biaggi's italian restaurant

Hello, gluten free friends!

When I was in Toledo recently for my boyfriend's drill weekend, I came across Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano via the Find Me Gluten Free smartphone app, and I was quite impressed.  I just wish this weren't the only location in Ohio!

The staff is GIG trained.  If you're not familiar, this means that the employees have gone through training and learned management practices from The Gluten Intolerance Group.  You can learn more about that program for the food service industry here.

When I was there, they had just started using a new pasta vendor.  For a while, they didn't have any gluten-free pasta, as they're previous vendor had gone out of business, and they didn't want to serve an inferior product.  They were after something of a high quality with a good taste and texture.  They found it!

I placed a to go order at the bar and was handed an official gluten-free menu (read: not a menu printed on copy paper).  I chose the Pasta di Mare: gluten-free pasta, large shrimp, scallops, and calamari sautéed in a spicy tomato-vegetable sauce and topped with mussels and Little Neck clams.  They're right: it is a spicy dish but very filling and satisfying.

The pasta is a different size than their non-gluten-free choices, and the spaghetti is green in color.  The bread you see below is a $1 up-charge and totally worth it.  It has a slightly sweet taste with a sprinkling of sea salt & black pepper. I set aside a piece for my boyfriend and had to fight him away from eating the rest of it!

If you're in the area, I highly recommend checking them out.  They're located in Perrysburg outside Toledo in Levis Commons, an area mall.  I will definitely be going there again soon.

Happy eating :)

old spaghetti factory

Hello, gluten-free friendees!

A few months ago, Scott surprised me with carry-out from Old Spaghetti Factory in Forest Park.  It was delicious!

They have a defined gluten-free menu available.  There's a 75-cent upcharge for gluten-free pasta.  In our world, that's not too bad.  I'm generally pleasantly caught off guard when the mark-up is under $2.

I had the baked chicken and a side salad.  The presence of croutons on the salad made me hesitant, but Scott had gone over & over my allergies with the pasta folks.  Fortunately, it was safe & yummy. 

Baked chicken may sound unremarkable, but no...  The chicken is marinated in lemon juice & garlic, seasoned with oregano, baked, and served with Mizithra Cheese & browned butter and marinara sauce over pasta.  Read: amazingness.

Not familiar with Mizithra cheese?  I wasn't either.  It's a Greek cheese that pairs incredibly well with my beloved browned butter.  It gets kind of melty in the dish, sprinkled on top.  I'm salivating just thinking of that combo.  Who needs the marinara, anyway?

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Happy eating :)

mama mimi's, mmm...

Hello, gluten free world!

There's a new pizza place in town, and it is totally worth tracking down!  Mama Mimi's -- a pizza chain that started in Columbus in 2000 -- has moved into Cincinnati.  The Anderson location is now open, and locations in Kenwood & Oakley are opening soon.

I met with Brett, who gave me a brief history and answered lots of questions for me.  Their gluten-free crust is made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, while their white and honey wheat crusts are made in-house.  The gluten-free comes prepackaged, is a medium 12" crust, and has a $4 upcharge.

So, what makes them different?  This pizza is take-and-bake, and the toppings are fresh & high quality.  There are no tables for dining, but there are benches, a variety of wine & beer, and a fun photo display.

Just what is take-and-bake?  It's growing in popularity, because it allows families and groups of friends to bake the pizza on their own, which imparts a special texture & flavor that aren't as apparent in a pizza delivered to your door.  You will have to pop it into a preheated oven, but it cooks to perfection in about 8 minutes.

The menu is pretty big, but the pink GF symbol makes the gluten-free options really easy to read.

And Brett clarified: this symbol indicates which are gluten-free with no modifications, beyond the crust.  Many other items are easily made gluten-free with simple adjustments, like leaving Gorgonzola off the award-winning Mama's Marmelletta Amore pizza.  They really take great care to avoid cross-contamination with gluten. And since the pizzas aren't cooked on-site, there aren't cutting & serving tools to worry about getting glutened.

