Nestled on a busy shopping strip between Nellies Cosmic Café and Wave’s Coffee on 17th Ave, this little slice of Heaven is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Previously occupied by boutique style shop “Worth”, the space was once lined with stark black wallpaper and New York-inspired fashion. The new owners have since abandoned the skull motif in favour of bright green and yellow wall paint with colourful accents, giving Heaven GF Artisan Cuisine a true Latin flavor.
Inside Heaven Gluten Free Artisan Cuisine
Today many restaurants offer gluten-free options, however Heaven currently holds the spot for the only 100% gluten free restaurant in Calgary. “Plus we are vegan and vegetarian friendly,” adds owner Patricia. “About 60% of our items are certified organic, certified gluten free and as much local as possible.”
According to the Canadian Celiac Association, cross-contamination should be a serious consideration for anyone suffering from a gluten allergy. Being aware of any gluten your food may have come in contact with is as much of a consideration as what you’re consuming. Even something as seemingly innocent as flour dust could potentially trigger the normal Celiac autoimmune response. Because of this, Patricia ensures that nothing with gluten ever enters the restaurant.
Her dedication to a gluten free environment aside, a sampling of one of Patricia’s heavenly dishes is all you need to realize that her passion lies not only in offering a gluten free haven for her customers, but also creating delicious cuisine that anyone can enjoy.
“We have been in the restaurant business for about 20 years. Heaven is a very important milestone in our professional lives because while researching for our new place we saw that there was a big gap in restaurants offering a (100%) gluten free menu. We knew how to keep food safe for people with gluten issues and healthy for anyone that likes this lifestyle.”
Heaven hopes to have a liquor license soon but says it will maintain its family friendly nature by focusing only on wines that pair well with the cuisine.
Stop by any Tuesday or Wednesday during the month of April to celebrate Heaven’s first year in business (6 months at the 17th Ave location) with their “You got it free if your plate says so” promotion. Sounds pretty self-explanatory. What should you try? The current favourite is the Chicken Avocado Arepa or the Lasagna Bolognese. “We’ve been told it’s the best in Calgary.”
Stop by at A Red Affair on Saturday April 20th to receive a 10% off coupon for Heaven and let us know what you think.
Find it on 17th at 119-1013 17 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2T 0A7.
