Leonhards - Charlottetown

This sweet little caffe has no dedicated gf kitchen, so ask her server before ordering menu items marked “GF” (gluten friendly). our server was about it and informed us that the gluten-free breads/flowers go on the same toaster as the white ones, so they did not recommend the sandwiches for someone with serious sensibility. wife (celiac) instead ordered an salate that looked amazing. I had a spicy chicken burger and salate that was pretty good. good portion sizes, great decor and friendly staff. some options here, but not extensive for zöliakie.

This place is beautiful. Although they are not their own facility, their suppening is always gf and tasty. they also have other options that they get gf. oh and the turtle cheesecake. delicious! menu on the website for gf!

When my salad arrived, it was served by a different server, and to my dismay, there was a piece of gluten toast on top of it. As I stared at the toast and watched crumbs fall into my salad, I debated whether to raise the issue again or just leave the meal untouched. Thankfully, the original server came back and apologized, saying, “I’m so sorry, I see they served that with bread on top, and you requested gluten-free. Let me get you a new one.” I was relieved and appreciated her attentiveness in handling the mistake. However, the owner, Leonard, suddenly emerged from the kitchen and shouted at me across the restaurant. He told me I would receive the same salad again, berating me about the costs of running a restaurant and expressing his frustration over gluten-free food being sent back. He continued to yell as he leaned over the table of ladies dining next to us, his hands on their table, which was incredibly embarrassing for me. I quietly asked him to stop multiple times, but he insisted that he couldn’t maintain a gluten-free kitchen or prevent cross-contamination. When I pointed out that they advertise gluten-free soup, he claimed it was just because it was too expensive to change the menus and signage. I pleaded with him to leave our table, and after he finally stepped back, he headed to the cash register where he continued to complain about me. Meanwhile, my friend, who is dairy-free and had requested no cheese on her sandwich, noticed a slice of cheese and removed it herself. We decided to leave. That was five years ago, and I pass by their café every day as I choose from the many wonderful places in downtown Charlottetown that offer a variety of gluten-free options.

When my salad arrived, it was served by a different server, and there was a piece of gluten toast on top. I was sitting there, unsure whether to pick the toast off and deal with the crumbs in my salad or to abstain from eating. Thankfully, the attentive original server returned and apologized, realizing there was bread on my dish despite my gluten-free request. She offered to get me a new salad, which relieved me. Then the owner, Leonard, stormed out of the kitchen and berated me loudly in front of the entire restaurant. He insisted that I would get the same salad again, claiming to understand how expensive it is to run a restaurant and that he needed to control food costs. He screamed at our table and leaned over the table of a woman dining next to us, placing his hands on her table and yelling at me. Annoyed, I quietly asked him to stop, but he insisted that he couldn’t have a gluten-free kitchen and couldn’t prevent cross-contamination. I pointed out that they promote gluten-free soup, and he replied that was just because it was too costly to print new menus and update their signage. I asked him to leave our table, and he went back to the kitchen, complaining from there. Meanwhile, my friend, who is lactose intolerant and had requested no cheese on her sandwich, noticed the cheese herself and took it off. We left immediately. That was five years ago, and I now choose from one of the many wonderful places in downtown Charlottetown that offer a variety of gluten-free options.

Charming little place with many gluten-free options clearly indicated on the menu. However, they use a shared toaster, which unfortunately means that most items may not be safe for those with celiac disease.