Gluten Freebird

I am back and just starting to process our amazing West Coast vacation. The trip wound through Sonoma and Napa, Palo Alto, and San Francisco before leaping up to Portland and Seattle.

It was a food-filled romp from the start - our first dinner was at the epic Cyrus (I wish I had pictures) - that included some amazing regional treats.

Napa’s dinner was at the fabulous vegetarian Ubuntu, which is casual, but splendid. Think grits with barbecued brussels sprouts and apple or a fabulous tomato salad using herbs from the garden.

Portland was unexpectedly magical. I loved the authentic Thai and Vietnamese flavors of little Pok Pok, a bit of rustic Americana at Clyde Common, and the vegan soups at Blossoming Lotus, which, like Ubuntu, shares space with a yoga studio.

Seattle’s highlight was a rich bouillabaise at Matt’s in the Market, which is really at a market: Pike Place Market. We also devoured charcuterie from Salumi, an epic meat experience courtesy of Armandino Batali.

In full disclosure, I was naughty about gluten (my first slices of pizza in nearly a year and a maple bar from Voodoo Donuts were hard to pass up), so there isn’t a ton to share on that front. I did stumble upon a lovely vegan, gluten-free bakery called Flying Apron in Fremont, Seattle where I got a delicious nutty chocolate chip cookie.

So returning to D.C. is also returning to my healthy diet. Expect lots of new recipes.

Here are some looks at the West Coast.

The epic garden of The French Laundry:

So much basil…

A lovely greeting from the friendly Oregonians

Stinging Nettles at the Ferry Terminal Farmers Market

Fall’s favorite fruits at the farmers market

A view from a waterfall hike near Portland

The trip of the pig