May 14th, 2014
When my husband, John, was first diagnosed 6 years ago with celiac disease, eating gluten free became a way of life. It is the only treatment for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. It is an allergy to wheat and its derivatives. It does not stop just by not eating gluten, but also, you have to watch out for products that contain gluten and cross-contamination. Believe me, there are many, including prescription drugs.
Needless to say, we learned quickly and just like anything, you adapt. He really would have preferred to have had chicken fried steak, sweet breads, or anything traditionally cooked, but all in all he was pretty good about it. He had to.
In 2008 people would say, how lucky we were because prior to that year, not much was on the market. Nowadays, I say, how lucky everyone is because restaurants, grocery stores, and gourmet shops have jumped on the band wagon….oh yes, it is definitely a business. There is still more to do but if you have a gluten allergy, then, Welcome to the Beach!
The Birch Tree Cafe is Delaware’s 100% Gluten Free restaurant. It is also an espresso bar and a bake shoppe. It is located in Clarksville, which is about 4 miles west of Bethany Beach on Rt. 26. The actual address is 31826 Good Earth Lane. Tel. 302-539-2468. You can find The Birch Tree Cafe on Facebook and Twitter.
I stopped by to get a few things for a friend in Rehoboth Beach. Some special treats. It was late in the day, but Cathy Berzins, Co-Owner, and Chef, was there like always. She opens every day. And, this is what I got.
Muffins: 2 cinnamon, 2, blueberry, 2 chocolate chip….my friend has a sweet tooth. These muffins, besides being gluten free were also dairy free and nut free.
Everything is baked by Cathy from scratch, so I also got Multi Grain with Flax bread; 6 whole grains plus flaxeed.
Could not resist the Pecan Brownies….a classic made also dairy free.
 
Living Gluten Free in Delaware….is all about food. Every 2nd Tuesday of every month, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. the public is invited to join The Birch Tree Cafe and discuss the Gluten Feree Lifestyle. Share recipes, stores, and dining advice….we all have something to say about that, cooking/baking how-to’s and product information. Cathy will also have samplins. Any questions, pease call 302-539-2468.
The Birch Tree Cafe features its own pizza crust. To me, that was the hardest thing to achieve. Cathy also offers quiche, sandwiches, salads and soups. Her cream of crab soup is her signature dish. If you have been coming to Bethany Beach, you might remember that Cathy owned South Bethany Seafood Market. The soup is made with organic cream, organic milk and touched with a finish of sherry.
Her breads and muffins can be ordered in quatities, just give her a call. Any other dietary restrictions or allergies….she can handle that, as well.
The Birch Tree Cafe sits inside Good Earth Market & Organic Farm, http://www.goodearthmarket.com. You walk through the market and pick up natural products, groceries, and then step outside to see the actual farm.
Now you know that if you have celiac disease or gluten allergy, even a sensitivity…..the Delaware Beaches have it all. You don’t have to arrive carrying tons of groceries. Relax, you are at the Beach!
Have a great day!
October 21st, 2013
As The Second Season continues at the Delaware Beaches….the restaurants and area chefs are sharing their culinary expertise by holding cooking classes and events. Some of these events are held with fundraising in mind; it is also a great opportunity to get out and meet some of the people lucky enough to live on the coast and learn about a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.
TUESDAY, 10/22 – WOMEN & WINE – at Lupo di Mare located at 247 C Rehoboth Ave. inside the Hotel Rehoboth. The evening will be a fundraising event for United Way Delaware whose mission is to maximize the community’s resources to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans.
This event is limited to 65 guests. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m. $39/person. Gratuity is not included. Please RSVP Mike Dickinson at 302-226-2240.
Pairing Wines with delicious food. An Aperitif of Lake Chalice “Cracklin Savie”. First course of fresh mozzarella, roasted beets, olive tapenade, sea salt, paired with with Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc. Second course of local apple salad, fennel, baby kale, crispy soprasata, asiago, grilled lemon vinaigrette, paired with Seifried Riesling. Third Course of pork meatballs, white corn polenta, rosemary, tomatoes, pecorino, paired with Forrest Pino Noir. Final course of house made ricotta cheesecake, honeyed walnuts, paired with Forrest “Doctors” Riesling…..
WEDNESDAY, 10/23 – NEW ENGLAND COOKING DEMO from 6 – 7 p.m. at Northeast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View, Delaware, just a couple of miles west of Bethany Beach. The cocktail hour will begin at 4:45 p.m. until 6 p.m. The deomonstrations of Autumn Sangria, Warm Baby Kale & Apple Salad, Lobster & Sweet Potato Piegories, and Pumpkin Maple Bread Pudding. For tickets and information, please call 302-537-1785 or email colby@sodelconcepts.com.
