Blue Diamond is best known for their nuts. So, who can argue with a company that has created delicious products in the past with their Almond Breeze almond milk and their bold and traditional flavors in their line of nuts?
I felt confident when I purchased a box of Nut Thins to have as a snack while waiting around in the General Admission line of an upcoming U2 concert. I didn’t know what I was in for. It was by random selection I picked up the Pecan Nut Thins that day. My grocery store carries every flavor…but this one just intrigued me.
Crackers are hard to come by when you have an intolerance to gluten. What Blue Diamond created was a masterpiece. Upon first bite, I was hooked. These could even double as a chip to dip in salsa or a cheese queso. Salty…crunchy…and packed with amazing flavor. These crackers were so good, I think I inhaled them.
It was love at first bite with the Pecan flavor. The right hint of nut-flavor, with the cracker and chip crunch. It’s like a perfect union of snacks…done with a hint of salt and a lot of flavor. These pecan ones were just the way to be introduced to these crackers. They were rich in flavor, low in sodium, and every bite had me reaching for another one! It only makes me anticipate the other flavors, which include: cheddar, BBQ, almond, hazelnut, ranch, smokehouse, and one called hint-of-salt. Oh yeah…these are on my “always buy” list when it comes to gluten-free snacks.
Whether you eat them on their own, or pair them with a dip or spread, Nut Thins are sure to satisfy ANYONE who tries them. This isn’t just for those who can’t have gluten. These are worth sharing with the world. And I intend to…one appetizer, one concert, one picnic at a time.
Blue Diamond doesn’t disappoint with these crackers. And thankfully, I get to enjoy them down to the last crunchy cracker.
Gluten-free doesn’t always mean delicious. I have realized this since having to adhere to a gluten-free diet. While some products are amazing, others fall short of their potential when it comes to flavor, texture, taste…
But, gluten-free shouldn’t scare you away. There will be food failures even in regular snacks and meals…and that’s why I keep trying out products and going into each taste with an open mind. I love to be surprised.
Food Should Taste Good. I can’t argue the brand name. It says it all right there on the bag. The question was…would it? Now, this wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had a snack by this company. I’ve sampled their Sweet Potato Chips before and was blown away by them. So, when I was hunting for a snack one night, the Jalapeño Chips seemed like a good next step.
I don’t know if you noticed, but I love a good kick of spice in my food. Could these chips really deliver that desired heat while still maintaining the bar set by the Sweet Potato Chips? There was only one way to find out.
That evening, I settled onto the couch with a small bowl of these chips and a movie. The first thing I notice is…they aren’t coated in salt. This is a good thing as watching and monitoring sodium content is something I do. With only 140mg sodium per serving…this is a great treat for those keeping an eye on their sodium intake.
It was love a first bite. At first, you taste the flavor of the corn tortilla chips…and then you taste the peppers. These chips remain true to the peppers they highlight in their (small!) list of ingredients on this bag. You get the initial flavor of the jalapeño pepper, then the spice kicks in. The heat isn’t overpowering at all. The mix of the jalapeño and crushed red pepper give it the spice and corn tortilla and hint of salt cool it back down. It is just what the spicy-food lover in me craved in a chip. Especially one that I was eating without a salsa (although the website for the Food Should Taste Good brand suggests pairing these with a four different types of salsas…which I might try sometime!).
Amazing flavor aside…here’s what else I love about this brand. In just this bag of chips alone, there are eight ingredients used to make them. No chemicals. Nothing you can’t pronounce or have to run a Google search to figure out what it is. These ingredients are fresh and common. And, best of all, they are packed into a product that is also all natural, kosher, contains no MSG, has low sodium, is free of trans fat, is gluten-free, lactose-free, cholesterol free, contains no preservatives, and is not genetically modified.
No wonder the Food Should Taste Good brand puts out food that tastes good. It’s actual food! And I applaud them for that.
What’s more…I highly recommend anyone trying their products. They have something for cheese lovers, spice lovers, and just your general chip lover. Give it a shot. Pair it with salsa or eat it on its own. Either way, you’re in for a delicious treat. This brand totally lives up to its name. This food tastes amazing!
It was a manager’s special at my local grocery store that drove my roommate to purchase three boxes of Cherrybrook Kitchen’s Gluten Free Dreams Chocolate Cake. And it was a stretch of 10 days at home that convinced me it was time to give it a try. Lack of dessert is never a good thing in my household as I am a firm believer that dessert should always accompany a meal.
What I loved about this cake mix was that not only is it gluten-free and wheat free, but it also contained no peanuts, no soy, no eggs, and no dairy. Any possible food allergy was pretty much covered by what was not in this cake mix. And that was reassuring in and of itself. The oven was preheating, so…it was time to get mixing.
