Thanks to the suggestions from friend Tom and Freedom to Dine reader Nina, I made a trip to the Green Land Cafe in Salem, Ma.  I’d been wanting to try this place for quite sometime and, after discovering that they began noting gluten-free and vegetarian dishes on their menu, the time was right!

Upon mentioning my food needs, the server made note and the manager soon sat down with us to go over the choices. She was clear to ask about any other food issues and quelled any concerns by stating that my meal would be carefully prepped and separately prepared using designated items.

We began our meal by sharing one of the Warm Tapas. We chose the Seared Nantucket Jumbo Scallops and “Bacon” which included two perfectly cooked scallops, crispy pork  belly and a fennel puree, and when eaten together tasted amazing!  For an entree, we chose the Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop which was served with whipped potatoes, sauteed spinach and a not too sweet brandied cherry relish.  It was so fulfilling that we didn’t have room for dessert, but it was nice to know there were options available. Vanilla Mascarpone Panna Cotta (contains dairy), a Fresh Fruit Plate, which on our visit was a collage of fresh berries, and a variety of Gelato and Sorbetto are offered for dessert.

Besides the clearly marked gluten-free choices listed on the menu, there are actually other dishes that, with minor alterations, also qualify as gluten-free.  For instance, the Grilled Rack of Lamb is served with a cherry vermouth sauce, dandelion greens and a sundried tomato and basil couscous. By switiching out the couscous for another side such as rice or potatoes, the dish becomes gluten-free.  Keep in mind that the menu is seasonal and you may find different foods offered, but I’m confident you’ll be pleased with the choices!

Just as we were leaving the entertainment arrived!  How surprised were we to see this on a Monday night!   Whether sitting at the bar (they have gluten-free beer) or at a window side table, this place gets busy!  Reservations are recommended.

Well, it’s no wonder that the Green Land Cafe was nominated in the Salem Chamber of Commerces’,  ‘Celebrate Salem Awards’   event.   This restaurant is clearly a winner!

The Coven, located in dowtown historic Salem, MA offers innovative sandwiches in a cozy space with kitschy decor.  It’s a cafe and dessert bar with gluten-free choices!

Bread and sweets are brought in from the dedicated gluten-free bakery Glutenus Minimus and include Brioche bread, Carrot Cake cupcakes, White Chocolate bars, Pumpkin Chocolate  Chip Bars, Apple Cider Donut Muffins and a variety of cookies.  All of these treats are kept in their own enclosed gluten-free case!

The variety of lunch and breakfast sandwiches is almost overwhelming yet also entertaining.  With such names as Farrah Fawcett, Fraggle Rock or the Ricky Ricardo, ordering a sandwich can become a nostalgic event.  On our visit we ordered the She-Ra which combined roasted turkey, avocado, bacon and a balsamic onion jam. It was a heavenly combination.  We also brought home a cupcake, Pumpkin Bar and Brownie, which pleased everybody!

Soups are made daily and, at times, are gluten-free. Some of these  include the Tomato Zucchini Soup, Tuscan White Bean Soup with Spinach, and the Tomato Spinach Florentine Soup. These soups are also dairy-free and vegan!

Breakfast and brunch items are served 7 days per week.

This place is great for take-out too, or enjoy your meal by one of the (few) window front tables. Couches and tables are also situated for playing board games. Local, free delivery available!

They also sell market items such as locally sourced and organic products as well as gluten-free bread crumbs, pasta and mixes.

In addition to these, the Soup of the Day is occasionally gluten-free and other dishes can be modified too. Check with your server to see what is offered the day of your visit. For dessert, there is Strawberry Creme Brulee, the Flourless Chocolate Torte, sorbet and ice cream.

Take advantage of the Early Bird Special (before 5:30) where if you order a full size entree you will receive a complimentary small mesclun salad and dessert!

Grilled Angus Burger Lettuce Wrap with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Victoria Station  has a gluten-free menu.  The selections include appetizers, entrees, salads and desserts.  Some are also dairy-free like the Scallops Wrapped in Bacon, Grilled Salmon and Flame-Grilled Filet Mignon.  There are specialty salads like the Spinach Salad (contains walnuts) and the Greek Salad, but I opted for the Unlimited Salad Bar. The gluten-free menu had a large section devoted to choices at the salad bar and my attentive server, Cassie, let me keep the menu by my side which made things so much easier!  Victoria Station is located on Pickering Warf and overlooks Salem Harbor with seasonal outdoor dining.

Pan Seared Pork Scallopini

While visiting Salem, I had dinner at The Grapevine Restaurant  located across from Pickering Warf.  My friend and I were seated outside in the lovely Grapevine courtyard which has been described as a “Trip back to Tuscany” by Fodor’s Travel Guide.  Not having dined there before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. After inquiring about which foods on the menu might contain “wheat”, our pleasant and attentive server, Jose, immediately asked if I have to avoid GLUTEN. Since he was aware of the word gluten, I immediately became more relaxed and excited that I could order more than a salad with oil and vinegar! I really appreciated the effort he made going back and forth to the chef to ensure that the particular dishes in question were gluten-free.  I ended up ordering the pan seared pork tenderloin scallopini with sage and proscuitto and roasted potatoes, which also happened to be dairy-free. (However, it had to be served without the gluten containing Madeira wine sauce).  It was very delicious.  My friend ordered from the Daily Specials Menu and was brought out a naturally gluten-free entree of pan seared scallops over risotto which he thoroughly enjoyed.  Some of the gluten-free desserts served that evening were the creme brulee, flan, flourless chocolate torte and there was also a variety of sorbets for those needing to avoid dairy and egg.

Rang Indian Bistro, located in Stoneham, offers both Northern and  Southern Indian cuisine.   Although they do not have a gluten free menu, they do state that they cater to customers with special dietary needs such as vegetarians and gluten free diners.  They do not use  preservatives or msg and they grind their own spices.  Passage to India  in Cambridge and Salem and Monsoon Bistro in Maynard and Acton are all under the same management as Rang Indian Bistro.