I asked the staff for suggestions and tried a half-and-half pizza:

• Parma Pesto Chicken - pesto, mozzarella, chicken, black olive, tomato, artichoke heart, & Parmesan (hold the onion for me)
• Primo Vegetarian - red sauce, mozzarella, spinach, tomato, broccoli, artichoke heart, Parmesan, & roasted garlic (hold the mushroom & onion for me)

It was delicious.  From my boyfriend's mom, who isn't gluten intolerant and knows how much I love a good pizza: "Seriously, the best GF pizza I have tasted!"  The taste, texture, & variety of toppings make up for that $4 charge.  It's the tastiest gluten-free crust I've had.  Drool-worthy.

It's quickly made to order and shrink-wrapped right in front of you.  Then a sticker with simple to follow instructions is slapped on, and you're ready to go.  And they have online ordering, so you don't even have to wait!

Bonus: they have a loyalty club called Mama's Family that you can join in-store or at their website.  After the purchase of 10 pizzas, the 11th is free!  

Let Mama Mimi's bring your family and friends back to the table sometime soon, and let me know what you think!  

-----------
Full disclosure:
Views and opinions expressed above are mine & mine alone.  Beyond receiving a pizza to sample, I was in no way compensated for this review.

eli's bbq

Hello, gluten-free friendees!

A couple weeks ago, Scott & I tried Eli's BBQ on Eastern Avenue for the first time.  It's a pinkish, unassuming building with a couple white tents off to the left.  The first time you see the tents, at first glance, it almost looks like a family reunion is going on.  It's just so cozy.

You might not know Eli's by name, but if you're in the Cincinnati area, you've probably seen their pig sign.

Inside is a funky, eclectic mix: a record player, alphabetized records, and currently a display of artwork of historical figures that has a very Western feel.

They get out into the city a LOT.  Here's their weekly schedule of appearances:

• Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine Saturdays & Sundays 11 am-3 pm
• Fountain Square for the Farmers' Market on Tuesdays 11 am-2 pm
• The Famous Neons Unplugged (which is dog-friendly) in Over-the-Rhine Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, & Tuesdays 4 pm-2 am
• Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine for Bandstand Bluegrass (BBQ & Bluegrass) on Thursdays 7-9 pm  (I just realized THIS THURSDAY is the last one for 2013!)

The menu is written on the wall, and the place is cash or checks only (or Reds tickets) -- no cards!!  Here are close-ups of their menu items, for your viewing pleasure.  

So, if you're gluten free, what can you have?

• They call the hickory-smoked pulled pork without a bun "pork-with-a-fork".  Cole slaw comes on it free of charge, if you'd like.  
• The cole slaw, jalapeno cheddar cheese grits, and mashed potatoes -- which are mashed then fried on the grill* -- are the safe side items.  
• $5 buys a sandwich, $8 buys a sandwich & 2 sides.  

*Nothing gluten-containing is cooked on that grill.  

The BBQ sauce and baked beans are not gluten-free at this time; both have some soy sauce.  A manager informed us that they are working on changing to a wheat-free soy sauce.  (I'll update when I know this has been implemented.)

The drinks available are Mexican Coke (with real sugar), Orange Crush (with real sugar), and Ale 8 One, all in 16-ounce glass bottles.  Diet Coke is in cans.

They're very easy going.  We were told there are customers who bring in drinks, vegetarian pizzas, salads, their own barbecue sauce -- the list goes on!  

When you order, you can choose to sit inside or out.  If you eat in, you're handed a little pig sign stuck inside a glass Coke bottle.

The food was awesome.  Here's my meal: pork-with-a-fork topped with yummy (onion-free) cole slaw, mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese grits, and a Mexican Coke.  Hiding behind my paper is Scott's sandwich-topping cole slaw that he requested on the side.

They're all about eating local.  The restaurant got its start at Findlay Market about 10 years ago.  Now it's really "where the music, the FOOD, and the people simmer together and create a great atmosphere."  In June of this year, Eli's was named to Travel & Leisure's "America's Best New BBQ".

Basically it's our new favorite barbecue joint.  That's saying a lot.  As in, when we have a big catered event, they'll be at the very top of our list.  That yummy.  And I'm hoping that writing this post means we'll go again this week!

Happy eating :)

original gino's pizza in toledo

My boyfriend is in a National Guard unit based in Perrysburg, Ohio, located just outside Toledo. Earlier this year for his unit's Viale Memorial Ball, I joined him for his drill weekend and found a yummy treat: Original Gino's Pizza. I tried delivery as I prepped for the ball.