SATURDAY, 10/26 – A NIGHT IN NORTHERN ITALY – Tune Your Palate with Paul Cullen at the Bellmoor Inn & Spa located at 6 Christian St. in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. His demonstrations bring his passions for food and music. The cost is $55 and they include everything he will make and wine. You must 21 to attend. You can purchase tickets, by visiting http://www.paulcullen.net, or call 302-228-9775.
SATURDAY, 10/26 – ABRACADINNER COOKING CLASSES with Chef Kris. On Saturday the class will be A Season for Soup. It’s that time of the year and Roasted Winter Vegetable Soup, Raunchy Red Lentil Soup, and Asian Dumpling Soup will be on the menu. Besides this class, Chef Kris holds classes throughout the season. The schedule is as follows: 11/9 Pumpkin Palooza!, 11/30 Comfort Foods, 12/14 Gifts from Your Kitchen.
The classes are held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. The fee for each class is $55. Please call Chef Kris at 302-228-6125 for further information. Check http://www.abracadinner.com.
FRIDAY, 11/1 – BEER DINNER, DAY OF THE DEAD BREWERY, at Papa Grande’s located on Rt. 54 in Fenwick Island, Delaware. Growing up in Puerto Rico “El Dia de Los Muertos” was a day of usual torrential rain, and floods. The evening begins at Papa Grande’s with a reception of duck tostada paired with Day of the Dead Blonde Ale. First Course will offer hangover seafood cocktail, fresh seafood, spicy tomato salsa, and avocado, paired with Day of the Dead Amber Ale. The second course will bring honey crisp apple salad, baby kale, jicama, pickled onion, cajita, pumpkin seed lime vinaigrette, paired with Day of the Daed Hefeweizen. The third course will have adobo marinated pork loin, spicy rainbow chard, potatoes, grilled green onion, crema, paired with Day of thye Dead IPA. Dessert will be a house-made cinnamos churros (love churros), coffee infused Mexican chocolate dip, paired with Day of the Dead Porter. Please RSVP to Jim Affeldt at 302-436-papa, or jim@sodelconcepts.com.
SATURDAY, 11/2 – COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF HARI CAMERON of a(muse.), located at 44 Baltimore Ave., in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Noon until 2:30 p.m. He will be putting his distinctive twist on a collection of Classic American Recipes. Learn the basic of iconic American dishes and learn to put your own signature twist…in other words….make it your own. On Saturday, 12/14 from Noon until 2:30 p.m. the class will be centering on the holiday foods that come to mind. Chef Hari will be taking a look at those favorite holiday dishes; putting his own spin on them.
These classes are informal and are followed immediately by a special lunch with Chef Hari. Please call 302-227-7107 or visit http://www.amuse-rehoboth.com and click under menus. The classes are $60.00.
MONDAY, 11/11 – MURDER MYSTERY – A FOWL FEAST at The Buttery on the corner of Savannah Rd. and Second Street in the heart of Historic Lewes, Delaware. 6:30 p.m. For reservations and info., please call 302-645-7755.
TUESDAY, 11/12 – LIVING GLUTEN FREE IN DELAWARE at The Birch Tree Cafe located inside Good Earth Market, 4 miles west of Bethany Beach in Clarksville, Delaware. Join the group to discuss and share the gluten free lifestyle, cooking and dining habits. They will be offering cooking/baking advice, new product information and much more. Each month they will taste different products. This meetings will take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
SATURDAY, 11/16 – HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING at Nage, located at 19730 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Classes are 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. If you cannot make it, then on Saturday, 12/7 Nage is offering a Holiday Dessert Cooking Class. More info? and registration? Please call 302-226-2037. Or, visit http://www.nagerb.com/special-events.html#cookingclasses.
SATURDAY, 11/23 – BIG FISH GRILL COOKING CLASSES at 4117 Highway One in Rehoboth Beach. The cost per class is $75 and you must register in advance by calling 302-227-9007. The classes are held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Menu items from the Big Fish Grill and Summerhouse will be featured. Hands-on participation in the pereparation of festured menu items is part of the fun. The classes will include a tour of the restaurant, a whole fish cutting demonstration, which I happened to volunteer when I participated some time ago, and tips about purchasing and preparing fresh seafood.
Other dates: December 7th and 21st, January 4th and 18th, February 1st and 15th, March 1st, 15th and 29th, April 12th and 26th and May 3rd.
On the day of the class the doors will open at 9:45 a.m. Go hungry!!
Have a great time!!
March 22nd, 2013
The beach is a source of inspiration for many…for others; just a place to kick back and relax.
Slowly, our Delaware Beaches are waking up after a much deserved rest the past couple of months….the Quiet Resorts, as Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island are known are holding some really neat events….So, What’s Going On?
