouver, and now Victoria’s MeeT Manager. He impressed me with his comprehensive knowledge of everything this 4-location offers. Be amazed!
- Dedicated gluten-free deep fryer
- Dedicated gluten-free grill
- All toppings used to dress meals are taken from fresh containers.
- If there is any doubt about the GF status of an ingredient container, a fresh container is taken from their walk-in cooler.
- Any loose flours used at MeeT are gluten free
- MeeT uses Little Northern (vegan) brand bread and buns for their gluten-free burgers and sandwiches.
MeeT’s menu is notated to indicate which meals contain gluten and nuts. Many of these meals can still be adapted to gluten free. Ask your server – they are eager to help!- Please always assert your needs when ordering items that do not have a gluten notation to ensure that the kitchen can take necessary precautions.
- OATS! The oat-intolerant can rejoice in knowing that oats are not incorporated into any of MeeT’s offerings!
- Oat milk however is used, and it should be noted that it is NOT gluten-free.
- Specially ordered meals may take longer to prepare and cook. Please be patient.
“I am thrilled that MeeT Restaurant has made its way to Victoria. I encourage our community to offer this breakthrough establishment its warmest welcome!” Ellen Bayens, The Celiac Scene
More About MeeT
“Ivo, Jason and Linda have spent the last 20 years in Vancouver, owning and operating a total of 8 restaurants and organic grocery stores throughout the city!”
“They launched the concept of MeeT with a purpose to re-engage in the restaurant industry – not just to succeed in this market, but to re-shape it!”
“From customers perceptions of comfort food, to staff perceptions of what a workplace should be, their goal is to surpass and re-imagine the restaurant establishment to be a better version of itself!” Learn more …
I have severe food allergies. Can I eat in your restaurant?
“We take food allergies very seriously. While we can never guarantee that our food is 100% free of allergens, there are several steps that we take to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. We are a peanut-free establishment, two of our deep fryers are used exclusively for gluten-free items, and our menu is egg and dairy free.”
“Our menu does make extensive use of ingredients such as nuts, wheat, and soy, but we take great care to process these items separately to avoid cross contamination. Please specify with your server the nature and severity of your allergy. Severe allergy bills do take us longer to prepare and cook.”
*Despite all of this, there is always a chance of human error in prepping or cooking of food, or cross-contaminated food from suppliers. For this reason, guests should be comfortable with these potential factors before eating with us. Learn more …
Do you have a kids menu, and are you kid friendly?
“OMG, we love ‘em! We were recently featured on a Kids Edition episode of You Gotta Eat Here! (season 5 episode 16, but who’s counting?) where we showed off a few of our favourite kid friendly dishes; the Chili Cheez Fries, Mac’N’Cheez Burger, and Chocolate Coconut Ganache Tart. We don’t have a dedicated kids menu, but there are lots of items on our menus that your kids will love!” Learn more …
Find MeeT in Vancouver
- Main – 4288 Main St – 604-696-1010
- Gastown – Inner Courtyard, 12 Water St – 604-696-1111
- Yaletown – 1165 Mainland St – 604-696-1165
Let’s meet up and try one of the most elusive of gluten-free cuisines – celiac-safe Japanese food!
Room for only 7 attendees.
Tuesday, May 16 at 6pm
Ebizo Japanese Restaurant
604 Broughton St
(250) 383-3234
MENU • Facebook • Instagram
Email ellen@theceliacscene.com to RSVP
Thank you to Pure Lovin’ for their donation of delicious organic, gluten-free, vegan chocolates as a very special ‘Treat to Go!’
Based on the great experience of one of our most intrepid Gluten-Free Foodies, I popped in to speak with Ebizo about their ability to serve celiac diners.
Server Nigh-Yee readily identified which rolls, nigiri and sashimi are already gluten free, or could be adapted to be so. They can furnish us with gluten-free soy sauce.
I asked that on this occasion, that the chefs be made aware that our group requires 100% gluten-free food and to take any extra precautions to necessary to assure our safety.
Ebizo is a small restaurant so they only take reservations for groups of seven or less. This means this meet up is quite exclusive and that if you are interested, best to sign up soon!
Arigato!
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Pictures from the Meet Up!
Join us for a casual, kid-friendly Meet Up at Totchos and get to know this family-friendly restaurant!
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 2pm – 4pm
RSVP to ellen@theceliaccscene.com
One-of-a-kind gourmet topped taters and low carb, house-made salads and handhelds. The vegan ice cream is amazing! Located within Westshore Town Centre, across from Winners. See map
Totchos is a family owned and operated restaurant. Owners Ashley and husband Dwayne and family were born and raised on Vancouver Island. Their family wants to welcome our family!
Totchos.ca • Facebook • Instagram • 250-590-2322 • totchos22@gmail.com
Mon-Tues-Wed-Sat: 10-6. Thurs-Fri: 10-8. Sunday: 11-5 Holiday hours may vary.