It was so tasty, I picked up another from the North Dixie Highway location the next day for the drive back to Cincinnati.

I originally found Gino's via Urbanspoon's handy Gluten-Free Friendly list.  The restaurant has multiple locations in the Toledo area, online ordering, and a smartphone app.  The website doesn't actually make mention of the gluten-free option, but it's there in the Crusts section when you visit the store-specific online menu.  Like many pizza places, the gluten-free crust is only available in one size, large.

The website doesn't actually make mention of the gluten-free option, but it's there in the Crusts section when you visit the store-specific online menu.  A little button pops up asking, "Xtra?" to access additional options: light, extra, xxtra, or side. There is a $2 upcharge for the gluten-free crust.

They also have a handy order tracker so you get a better idea of when to expect it to be delivered: 

After we returned home, I contacted the company to learn more about their dough, their process, & other gluten-free offerings:

Thanks for your email. We have been offering gluten free crusts for years now. We are constantly testing to try to improve the taste, quality and overall presentation of the crust. The crust is a gluten free crust that comes with its own pan. The training of staff on this process is detailed to prevent cross contamination. We use separate utensils when preparing and cutting the pizza. We have different gluten free items at different times. Currently we do have a gluten free cookie that we will be offering. These items do go fast. We expect to have more gluten free products very soon.

This is my first weekend back in the area since the ball, and I'm looking forward to grabbing another :) 

For tipping purposes, you may want to note that $1 of the $3 delivery charge goes to the driver.  

Happy eating! 

ccsg luncheon at sinfully gluten free

On Saturday, April 6 at 12:30, the Cincinnati Celiac Support Group will hold a luncheon at Sinfully Gluten-Free in Centerville, a suburb of Dayton. If you'd like to join, please contact CCSG President Barb Rothwell.

(Unfortunately I can't make it; we have tickets for the 1:10 Reds game.)

Happy eating!

weekend of deliciousness

This weekend is a gluten free delight: Cincinnati Celiac Support Group luncheon at Maggiano's Little Italy and Jungle's Jim's Weekend of Wellness. 

Lunch was specially made by Chef Carl, whose mother-in-law has Celiac.  This was our menu:

The chopped salad - with avocado and green apple - is my undeniable favorite.  Currently, the lasagna is not on the menu.  For the pasta, Maggiano's imports Mariella Gluten Free Penne Rigate Corn Pasta from Italy.  All of their sauces are gluten-free, and it's recommended to speak with the chef directly to determine the best meal for your needs & tastebuds and to provide 24 hours notice.  Each of the 44 restaurants nationwide has the corn pasta.

We got word that Maggiano's is developing a gluten-free menu.  At the moment, this particular Maggiano's gets an average of 10 gluten-free customers per day - far more than any other food allergy sufferers.

Then later today, we went to Jungle Jim's Weekend of Wellness.  It's still happening tomorrow, so it's not too late to catch it yourself!  Admission is $8, and it's well worth it to me with so many samples and sometimes even free products from the 49 vendors.  They paid a lot to be part of the event, so I want to make sure they get the publicity they deserve for their dedication to the gluten-free community.

Shown here are all of our free gluten-free goodies that we didn't eat on the spot:

• Enjoy Life Plentils, a variety of Enjoy Life cookies, and thinkThin Bars 
• PopCorners 
• Sweet Perry Orchards Baja Blend fruit & nut mix from GoPicnic 
• pink lady apples, red delicious apple, kiwis, & a granny smith apple from Indianapolis Fruit 
• Simply 7 Hummus Chips 
• Harvest Bay Coconut Water
• Boomchickapop 
• a gluten-free vanilla creme submarine from Sonny Marie's 
• urban raccoons Gluten Free Granola Bars 
• amafruits Acai organic fruit puree
• two packets of Simpli Gluten Free Instant Oatmeal

There was a selection of sauces and salsas from Local Folks Foods; delicious bread from Eban Bakery out of Grove City, Ohio; i heart keenwah quinoa clusters; Schar products; a fantastic snack mix from el's gluten free snacks (and met El); Angie's Kettle Corn; Lifeway Frozen Kefir; Plainville Farms chicken; Edible Ohio Valley magazine; samples from Moondance Desserts; and New Planet Gluten Free Beer (the 3R Raspberry Ale is dangerously tasty), Woodchuck cider varieties, and Green's Gluten-Free Belgian Ale.

