Hi, I’m finally back!!
We found an amazing pizza from M&S food, which we have been ordering from Ocado. It had a really good pizza texture [ one of the BEST I’ve had!]. It also tasted phenomenally good for a gluten free base!!
We have our suspicions that it may be the same recipe as Pizza Express!!
And, as it is only a base, you can put whatever you want on it! [I wouldn’t recommend a sweet pizza though!]. Overall, it was great for a Friday night tea with sweet potato fries!
We had a family weekend break to Centerparcs recently, which inevitably involved a fair bit of eating out. We prepared our own breakfasts and lunches in our cabin, but had a couple of evening meals out and one takeaway delivered to the cabin. I have to say, the Centerparcs team seem to have a very good handle on allergens, and although there’s inevitably a bit less choice, I always had confidence in what was served.
Our Sunday night meal was spent at Bella Italia, after an epic day of crazy golf followed by many hours in the Tropical Swimming Paradise. Other than the meal seeming to take a while to come (we were absolutely starving!), I was very impressed, so I looked up where our nearest one is. It turns out to be at Centertainment to the north east of Sheffield, with the cinema and bowling alley etc.
So first of all, I was given a separate gluten free menu, which always impresses me. And there was plenty of choice on it, with bread and olives, starters, salads, grills, pasta, pizza and some lighter choices using spiralised veg. (They also have a decent vegan menu.)
I was also assured that the kitchen staff take good cross contamination precautions, such as separate prep equipment, and separate trays for the gluten free pizzas, which go on the top shelf of the pizza oven. I’ve just called the Centertainment branch and they offered the same assurances.
For a starter, I went for the Burrata, which is a very creamy version of fresh mozzarella cheese, served with some sun dried tomatoes and an artichoke and red pepper dip. Very nice.
My main course was a pizza. I chose the Tonno Puttanesca, which included tuna, olives, capers, garlic, red onion, red peppers & chilli on a fiery* tomato base. The menu doesn’t mention mozzarella as a topping, so I asked for that as an extra.
*Not so fiery, thankfully – just a little bit of heat
I have to say, I was super impressed with the pizza – the base was possibly the best I’ve had. It was a generous size and there were plenty of toppings. It seemed very much like the real (gluteny) deal – I loved it!
My friend went for the Risotto Funghi, which also features on the gluten free menu, and was apparently very nice. Mushrooms don’t do it for me, but I’m assured it was lovely, so here it is: 
We were far too stuffed for desserts, but there’s a choice of pannacotta, ice cream and sorbet – we went back to the cabin for wine and board games instead, once the kids were in bed.
I also liked the rather cheery ceiling lights, although they might just be at Centerparcs. All in all, a very successful and surprisingly good meal. Next stop, Coeliac UK accreditation..?
Unit 3, Valley Centertainment, Broughton Ln, Sheffield S9 2EP
A trip to Kelham Island for history, beer and pizza seemed like a perfect Fathers’ Day outing. We spent a couple of hours looking round the fantastic Kelham Island Museum with my parents and the kids, finding out about Sheffield’s industrial heritage. We even managed to time it so we were able to watch the big steam engine in action. Then we strolled across the street to Craft & Dough for a hearty meal.
I had originally assumed from the name that a place specialising in craft beer and artisan pizza would not be for me, but I was very wrong! I booked based on seeing a photo of a coeliac friend eating an amazing looking pizza here, so I was very excited to come.
Craft & Dough is an independent restaurant with two branches in Sheffield (the other is on Campo Lane in the town centre). The staff were knowledgeable about gluten and reassuring that measures were taken to avoid cross contamination. The gluten free pizza bases were excellent. Between the three gluten free-ers, we ordered a mushroom pizza, a Hendo’s and goats cheese pizza (which also had leeks, balsamic red onions and pumpkin seeds) and a tandoori chicken pizza. I’m not normally one for cuisine culture clash, but I was really drawn to the tandoori chicken pizza and it hit the spot – the spicing was just right for a pizza, and with the combination of raita and coriander it was really delicious.
Most of the pizza toppings are gluten free, but there’s the odd thing you can’t have, including Nduja sausage, and a couple of quirky ones such as Bombay mix and Frazzles. Still, plenty to choose from, and none of your usual Hawaiian or tuna and sweetcorn pizzas – these are all interesting flavours. Unfortunately the GF toppings aren’t specified on the menu, but the staff were very helpful.
We were also able to eat the chips, which is always a nice treat – these also come with various toppings, although the ‘filthy fries’ toppings had to be slightly changed to make it suitable. We even tried some halloumi fries, which were divine.
We ordered far too much food and had to take some home in pizza boxes. I was most impressed when the waitress clearing the table said she’d clear the gluten and non gluten remains separately to avoid cross contamination in the take out boxes. Spot on – thank you!
On the beer front, there is a bottled Estrella Daura available, but no craft ales as far as I could tell. There is also a decent range of wine, gin and cocktails, but as it was Fathers’ day, I was on driving duty. Next time, I’ll definitely indulge!
Craft & Dough, 1A Kelham Square, Kelham Island, Sheffield S3 8RY
Also at 44 Campo Lane, Sheffield S1 2EG
***Update*** I’ve had a few comments posted about concerns with cross contamination at Proove, so please beware. Maybe worth a phonecall before you go.
Thanks to Emily Lovewell for this review of Proove, in Broomhill:
We tend to stick to restaurants we know can provide gluten free options for children and when my son asks for pizza we usually go for Pizza Express as they have always been reliable. In January when the request was made for pizza we decided to see if there was anywhere else. I looked on Trip Advisor and found that a restaurant called Proove in Broomhill have gluten free pizzas. I telephoned to book and asked if they provide children’s gluten free pizza and was assured that they do. When we got there we could order gluten free dough bites and gluten free children’s pizza with our son able to choose 2 toppings. When the pizza came out I did double check that it was gluten free as it was fluffy with air bubbles and really light. It was gluten free and my son loved it. We will definitely be going back!
We called at Proove on spec last week on a rare child-free evening, and it was buzzing – so much that we couldn’t get a table. And that makes me even more keen to try again! My advice would definitely be to book a table.
Proove, 261 Fulwood Road, Broomhill, Sheffield S10 3BD