I added the cake mix to the water, vegetable oil, and gluten-free vanilla and mixed it up. I was a bit concerned at first, as when mixed, it didn’t have a thick consistency that normally accompanies a cake mix. It seemed runnier than it should have been. I ended up double-checking the measurements on the box…but I had done it right.
Pouring it into the cake pan, I smoothed it out and said a prayer to the baking gods before slipping it into the hot oven. My roommate, per custom, was then invited to lick the batter bowl (which I felt okay about this time as there was no raw egg in it!), which she did, saying that it tasted really good. So…that was reassuring. If the batter was edible…
Into the oven for 25 minutes…and I only stole one peek the entire baking time. That’s a new record for me. When it was done, I pulled it out and set it down on a rack to cool. On first glance, it looked like a rich, dark chocolate cake. Already I was feeling better about life. I let it cool for about 20 minutes before I decided I had to have a slice of it.
The cake box serving size is 8 slices from a round cake. I didn’t own a round cake pan, so I baked mine up in a square one. When I cut it, I got 16 squares from it…perfect sizes for a slice of cake anyway. Woohoo! More nights with a dessert.
Now, I’ve never been a frosting person. It’s something with the sugars and how sweet they are that I’ve never liked. So, I didn’t frost this cake. I decided instead to do something else with it. As I was unprepared the first night, I simply melted down some dark chocolate and drizzled it over the top. Serving it to my roommate first, she was done and had licked the plate clean by the time I finished with mine. Her constant comments of “Mmmm…” and “Oh…my…MMMMMM….” were definitely good signs!
And when I had my cake ready to sample, I couldn’t agree with her more. It was moist and rich. The chocolate was sweet and paired really well with the dark chocolate I drizzled over it. The texture was not dense, but very soft. As I said, this was a moist cake. And it was certainly setting the bar high for all other gluten-free cakes I attempt to make from a mix. It was everything like the cake I used to eat…if not better. Not to mention, this mix has a very low fat content with each serving. Only 0.5 grams. So, the only sinful thing about it was how amazing it tasted.
The next night I went to prepare it, I had swung by the grocery store, so in addition to drizzling it with melted dark chocolate, I scooped up a bit of Cool Whip light and topped it all off with fresh strawberries. The pairing took an already amazing product and amped it up. Sweet, refreshing, rich, decedent. Yes…it was as good, if not better, as something that would be ordered in a restaurant.
If you are in need of a cake fix…or have an upcoming celebration to bake for, I highly recommend using Cherrybrook Kitchen’s Gluten Free Dreams Chocolate Cake Mix. I was highly impressed with their product, and continue to be wowed each time I prepare dessert this week. High flavor. Rich. Moist. Delicious. Gluten-free sweet dreams, indeed!
A slice of Cherrybrook Kitchen's Gluten Free Dreams Chocolate Cake (with dark chocolate, Cool Whip Lite, and fresh strawberries!)
Breakfast is, by far, the most important meal of the day. It’s also my favorite meal. Personally, I would be happy eating breakfast food at every meal. I just don’t get tired of it. Best part is…there is such a variety of foods that can be made for breakfast or are considered breakfast foods that it doesn’t get boring either.
It was the dawn of a very busy day. My U2 concert in Chicago was that evening and I was about to brave not only downtown, but also the General Admission line. This meant having a hearty breakfast to fortify myself for the long wait. This was a meal that no IHOP or Waffle House (actually…I’ve never once been to Waffle House…quite proud of that!) could fulfill. But, from a previous visit a year before, I knew one place that would…so when it came to choosing where breakfast was that morning, I already had an answer:
Eggsperience Pancakes & Café.
I never walk away hungry from Eggsperience. Last time, I only got about one-third of the way through my omelet before calling it quits. So, when such occasions call for great food for either breakfast or lunch…when in Chicago, this is my sure bet. I’ve always enjoyed my experiences (eggsperiences, haha!) here, so why not do it again?
We drove to the location in Glenview and were seated at a table near the window. It was already a hot day out, so the window seat with the morning sun coming through heated us up fast. But, we were more than ready to eat. And for breakfast, we all got something different. Heather created her own omelet, ordered it with a side of hash browns, and some toast. Cathy created her own little breakfast skillet, with eggs whites, bacon, mushrooms and cheese. She ordered hers with a side of pancakes and hash browns. As for me, I ordered what I got last time, because I loved it: Eleni’s Egg White Delight, which is made up of egg whites, fresh spinach, mushrooms, red peppers, and low-fat mozzarella cheese. It is served with a side of fresh fruit. I was asked if I wanted toast or pancakes with it, and when I said I couldn’t have either, I asked if I could substitute for the hash browns. The waitress was a little reluctant to do so, but after explaining that I had a food allergy, she said she’d try.
Try she did, because our heaping array of food was delivered a short while afterwards. They definitely don’t skimp on portion sizes here. Which was perfect that day. I wanted something that would fill me up and I vowed to eat as much as I could possibly stomach. Here’s the thing about the omelets here…they are massive. Mine took up over half the plate. It was a thing of beauty. And yes…they conceded and allowed me to have hash browns instead of toast or pancakes, so I was a happy girl.
