RESTAURANT - Pizza Fusion: LA + NJ

I try to make it back to LA, where I'm from, at least once a year. See my nearest and dearest friends. Jay-walk knowing you're not allowed to, but doing it anyways because I'm a New Yohkah now. Remembering how to drive. Amoeba Records*. And now, visiting Pizza Fusion in West Hollywood.

Last year our trip to LA was the Eric's first trip sans-gluten. We did all the research ahead of time, and Pizza Fusion stood at the top of our list. It did disappoint. Because he was a bit of a gluten free virgin, the waiter was thrilled to tell him about their multiple gluten free beers, gluten free pizza crust, and, oh ya, a gluten free brownie!

Since last year's LA trip, we went to another Pizza Fusion location in Red Bank, NJ. Totally different atmosphere, in a good way. Replace vegan models for families, bar service for BYOB, and teens practicing for their singing audition with children singing loudly.

After these two great gluten free times, Pizza Fusion in WeHo (ya, I'm that cool) was on the top of our to do list. Look up to see the gluten free flatbread with olive tapenade, artichoke dip and marinara. I'm pretty sure the flatbread is the same crust as the pizza, but it's extra crispy.

And here is the gluten free pizza with vegan soy cheese and pepperoni. This crust is ridiculous. Ya, you'll pay a little more for the crust, but just keep the toppings simpl and the price is pretty reasonable.

End your meal with an AMAZING gluten free brownie. The first time we got this last year, the waiter was almost giddy to bring it out to us. It's like when you are throwing someone a surprise party, and YOU are the person bringing the guest of honor to the party. I did this a few years ago for my good friend Sam, and it took everything I had not to spill the beans and burst out laughing 10 feet from the door.

See for yourself...

Check out Pizza Fusion's website for more info. There are lots more locations than the two I mentioned.

Pizza Fusion
7950 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90046
(323) 375-3390

Pizza Fusion
95 Broad St.
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 345-1600

Photos by Lobo Jones Photography
www.lobojones.com

* I'm leaving out one very important place from my list of things I look forward to in LA. In N' Out burger. Duh. I figured it was overkill to mention In N' Out and Pizza Fusion in one post. It's just unfair to the readers. Fear not, East Coasters! Check out The Burger Garage in Queens. See my post here.

NEWS - GF Restaurant Search Engine

I realized earlier this week that it's been...oh 2 months or so... that we've actually planned on gone out to dinner at a restaurant. Pre-gluten free days, we'd go out at least once or twice a month, and now the majority of cooking is done in our own kitchen.

I tried the basic google searches for "gluten free restaurant nyc", but it's tricky. There are very very few restaurants that are exclusively gluten free, and there are a decent number of restaurants that have naturally gluten free dishes but don't actively advertise it.

So this website should make that search a lot easier. Go to this site for the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program. I put in my zip zode and a max radius of 10 miles, and there are 31 restaurants that participate in this program. I'm sure that there are more (I live in Brooklyn...), but it's nice to see that there are more than 2. And there are restaurants on the list that I already knew have gluten free options, which is nice.

Have you seen a better gluten free restaurant search engine? Leave a comment and let me know.

RECIPE - GF Pizza Supreme

Fuhget New York pizza! It's got nothing on this:

Making gluten free pizza at home is one of the cheapest meals you can make! If you've ever had gluten free pizza at a restaurant, you know that you'll pay anywhere between $2-5 more than a regular pizza, and then you pay per topping. If you were to get the pie in this recipe at a restaurant, it'll cost at least $20.

One package of gluten free pizza crust costs about $5, toppings cost another $5, and you probably have tomato sauce and cheese already at home. So you can make 2 pizzas, feed at least 4 people, for $10. Half the price of a restaurant pizza!

Ingredients:
1 package Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped + 2 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbsp italian seasoning
1/2 each red and green bell pepper, sliced
5 mushrooms, sliced
1 tomato, diced
Pepperoni slices (or other topping)
Mozzarella cheese (we used a dairy free rice cheese, but most will use the real thing)

Directions:
1. Make the pizza dough according to the directions on the package using the eggs, water, and 2 Tbsp olive oil.
2. Form the dough into 2 pizzas
**Tip: this dough is veerrrrryyyy sticky! Bob's Red Mill says you should wet your hands when you spread the dough out, but I think it's easier to use a piece of plastic wrap, place on top of the dough, and just mush and rub it around until it fills the pan.
3. Bake the dough without toppings according to the directions on the package
4. Mix together the chopped garlic and 2 Tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle with a little more italian seasoning.
5. Mix the italian seasoning into the tomato sauce
6. Once the pizza crust comes out of the oven, paint the garlic oil over the enture crust
7. Add tomato sauce, toppings, and cheese!
8. Return to oven and cook according to package directions
9. Remove from oven, sprinkle with a little more italian seasoning, and voila!

Here's what the crust looks like once it's baked and before toppings:

Have you tried this recipe? Do you have a better gluten free pizza recipe?  Leave a comment and let me know!