NYC - Christopher Norman Chocolates

Photo courtesy of Any Ten Blog

This is our Valentines tradition: I get flowers, he gets sweets. Awesome trade if you ask me.

2011 was our first Gluten Free Valentines Day, so I've been on the hunt for a few weeks looking for fancy gluten free chocolates in NYC.

I first called Jacques Torres, and they could neither confirm nor deny that there was gluten in their chocolates. Essentially, they had no clue so they wanted to cover their asses in case someone got sick.

Moving on, I called a couple other chocolate shops. The most I got from any one was that there was a limited selection of gluten free chocolate products.

And then, I happened upon Christopher Norman Chocolates via the blog Professor Chocolate (which is also I think the greatest idea for a blog EVER, a great way to indulge in chocolate non-stop). Professor Chocolate mentioned that Christopher Norman has many gluten free options, and in addition to having their products at Whole Foods, also has a store in the Financial District. Feeling unsure, I called them up. Here's how the conversation went:

Me: Hi, I was wondering if you know if any of your chocolates are gluten free?
Phone Guy: Yes, of course.
Me: Wait, really?
Phone Guy: Yes. All of our chocolate truffles are gluten free.
Me: Wow! I'll be stopping in later then!

Don't you wish that more places answered that question like that? Usually the response I get is "Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, let me check" followed by a lot of whispering and a wishy-washy response not unlike Jacque Torres'.

And their chocolate treats did not disappoint! Turns out they do have 1 non-gluten free chocolate truffle, but that's not a big deal when there were so many others! And they were just what I wanted, those beautiful, artsy chocolates that you almost couldn't bear to eat. I got some more traditional flavors like raspberry, walnut, peanut butter, and champagne. And then I got a few more exotic choices like basil, cinnamon, and cherry rum. I wish I had known about this chocolate shop when I lived in that neighborhood!

Ladies, I highly recommend you adopting this tradition for not only Valentines Day, but for ALL holidays where a man is typically expected to get you flowers. First, you can (and should!) get a few chocolates for yourself to try, ya know, to make sure they're good quality and all. And second, men are very good at sharing. It's a win win situation.

Have you found other gluten free chocolate shops in NYC? Let me know!!

PRODUCT REVIEW - Whole Foods Gluten Free Cupcakes

If this doesn't say "LOVE", then I don't know what does. The only way this could scream "LOVE" more is if it was filled with diamonds and jewels. I assure you, though, it did not. I checked every inch of this cupcake.

I don't know where Whole Foods gets their store brand gluten free cupcakes from, but I really wish I did. These are the perfect, quintessential cupcakes, the things you picture in your head when you're dreaming of the most perfect cupcake. The have all the best qualities of cupcakes: moist, light, sugary-sweet, uber chocolatey, and fun to eat.

Don't worry, they also come in vanilla vanilla (cake + frosting) if you're not in a chocolate explosion kind of mood. Also, don't look for them in the bakery section, they're in the FROZEN foods aisle. If you haven't noticed, lots of gluten free baked goods are kept frozen, and for good reason. The flours used in gluten free baking tend to dry out rather quickly, so keeping them frozen keeps them fresh.

The only downside to these cupcakes is that they are slightly expensive ($7 for a 4-pack), but this is still less than what you'd pay at a gluten free bakery. They are also really high in calories (over 400 per cupcake), but it's easy to split in half (or just suck it up and do some extra crunches!).

I'm very glad Valentines Day (aka my excuse to eat candy and sweets ALL day) is tomorrow. I don't think I could keep myself from these cupcakes much longer...

RESTAURANT: The Otherside Cafe - Boston, MA

Until recently, when I thought of Boston, the ONLY things I thought of were (in order): Guinness, Fenway Park, and St. Patrick's Day. Now I know to associate Boston with Guinness, Fenway Park, St. Patrick's Day, and The Otherside Cafe.

Before we went to Boston for our 3-day weekend extravaganza, we did a bunch of research online about gluten free dining. Check out the post I wrote just before we left, it includes lots of tips like how to make your own Google My Map to store all your places. We made a gluten free map of Boston, which I'll be sharing with ya'll soon.

One of the restaurants we found was The Otherside Cafe, a cafe by day / bar by night right near Berklee College of Music. On Newbury St, it's literally on the other side of all the trendy stores and odd shops (get it?).

You can tell instantly that this is a good place. How? No, there weren't groups of hot models or celebrities waiting outside to get in. No, there was no offer of "Free Puppies" with every purchase. You can tell it's a good joint because of the green sheet hanging from the porch declaring "$4 Drafts." It was really funny to see, especially contrasted with the artsy cutout metal sign mounted above with the cafe's name. Just goes to show you that a sign doesn't have to be pretty to be effective.

