Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Random Thoughts

Cant wait to go to the Thanksgiving Party at The Gluten Free Market in Fairlawn NJ from 1P-3PM on Saturday November 3, 2007. Cant wait to try some Mr Ritts Baked products and walk down the asiles with out having to read ingredient labels.

I hope Starbucks will start producing GF products so I can go there with my financee who loves there coffee. Dont forget to call them at their customer service number to let them know you want GF Goodies.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Heaven On Earth!

Saturday evening My Finance and I went to see The Awesome 80's Prom a off broadway interactive show playing at Webster Hall in Manhattan. This show was fun and we had a great time with the free tickets we had won from a radio station at a car show from a classic car show a few weeks before. Now we get to the great part.

Remember the 80's Pop Classic "Heaven is a Place On Earth" by ex GoG0's member Belinda Carlisle? She must have been talking about the Italian restuarant Risotteria. I must say I have been so scared yet so wantingly wanting to go to this Sagat Rated eating establishment. I have been reading reviews about this place since last Spring. When I first see it is the outside appearance was very nice fitting in with the rest of West Village neighborhood. Like they say the wait for a table was about 25 minutes (and this was at 1015 PM) since the place was as small as they say.

When you walk inside you are greeted by the nicest aromas of Italian cuisine. Your eyes cant stop wandering from the dishes on the patrons tables to the collection of gluten free beers on the counter and all the gluten free brownies, cookies, cupcakes in the desert case. The staff is very nice and have a great knowledge of Celiac Disease. It was great to actually talk with the waitress about Gluten Intolerance and she actually not looking at you like you are a 3 eye green alien from the planet Jupiter.

First when you are seated they serve you GF breadsticks in a glass. I took one bite and realized that I was in store for a great dinner. We immediately requested and recieved a second serving of breadsticks. Now to the actual tastes of the foods that we ordered. I had of course the gluten free thin crust pizza with mozella. Wow it was awesome. The first time since I stopped eating "real" pizza that I had GF Pizza with the dough actually have the consistency and texture of normal pizza. My finance had the same except the pizza had gluten and she loved it. We also shared a GF ceaser salad with crotons. We ate the salad like there was no tomarrow.

Now this is where a slight problem arouse. I was totally stuffed except i was planning on having one of their on premise baked desserts. So we decided to share a sandwich cookie with fudge in the middle. Wow I had a gastronomical orgasm when I ate it. The fudge in the middle tasted like my child hood all time favorite cookie which they stopped making years before i was dianosed as a Celiac. The cookies were called Fudgetown Cookies and had a cowboy on the box and they were last made by Salerno.

I did have some left over pizza, breadsticks and that cookie left which I immediately ate for breakfest this morning. Having left over pizza was a treat that I missed from my days of gluten and it tasted just has good as when I ate it last night. Plus i did purchase some GF Pizza and breadstick dough and chocolate chip cookie dough. That i will try later on this week. Over all the restuarant was very clean, the staff professional and excellant and the restuarant has become my favorite place in the city to eat. I will diffinately eat there again and again.

The address is 270 Bleeker Street in the West Village in Manhattan. Their website is http://www.risotteria.com/ .

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Still havent purchase a new PC but I wanted to share some thoughts. An update on the Trader Joe's Gluten Free Ginger Snaps I mentioned in my last post. They are excellent. Great tasting, texture is like a "real" cookie except it was a little harder in consisteny. Even the bag it came in was nice cause it had a ziplock top so the uneaten cookies stayed fresh. But my word of advice is once you eat one cookie you are gonna want to eat at least half the bag.

Finally I am gonna try out Risotteria on Saturday nite. I have been dying to go to this place for a long time and since me and my finance are going to be in the City to see the Awesome 80's prom @ Webster Hall I figured would be a great time to have some legendary gluten free pizza and gluten free breadsticks and desserts. I am gonna take some pictures there to post on this blog.

Anheiser Busch won the award for thebest GF Beer for their Red Bridge line of Beer. This is a personal favorite of mine since it amazingly tastes like a regular Bud. Monarch Beverages in Long Beach has this and Ramapo Valley Beers in stock. Also Uncle Guisseppi's Market in East Meadow also has it. Out in California I hear CVS Drugs stores also carry it.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Uncle Giuseppes' Market

Sorry my computer crashed with a virius so I am in the process of getting a new PC. I went to Trader Joe's yesterday with my financee and bought some gluten-free ginger snaps. I havent actually eaten them yet so I cant offer any opinion on them. The price was right though 1.99 for a nice size bag.

