The Soho Hotel: A brilliant GF breakfast and so much more

We all know how difficult travelling gluten free can be. When you find a hotel that can cater for you it can make all of the difference to your experience.

Imagine being able to go downstairs at breakfast to find a big buffet of GF muffins and cakes, gluten free muesli on the menu, and fresh GF toast to spread butter and jam on. Or perhaps even calling room service at 1am for the Club sandwich you were craving?

Well, all these gluten free fantasies and more await you at The Soho Hotel.

I've been to the funky and glamourous five star Soho Hotel a dozen or so times since it's opening in 2004, mainly to the screening rooms downstairs or to perch at the bar when I fancied a decadent and delicious late night cocktail.

I was totally unaware of of all of their gluten free offerings. Upon a friend mentioning to me gluten free items at breakfast I booked myself in to investigate further. It was a gluten free treasure trove. Once I started asking questions the excellent staff explained the wealth of products on offer; from GF pasta at lunch to three different (and delicious) types of gluten free bread from artisan baker Droppa and Droppa. Sundried tomato and basil bread anyone?

The executive chef Robin Read is incredibly knowledgeable about the gluten free diet. They've made it their mission to cater for all kinds of different diets - whether you are a gluten free vegan or lactose intolerant and on the atkin's diet - it's no problem. A lot of energy goes into training the staff. They understand that being gluten free doesn't mean that you are carb-free or any of the other diets that other staff often get confused by (how many times have you had an earnest waiter tell you they can serve you something without the potatoes? No no, I can have those! What does a lady have to to for some carbohydrates around here?) The staff clarity is fantastic and you feel able to trust them completely.

This is one of the reasons they don't have GF marked on the menus (apart from the gluten free breakfast), the staff are trained to pick up on details and ask. I must say that I wouldn't even think to ask for GF pasta if I didn't see some indication on the menu. But, what the hey, if every wish can be catered for then hooray for that. Just remember to be vocal.

They are also very aware of cross-contamination issues and are even working to create a separate gluten free prep section.

My breakfast was excellent. I couldn't get enough of the savory spinach and goat's cheese muffin. Really moist and flavoursome. The poppy seed toast was flawless, far better than most I've tried. Light but not dried out at all.

As part of the gluten free breakfast I had a gluten free muesli complete with fresh apple and almond shavings, topped with blueberries, which was light and refreshing. The breakfast came with a healthy smoothie and fruit pot of apricots and prunes. I must say I felt very smug for being so nutritious, but I was eyeing someone else's egg's benedict with envy, it would be great on gf toast! Next time, that's why there's always a next time.

We all know that hotel dining isn't cheap, but you are paying for a first class service. If you are coming to London for business and want the perfect Gluten Free luxury hotel - The Soho Hotel has to be it. It's definitely on my list for breakfast meetings in the future.

Also to note, the bar menu is fantastic and price accessible- if I'm there for some after work drinks and get peckish I'll be havign a £7 bacon and egg sandwich, or a £8.50 Croque Monsieur.

There is also a gluten free afternoon tea, with all the wonderful little cakes and sandwiches everyone else gets and an innovative "fruit tea" that's gluten free too. I'm sure I'll get around to trying that and their dinner menu in the near future.

I just hope my new found discovery of someone willing to make me gf tempura batter isn't going to lead me to one to many cocktails!

Gluten Free Knowledge: ★★★★★
Gluten Free Range: ★★★★★
Taste: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★★★

Verdict: A gluten free foodie's hotel heaven.

A Tale of Two GF Teas: Part 2: Claridge's

I was invited to the new gluten free tea at Claridge's, using the delicious fresh baked Genius gluten free bread.

It couldn't have been more different than the truly dire Ritz situation.

Delicious, lovingly prepared sandwiches that were beautifully presented - chicken with lemon remoulade, smoked salmon with horseradish and dill, Dorrington ham, egg and watercress. Light and fluffy bread, with high end, well prepared and tasty fillings. Gluten-free delights.

Genius, the breadmakers who make the gluten free bread that Claridge's uses, have the motto "yummy.... hooray!" - the idea being that your first thought when eating something should be that it is scrumptious. The hooray bit comes because it's also gluten free. But the yum should always come first. I entirely agree with this principle.