What a tasty Saturday!

Happy eating!!  :)

sinfully gluten-free

As the only dedicated gluten-free bakery and restaurant in Southwest Ohio, Sinfully Gluten-Free has an ever-expanding customer base - and for good reason!  Occasionally I wonder if the things I'm tasting really do taste like what I used to eat 3 years ago or if in actuality my taste buds are simply adapting.  That didn't cross my mind when I bit into my pizza sandwich (hold the onions). 

The cheese was perfectly ooey-gooey, and the bread was nicely toasted.  It was delicious and came with crinkle-cut fries - and no need to be preoccupied with "Is it a shared fryer?" or "Did they change their gloves?"  <happy sigh of relief>

The new and improved location opened on December 30, 2011.  Although not exactly on my daily Cincinnati commute, it is well worth the drive to Centerville, a suburb of Dayton.

The family behind the restaurant has been part of the gluten-free population for the past five years, according to the website.  The listing of bakery products evolve as recipes are developed, but the restaurant menu is here.  Sinfully Gluten-Free also offers products in some retail locations and has an online store. 

I encourage you - both my gluten and non-gluten eaters - to visit this delightfully yummy restaurant & bakery and "Like" them on Facebook. 

Also, just until June 30, Sinfully Gluten-Free is in the running to receive a $250,000 grant from Chase and LivingSocial.  Support this Centerville, Ohio small business by voting here!

Happy eating :)

eating in las vegas: the nightmare version

Our first night in Vegas was not so glamorous...  We had trekked from our room at Circus Circus to our friends who were staying at Bill's Gamblin' Hall.  It was late in the evening, and we were pretty hungry.  We decided on Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, knowing ahead of time that the chain has a gluten free menu.  I had good experiences at the local Jimmy Buffett's Cheeseburger in Paradise back in Cincinnati and expected the same quality.  We waited about 30 minutes on this Tuesday night. 

Once we were seated, I asked for a gluten free menu.  Our host disappeared to find one and never returned.  When I politely asked the server for a gluten free menu, she only asked, "What do you want?"  Her tone made me feel like an inconvenience, definitely not a guest.  I didn't have a menu yet, and I'm not familiar with their offerings - how could I know?

When she returned with our drink orders - one at a time - my friend's drink was wrong.  It was a strawberry daiquiri instead of a strawberry margarita.  That wasn't a good start, but I still had faith in the kitchen.  I was relying on my experience in Cincinnati...and blinded by the fact that the clock was ticking, and my belly didn't want to wait longer.

Eventually the server returned with a small menu that she read aloud to me.  It seemed that I was meant to memorize it, because she wasn't letting me look it over.  When she turned to leave, I asked to take a picture of it.  I set it on the regular menu to give a point of reference for the scale.

A gluten free bun?  That looks promising.  There's no mention of suggested sides, so I thought that the fries were safe.  I ordered the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger gluten free with the sauce on the side.  I'm picky with sauces.  The server didn't suggest any changes. 

She brought out the barbecue sauce first, adding, "I don't know why you ordered the sauce.  It's got gluten." It was as if I should have known, and she laughed at me.  I was in shock and spoke in a staccato rhythm.  "I don't want it if it has gluten!  It was on the gluten free menu, so I thought it was safe.  I don't want it.  It'll make me really sick.  Please take it away."

A few minutes after that hair-raising moment, my meal arrived.  Scott politely asked the food-runner, "And this is gluten free?"  The server - who hadn't written down the order - quickly came over, interrupting the food-runner to say, "Yes, of course it's gluten free."  (In food allergy and intolerance world, you always have to double check.) 

Like clockwork, 30 minutes after my first bite, I was sick.  My unmistakable symptoms had begun, and I was miserable.  It was our first night in Vegas, and we were hanging out with my dear friend, the bride who would be getting married in just a few days.  While I was away, the server checked to see if I liked my burger or would like a box.  Scott said it had glutened me and that I was sick in the bathroom.  The server argued, "No, it's cooked the same way it always is," and offered no remorse, no sympathy.  No one checked on me once I finally returned to the table, and it limited our options for the remainder of the night...  Luckily I wasn't down & out the remainder of the trip. 