Equipping myself with a fork and knife, I sliced into the omelet, which was packed full of the fresh vegetables and melted cheese. No skimping on ingredients here. The reason the omelets are so massive is because they pack them with what you order. And the taste…exquisite (eggsquisite?). I dashed a bit of Tabasco sauce on mine, as they didn’t offer my favorite hot sauce, Cholula. But, Tabasco always does in a pinch. Nothing was bland. Fresh ingredients always yield a better flavor, so the rich flavor of all the vegetables attested that they aren’t just tossing any ol’ thing into these meals. They truly take pride in their food and it shows in presentation and in taste. The egg whites were fluffy and light. The spinach wilted to perfection and tucked inside. The mushrooms were the perfect level of sauteed, smooth and soft. The red peppers added a bit of bite to the flavor. And the cheese…that melt-y goodness in the middle…delicate, yet just what the omelet needed to add sustenance.
The hash browns were good. Not as crispy throughout as I usually like them, but a drizzle of ketchup and I was in carb heaven. They were seasoned perfectly, so nothing really needed to be added to them. As for the fruit…juicy and fresh. I am a fruit fiend and I was in heaven as I nibbled on the melons and in the small side they provided with the omelet.
I ate as much as I could. And yes…the entire omelet (minus some large bits of cheese because at times it did become too much) did bite the dust. I was hungry and knew I wouldn’t be getting another full meal all day. Just the snacks I had for the GA line and more than likely some popcorn in the stadium. I ate most of my hash browns, but eventually had to stop for fear of exploding (eggsploding?).
All-in-all, Eggsperience served up the perfect breakfast just as I remembered them doing last time. Delicious, served in good time, and fresh. This isn’t a fast-food joint, or a short-order diner. This is good, quality food in a beautiful setting, cooked to perfection. Come hungry to this restaurant, because you will leave full and probably still have some food on your plate.
When in the Chicago area, locate one of the five locations of this restaurant and go…indulge a little in breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, and Eggsprience treats it as such. Trust me…you’ll want to go back next time you’re in town.
Eggsperience's Eleni’s Egg White Delight, served with a side of fresh fruit and hash browns
It was hunger and luck that led my friends and I to the The Galway Arms in the heart of downtown Chicago one afternoon while visiting the city. In fact, my local friend, Heather, was the one who stumbled upon it. Little did we know that this small Irish pub was one of the finest in the city. No joke. The Galway Arms, as we found out, was voted Best Irish Pub in Chicago in 2010’s City’s Best Chicago publication. No small accomplishment…as Chicago is a notoriously Irish city and it is bursting with Irish pubs and Irish-themed bars.
So, the bar was set pretty high for this place. While it didn’t look like much on the outside…stepping inside was like being transported to the pubs in Dublin, Galway, Lisdoonvarna, and the like. It was definitely a slice of Ireland in the heart of Chicago. No Disneyland wanna-be Irish here. This was authentic!
Inside The Galway Arms, Chicago, Illinois
The interior of the pub itself was hardwood and beautiful. We were shown to a table that was near the bar. Great ambiance. Great placement. No phoney Irish music playing. None of that “Danny Boy” crap that most “Irish” pubs play. This place had atmosphere. I’ve been to Ireland four times now and this was no different than stepping into a nice corner pub in one of the fine cities over there. I felt…at home.
We were given time to glance over the menus and make decisions on what we felt like eating. Cathy was set with her pub-standard: the fish and chips. Heather went off the beaten path and decided she would give their Corned Beef Sandwich a try. As for me, I went with my usual pub standard (when offered) and got the Homemade Veggie Burger (minus the Kaiser roll, of course!). Both Heather and Cathy got Magners with their meals and we settled in to conversation about travel, about the city, about plans that evening while we waited for our food.
Getting our entrees took the perfect amount of time. We had to wait…which to me meant it was made to order and everything was fresh. I didn’t mind the wait as the pub was brimming with Irish culture and we had a good time taking in our surroundings and telling stories of our journeys over to Ireland. Both Cathy and Heather sipped on their Magners Ciders and we have no concluded that The Galway Arms definitely serves up the best pour of Magners…anywhere. It was crisp, it still had carbonation…and it was refreshing. Perfectly poured!
When food did arrive, we made quick work of trying it out. Cathy was eager to dive into her fish and chips. The fish was cod, golden-fried to a crisp perfection and served with lemon-pepper Parmesan seasoned fries. I had to swipe one of her fries to give it a try. I could see why it paired well with fish, as the lemon-pepper added a nice flavor to counterbalance any seafood flavor. Nicely executed on behalf of the pub.