Oh and boy was it a "yummy... hooray" situation with the gluten free scones. Scones! Pour moi? Oh, Claridge's, wiz all ze's gluten free treats you are really spoiling us (note to the Ritz: this is how you should feel). I haven't had a scone in 14 years. It was delightful. With strawberry jam and a delicate cornell of Devon's finest clotted cream. I very nearly melted at the taste.

The raspberry and rosewater macaroon was, ah, heavenly! Light, a deep raspberry flavour, with some sort of custard cream in the middle, and fresh raspberries around the edges. Weep. I finished my feast with a delicate fruit tart, and some devilish chocolate cake concoction.

Most of all I just felt delighted. And like it was really special. Everything was beautiful to look at, and beautiful to eat. You could tell it had been lovingly prepared. Someone cared.

When it comes to an occasion like Afternoon Tea, I want to be made to feel really special, and to have something any non-celiac would be jealous of.

Mission accomplished Claridge's.

Next time it's my sister's birthday I know exactly where I'm going to go to rub her gluten-eating face in it.

Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons: The Ultimate Decadance for a GF Foodie

Okay, Okay, so it's not exactly somewhere that you could go once a month, or even once a year! But Raymond Blanc's Michelin starred, Les Manoir aux Quat'Saisons near Oxford, is superb, and worth every, of the very many, pennies.

I did let them know in advance about me being a coeliac, as it is only fair when there is a tasting menu that will have to be tailored. But boy did they tailor it!

Situated in the countryside, Le Manoir is a beautiful building with amazing gardens.

While the rest of the group shared their canapes out on the terrace, I had a whole plate of gluten free canapes just for me. It's the only time I think that having a gluten allergy has been a bonus! Little spoons with crab and infused jelly, gf toast with foie gras on top; so many exquisite little things with complex and sensational flavours. I really could live just off canapes like that for the rest of my life.

The five course tasting menu was astonishing. Every dish was perfect. The asparagus with duck egg and parmasan, the red mullet with its own little soup, the poached chicken (I know, chicken?! But it was the best, most flavourful chicken I've ever had) with morel mushrooms, and the most amazing strawberry dessert. I've never had anything that tasted so much of strawberries; pure, sweet, intense strawberries. Certainly the best gf dessert I've ever had.

They had warmed gluten free bread for me throughout the meal, which was a nice touch.

And with the coffees afterwards came the chocolate petit fours, and it was a repeat of the canape situation. Score! My delicious gf selection included the world's smallest pavlova, some sort of sweet lemon ball and miniature chocolates filled with ice cream. Yum.

Totally amazing, one of the finest meals you will ever have, gluten free or not. I couldn't recommend it enough. Now, all that's left to figure out is how am I going to make my millions so that I can buy a helicopter and pop to Les Manoirs for lunch every day? Any ideas, let me know!

The Wolseley: A Sensational GF Brunch!

The Wolseley as a venue is as stunning as they come. Add on top of that the best brunch in London, with gluten free bread on the menu as well, and it's a winner!

I adore the vast open and glamourous 1920's dining room, and I adore their perfect Eggs Benedict even more! The eggs are expertly poached, and because you have (high quality) gf bread to mop up the sauce with, you can finally appreciate a runny yolk. Just sublime.

All the produce is fresh and well cooked, the simple classic dishes are all excellent. My fresh squeezed orange juice and soy latte were well worth the money.

It's open very early and it's central location makes it perfect for a breakfast meeting on a weekday or a luxurious weekend brunch.

Gluten Friendliness: 8/10

The York and Albany; Gluten Free with Flair

I thought I'd begin with a favourite of mine that has upped it's game recently; The York and Albany near Regent's Park.

Having been there a few times I've always been impressed by the mostly gf menu, exquisite food, and the knowledgeable and friendly staff.

At a lunch there the other day I was particularly pleased when they brought out fresh gf bread for me unprompted, after I mentioned being gf while ordering. To get to eat warm bread and butter before a meal - such a treat!

When I ordered a meal that had a wheaty side dish, they offered me three other gf choices instead, especially prepared for me, and didn't make a fuss about it.

They also have fantastic Sunday roasts, the beef is always perfectly cooked, kept lovely and pink and the best thing - they don't thicken their sauces with flour! And that's throughout the menu. Gf gravy heaven.

Not to mention the beautiful 1920's - esque bar..... and of course a Bellini is always gluten free!

Gluten Friendliness: 9.5/10

P.S. Click here to follow The Gluten Free Foodie on Twitter.