If you live in Long Island Uncle Giuseppe's Market is the place to go. It's a private family owned smaller type of supermarket with an excellant butcher and catering department. But if you must check out the Gluten-Free section which is constantly expanding. They have foods from Every Body Eats. I always buy the six pack of cupcakes (3 each of chocolate and vanilla with icing) from the grainless baker. They have most types of gluten free pasta especially some imported from Italy. They even have the Red Bridge Gluten Free beer by Budwiser. There website is www.uncleg.com. I shop in the East Meadow location since it is across the street from the hospital where I work. I even emailed them thanking them for the support they give by offering such a choice of gluten free foods.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Rustic Crust Launches Line of Gluten-Free, Diary-Free Pizza Crusts

Rustic Crust Launches Line of Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizza Crusts
All-natural, old world, ready-made pizza crust maker expands offerings: A pizza treat without the wheat!
Pittsfield, NH (PRWEB) October 12, 2007 -- Just in time for National Celiac Awareness Month, Rustic Crust (TM) today announced the launch of its new line of wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free pizza crusts. Napoli Herb, an authentic Italian crust, is the first product in the new line.
"Wheat is one of the top eight most common food allergies or intolerances, and dairy is not far behind," said Brad Sterl, Crust Crusader, founder and president of Rustic Crust. "We are pleased to offer a pizza crust that is wheat-free, gluten-free and even dairy free, so that everyone can enjoy. And it's still consistent with our commitment to delicious, all-natural ingredients and Old World style authenticity."
Today more than two million people, or 1 out of 133, suffer from celiac disease. Moreover, over 45% of Americans exhibit some kind of food allergy or intolerance.
Rustic Crust's Napoli Herb ready-made pizza crusts come in a convenient package containing two seven-inch crusts which retails for approximately $5.99. Rustic Crust ready-made pizza crusts are available nationwide in key grocery chains and independent natural food stores across the country.
Rustic Crust launched its ready-made pizza crusts in September 2005. In just six months, Rustic Crust became the number one brand and accounted for more than 57% of category growth. Today, Rustic Crust maintains its leadership position in the category and sells its branded pizza products nationwide in over 1,500 natural food stores, traditional supermarkets and club stores. The pizza industry in the United States is over $36 billion, with the average American family eating pizza at home 30 times a year.
Rustic Crust ready-made pizza crusts are made with the finest all-natural ingredients, from freshly picked herbs to cold-pressed olive oil. Consumers just add sauce and their favorite fresh toppings and bake for 12 minutes and they have their own authentic Old World style pizza.
Rustic Crust pizza crusts are formed by hand, allowed to slowly ferment, double proofed, and then baked in custom ovens for rich flavor.
Rustic Crust's new wheat-free, gluten-free and dairy-free line complements its existing organic and all-natural, Old World ready-made line of pizza crusts, such as Cheesy Herb, Italian Herb, Tuscan Six Grain, Classic Sourdough, Ultimate Whole Grain, Organic Great Grains and Organic Pizza Originale.
Rustic Crust makes the only ready-made, Old World crusts that store for up to 120 days months in a pantry naturally. All-natural oxygen absorbers preserve freshness without the need of artificial preservatives commonly found in other shelf-stable products.
"Pizza night is a great way to bring your family together," continued Sterl. "Who doesn't like make-your-own pizza with friends and loved ones? Just add your own fresh toppings and let the conversation begin."
About Rustic CrustRustic Crust™, Inc. is a New Hampshire based bakery specializing in Old World style pizza products that are as convenient as they are delicious. Products include all-natural, organic, and wheat-free and gluten free pizza crusts, sauces, and frozen flatbread pizzas. Rustic Crust was founded on the belief that time-honored tradition mixed with whole grain health bakes the best crusts and flatbreads. Rustic Crust is committed to using the highest quality, all-natural ingredients such as whole grains and fresh produce. No artificial preservatives, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, GMOs, or added sugar. For more information, visit www.rusticcrust.com.

Anybody has tried this yet or seen it in stores?

Introduction

Today is gonna be a great fall day. My Financee and I and a few friends are going to the Oysterfest in Oysterbay Long Island. No we dont eat oysters but its gonna be a big fair with rides, food etc. Will they have anything Gluten Free there is always the first question. I was at Roosevelt Field last week going to see a movie and walk around and noticed that Legal Seafood had a large handwritten sign on the door that they now have a gluten free menu. Even though I dont eat seafood I am glad to see another major corporation cater to our needs.

Lists of Places To Dine Out With GF Items:
  1. Wendys- The Fast Food chain on its website tells you the ingredients and nutritional facts of all its products.
  2. OutBack Steak House- Ask your server for a gluten free menu and they can cook your order individually from other possible contiments.
  3. Legal Seafood
  4. PF Chang's