Heather took one bite of her Corned Beef Sandwich and went to heaven. She said the meat was perfectly done, with just the right amount of fat still on it. The horseradish sauce was the perfect level of spice, without being overpowering. You could taste every component, down to the Irish cheddar cheese and Celtic sauerkraut, all layered to perfection between multigrain bread. She said it was the best she had ever had…anywhere.
As for me, I prepped my bun-less Homemade Veggie Burger as I usually do. When the lettuce and tomatoes were cut up and the veggie burger sliced and tossed in, I grabbed a fork and dove in. Flavor. That’s all I can say. Major flavor. It wasn’t bland, as some tend to be. This packed not only a kick, but paired well with the fresh lettuce, tomato and onion that it was served with. And the fries…oh…the fries. I mentioned before that I was not a fan of steak fries. But these…were perfect. Crispy on the outside and not overdone on the inside. Nothing mushy about these. They weren’t overly salted either. It couldn’t have been more perfect. I still have a hard time believing when I am surprised with steak fries done right. These didn’t carry grease on them. They fried them to perfection and I enjoyed them down to the very last bite.
Don’t waste your time with those pubs that try to be Irish. When you’re in an abundantly Irish city like Chicago…seek out The Galway Arms. Feast on authentic Irish food, without the “Americanized” version. Satisfy your palate the way Irish food is meant to be served. Try something you normally wouldn’t if you dare. You might be surprised at what you get. And order the Magners cider…because nowhere serves it up as perfectly as The Galway Arms. It was voted Best Irish Pub for a reason in 2010. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won that honor again in 2011. If they keep serving up food and drinks like what we got…they have it in the bag!
Sláinte!
The Galway Arms' Homemade Veggie Burger (minus the Kaiser roll)
I’m a firm believer that no meal is complete without something sweet to cleanse the palate. After dining out with some friends in Glenview, Illinois, my local friend, Heather, mentioned this great place that served up some of the best gelato and sorbets. This peeked my attention immediately because I am a gelato/sorbet fiend. And again…it’s hard to find anywhere in the Midwest that does it well. Hell, sometimes it’s just hard to find someplace that does it well at all.
But she raved and raved about this little shop so I knew I had to try it out. Decision made, we took the short stroll down the way to Via Gelato and Café in The Glen.
First appearances are everything. And this little shop had one major thing going for it. The patrons who were sitting around outside, sipping on coffee and enjoying soups, salads, sandwiches, crepes and the gelato were speaking Italian. This was a good sign. A very good sing. And the shop itself was clean. Hardwood, a beautiful and clean counter displaying their signature and regular flavors. Everything written up on a chalk board. It just had the feel of a really great place.
Heather went to her favorite flavors and ordered a small (two scoops)…with one scoop of Ferraro-Rocher gelato and one scoop of Chocolate Peanut Butter gelato. Cathy, saying she was still quite full from our dinner, had her arm twisted into at least trying some gelato and went with a kiddie size (one scoop) of the Ferraro-Rocher gelato. As for me…I was drawn to the colorful array of sorbets. And in the end, went with a small (two scoops) order with one scoop of Strawberry Lemonade sorbetto and one scoop of Pomegranate-Blueberry sorbetto.
Previously, my most recent sorbet experience came from Las Vegas. After eating at Via Gelato, Cocolini in Vegas doesn’t even begin to measure up to flavor and quality. This was the perfect consistency for a sorbetto. Not only was it packing a fruity punch, but it had the proper icy crust on it. And the fruity blend of flavors was AMAZING!! Cathy sampled each of my flavors and fell in love with the Strawberry Lemonade one. I can’t blame her either. It was sweet and tart and had that perfect balance where the flavors complimented instead of outweighing each other.
As for the ladies and their gelato…they were in heaven. Cathy fell in love with the Ferraro-Rocher flavor, saying it tasted just like the hazelnut chocolates you buy at the store. I’d say that was a win! And Heather enjoyed her blend of gelatos, which looked absolutely fantastic. I think, next time, I’ll give one of the gelatos a try because they looked so amazing and made to the right consistency. No easy task, but speaking volumes of Via Gelato and their product.
Should you find yourself in need of a light, but sweet treat while in Glenview, Illinois, seek out Via Gelato. They also offer up coffee, espresso drinks, panini sandwiches, salads, crepes, and more. So, stop in…eat. Treat yourself to a sorbet or gelato. Sit outside and watch the world pass as you eat and sip on a coffee. Believe me…this stop is worth being made!
È squisito!
Via Gelato and Café's gelato & sorbet (from left - right): (small) Ferraro-Rocher gelato with Chocolate Peanut Butter gelato; (kiddie) Ferraro-Rocher gelato; (small) Pomegranate-Blueberry sorbetto with Strawberry Lemonade sorbetto
More restaurants are beginning to take note of their customer base that has to eat gluten-free. I knew that when I traveled to Chicago, finding restaurants that would have food that I could eat would be easier than it is around my hometown. Thank goodness for major metro areas that understand these food allergies. Even bigger kudos going out to the restaurants that put out gluten-free menus to help with the decision making process.