May you all have happier eating experiences!

eating in las vegas: mon ami gabi

I'm a little ashamed that I haven't written at all during Celiac Awareness Month!  I'd intended to write more frequently this month instead of less, but things got all jumbled when I realized that the countdown to our vacation was on.

We spent the past week relaxing in Las Vegas and Newport Coast, California.  A friend from college had recommended watching the Fountains of Bellagio from Mon Ami Gabi - a cute French restaurant on the strip.  The patio has a terrific view of the fountains as they dance.  When I pulled up Find Me Gluten Free on my iPhone, it had a 5 star rating and 8 reviews - plus a dedicated & publicized gluten free menu and the promise of warmed gluten free bread!  We made a lunch reservation for our second day.

Our server was delightful, and the aroma of delectable food filled the air.  I was handed a gluten free menu (and it's advertised on the regular menu!).  I ordered a side salad, the all-natural chicken paillard with shallow-fry frites, and knew I'd want the crème brûlée.  Scott had the steak classique with shallow-fry frites.  Both the chicken and the steak had been pounded thin.  They were tender and flavorful.  Neither of us knew exactly what shallow-fry frites were.  I assumed they would be something like a shoestring French fry.  These were much better!  Wide but thin, they had a crunch similar to a chip but still with the substance of a fry.  The lemon butter and the herbs from the chicken rendered ketchup useless.

Before our food arrived, a gentleman brought out a loaf of fresh French baguette and gave it to Scott.  He put in an order of gluten free bread for me (below).  Both varieties came with a ramekin of sweet cream butter.

The crème brûlée was wonderful, making me realize that I'm bound to eat more of it at a Nordstrom Cafe Bistro in an attempt to relive this little getaway.

(I was too distracted by my own food to remember to take a picture of Scott's.  Guess we'll just have to go back!) 

I neglected to take a photo, but if you enjoy a variety of fine wines, you're in luck. We were surrounded by bottles of things like Dom Pérignon Rosé.

It was an excellent experience overall, and I'm looking forward to returning & checking out the other locations of Mon Ami Gabi.

Happy eating!  (And stay tuned for more food recommendations for Vegas & Southern California.)

pizzeria precautions

Yesterday I asked LaRosa's about their cross contamination precautions.  I received two prompt responses:

First on the LaRosa's Pizzeria Facebook page:

Jessica - Sorry for the delay in getting back to you and that is a great question! We follow very strict cleaning and preparation procedures to keep our gluten intolerant Guests safe. For every GF pizza we prepare, we change gloves, use a separate clean set of utensils, clean the pizza making surface, and use sauce, cheese and toppings from supplies that have not been used on other pizzas. The crust comes on its own separate disk, so that it doesn't touch surfaces other pizzas touch. While we take every precaution, it’s still possible flour transfer could pose a problem for Guests with severe gluten intolerance. So, we let our guests know that so they can make an informed decision about eating with us.

Second, as a message from one of the administrators of the aforementioned Facebook page:

Hi Jessica- I work at LaRosa's and am one of the FB like page admins. We had more info about our GF certification process, but wasn't sure if it was too much. So, I'll let you judge: Our suppliers certified that our approved pizza ingredients (sauce, cheese, toppings, crust) are GF. As an additional precaution, we had all of our GF ingredients tested by an independent food lab to ensure our GF claim. Plus, we also had the lab test a fully prepared & baked GF pizza prepared in our kitchen to ensure no cross contact.

So, if you're wondering, that's why the gluten free option is only available in certain stores at the moment.  In their own words, "That’s why we’ve focused on 8 conveniently located pizzerias that we could “certify” in preparing and serving gluten free pizza. We hope that our Guests who choose gluten free won’t mind a little drive in the name of keeping people safe."

Happy eating! 

extra pep for a gluten free pizza

My excitement over a gluten-free pizza option that is delivered to my door is still palpable, more than a week after first trying it.  We'd gone yesterday, but the nearest location had sold out of the crust! 


I took photos of the signs before I learned they'd sold out.  It's even more popular than they planned, and it led to a discussion with our neighboring table about the gluten free diet.  Thank you, LaRosa's, for increasing options and awareness :)


Tonight, still craving pizza, we got our second one delivered.  Scott actually ate more of it than I did.  When I set a little piece down to grab some chips, he ate that, too!  It was such a relief not to have to worry about his pizza crumbs getting on me. 