So this was on Saturday. We were planning on stopping in for a drink (a $4 drink!!), but we were busy on a mission. For gluten free chocolate cupcakes. At the Whole Foods. Not the Whole Foods 5 minutes from the hotel. The one across town. Apparently kids that go to Berklee and are gluten free don't get these cupcakes stocked at their Whole Foods. Not my battle. I'll let the fine citizens of Boston take this up with the Whole Foods purchasers.

On Sunday we made it over to the Otherside. The first thing that struck me was how warm and inviting it was inside (literally warm, the hostess was wearing a tank top in JANUARY! Perfect). There was music playing, gentle chatter from the hungover customers drinking sangria and beer, and the soft clanging from coffee spoons stirring and toasters toasting. It was like coffee shop in Amsterdam (sans weed, at least from what I could tell) meets high-end New Jersey Diner. Best of both worlds.

To make things even better, check out how delicious our meals were! Eric got a traditional Diner Breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage, and home fries. The meal usually comes with a biscuit, but obviously that was a no-no. What was really great was when he ordered no biscuit, the waitress asked if it was due to a gluten allergy. She then confirmed that the rest of his meal was naturally gluten free, and omitting the biscuit ensures there is no cross contamination.

I ordered the Tex-Mex Tango, a great and hearty combo of scrambled eggs with cheddar and jalapenos, black beans, salsa, guacamole, spiced sour cream, and tortilla chips. And, no need to fear, the tortilla chips are 100% corn.

Look, it even says "gluten allergy!"

I was really tempted to get a gluten free Green's beer, but it was a little early, even for me. The fact that they have Green's beer is amazing, it is by far the best gluten free beer you can get, and their "dark" version is the closest to Guinness that you can get for now (I'm holding out that Guinness will make a gluten free version).

Our breakfast visit was such a fun experience that I went back the next day to meet with Dan Venskus, one of the cafe's managers. He gave me the low down on The Otherside Cafe.

Dan, posed in front of some menus

A more natural state

To start, I learned that this fun building was originally built in 1909, and it previously housed a furniture store. That makes sense, it's not a very ordinary layout for a restaurant (balcony area on top, staircase in the middle...). It turned into The Otherside Cafe in 1992, and ever since been a fun, eclectic, and calming cafe that is both hippie and hipster but without the most negative qualities of each, like dirtiness or an ironic hobo-chic fashion sense.

One of my favorite aspects of the cafe is the atmosphere. But apparently it's not for everyone. Dan directed me to The Otherside's Yelp page, where he's read that some customers "feel like we're all here to judge them. They see a bunch of goofy people dancing around... and they think we look down on them." One Yelp-er said it's like a "dim waltz through a hipster haunt at the end of Newbury Street." But Dan thinks it's funny. "We're using the Yelp reviews in our advertising," he said. I agree with Dan. I live in Brooklyn, about 1/2 mile south of hipster Mecca, so I like to think I'm somewhat of an expert on hipsters. The staff here are definitely not hipsters.

So how did gluten free make it on their menu? As the legend goes, in the summer of 2007, a former associate (who had contributed greatly to the menu) discovered that she had been living with a gluten allergy (sound familiar??). According to Dan, "her allergy really spurred the movement of us having a separate [gluten free] menu." Since then she has moved on and to open The Owl House in Rochester, NY, and it looks like the concept of gluten free menu items have travelled with her! Next trip up north, I know exactly where I'm headed!

The Otherside's menu hasn't changed much over the years, but they have made some small changes to make sure that folks with all kinds of dietary restrictions can eat there. My favorite example was the tortilla chips. They used to contain wheat, and with one small switch, voila!, a large portion of the menu is gluten free! They also have a ton of vegetarian and vegan options, and the ability to mix and match is nice and flexible. Dan put it best: "I'd like to say that offering a diverse menu is challenging, but it really isn't. It's no different than the challenge of simply offering a menu...it shows that we're paying attention." I wish other restaurants would take a cue from this place.

The gluten free menu has survived over the past 4 years or so mainly because of the staff. (And, no, they're not all 20 year old kids that shop exclusively at Urban Outfitters and Salvation Army. They're a healthy mix of youngish and younger, and they all seem to find pleasure in some of the simpler things in life: food, beer, music, and restaurant work.) I was very happy to find out that some of the staff have a gluten allergy as well! Dan said, and I think it's a fun idea, that the staff have an amazing opportunity to contribute to the menu. So you could very well see a staff member's Sunday supper on the menu!

At first, I really wanted to profile The Otherside Cafe on my blog to highlight the dedication they have to offering a diverse menu that can offer everyone a "safe" meal. But now, what shines through is how discreetly they offer a diverse menu. There's no ruckus or need for explanation when you ask about ingredients. There's no crazy bolded and red text next to every menu item pointing out what's gluten free and what's not. It's simple. It's comfortable.  This feeling of normalcy allows you to forget about your gluten allergy for a momentand just enjoy. And, on top of all that, the food's pretty tasty.