My friend Heather loves Yard House! So, when we arrived at her place around dinner time, this was one of the options out there. Before even leaving her apartment, she had pulled up the restaurant online. Originally, she had wanted to take me there for their Gardein menu…but since having to go gluten-free, Gardein was out of the question. Sadly enough, since it’s rarer still to find a restaurant that offers a whole section of vegetarian/vegan entrees! I give major props to Yard House for that as well.
The gluten-sensitive menu was simple, basic, and gave direction on how to order the dish (minus the blue cheese, minus the candied walnuts, minus the flat bread. When my friend asked for the special menu for me, the server was quick to retrieve it and explained that Yard House is not a gluten-free restaurant, but this menu was created for those with a gluten sensitivity (hey…that’s me!), and while they can’t guarantee there is no cross-contamination, they can say that the options in the menu are catering to those with a gluten sensitivity and that if I had any questions to go ahead and ask. With that, he left us to look over the menu and make our decisions.
Heather went with a delicious looking Pepper Jack Burger. My friend Cathy went with her normal…fish and chips. Upon which Heather mentioned how fabulous the fries were at Yard House. Glancing around, I could see they were my favorite kind…shoestring fries. WIN!! So, after glancing over the gluten-sensitive menu, I had an idea of what I wanted. I ordered the Summer Salad (minus the candied walnuts) and asked for a side of the fries. The waiter said that the fries might be a problem for me, but he would check with the chef. Sure enough, he returned saying the fries were not considered gluten-free (which basically means, the fries share a frier with the breaded meats…therefore, they aren’t vegetarian either!) and made suggestions for other sides that I might prefer. After pondering, I finally decided to have vegetables with my vegetables, and got a side of their Steamed Vegetables. Not what I wanted, but I totally understood the precautions Yard House wanted to take to ensure a safe dining experience. And I appreciated that. To polish off my evening, I ordered a (gluten-free) Magners Cider to enjoy with my meal.
We carried on tons of conversation as we waited for food to arrive, and when it did, I could already tell it was going to be good. I chose the Summer Salad because it had strawberries in it (I believe my exact words were, “It has strawberries in it…therefore it wins!”). And I was disappointed with the initial look of the salad. It was a good entree-size salad consisting of romaine lettuce, strawberries, avocado, oranges, leeks, and topped with a delicious spiced balsamic vinaigrette. It looked amazing. The steamed vegetables were just what they sounded like…a bowl of vegetables that had been steamed, consisting of the standards: broccoli, carrots, red peppers, corn, and celery.
Yard House's side of Steamed Vegetables
I’ll start with the steamed vegetables. The safe-side for my food sensitivity…but definitely not what I wanted that night. It was your basic small side of vegetables, steamed to an al dente crisp. They weren’t seasoned, which I actually appreciated, as many restaurants over-salt or over season their sides of steamed vegetables. So, they were the way I eat them at home. I guess that’s what didn’t thrill me…I could eat them at home. But, they were good and a nice side for my veggie-loaded meal that night.
Now…the salad. As I said before…strawberries always win. I don’t know what it is about the combination of greens and strawberries, but it just WORKS for me. Every time. Which is why if a restaurant carries a salad with strawberries in it…I am going to end up ordering it…because it is always tangy and delicious. Yard House was no exception to this rule. The romaine was bright and crisp. The vegetables were sliced to perfection. The avocado…my newest obsession…was a nice addition. Oranges and strawberries gave the salad a citric flair. And it wasn’t heavily laden with the vinaigrette, as most restaurants tend to do. It was a perfect drizzle of the dressing, which had a hint of a spice to it, which just set off all the flavors. A perfect mishmash of ingredients and it ended up being the perfect salad. Just what I needed that night.
I applaud Yard House in the steps they are taking, not only to incorporate food for vegetarians/vegans, but also for those with a gluten-sensitivity. If more restaurants took this step, I’d have a lot more options out there. Granted, I was restricted to a salad because I am also a vegetarian, but, damn…it was one of the most amazing salads I have feasted on. I wouldn’t hesitate to return and order it again. I hope to do that again soon because it was delicious and fresh.
Yard House’s menu is quite varied and really does have a little of something for everyone. Including this gluten-sensitive vegetarian. Now that’s a win in my book.
Yard House's Summer Salad (minus the candied walnuts)
Sometimes…it’s hard to be on a gluten-free diet when you see everyone else around you diving into the pizza, pasta, bread. Sooner or later, it’s all you want. Unfortunately, where I live, gluten-free pizza is not something readily available. Sure, I can duck out to the grocery store and pick up a frozen Amy’s pizza with the gluten-free crust…but, let’s face it…nothing beats a fresh pizza. Frozen is good in a pinch, but fresh ingredients, fired in an oven, crust cooked to perfection…yeah…I’d been craving since I had to go gluten-free.