Friday, 3/22 and Saturday, 3/23 – Dickens Parlour Theatre is located at 35715 Atlantic Avenue, west of Bethany Beach, Delaware. I have not had the opportunity to attend one of the shows, but I have heard that they are excellent and very popular. Visit http://www.dptmagic.com, or call 302-829-1071 for more info. The evening shows start at 7 p.m. Rainy days show at 2 p.m. And, I look forward to your comments…liked it?
Saturday, 3/23 – More volunteers are needed for Beach Grass Planting at South Bethany and Delaware Seashore State Park. 9:00 a.m. until Noon. If you want to get up early and help out this is what you need to do. First of all, online registration is closed, so please to register call Shoreline and Waterway Management Section at 302-739-9921. Or, email jennifer.luoma@state.de.us. Beach grass helps to build and stabilize dunes by trapping windblown sand. Sand dunes are essential for protection against damaging coastal storms. The planting of beach grass is an annual event. It was first started in 1989; more than a million stems of beach grass have been planted by dedicated volunteers.
Saturday, 3/23 – “Healing Foods to Reduce Inflammation” – At 3:00 p.m. at Good Earth Market, located at 31806 Good Earth Lane on Rt. 26 in Clarksville, Delaware….just 4.8 miles west of Bethany Beach. Kari Ainsworth returns to discuss the causes of inflammation and why we hurt, as well as the foods that can be causing the pain. The workshop will be held at The Birch Tree Cafe inside Good Earth Market. More info? Please visit http://www.goodearthmarket.com and click on Events.
Saturday, 3/23 – Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at Mariner’s Bethel UMC 81 Central Avenue, (corner of Rt. 26 & Central Ave.), Ocean View, DE 19970. Ocean View is located a few miles west of Bethany Beach.
Wednesday, 3/27 – Women and Wine South – NorthEast Seafood Kitchen, 29 Atlantic Avenue (Rt. 26), Ocean View. Fundraising Event for Justin’s Beach House/Justin W. Jennings Foundation. If you have driven on Rt. 26, either to or from Bethany Beach, you have probably passed a large blue Adirondack Chair. That is where Justin’s Beach House is located. It is a house like no other. This home offers patients with cancer and their families some peace and joy, even if for a short time. To know more, please visit http://www.justinjennings.org.
Three courses and dessert. All courses are paired with wine. Stuffed Local Clams with Periquita White, Shaved Asparagus Salad with Twin Vines Vinho Verde, Grilled Rainbow Trout with Periquita Reserva, and a dessert of Heirloom Carrot Cake, paired with Sandeman Tawny Port. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. $39 per person. Please call Colby Pusey at 302-537-1785 or email him at colby@sodelconcepts.com.
Saturday, 3/30 – Bunny Palooza 5/K/10K – Garfield Parkway & Atlantic Avenue. Sponsored by the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation (QRCF), http://www.qrcf.org. This foundation was formed by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commer in 2001. It manages and distributes funds to qualified organizations serving the local community. Bunny Palooza is an Annual Event. There will be overall, runner-up, masters and age group awards. It will be a fun and festive course., Live music throughout the race course. Start at Garfield Pkwy & Atlantic Ave. in Downtown Bethany Beach. For complete information and ways to register, please visit http://www.bunnypaloozarun.com. Note: Rain or shine, walkers permitted only on the 5K. Dogs and Owners, Walkers and Strollers must start at the back of the 5K field. Please bring doggy doo doo bags. Today, Friday, 3/22, is the last the day to register in order to get an event tech shirt and goodie bag.
Saturday, 4/6 – “Gluten – What is it Anyway?” At 3:00 p.m. at The Birch Tree Cafe located inside Good Earth Market at 31806 Good Earth Ln. in Clarksville, Delaware…4.8 miles west of Bethany Beach. The Birch Tree Cafe is the only 100% gluten free restaurant in Delaware. Join Cathy Berzins, owner and gluten free chef at The Birch Tree Cafe for this informative discussion, clarifying what all the hoop-la over a gluten free diet is all about. Please call 302-539-2468 for more info., or visit http://www.goodearthmarket.com.
Tuesday, 4/9 – Living Gluten Free in Delaware at 6:30 a.m. This is a sharing group; food ideas and recipes, as well as welcoming people new to the gluten free community. The group welcomes those on a gluten free diet due to Celiac or gluten sensitivities and those who live with and support them. The meeting is at The Birch Tree Cafe inside Good Earth Market located at 31806 Good Earth Ln. in Clarksville, Delaware…4.8 miles west of Bethany Beach. More info? Please call 302-539-2468. The Birch Tree Cafe is the only 100% Gluten Free restaurant in Delaware…Like them on Facebook.
Saturday, 4/20 – 24th Annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Ride the Beaches, Bays & Beyond!! Discounted Rate through Friday, 3/22!! For registration, bike tour info., and events for the day, please visit http://www.bethany-fenwick.org.