The Cincinnati Celiac Support Group's email conversations over the last few weeks have shown just how fired up the gluten free community in the Queen City is to have a hometown favorite back on the menu.

Gluten free toppings (1.50 each)

• Pepperoni
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Ground beef
• Capocolla ham
• Spicy sausage
• Roma tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Black olives
• Green olives
• Pineapple
• Red onions
• Green peppers
• Spinach 
• Extra cheese
• Extra sauce

With gluten free pizza boxes and a small pizza pan (used to prevent cross-contamination), it really seems to me that the company understands all that offering a gluten free option entails.

new pizza option in cincy

Starting this week, some LaRosa's locations now have a gluten free pizza option!  As of April 9, GF pizza is available at the following LaRosa's restaurants:

• Anderson
• Mason
• Boudinot
• Centerville
• Beavercreek 
• Kenwood
• Alexandria
• Kings Island
• Oxford

It's available in Medium only (12").  Unlike most places with a gluten free pizza option, these are the normal prices for any of the other LaRosa's pizza crust choices & toppings.  That's awesome!  Plain cheese is 8.99, and each topping is an additional 1.50. 

(Note: If you have an egg allergy, this crust is not friendly for you.)

So...of course I ordered one the night I got the email from the Cincinnati Celiac Support Group!  My first delivered gluten free pizza!  (Thanks, Jenny!)

What's it like?  It's a thin crust, presented on its own silver platter.  It really seems the company understands cross contamination concerns.  The crust tasted like it is primarily rice flour, but it is less rice-y than some frozen options I've tried.  My boyfriend's mom liked it and compared it to "school pizza".  It passed the Scott test - he ate it cold the next day!

In Cincinnati and not a LaRosa's fan?  Check out BJ's Brewhouse, Uno's, and Donato's for their options.  Willing to make a drive?  I've heard great things about Sinfully Gluten Free in Centerville, and my personal favorite is Lloyd's Pizzeria in Waverly.

boston mmmarket

Tonight Scott took me to Boston Market for the first time.  He ate there last night while shadowing a police officer for his criminal justice class.  My mom had recommended it to me before my diagnosis, but with all the homestyle goodness, I was absolutely shocked when he told me they have gluten free options!  The best part: GRAVY!

Shown here:

• 1/4 rotisserie chicken (you have the choice of 3 piece, 1/2, or 1/4 chicken)
• Cinnamon apples
• Garlic dill new potatoes
• 1/2 ramekin of poultry gravy

Not shown:

• 2 1/2 more ramekins of poultry gravy!
• Sweet tea

It was delicious with a nice price tag :)

As you can see from the menu, entree options are rotisserie chicken and roasted turkey breast, and there are a number of side dishes.  Be sure to stress no bread.  Initially I was given cornbread anyway and had to send the plate back.  My server made sure the next plate was free & clear of bread.  It was a success.  Happy belly, happy Jessi. 

I clearly have a new go-to restaurant when I'm willing to lose my parking spot at lunchtime.  (There are two in the Greater Cincinnati area.)  After all, a gal can only take so many salads.

Happy eating!

gluten free cajun in the queen city

Okay, gluten free foodies, you know that super cool restaurant you love to walk past & smell but are anxious to try?  I bit the bullet this month.  J. Gumbo's Cajun Joint is located in my building at work, and they have gluten free options!  (Just remember to order it without bread or cornbread!)

• Voodoo chicken - Tender chicken cooked with garlic & olive oil in a SPICY tomato sauce. Served over rice.
• Bourbon street chicken - Tender chicken glazed with a slightly sweet butter hoisin sauce. Served over rice.
• Bumblebee stew - Yellow corn, stewed tomatoes, onions & black beans in a sweet & spicy cream sauce. Served over rice.
• Jambalaya - Creole-style jambalaya with tender chicken, bell peppers, sausage, rice, celery, & onion.
• Red beans & rice - Slow-cooked Camellia beans served with smoked sausage, onions & celery over rice.
• White chili - Cajun white bean chili with stewed tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeno peppers & a hint of dill. Served with rice.

When - not if - you go, you'll be invited to try a sample.  The portions are generous and delicious, and the prices are reasonable. 