While planning a trip out of town to East Lansing, Michigan to see U2 in concert, I was busying myself with finding places to eat. After all, I love my food. And almost immediately, I discovered Guido’s Pizza.
I had been craving pizza. Absolutely craving it. So after I found the Website for Guido’s Gluten-Free Pizza, I knew this had to be where I ate before leaving the area. And my roommate agreed…so we made our plans. On our way out of town the day following the concert, we’d drop by for some gluten-free pizza and (yes!) gluten-free bread sticks to fortify ourselves for the long car trip back to Southern Indiana.
Holding true to our promise, as we left the hotel to head home, we detoured to Okemos, Michigan to indulge in some pizza. Guido’s Pizza was kind of hidden away, but it’s one of those gems worth searching for. As we entered the restaurant, I already felt the rush of excitement. Finally…pizza!
We glanced over the menu and discussed the pizza we would like to try and how exactly to get it made. Finally, we had our order prepared. One order of Gluten-Free Garlic Bread Sticks, and upon the recommendation of our cashier, we paired that with the garlic cheese dip. As for our pizza…we were on the fence over two of them, since I’m a vegetarian, but we finally decided to give the Gluten-Free Veggie Pizza a try. The toppings on this one included mushrooms, onions, green peppers, tomato slices…and should have had black olives on it, but neither my friend nor I liked those, so we had them leave it off. To top it off, we went with a non-dairy Daiya cheese. Before I even had my credit card out to pay for the order, the owner and head chef, Steve, ducked out of the kitchen to clarify…no dairy cheese on the pizza…but the garlic cheese dip was dairy. I explained that while I was lactose intolerant, I could take a lactase supplement. He felt comfortable with that and I told him I appreciated his concern and thanked him for checking.
With our meal now paid for, we went to take a seat at one of the tables in the dining room. It was just moments later that Steve emerged again from the kitchen. He asked if we were from the area. When we said we were visiting from out of town, he looked a bit disappointed, but there was this spark of excitement still. It was then that he asked us to follow him over to the next room because he wanted to show us something. We happily obliged.
As we stepped inside, I could see there was the beginning of something special going on. And after he flipped on the lights and had us step beyond the counter and into the kitchen, I understood his excitement. He was a week away from opening WOW (With Out Wheat), the nation’s first completely gluten-free deli. And he was giving us the grand tour! I was SO thrilled by this. He explained what kind of sandwiches would be offered, all made with local products (meats included), on homemade gluten-free breads. Steve showed me the grill these sandwiches would be made on, the frier that fries would be made in, the soup station, because soups can be tricky for people with a gluten-intolerance, but all of his would be safe. He showed us the freezer, asking if we both had a gluten intolerance. I said it was just me and he plucked out a chocolate cookie…made fresh by him…completely gluten-free. I took a bite…and it melted. IT MELTED!! Moist, rich, delicious…words that normally don’t accompany the words “gluten-free” by any means. But this was all of those things!
He pulled out a loaf of the bread that he was baking up for the deli and let me hold it. It wasn’t dense. It was light. And it felt like bread. It smelled like bread. And it was the ACTUAL size of bread! I love Udi’s bread as much as the next gluten-intolerant person, but it doesn’t make a very big sandwich! This would be actual sandwich size! I think I was beaming from ear-to-ear with all this information. As we stepped away from the kitchen and back around the counter, he explained there would be a coffee bar set up, pointing to a counter, as well as breakfast items, like gluten-free pancakes, gluten-free bagels, gluten-free cinnamon rolls…and I said I was sad that I didn’t live in the area, because I would be in every day.
A completely certified gluten-free kitchen…in the nation’s first completely gluten-free kitchen! He also said, once it opened, all the gluten-free pizza making would move to that side, but until then, he kept all of the items and cookware separate in the current shared kitchen at Guido’s. As we settled back into our seats, he said he’d hurry back and make our garlic bread sticks now.
As we waited, all I could talk about to my roommate was how exciting the deli was…and how I couldn’t wait to taste the food that Steve made for us here. I hoped it was good. I hoped it was beyond anything regular bread sticks and pizza could have offered.
Guido's Gluten-Free Garlic Bread Sticks with a side of Garlic Cheese Dip
It wasn’t too long before Steve emerged with a platter of our Gluten-Free Garlic Bread Sticks with a side of the garlic cheese dip. He set the plate down and disappeared for a moment with the scooper, only to return with a clean towel from the gluten-free deli, wiping it down very carefully right there so I could see him do it. He explained that he took extra precautions when it came to anyone who ordered gluten-free…and in the three years he’d offered gluten-free items in his restaurant, no one had ever gotten sick from any sort of cross-contamination! That’s a damn good record.
