An Italian bakery may sound just about as far as you can get from gluten free, however, the popular Santa Monica Italian restaurant and bakery, Milo and Olive, serves every kind of customer– gluten free included. Sister restaurant to the equally as popular establishment Huckleberry, M+O serves more than just wood-fired pizzas and famous garlic knots. M+O has a plethora of Farmer’s Market inspired dishes and small plates that showcase great ingredients with even better flavor…
M+O uses different grains to create the richest flavors possible and accommodates to all kinds of eaters. As far as their fresh baked pastries, which can be enjoyed in-house with your meal or carried out, M+O always has a few gluten free and/or vegan options. The gluten free and vegan chocolate banana cake is my personal favorite; its decadent chocolate flavor and moist texture is unlike most gluten free pastries. For breakfast and brunch the creamy polenta with poached eggs, braised bacon bits and baby greens is filling and flavorful. The rich polenta pairs perfectly with the crispy bacon bits and the fresh greens, and it is tied together with the soft egg and runny yolk. The baked eggs skillet with kale, which is gluten free if you ask for no baguette, has bold flavors due to the roasted peppers. There’s also some added spice thanks to the little chili oil used. The gluten free lunch and dinner options at M+O are more limited, however, there are fresh salads and various vegetable options which are a solid choice for any gluten free diner.
M+O has an open kitchen and customers can watch the food-making in action; pizzas are thrown, vegetables are roasted, and meats are braised right in front of them. For a welcoming and warm atmosphere with comforting dishes, M+O is the perfect Santa Monica stop. One meal here is all it takes for me to realize why M+O is one of the most popular restaurants in the area!