Believe it or not, voodoo chicken and bourbon street chicken - the most popular options - are both onion- and gluten-free.  That means a happy Jessi.

Bourbon Street Chicken, which has a buttery sweetness that's delectable

Want to get to know J. Gumbo's?  Find them on Twitter and Facebook!

look at the bun on that!

Red Robin now has a gluten free bun, and it is YUMMM. Scott & I ate there yesterday, after I'd had dreams - literally - about really ordering a bun in a restaurant that (in my experience) is in tune with the worries of food allergy guests. They update their Wheat/Gluten Allergy Menu monthly.  All allergen information is available here. (Please note, the fries shown here are without the seasoned salt, which isn't GF.)

The bun is airy, fluffy, and squishy.  (To my followers who don't eat gluten free, relish in the fact that your bread is probably soft.  That's not the case with most gluten free options.)  This bun is similar to the consistency and flavor of a croissant - and I looooove croissants.  As I ate my burger & did my happy food shimmy - yes, I have a little dance I do as I eat something really satisfying - I played with the springy bun.  Seeing how delighted I was, Scott called the server over to ask about the bun.  Within a few minutes, the manager came over and informed us that the buns are from Gordon Food Service (GFS).  Naturally we took a detour on the way home to track them down! 

Bad news: GFS has a contract to only sell these buns to Red Robin.  Boo!  But there's a 27-page document of products that GFS will happily sell to the general public.  Highlight what you'd like, bring the document in, and they'll place an order!  The sales representative printed out a copy for me.  Here is the lengthy list for the Midwest.  It's mostly in bulk, so if you're in/around Cincinnati and would like to split an order of something, let me know!  Alternatively, a suggestion was made for me to go ahead & buy the bulk products, make kits, and offer them to GF friendies.

I also may have an arrangement with someone who can get these yummy buns for me.  It sounds like it but really isn't the black market of gluten free bread!  If you're located in/near the Cincinnati area and interested, let me know!  I may be seeing about a case early next month.

Happy eating!

fusian sushi

For lunch earlier this week, I decided to give FUSIAN in Downtown Cincinnati a try.  It had been highly recommended by one of my interns over the summer, but with my gluten and ginger issues, I was more than a little nervous to try this Chipotle-style sushi restaurant. Before the gluten intolerance was identified, my favorite rolls all included tempura and/or crab stick.  I've also learned that oftentimes vegetables (such as carrots) are soaked in a ginger solution before being added to a sushi roll. 

I'd skeptically checked out the menu online before going to the restaurant, a bright spot in Tower Place Mall.  Upon entering the location, I was quickly greeted by a staff member who came to greet me and explain the process.  I told him that I'd seen FUSIAN on Urbanspoon's handy list of Best Cincinnati Gluten Free Friendly Restaurants.  I informed him of my dietary restrictions, and he immediately went back on the line to have everyone change their gloves.  As soon as I said, "I'd like to try a chicken roll," Dave yelled back for some chicken with no marinade.  I didn't have to say anything!  In allergy world, that's a big deal.  Sure, it's how it ideally should be, but it's rare enough that it's quite impressive when it happens.

My meal was made carefully, and the roll was even cut with a separate knife in the back to prevent cross-contamination.  Again, I didn't have to feel like a pain.

My meal - a chicken, carrot, cucumber, & avocado roll; edamame; and a Sprite - was delicious, Jessi-friendly, fresh, and easy on the budget.  Mmm...

I also loved that their chosen containers are environmentally friendly and biodegradable.  The decor is also serene, with a pretty waterfall wall. 

I was even more impressed when the initial staffer came out once I was finished to tell me that they have a number of gluten free customers and to go over my menu choices for the future:

• chicken
• salmon
• smoked salmon
• tuna
• any veggies
• Avoid: steak (marinated), shrimp (tempura-battered), crab mix, crab stick, freshwater eel, sauces

My only recommendation: take some San-J Tamari Gluten Free Soy Sauce, now available from some locations in handy single use packets. 

Yep, I'll definitely eat there a lot in 2012 and recommend that you do, too, when you're in the area.  For more information on FUSIAN, check them out on Facebook or Twitter.