He went to go work on our pizza and my friend and I each dished ourselves up a slice of the bread. She gave me the honor of the first bite, so I took the bread, dipped it carefully into the garlic cheese dip…and for the first time in six months, I tasted real Italian-style bread sticks. I think my eyes rolled back in my head from the initial burst of flavor. These bread sticks had been cooked with Parmesan, romano and extra virgin olive oil. And they had so much flavor. They were crisp and hot and fresh. And the garlic butter…thank God for that cashier because she was right…the stuff should be a sin. It was some of the best topping I ever dipped bread in. And I’ve tried many a sauce and dip over my lifetime. NOTHING compared to this. And my friend agreed. As our pizza was delivered, we saved the extra cheese dip for the crusts, and she announced to Steve that the garlic cheese dip was “stupid good!” He took that as high praise and high-fived her.
The pizza he set down looked beyond fantastic. Once again, he hurried off to retrieve a fresh towel and began to wipe down the plates and the silverware, individually, before he handed them to us. With that, he said he hoped we enjoyed the meal and went to go see to the other orders from other patrons now coming in.
I dished each of us up our first slice of the Gluten-Free Veggie Pizza and took a deep breath. This…needed to be good for me. I’d waited this long to have a slice of pizza…I wanted it to be the epitome of every pizza I had ever tasted. Was it? It’s really hard to compare, but I will say this…Guido’s cooked up one hell of a gluten-free pizza. The crust was amazing. It tasted like pizza crust…it had a crunch like pizza crust. It wasn’t too heavy. And the toppings were fresh and done to perfection. This was also the first time I had Daiya cheese on anything, and while it didn’t look like much on the pizza itself…it was amazing. Tasted just like melted cheese on a pizza should taste…without actually being cheese! Should gluten-free pizza ever make its way into restaurants around here, the bar has been set pretty high as to what it needs to equal. Steve cooked up one hell of a delicious pizza. Bursting with flavor, every bite was an experience. And yes…the extra crusts were dipped into that garlic cheese dip. None of the pizza nor the bread sticks nor the dip went to waste. We stuffed ourselves silly…but it was the happiest I had been in a restaurant in a long time.
As we departed, I once again thanked Steve for everything…and now am searching for a reason to return to East Lansing so I can go back and check out the new deli. In fact, Guido’s Pizza has been renamed. The entire restaurant is called WOW (With Out Wheat), and I hope this is a concept that catches on throughout the nation. What Steve is doing for the gluten-free community is groundbreaking. I feel honored to not only have eaten his pizza, but to have gone behind the scenes of his visionary deli. If I lived up that way, I would totally work there!
I felt completely safe dining there and didn’t even worry about cross-contamination. Steve put any concerns to rest by wiping off plates and utensils in front of me, and explaining why he did that. I would recommend his restaurant to anyone. He has non-gluten-free stuff, but trust me…you’ll love the gluten-free stuff just as much.
This place is a diamond in the rough…a gem just waiting to be discovered. I’m so glad I stopped in for lunch that day. What I found was a competent restaurant owner and chef who took every step possible to make it a safe, satisfying, and fabulous dining experience. I can’t stress my satisfaction enough. Steve and Guido’s (now WOW) are both worthy of praise. And the food…well…the food is amazing. But you shouldn’t take my word for it. Go try it yourself…
…with a side of the garlic cheese dip!
Guido's Gluten-Free Veggie Pizza with Daiya Non-Dairy Cheese
Life is made for sweet indulgences and good times. One thing that can bring a smile to my face is ice cream. I can eat this sweet treat any time of the year. Yes…even in the chill of winter, in the middle of an ice storm. Ice cream can make any bad day better.
But there is no ice cream out there that is better than Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Made with local products in Ohio, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is a stop I now make every time I visit Ohio. As the one in Bexley, Ohio is conveniently located across the way from the Rusty Bucket, after finishing up dinner there, my friends and I went to indulge in our dessert…a flavor rush of ice cream goodness from the best ice cream ever invented.
It’s always a challenge trying to decide what flavor to try. Go with something you know is good or step off the reservation and try something new and exciting. Play with the flavors. Mix and match. That’s the great thing about Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. You don’t have to stick with one flavor.
