Gluten For Punishment

Visited On:	May 30, 2011
Gluten Free Menu:	Yes
Server Knowledge:
Server Attitude:
Variety of Gluten-Free Options:
Overall Gluten-Friendly Rating:
Price Range:	$10-$20 per person (plus drinks, tax, and tip)

My best friend came home from Calgary a few weeks ago and wanted to get together for lunch. When he asked where I wanted to go, I immediately said Jamieson’s, a small Irish restaurant just ten minutes from where we both were. (It’s too fancy to be called a pub, in my opinion!) I had had a quick look at their gluten-free menu last year and wanted another try.

Located in a strip mall in Cole Harbour, Jamieson’s is a real gem. The authentic Irish-house feel, awesome staff, and amazing food are enough to bring anyone back for meal after meal. It’s also a great place to enjoy a drink; they have a huge offering of whiskeys and beer in particular.

Now, normally a pub is not a great place for a Celiac to eat because many things are fried. However, most of the items on Jamieson’s menu are a bit more upscale than your average pub. As well, I have heard (but have been unable to confirm) that a key staff member has Celiac disease. Whatever the reason is, Jamieson’s has a two-page gluten-free menu that covers salads, soups, appetizers, entrées, and desserts.

Some of the yummy offerings include:

• Irish stew
• Traditional ploughman’s lunch (with cheeses, pate, meats, etc.)
• Root vegetable chips with garlic hummus
• Wings and mussels
• Pan seared scallops
• Pasta dishes done with rice pilaf instead of noodles
• Blackened salmon
• La Messagere gluten-free beer
• Flourless Belgian chocolate cake

And the list goes on!

This trip, I ordered their pan seared scallops, which are served with potato frites, bacon, mixed greens, and a balsamic vinaigrette ($12.29 for the appetizer version). (The frites are cooked in contaminated oil, but you know me and fried potatoes!) Matt ordered their “beautiful burger” with fries ($10.29). Our drinks arrived quickly, followed shortly by our food.

I knew the scallops would be great because I had had them before, but I had forgotten how truly amazing the dish is. The scallops are cooked perfectly – not overdone or rubbery in the least. I even enjoyed the greens and the vinaigrette! The frites are a real treat, too – tiny strips of fried potato, done in the true sense of “frites.” And, of course, bacon is always an excellent addition. (I also had a nice glass of Chardonnay to go with it. What a splurge for lunch!)

Matt’s burger was equally excellent. Although he lives in Calgary, the land of beef, right now, he said this was the best burger he had had in a really long time. Topped with all sorts of veggies, bacon, and cheese, it was a real mouthful. The fries were hand-cut and perfectly cooked, and just as amazing as the burger. (I might have stolen a few!)

Although it was only lunch, we both cleaned our plates off. Although we were too busy eating to do much chatting, we both really enjoyed our visit to Jamieson’s. I’ll be back soon – and I’m sure Matt will be back the next time he is home.

Jamieson’s Irish House and Grill
5 Cumberland Drive (Dartmouth)
902-433-0500
Web Site: http://jamiesons.ca/

Gluten-Free Menu: http://www.facebook.com/jamiesonsirishhouse?sk=notes