TRAVEL & LEISURE TRAVEL & LEISURE CARIBBEAN

BY KRISTY TOLLEY, DELIGHT CONTRIBUTOR

GIN-CLEAR WATERS, white sands, and perpetual sunshine comprise the idyllic trifecta that lures many visitors to the Caribbean. If you’ve put off a tropical getaway for fear your gluten allergies will not be accommodated, have no fear. While it’s always a smart idea to pack your favorite gluten-free snacks wherever you go, there are plenty of dining options in the Caribbean to keep you sated.

All-inclusive resorts like Beaches and Sandals strive to support all dietary restrictions and needs, and provide ample gluten-free fare. Prior to meals, guests can fill out a form indicating their require- ments and limitations, which allows for a seamless dining experience. Guests can also request stand- ing orders at favorite restaurants. Partial to the gluten-free pancakes with chocolate chips or cheese omelets? With a standing order, you can enjoy them each morning – fuss free.

Renting a private villa is also a convenient option for travelers with dietary restrictions. Creating your own meal plan decreases the likelihood of an allergic reaction. If cooking meals is not your idea of a vacation, you should consider hiring a chef as part of your villa rental. Prior to arriving, communicate your dietary limitations, and your personal chef will craft a menu that caters to your needs.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 76

74 JULY - AUGUST 2015 DELIGHTGLUTENFREE.COM DELIGHTGLUTENFREE.COM JULY - AUGUST 2015 75 TRAVEL & LEISURE TRAVEL & LEISURE

GLUTEN-FREE GETAWAYS

74 JULY - AUGUST 2015 DELIGHTGLUTENFREE.COM DELIGHTGLUTENFREE.COM JULY - AUGUST 2015 75 TRAVEL & LEISURE TRAVEL & LEISURE

RESTAURANT GUIDE

All restaurants listed provide gluten-free versions of select menu items or offer a completely separate gluten-free menu.

1 ARUBA Iguana Joe’s Linda’s Dutch Pancakes and Pizza Madame Janette Passions on the Beach Grilled Jamaican jerk 2 chicken with black beans CAYMAN ISLANDS Agua Restaurant and Lounge Grand Old House Island Naturals Café Jessie’s Juice Bar Royal Palms Beach Club While all-inclusive dining and cooking Caribbean isn’t just limited to upscale The Greenhouse

your own meals are great solutions, restaurants. 3 don’t miss out on sampling local cui- sine. Caribbean restaurant owners are “This increased catering to dietary MEXICO increasingly aware of the importance of needs covers dining experiences from Casa Mission, Cozumel a varied menu for diners with certain high-end dining to casual easy eth- Mariscos Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas food restrictions. Interestingly enough, nic eateries,” notes Marzeta Bodden, Natura, Cancun gluten-filled fare wasn’t even originally founder and tour guide with Cayman Savio’s Bistro by La Dolce Vita, on the Caribbean menu. Food Tours. “In addition, the major Cancun grocery stores have very good selec- The Bistro, Cabo San Lucas “Since European coloni- tions of gluten-free The Club Grill, Cancun zation, our cuisine has items.” Vegan Planet, Cancun relied on wheat more and more,” says Mikol The original” Gluten-free guests on the Hoffman, Director of cuisine of Cayman Food Tour can 4 Operations for Flavors of partake in alternatives PUERTO RICO San Juan Food & Culture the region like gluten-free roti and Aguaviva San Juan Tours. “Proteins are now pasta dishes. was largely Ali Baba Turkish Restaurant breaded, for example. En Condado, San Juan However, the original gluten-free. For many local restau- Café Berlin, San Juan cuisine of the region was rants, catering to their largely gluten-free.” patrons’ dietary needs 5 has been a priority for TURKS AND CAICOS Guided food tours are a popular excur- some time. For example, Rhumb Lines sion for cruise ship passengers and Restaurant in St. John provides sepa- Baci Ristorante island vacationers alike. They are also rate menus for several common dietary Hemingway’s on the Beach an ideal way to find out the absolute needs – soy-free, sesame-free, peanut Salt Mills Café and Diner best places to eat without “trial and and tree nut-free and gluten-free. 6 error” dining. In addition, many tours accommodate dietary restrictions like “We find that it’s so much nicer to US VIRGIN ISLANDS gluten allergies. hand our guests a menu showing what Eat @ Cane Bay, St. Croix they can enjoy; instead of rattling off a Buccaneer Resort Restaurants, St. “We receive several gluten-free list of all those items on our full menu Croix requests on our Old San Juan Food that they can’t consider,” explains Hill- Galleon, St. Croix Tour,” explains Hoffman. “Fortunately, ary Tittle, the restaurant’s proprietor. Morgan’s Mango, St. John our menu is mostly gluten-free, except “Also, with the often-transient nature Havana Blue, St. Thomas for the first stop where we are happy to of the restaurant staff on a holiday Rhumb Lines Restaurant, St. John provide gluten-free alternatives.” island, having menus upon which less- Salud Bistro, St. Croix experienced staff members can rely can Sogos Restaurant, St. John Thankfully, gluten-free dining in the be vitally important.” < XO Bistro, St. Thomas

76 JULY - AUGUST 2015 DELIGHTGLUTENFREE.COM DELIGHTGLUTENFREE.COM JULY - AUGUST 2015 77