Saturday, 5/11 – Annual Bethany Beach Breast Cancer Fun Run/Walk! Rain or Shine. Theme? “Safari – It Takes a Village”. The theme selected this year is for personal reasons; to honor Ann’s good friend who lost her battle with breast cancer on July 20, 2012. Her name was Nancy and she loved wearing crazy safari type clothing; animal prints in particular. So, you know what to do…..go crazy, wild, with your prints for this year’s event!
Bethany Beach Breast Cancer Fun Run/Walk is now partnering with Beebe Breast Health Center in Lewes, Delaware and Little Pink Houses of Hope. Host houses are still needed for June 1 -8 Bethany retreat for breast cancer patients and their families. For more info., please visit http://www.bethanybeachbreastcancer.com. Or, please call 302-537-9700. Note: Packet pick up will be at Bethany Area Realty, 778 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, on Friday, 5/10 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Saturday, 5/25 – Justin’s Beach House Memorial Day Week-end 5K Run/3K Walk….at 7:30 a.m. The new course will be featuring a Boardwalk Finish! Like them on Facebook!! $25 to pre-register and $30 the day of the race. There will be a post race party on the Boardwalk. Tech Tee-Shirts for all pre-registered participants, awesome awards, free goodie bags, free pre-race kiddie dash (no registration and no tee-shirts provided). More info? Please visit http://www.justinjennings.org/5k-run-walk.
Note: Plenty of amazing entertainment at The Freeman Stage, located at 31750 Lake Drive, Selbyville, Delaware….Please visit http://www.freemanstage.com so you can start planning ahead.
Not so quiet, afterall!! Have a good one!!
March 11th, 2013
It is not a fad diet, it could be a choice, though. For so many having to follow a gluten free diet is necessary to live. For those that suffer from celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, it is the only way to go. No magic pill there. For others with medical conditions like Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADD, and ADHD, the change in diet is a big help. Others, with food intolerances benefit, as well.
On a personal level, my husband was diagnosed with celiac disease over 3 years ago. Since then, my kitchen has been gluten free. It is so interesting, I have learned so much. I have also been praising the restaurants that offer their patrons with food allergies, like the ones with celiac, a safe place to eat. These restaurants at the Delaware Beaches, and Ocean City, Maryland are making it so much easier….their menus, their staff, etc. etc. The chefs, those that at times can get a little testy…how could you change my flour to a rice flour? They have been great.
“Living Gluten Free in Delaware” is a sharing group that has been meeting the 2nd Tuesday of every month at The Birch Tree Cafe inside The Good Earth Market, 31826 Good Earth Lane, Clarksville, Delaware. It is just 4 miles west of Bethany Beach. The meeting takes place from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. The discussions are about lifestyle, cooking and dining habits. They will be offering cooking and baking advice, new product info., and even some door prices!! More info? Call 302-539-2468. The Birch Tree Cafe is a 100% Gluten Free-Restaurant, Espresso Bar, and, Bake Shoppe. You can find them on Facebook. Website? http://www.birchtreecafe.com.
I stopped the other day with my son, Michael; we were hungry and besides that I wanted to get one of Cathy’s homemade gluten free pie shells. They are so good and I had already tried them in the past.
You can order at the counter, or sit down. There is also a take-out menu, as well.
We started with a cappuccino. Then, Cathy sprinkled them with a bit of Coconut sugar and cinnamon.
Michael ordered the Veggie Sandwich with Boar’s Head Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Zucchini, Squash, Apple, Red Onion, and Carrot Ribbons. Served in their in-house baked gluten free bread with a small side of their homemade applesauce.
I went with the Chickpea Deli Salad Sandwich, organic chickpeas with celery, grapes, and sliced almonds, served on their in-house gluten free bread, with lettuce and tomato. I love chickpeas so I knew I was, definitely going to like this one. The chickpeas were pulsed, so as not to be completely grounded. The combination with the grapes and almonds was very good. It also came with their homemade applesauce.
The Birch Tree Cafe opened last year. They have been very well received. Save the dates for other events to be held at the Cafe:
March 23rd – Kari Ainsworth returns!! Call 302-539-2468 for topic information. Saturday at 3 p.m.
April 6th – “Gluten–What Is It Anyway” Part 3 of 3. Join Cathy Berzins, owner of The Birch Tree Cafe and Gluten Free Chef for this informative discussion, clarifying what all the hoop-la over a gluten free diet is all about. Topics to be discussed will be gluten free flour blends, recipe conversions, making your favorite gluten free (bring your recipe). Saturday at 3 p.m.
Have a great day!!
|
Comments Off on The Birch Tree Cafe, Clarksville, Delaware, Restaurant, 100% Gluten Free, Espresso Bar, Smoothies, Baked Shoppe, Good Earth Market & Organic Farm, Delaware Eats Gluten Free, Delaware Beaches, Welcome to The Beaches