Now online for delivery with Uber & Door Dash
Totchos are gourmet tater tots, cooked in a dedicated gluten-free deep fryer, then dressed like nachos with gooey cheese sauce, charred-tomato salsa, crisp chorizo, fresh vegetables and so much more!
“All tator tots, toppings and dips are gluten free (with the exception of the Vegan Pulled Pork and Vegan Taco Totchos.) Ingredients are confirmed to be gluten free upon arrival at the restaurant.”
• Totchos Tuesdays! ‘Two for the Price of One!’
• Friday Pop Up Contests! Enter your suggestion for Totchos Friday Pop Up Tot for a chance to win a prize!
• Gaming & Parties! 6 Totcho’s booths are equipped with retro table top gaming arcades! Video games with 2 remotes and tons of games to enjoy: 2 SEGAs, 1 NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), 3 SNES mini version (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). 20-40 games per console. Each table is bookable for one hour at a time. Walk-in or pre-book. 250-590-2322
- “Great service! Great food! So many choices!”
- “My daughter enjoyed playing Kirby and the food was fun and good. 100% will come back.”
- “The creamy jalapeño cilantro dip and sticky sauce (sweet chili not spicy) is so good!”
Look for Gluten-Free Notations on Menus! All toppings house-made, daily!
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan Soft Serve Dole Whip with Zero Sugar Toppings
- A year and a half in the making and the Westshore Town Centre is becoming more delicious by the minute! The first of its kind tater-tot shop, Totchos, has opened its doors with fanfare. Attributing the lengthy wait for the restaurant launch to implications involving labour shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Totchos co-owner, Ashley Reardon says the delayed launch has made all the difference to the early success of the business. It was insane. We were lined up outside the door on Friday (February 10th) when we opened. We had the tables flipping every half an hour to 45 minutes,” said Reardon. Having to close an hour early due to a shortage of food, Reardon tells Victoria Buzz the wave of support and welcome she and her husband have received at the Westshore Town Centre has helped them feel at home and further inspired them to run a business in Langford. “We moved out to Langford because it’s a quieter area but there’s less stuff going on for our kids. We are big kids so we kind of just brainstormed and we were like, let’s just do something fun,” says Reardon. Known as the only restaurant on Vancouver Island serving a delicious variety of tater-tot inspired meals, Totchos holds a deeper meaning to Reardon as a tribute to her late mother, Charlene, who passed away in October 2022. “She couldn’t see it open but she was really excited. Most of the recipes are hers and I learned all my cooking from her,” says Reardon. As a child, Reardon’s parents would infuse tater tots into meals with additional healthy ingredients to help inspire Reardon and her siblings to eat balanced meals. A concept that Reardon has passed onto her children, the new restaurateur tells Victoria Buzz that the realization of this business has come full circle as her eldest daughter encouraged her to pursue the business. “I was sitting with my oldest daughter one day and she’s like, mom if we ever can we should open a tater tot restaurant. I ended up getting a settlement, and we were just like, okay let’s try this,” says Reardon. For those curious about what’s offered on the menu, Reardon wants guests to know there’s a meal waiting for everyone. “We’re 90% gluten-free, there are only three things on our menu that isn’t gluten free. We also have plenty of vegan and keto options,” says Reardon.
Victoria Buzz, August 17, 2022
- Get your bellies ready, Langford. A new eatery is coming to town and there’s nothing like it in the region. Opening across from Winners / HomeSense in at Westshore Town Centre, Totchos will be serving up loaded tater tots, hand-helds (fancy tacos), snacks and soft serve ice cream, with lots of vegan, low-carb and no sugar options as well. “We are thrilled to announce the arrival of a brand-new retailer opening at Westshore Town Centre this Fall,” Marketing Manager Kelly McClure Marketing said in an email to Victoria Buzz. Totchos is locally owned and while no specific opening date was announced, it is slated to open this fall. “The owners are very excited to be opening this first-of-its-kind restaurant at Westshore Town Centre and to serve up delicious food and fun to the Westshore community,” said McClure. Even better, each table at the restaurant will be equipped with a built-in retro video gaming system for loads of family fun!
Join Victoria’s Gluten-Free Foodies for the finest in authentic, Italian dining!
Click here for 900 Degrees’ Gluten-Free Menu & Pricing. In person, ask for the ‘Red Menu!’
Thursday, November 23 from 6 – 7:30 PM
RSVP to ellen@theceliacscene.com
NOTE from The Celiac Scene: Only gluten-free flour is used on the prep line and to dust the oven floor. Flour is denatured at a temperature of 900˚. In the event that residual flour might remain, it would be gluten free.
Open 7 days per week 11:30am to 8pm.
Reserve online or call (250) 590-4493
Order Takeout – Pick up at 101B 2401 Millstream Avenue.
Gift Certificates
900degrees.ca • Facebook • Instagram • contact@900degrees.ca • Regular Menu
Watch 900 Degrees on CHEK NEWS Order Up!
Deli Products – Enjoy 900° quality products and ingredients at home! 900° offers a variety of top-quality deli products, from our house-made organic and gluten-free pizza dough, organic tomato sauce, fresh pesto and house desserts. More info
See also 900˚ BiSTRO in Sidney!
