One of the best kept secrets downtown on the Riverwalk is not only a great place for lunch, but is a fantastic bargain for those of us dining gluten free. A few years ago, I had a problem deciding on a place to take one of my favorite clients to lunch on her birthday. I didn't want anyone focusing on my dietary restrictions on her special day. To make things worse, it needed to be on a Monday, and most of my preferred choices are closed on Mondays. To complicate things further, it was the Monday before Christmas. I had the idea of trying a nice downtown hotel because they are required to keep up their standards seven days a week. I knew of the reputation of Executive Chef Scott Cohen at the four diamond, AAA rated Las Canarias in La Mansion del Rio, but figured it would set me back quite a bit financially, but still, this client deserved the best. Without too much effort, I was able to speak to Chef Cohen himself, and he agreed to share his e-mail address so that I could send him a list of my requirements. He was familiar with the celiac diet, but we both wanted to be sure that I could enjoy dining there safely, and I wanted to settle everything concerning my requirements before we actually arrived.

What a lovely experience this turned out to be for the group of us! The biggest surprise was the feeling of being somewhere in an elegant setting in a large city in Europe. There are three areas of dining to choose from, including outdoors along the river. We were seated near a window overlooking the Riverwalk, yet we were actually dining in a quiet, secluded room, attended by several wait staff, most hailing from European countries that are more familiar with the gluten-free diet.

The menu changes daily and is seasonal. Las Canarias strives to offer local, fresh choices as much as possible. Because of these changes, it is not possible for them to tell you in advance exactly what you will be able to order, but you can ask that the chef make some suggestions for you to choose from.

When our Bed and Breakfast guests ask me where to have a lovely lunch downtown, Las Canarias is the first place that comes to mind. No one has been disappointed.

Recently, my husband and I celebrated a lunch with several couples we have known for a long time. They were thrilled to be introduced to this lovely experience. And the idea that lunch is available for $12 per person was a surprise for them. It gets even better. Lunch includes a choice of soup or salad, plus an entrée, along with coffee. If you are in a rush, tell your waiter and they will get you out in 40 minutes. They will also stamp your ticket for valet parking at the hotel garage. For retired couples enjoying lunch on a weekday, it was nice that they were cheerfully willing to write up separate checks. (AB October 2006)