The Otherside Cafe
407 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02215
www.theothersidecafe.com

All photos courtesy of:
Lobo Jones Photography
www.lobojonesphoto.blogspot.com/

LIST - Top GF "Fast Food" Lunches in NYC

Lunch is a very vague meal. It can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For example, someone that sleeps late would consider lunch their first meal of the day. Others intentionally skip or eat a light breakfast and then eat a big lunch. Some wake up early, eat breakfast, and then wait until mid-afternoon to eat lunch. Back in the day, lunch was called "dinner", and dinner was called "supper". It's no wonder that at "lunch" time in NYC you can eat anything from pancakes to a salad to a fried chicken megaton.

Whatever lunch means to you, I've compiled my favorite places to grab a fast gluten free meal during the day. Most of these places are national chains, so even if you don't live in New York you'll still be able to use this guide. Hope you enjoy!

1. Chipotle

Everyone knows Chipotle. They've become a nationwide sensation with fresh, flavorful Mexican food. And they care about folks with special dieting needs. Just take a look at this page on their website. It's amazing - the ONLY things at Chipotle that have gluten are the flour tortillas! Go ahead and get yourself a burrito bowl or a fajita burrito bowl, they're great! And, if you don't load up on extra guac, your meal comes in at just under $10.

2. Whole Foods

I'm not sure if this is the best place to talk about Whole Foods' lunches as "Fast Food". When that line gets long, it's anything but fast. But, if you're like me and eat lunch at 2pm, it's the fastest healthy food you can find. The great thing about Whole Foods is they always show the ingredients for the foods in their salad bar and hot bar areas. And if something looks vague, you can ask and they're always willing to help. My favorite at Whole Foods is the soup and the cold salad bar because they have salad ingredients that I'd usually never purchase (lots of different kinds of sprouts and greens). Eric is in love with the "Naked Wings" at the hot bar section, which are just plain fried chicken wings (none of that gluten-filled breading!). In the hot bar section, you can get a main (for him, the wings) and 2 sides (like potatoes and greens) for about $9.

3. Grey's Papaya

While this may not be the most health-conscious meal, Grey's Papaya hot dogs are cheap and greasy, perfect for those days when you stayed out too late the night before. You can ask them for 2 dogs (or more, if you'd like) without the bun, and they'll put it in a little paper container. Top it off with some of their great fresh juice, and you almost have all the food groups. This is one of the cheapest meals you can get in NYC. Don't quote me on this, but if I remember correctly you can get 2 dogs and a drink for around $5 or $6.

4. Maoz

I first discovered Maoz while frolicking around Amsterdam during my college semester abroad. It was love at first bite. The perfect combination of falafel and salad bar. I sincerely hope you have a Maoz near you. Here's a link to a document they have listing potential allergens in their food. Stay away from the pita (obviously), french fries (cross contamination with other fried foods), broccoli, fried eggplant, and barley and tabouli salads (which naturally contain wheat). They offer a falafel salad, which is perfect for those that are gluten free. You get a bowl of lettuce topped with a few falafel balls, and then you get to go crazy at their salad bar! The salad plus drink costs about $10, without drink closer to $8.

5.  Hampton Chutney Co.

This chic Indian cafe (one uptown, one in Soho) serves up dosas, which are like giant crepes made of chickpeas and/or rice. They're gluten free and delicious! You can choose from traditional Indian flavors or more US-friendly toppings (like chicken, avocado, arugula, monterey jack cheese). I recently had a fall-themed dosa with roaster butternut squash, beets, and goat cheese. Check out their menu here. A little more pricey than some of the other options I listed (between $10-15 depending on the type of dosa), but definitely a treat!

PRODUCT REVIEW - Udi's Gluten Free Bagels

In New York, bagels are like the 5th food group: fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, and bagels. Without bagels, thousand of New Yorkers each morning would wander the streets like zombies without their starch fix, roaming around and looking for alternatives. It wouldn't look quite unlike any other early morning, except folks would be mumbling "bayyygehlll.....bayygehhlll....". You could try to offer them alternatives, croissants ("Blargh!" they'd say) or some nice hot oatmeal ("Phouie!" they'd mumble), you would even offer them their traditional food of human brains. But no, they'd just keep wandering and insist on their bagels.

Fortunately for those that must keep gluten free, there are many companies that vie to stuff you with their version of gluten free bagels. Pretty much every company that makes gluten free bread also dabbles in bagels. Thank goodness for those gluten free New York zombies!

So today I tried Udi's version of a gluten free bagel. Got a 4-pack from Whole Foods for about $6, which seems really expensive. But if you think about it, a bagel at a deli will probably cost $1 or $1.25, more if you get cream cheese. That would be $4-5 for a 4-some, so you're only paying a dollar or two more for something that won't make you feel crappy for days. Good bargain.