Great gluten-free news from owner, Adrian Ortiz:
“We have now launched a dedicated FULL GLUTEN-FREE MENU! There are over 30 GF items on our menu, including appetizers, salads and pizzas.”
“We have also COMPLETELY eliminated gluten flour for our pizza prep line – which now significantly decreases the possibility fo gluten cross contamination.”
‘ “In other words, “The only thing that is NOT GF is our regular dough, which is now prepared completely separately. There is absolutely no gluten flour online, which is the main concern for potential cross-contamination.” ‘
“ALL flour used online (even the one we use to stretch our traditional recipe dough) is Gluten-Free. All previous protocols of using separate utensils, tools and equipment for our GF food items are still enforced.”
Click here to view menu
Click here to view menu
Click here to view menu
TESTIMONIAL: We bought 2 GF pizzas(+1reg) here for take out last evening. It was soooooo goooood! Mine was vegetarian with a pesto sauce – yum!!!! Highly recommend this spot! 10/10 maybe even 15/10 😍 … Gloria
Love Pasta?
900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria stages occasional pasta specials and always offer the option of Italy’s Schar Gluten-Free Pasta to gluten-free diners!
Read the Reviews!
- https://issuu.com/garyhynes/docs/eat_magazine_sept-oct_2017
- https://issuu.com/garyhynes/docs/eat_magazine_march_april_2017
- https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1308429
- http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=615313
A very special appearance by Pure Lovin’ Chocolate at VIDEA’s Winter Fair
Enjoy handcrafted Holiday treats for everyone on your list. View full selection.
Saturday, November 25 11am to 4pm Details
Fernwood Community Centre 1240 Gladstone Ave
videa.ca • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
- Can’t attend in person? Pure Lovin’ offers a $9 Delivery in Victoria. $15 Flat Rate Shipping Canada & US. Shop online.
Pure Lovin’ Chocolate is an artisan chocolate company located in Victoria, BC. We were inspired to create unique and delicious treats you can’t find anywhere else, without the common allergens that make it difficult for many people to enjoy the simple delight of high quality chocolate, so we keep all of our products vegan, gluten free, soy free, and free of artificial flavours and colours. Every one of our delicious treats are made in-house by hand, crafted by combining fair trade chocolate, and organic and natural ingredients. Our one of a kind selections of artisan chocolates are not to be missed!
2 Pure Lovin’ Locations to Serve You in Victoria
Pure Lovin’ Chocolate at Fan Tan Alley
3 Fan Tan Alley (facing Pandora)
Monday – Sunday: 11am – 5:30pm
This location only: soft-serve vegan ‘ice cream’ in hand-made waffle cones – chocolate dipped or with you choice of sauces and toppings made in house. Watch how gluten-free waffle cones are made!
Pure Lovin’ Chocolate on Douglas
2020 A Douglas Street
Tuesday to Saturday: 11am – 5pm (closed Sun-Mon)
250-590-0414
- For Good Measure • Mother Nature’s • Pepper’s Foods • The Grinning Goat Calgary • The Local General Store • Vegan Supply Metro Vancouver
Click to view Pure Lovin’ Chocolate Flavour Guide
Click for details
Custom Orders, Weddings & Corporate Events
- Whether you’re planning an event like a wedding or birthday party, or you need a little extra something to impress that someone special, we’re happy to offer custom orders!
Samples of Favours & Dessert Platters
- Gift Sets • Wedding & Party Favours • Chocolate Platters • Dessert Platters • Birthday & Seasonal Gifts. All of our delights are packaged with the utmost care and attention to detail in sophisticated and elegant packaging. Shipping available.
- Pure Lovin’ Chocolate was imagined, created and is now operated by a mother (Cyndy) and daughter (Leah) team. Leah fell in love with cooking at an early age, while helping Cyndy create delicious, healthy meals in the kitchen of their log home in rural BC. This is also where Cyndy taught her the art of confectionery: making Sponge Toffee, Brittle, Caramel and other treats for special occasions. Their collections are hand-made with the most important ingredient of all – love!
Shipping • What is Organic • What is Fair Trade • What is Vegan
- Facebook Reviews
- GoDairyFree
- BC Ferries’ on Board Magazine
- Victoria Buzz Advent Calendars
- Kristine, Veg Girl RD
- EAT Magazine Fan Tan Alley
- Local Adventurer – Best Places To Eat Victoria
- CTV Vancouver Island Foodie Friday
- EAT Magazine Valentine’s Day
- East Van Vegan
- Senior Living Magazine
TESTIMONIALS:
- “I used Pure Lovin’ Chocolate to send my clients and team members their holiday gifts and I was super satisfied! The process was painless – they took care of delivery and gift cards across Canada – and everyone who received a gift set raved about it. Thanks Pure Lovin’ Chocolate for making me look great!”
- I love you you, ladies! You made my vegan wedding absolutely amazing. The chocolate-coated “honeycomb” was pretty much the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
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