Featured Review

January 2009

Fishers' Loft in Newfoundland, Canada Gives Gluten-Free Diners and Travelers A True Vacation From Worry...

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5.0 Palms	Fishers' Loft
Review Type:	Hotel
Location:	Trinity, Newfoundland, CANADA
Phone:	(877) 464-3240
Website:	www.fishersloft.com
Contact:	John and Peggy Fisher
Trip Type:	Adults only vacation
Travel Dates:	June 2008
Review Posted:	December 16 , 2008

I have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease for almost 5 years and one of the hardest and yet most satisfying challenges has been finding interesting places to travel to where I don't have to worry about getting sick and feeling like "a problem." The best experience yet was this past summer in Newfoundland!! The scenery is breathtaking, the people are warm and inviting and the food is great if you don't try to eat traditional foods like chowder and fish and chips.

What made this a particularly enjoyable experience was staying at the Fishers' Loft Inn in Trinity about a 3 hour drive from St John's. For those who have seen the movie The Shipping News, this is the area where it was filmed. As with all of my travelling since being diagnosed, I spent some time on the Internet researching possible inns and restaurants and then calling some of these places to see if they can accommodate a gluten free diet. When I called Fishers' Loft, not only was I assured that they would have no trouble dealing with a gluten free diet, but I was made to feel like they actually relished taking care of my needs. Many of you will attest to the same type of conversation only to find that reality falls somewhat short. This was not to be the case at Fishers' Loft.

We had booked 3 nights with breakfast and dinner the night we arrived. We had spent the first 3 nights in St. John's with the typical okay results of finding places to eat and inns that say they can serve you a gluten free breakfast until they put toast on your plate! But again, this was not the case at Fishers' Loft. When we sat down to dinner the first night, I didn't know I was sitting down to one of the most accommodating and best culinary experiences of my life. In fact, "accommodate" is too weak a word. Not only was I brought REALLY GOOD gluten free bread, every course of the 5 course meal from the amuse bouche to the appetizer, salad, soup, main and dessert was made gluten free and it was fabulous. AND I WAS THE ONLY CELIAC THERE!!

More riches awaited me at breakfast the next morning. I was quickly informed of the cereal and fruit table which included gluten free cereal and homemade gluten free granola - another wow moment. Then two baskets with steam rising from them were placed on the table - my fiance's contained a fresh baked muffin and scone and mine contained a fresh baked gluten free muffin and gluten free scone - another wow. For all three mornings the hot breakfast was a daily special or bacon and eggs, and every morning the cook made a gluten free version of the daily special including GF crepes and the GF vegetable pie (sort of a cross between a quiche and a tortilla -- spanish style omelette with the pastry) all of which was delicious. And each morning I had a fresh baked scone and muffin - and boy were they good!!

We had such great food at the inn that we decided to have dinner there the last night of our stay. Once again I was able to eat every course - including an incredible flourless chocolate cake and the second dessert of rhubarb compote and cream they brought as we were enjoying the last of our wine.

Except for when I first sat down, I never again for 3 days mentioned that I was restricted to a gluten free diet or have to question what was put in front of me. Whoever was serving me knew that the lady in room X was gluten free. The owners and staff at Fishers' Loft provided me with the kind of dining experience I remember from before I was gluten free - an experience where I didn't feel denied or singled out or destined to eat a very plain meal because all of the restaurant sauces contain gluten. It was a wonderful culinary experience - I didn't have to think about the food I was eating. I only needed to enjoy it!!

If you are looking for a great vacation next summer, please consider going to Newfoundland and staying at Fishers' Loft Inn - you will not be disappointed!

** GlutenFreeTravelSite.com suggests you always contact hotels and resorts directly to verify the availability of gluten-free meals before booking your stay.