On my previous trip, however, I did. And the Dark Chocolate flavor was like eating the batter of a rich fudge brownie. What a way to kick-start my experience with this frozen treat. This time, I was feeling summer flavors. Fruit was on my mind so when I stepped up to the counter, I decided to try something a little different. I went with the small…or two scoops…one of the Lemon and Blueberries Yogurt and one of the Strawberry Buttermilk.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams' scoop of Lemon and Blueberry Yogurt
Oh…if I thought the rich chocolate from the previous visit was amazing, I was in for a fruity treat this time. The scoops were layered…Strawberry Buttermilk on top with the Lemon and Blueberries Yogurt on the bottom. My friends and I settled into a table and took our first bites of our choices. The Strawberry Buttermilk was rich, creamy…and full of flavor. A lot of times strawberry ice creams taste fake and processed. You can tell this is the real deal. It was sweet and creamy…the right texture. It tasted like real strawberries and cream and I let it linger on my tongue for a moment, savoring it. Then I shared with my friends. Before I knew it…I was down to the Lemon and Blueberries Yogurt scoop. I had been anticipating this. From other dishes, I knew the blend of lemon and blueberries was a good one…but how would it translate into frozen yogurt? The answer…amazingly well. It was tart and bold, neither the citric zing of the lemon nor the sweetness of the blueberries overpowering the other. The perfect marriage of two flavors. It was gone way too soon!
At first bite, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams won me over. And that’s why I pay $4.00 for two scoops of ice cream. It’s a worthy cause. There is ice cream…and then there is Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Splendid makes the official name of the store…because it’s true. Ice cream done right. Ice cream done well. Ice cream in any flavor imaginable…with the taste volume turned up to eleven!
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams' scoop of Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream
My friend Jenn always has new restaurant ideas up her sleeve when I come into town to visit. Columbus, Ohio is a bustling city with many food choices. And while it can be a bit difficult for me to find something to eat, there is always a go-to plate or salad on a menu somewhere that is safe. Salad is always my fallback.
On my last trip into Columbus to see The Monkees in concert, my friends and I went out for a pre-concert meal at The Rusty Bucket in Bexley, Ohio. It’s a tavern of sorts, and I knew that fish and chips would purchased by at least one of my friends. After all…that’s her go-to meal. After perusing the menu, I decided on their Veggie Burger, which is a crispy black bean burger, served with Provolone cheese, roasted red pepper relish, romaine, and a lemon basil aioli. I ordered mine without the bun and the server asked if it was an allergy or a preference. I told him it was an allergy and he nodded his head and wrote that down. With our orders in, we set into discussing the excitement of the upcoming concert and then I excused myself to use the restroom. While I was gone, our waiter apparently repaid a visit to the table and inquired as to what exactly my food allergies were. My roommate was in our small group, so she took care of that explanation and upon my return, she informed me that she alerted the waiter that I had a gluten-intolerance. Nice of this place to ask to be on the safe side. No sooner had I retaken my seat, the waiter reappeared with a gluten-free menu and told me to choose another side item as he and the chef didn’t feel confident serving me the normal side of fries that come with the burgers. This, to me, meant the potatoes share a frier with the breaded fish and chicken, and therefore rendered them a problem for anyone with a gluten allergy (let’s not go into the fact that this would also make them non-vegetarian!). I was in the mood for a starch, and at the waiter’s suggestion, chose the mashers (mashed potatoes) instead. I thanked him profusely for checking and for ensuring my safety when it came to my food allergy. Bonus…I now know that the Rusty Bucket has a gluten-free menu should I return in the future.
Needless to say…I was impressed!
Food arrived shortly after and I was quite happy with the black bean burger at first glance. It looked perfectly cooked with the Provolone cheese melted down over it. The vegetables were tucked to the side for me to do with as I cared. And the mashed potatoes looked whipped up perfectly…light and fluffy. Just the way they should be.
I wasted no time digging into the meal. Chopping up the vegetables, I spread them out on my plate and then cut up the veggie burger into bite-size pieces, adding them to the bed of veggies. I dolloped a bit of the aoili (mayonnaise) onto the spread and took my first bite. The burger had a slight spice to it, which I loved. Black bean burgers totally need a kick of something to keep them from being bland, and this delivered that much needed punch to the flavor. The outside was crisped to perfection with the inside the perfect soft consistency you want with a black bean burger. Pairing it with the lettuce and peppers made the perfect conglomeration of flavors. In other words…it was yum!
The Rusty Bucket's Mashers
I sampled the mashed potatoes next and was so impressed with the texture of them, I had to share bites with my friends. Light, and whipped to perfection. You could tell they were made from real potatoes, without the heavy clumps (although I don’t mind those either!). Lightly seasoned, the mashers at the Rusty Bucket are the perfect substitute for the fries, if you are in the mood for potatoes. They aren’t overly salted, which I appreciated because I don’t salt my mashed potatoes at home and a lot of times restaurants overkill the salt on their sides of mashed potatoes. But these were pure perfection. A heavenly cloud of potato-bliss!
We polished off our plates and I made a point of once again thanking my waiter for double-checking on my food allergy before serving me something. Not many restaurants would do that. But since the Rusty Bucket has included a gluten-free menu into its line-up…well…no wonder they double-check on such things. I admire that in any restaurant and I hope more take that into consideration in the near future.
Amazing dining experience at the Rusty Bucket. The food was typical sports tavern fare, but done well. The added bit of security for me made this trip worth it. And I would be happy to return for another meal here anytime.
The Celiathlete 