Thanks for reading.  Here's to a safe, happy, and healthy New Year! :)


Update 1/5/12:
They have Kikkoman Gluten-Free Soy Sauce and get a fresh rolling mat for food allergy folks. They're gooooood.

Update 11/30/12:
FUSIAN relocated in October about a block from their previous location to 600 Vine Street, next to Tazza Mia.  (This explains the crossed-out text.)  The new interior has a separate line for fax/catering orders, and it has a more open feel.
The staff still rocks with handling allergies. 
They also have a stand at Bengals home games and can accommodate gluten free foodies.

bj's restaurant & brewhouse

A few days ago, Scott & I had a fun date night at BJ's Brewhouse.  We'd seen their gluten free menu at an event earlier this year with the Cincinnati Celiac Support Group but hadn't given ourselves the chance to check it out.  The regular menu is HUGE; the gluten free options are plentiful, as well. Straight from the menu: "BJ’s is an active participant in the GFRAP (Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program) sponsored by GIG."  GIG is the Gluten Intolerance Group and an excellent resource for folks.

I got ridiculously excited when I saw a new-to-me item on the drink menu: gluten free berry burst cider.  The server suggested it for those who like wine, as it's rather sweet.  Since I want to like wine, I took the challenge. 

The pink hue (although not obvious in this dark photo) surprised me a little.  I was thinking it would be more like the ciders from Strongbow or Woodchuck, but it was gooooood.  It's light and spritzy.  To me, the flavor is a mix of strawberry and raspberry with a hint of blueberry. 

The drink is so tasty, Scott decided to buy me a $14 growler before we left.  What a bargain!  1 glass by itself is about $5, and the growler easily holds 5 or 6 servings.  Plus, when we refill, we'll get a discounted price for already having the jug.

As I looked over the rest of the menu, I was indecisive.  I'd heard wonderful things about their thin-crust gluten free pizza, but I couldn't fight my skepticism.  Pre-diagnosis, pizza was hands-down my favorite food.  I would eat it 3 times a week or more.  However, over the last two years since going gluten free, I just haven't craved it like I used to.  I'm becoming more accustomed to the flavor of gluten free crust, but it's still not enough to reclaim the spot it had on Friday nights on the weekly menu.  For local options, Uno Chicago Grill and Donato's have yummy thin crust and no dough pizzas, respectively, and Udi's and Kinnikinnick have nice frozen crusts.  If you're EVER near Waverly, make sure to try the gluten free option at Lloyd's Pizzeria.  I've been dreaming of it - quite literally - since trying it last month after it was recommended by my dear friends Maran & J.P.  Scott has also declared it his favorite.  (I'll definitely enjoy some this weekend when I'm home to celebrate my birthday.)

Since I wasn't sure how much I would truly enjoy the pizza at BJ's, I decided to order two meals: a thin-crust pepperoni & tomato pizza and a grilled chicken giant stuffed potato.  I was pleased to read that all pizza toppings - with the exception of the meatballs - are gluten free.  Although gluten free crust options are becoming more available, it's rare for most pizza locations to be willing to state that the toppings are gluten free as well. 

Both were delicious.  The 10 inch pizza has an herby crust, which wasn't Scott's favorite since he got a bitter taste of anise.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  BJ's is now my second favorite gluten free pizza place.

Scott had gotten a deep dish pizza.  It must have been tasty - he'd eaten half before it crossed my mind to take a photo of it. 

The 8 inch potato was truly giant, filled with grilled chicken breast & steamed broccoli then topped with melty jack & cheddar cheeses.  Please note: for gluten free, you must order without Alfredo sauce.

This potato was so big that a passerby stared at it and remarked, "That's a HUGE potato!"  I'd just said the same thing.

The items were so delectable, I ate half the pizza and 1/4 of the potato.  Another plus: the leftover pizza and potato each reheated well for lunch the next two days.

The server easily talked me into trying the new Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Pizookie - a 4 inch wide deep-dish chocolate chip cookie topped with two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream and served with two spoons for us to share.  Hot and fresh out of the oven. the soft cookie was cake-like and delicious with the melting ice cream. 

When eating gluten free baked goods, I half expect a graininess.  I'm happy to report, neither the pizza nor the Pizookie had this unappetizing quality.  They were smooth and heavenly.

I am officially a fan of BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse and cannot wait to take friends & family there.