Dining Out: South East

Four Seasons Cafe
Location: Store S5, Pakenham Central Marketplace, Pakenham
Ordered: Jacket potato of the day (altered)

This was an interesting one and I was very grateful for the lovely staff here. It was one of those times where I looked at the menu and could order nothing, but I did notice that they had a create your own sandwich option (no gluten free bread though), and a jacket potato of the day, which did include things such as sour cream, avocado, onion and so on. I asked, and they were happy to cater. I ended up with a FODMAP-friendly jacket potato that was delicious.
I think places that go out of their way to accommodate dietary requirements without making you feel like you're a major inconvenience are really worth noting, and this is one of those places that doesn't make you feel like the worst person ever for making a change. So even though their menu doesn't specifically contain FODMAP-friendly items, they definitely deserve a shoutout.


Pakenham Hotel
Location: 153 Main Street, Pakenham
Ordered: Gluten free salt and pepper calamari
Also available: Crispy chicken salad (no yoghurt dressing, no onion), Caesar salad (GFO), Roast of the day

I'm finding some very understanding wait staff in Pakenham, I have to say. They were very happy and willing to check on potential garlic/onion powder in the calamari blend used, and they offered up, without really being asked about it information on how the gluten free option of their crumbed items are prepared, and I have to say, these were some very crispy calamari for a gluten free coating. Apologies about the lighting in this photo, it was a very sunny day.

G'Day Coffee
Location: 2 Station Street, Pakenham
Ordered: Gluten free toast with smoked salmon, spinach and tomato
Also available: (as sides): Eggs, bacon, hollandaise, feta (as meals): Ham, cheese and tomato omelette, Eggs royale (GF bread), Egg and bacon sandwich (GF bread), BLT (GF bread), build your own sandwiches

I always imagine that LowFodmap life must be easier if you can eat eggs, I'm not allergic to them, but ever since I was a baby they just don't stay down. Another little Pakenham gem where onion/garlic questions (in relation to the spinach and tomato, it may seem like overkill that I always ask this, but I have been caught out before) were no big deal. Standard suburban cafe fare, but lovely staff who are happy to answer questions.


The Vista Cafe
Location: Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham
Ordered: Steak sandwich on GF bread, minus the majority of the ingredients

Also available: A range of GF cakes in the display, but I did not ask about the other ingredients

Here's the downside to LowFodmap life, it's not all crispy calamari and on the spot potato creations. The menu in the cafe and the menu in Zomato do not match up here, going on the Zomato menu there were a few options, then when we arrived I learned that the menu has been reduced. This is what I was served- prompting laughs from my husband.

The plus is that the steak was cooked very well, the negative is that well, it was steak, lettuce, tomato and bread with nothing else. It was one of those defeated feeling meals, but you win some, you lose some. I will be going back for tea and to try one of their cakes though, because it really is a lovely location, a lovely cafe, and the staff were sympathetic. I probably won't do another lunch there though.