Around Town: Celiac Awareness Month

We hear a lot about gluten-free dining these days, due to the uptick in diagnosed Americans with celiac disease. Thankfully, the dining industry recognizes the changing tides by adapting and being mindful to gluten-free cooking. With May being Celiac Awareness Month, it’s time to take a look at some of the restaurants serving standout gluten-free items or menus. Here are some of our favorites.

Colterra

Niwot – For gluten-free dining with a side of sustainable organic fare, head to Colterra in Niwot. The farm-to-table spot known for its restaurant garden and sprawling patio pays a lot of care to gluten-free dining, offering substantial gluten-free lunch and dinner options. As with everything served at Colterra, dishes are also GMO-free and feature the best local ingredients in peak season. Rather than filling their menu with gluten-free renditions of typically glutenous dishes, the restaurant simply prepares elegant dishes that happen to not have gluten. Shared and small plates are gorgeous, seasonal and meticulous, like the black pepper crusted ahi tuna steak with garlic and olive oil potato puree, garlic seared greens, sun dried tomatoes and balsamic brown butter and the warm brie salad with caramelized organic apples, candied macadamia nuts, local spring mix and cider vinaigrette. Gluten-free entrees include guest favorites like the wild sockeye salmon with crispy polenta, garlic seared spinach, butternut squash and caper brown butter sauce and pan roasted Mary’s organic chicken breast with sweet herb potato puree, asparagus, oyster and shiitake mushrooms and English peas. Let’s not forget dessert. Colterra’s seasonal sorbet and fresh fruit is served with a berry coulis. They even offer gluten-free beer from Shacksbury and Colorado Cider Company. Cheers to that!

Milk & Honey Bar + Kitchen

Denver – If you’re on the prowl for gluten-free options in an upscale yet intimate setting, look no further than Milk & Honey Bar + Kitchen in Denver’s Larimer Square. Executive Chef Michael Shiell made it a priority to offer a range of menu options to please every nutritional need and preference. All produce and meat is locally sourced whenever possible, and a wide variety of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are offered. At lunch, gluten-free options are plentiful. Begin with a taste of the crispy polenta or the balsamic glazed ribs, then enjoy a plate of their delectable bone marrow brûlée, served with onion marmalade. Lunch entrees include the loch duart salmon with wasabi sprouts, yuzu and cucumber, and the crisp nicoise salad. Guests seeking a gluten-free dinner experience may choose to start with the octopus skewers or sautéed mussels, followed by a small plate of crab and avocado tatine, served with corn shoots and mescal-lime emulsion. Gluten-free dinner entree options include the seared day scallops with black garlic, chili oil and mustard seed caviar, and the pan roast chicken, accompanied by endive, arugula and truffle vinaigrette. For all gluten-free locals and visitors, Milk & Honey has something delightful in store.

Wild Standard

Boulder – Wild Standard, owned by renowned chef and farm-to-table trailblazer, Bradford Heap, focuses on providing guests with seasonal, sustainable, humanely-raised food with flavors that showcase the best of what the season has to offer and provides several naturally gluten-free options that are perfect to enjoy during Celiac Awareness Month. Start your meal off right with the Fried Calamari dipped in rice flour with a thai sweet chili glaze, then enjoy the Thai Green Curry Mussels with green garlic, coconut milk, cilantro and fresh chili or sample some oysters from the Raw Bar. Finish up your meal with the rich chocolate Classic made with gluten-free chocolate fondant, strawberry soufflé glace, strawberry gel and lemon curd. Chase it all down with one of six gluten-free beers, including the Holidaily “Fat Randy’s IPA” locally sourced from Golden, Colorado.