Anyways, I bought these bagels at Whole Foods last week, and stuck them in the freezer. I find that gluten free baked goods tend to dry out quickly, so by freezing them you help preserve them. To cook, I thawed in the microwave until a little steamy, then toasted. Top it with a little of my Tofutti cream cheese, and I was set!

Let's start with the good: the bagel got great toast-i-ness while in the toaster, although I have a toaster oven and would recommend toasting on both sides. The taste was very good, definitely a little yeasty, but not too much, and none of that weird acidic flavor that some gluten free baked goods can get. The bagel was nice and soft, and when you cut it it all stays together and does not crumble away.

Now for some not so good: the one thing that I'm really missing is that chewiness that you'll get from a gluten-filled bagel. I know that gluten makes chewiness, and without it you obviously lack the chewiness, but it's just not quite there. It's kind of like eating a steamed bun with a crust.

Besides my one criticism, these bagels are really delicious. Like I said, the flavor is great, and they fill the void of the traditional New York bagel. I would definitely encourage you to try these bagels. They're not just for breakfast: you can make pizza bagels, bagel sandwiches, you could probably even make them into (very expensive) croutons. Just keep in mind that, like gluten-filled bagels, they are very high in calories. One of these Udi's bagels has just over 300 calories, so pay attention.

Have you tried this product?? Let me know what you think!

NEWS - Whole Foods Coming to Brooklyn!

Woohoo!!! The title says it all: Brooklyn is finally going to get its own Whole Foods.

Here's the article from the NY Daily News.

The new store will open in late 2012 in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn (between Park Slope and Red Hook). Specifically, the store will be at the corner of 3rd Ave and 3rd St.

A first for Whole Foods, the article states that the roof of the building will house a greenhouse to grow organic produce.

RECIPE / PRODUCT REVIEW - Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

Look at these beauties!!

No, this is not my original-omg-greatest-home-gf-cupcake-recipe-ever. These were made with the help of Gluten Free Pantry's Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix

I had tried this company's french bread mix before, and I was not impress. But I saw this on sale at Whole Foods for $3, so I decided to pick up a box.

First, this cake mix is weird. It calls for 5 tbsp butter (why not just round up to 1/3 cup???) and a cup of buttermilk! I was freaked out by the buttermilk at first, but then I remembered that red velvet cake also uses buttermilk. Fine. I'll deal with it.

So, I figured I would make cupcakes so the cake would last longer (someone in my house cuts big slices of cake...), and then add a little kick with some raspberry flavor throughout. I almost went with cherry instead of raspberry, but I feel like raspberry is more classic with chocolate.

Anyways... these cupcakes turned out great! They were super moist, had a nice soft texture, and didn't taste grainy like some gluten free baked goods can. I do wish the cake mix was more chocolate-y though, which is odd because it's a "decadent" chocolate cake mix. Next time I'll add 1/2 cup chocolate chips into the mix, that'll do it.

Ingredients:
1 box cake mix
5 tbsp unsalted butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup + 1/3 cup raspberry preserves (seedless if possible*)
1 container gf cake frosting (vanilla or chocolate)

*Note: If you don't have seedless preserves (I couldn't find seedless), just heat jam in microwave until a liquid, then press through a sieve and strain out the seeds.

Directions:
1. Prepare cake mix according to box directions
2. Fill cupcake containers about 1/3 full with cake batter. Spoon in about 1/2 tsp raspberry jam. Top with another scoop of cake batter until about 2/3 full.
3. Bake according to box directions
4. Mix frosting with the remaining 1/3 cup raspberry preserves. Let chill.
5. Frost cupcakes. Top with fresh raspberries!

PRODUCT REVIEW - Canyon Bakehouse GF Hamburger Buns

Buy these buns!

First tried these hamburger buns at Friedmans Lunch in Chelsea Market (http://www.friedmanslunch.com/). Along with a decent variety of GF foods, they make a ridiculously awesome GF cheeseburger that's worth the $14+ price tag.

Then, about a week ago, we found the buns at Wholefoods. They are definitely pricey, $6 for 4 buns, but they are more than worth it for a burger-y treat. They freeze well also, so you can stock up and defrost as needed.

I would describe these buns as soft, chewy, hearty, and able to hold up to a big burger. They're not as soft as typical hamburger buns, more like a whole grain version (they are whole grain, so that makes sense). And, to top it off, they have sesame seeds on top, so you can pretend that you got your GF burger from BK.

Canyon Bakehouse (http://canyonbakehouse.com/) also makes a variety of gluten free breads, muffins, and focaccia. You can buy the buns online directly from their website ($5 for 4 buns, so you save $1 from Whole Foods).

If you have already tried these buns, leave a comment and let us know what you think!