March 27th, 2012

Eating Gluten Free in Delray Beach, Florida, Village by The Sea, South Florida, Palm Beach County, Gluten Free Pizza?, You got it!!

For the past 3 years we have been eating gluten free in my household.  It is something we had to get used to.  When you have to, then you do it.  Pretty soon you become an expert; reading labels, being protective and proactive; outspoken, and informed.

I embraced new flours made out of chickpeas, rice, coconut; did not know they even existed.

Since 1 in 133 people are afflicated with Celiac Disease; we better get used to the idea of eating gluten free.  It is the only way to get healthy again; a commitment to eating gluten free forever.

Celiac disease is a genetic, autoimmune disease.  A percentage of diabetics also contract it.   Besides the Celiac disease, there are people with intolerances to gluten, but do not have the full blown disease.

Not only do you have to avoid foods like breads, pasta, crackers, cookies and beer; but also soy sauce, soaps, shampoos, food colorings, that may contain gluten.  Reading labels and contacting the manufacturing companies will be your best bet.  I do it all the time.  And, they are very helpful.

Another thing you have to check out is medications, generics, and over the counter.

Some companies will tell you that their plant is gluten free and that their products are, as well.  Others will tell you that they cannot guarantee it because some of the compounds come from foreign countries.  It takes some time to find the right companies, but they are there.

I was just at my local supermarket, Giant.  On top of the gluten allergy.  I took pictures of the give-away magazine; “gluten free” right on the front cover, and back.

Restaurants have been a challenge in Delray Beach and South Florida, in general, but they are getting better all the time.  Only a few here or there have menus, but they seem to be happy to accommodate you.  The Chefs have not been overzealous and are willing to adjust the recipes. 

When you go to a restaurant, make sure they know you have a food allergy.  You do not want your food contaminated and please don’t bring me a piece of bread on my plate.

If you are in Delray Beach, you can call the restaurants.  The following ones will work with you. 

Ziree Thai & Sushi located at 401 West Atlantic Ave., 561-276-6549,  http://www.zireethai.com.   This restaurant has Tamari gluten free soy sauce.  We kept asking them to have it and slowly other customers did ask and voila!!

Cabana El Rey at 105 East Atlantic Ave., 561-274-9090, www.cabanarestaurant.com.  The picadillo, the roasted chicken, churrasco, rice, beans, do not contain gluten. 

Vic & angelo’s, 290 East Atlantic Ave., www.vicandangelos.com. The chefs at this restaurant are willing to work with you.  Make sure you mention the gluten allergy.  They will substitute.

Mellow Mushroom, 25 S.E. 6th Avenue, www.mellowmushroom.com/delraybeach.  They have gluten free pizza.  Even though I think the gluten free pizza will never be as good as the “real” pizza, if you have not had it in a long time, it will start tasting pretty good.

Brule Bistro, 200 NE 2nd Ave., 561-274-2046, www.brulebistro.com. Salads, soups and other entrees are easily adjusted.  Again, make sure you mention the gluten allergy.

Bru’s Room, www.brusroom.com.  They have the best grilled wings.  Ask for the Triple Threat (not hot, just with a nice kick and garlic), or the Sweet and Tangy, my favorites.  They are gluten free and Bru’s Room does have a gluten free menu.

Just recently someone wrote to my website regarding Bru’s Room and my mentioning it to be gluten free.  They got a piece of bread on their plate and the server said the menu was new.  I had written originally, in 2010. 

I guess it is a good as time as any, to mention a disclaimer from AboutMyBeaches.  This blog is my diary; I guess you could say I am an open book.  These are my experiences and my pictures.  I enjoy food and the company of friends and family.  Then, I pass it on to you.  Again, you have to take control in the restaurant, afterall, you are the customer.  If you do not think you are being served and attended they way you deserve, then you do know what you need to do….

The Sundy House is located at 106 S. Swinton Ave., 561-272-5678.  www.sundyhouse.com.  They have a new gluten free menu.  I have not tried it.

South of downtown Delray Beach, on Linton Boulevard:

Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 335 East Linton Blvd., 561-266-9393, www.carrabbas.com.   They do have a gluten free menu.  A tip:  If you see so many people waiting to get in, just go into the bar and you can grab any of those tables without a reservation, as they become available.

Outback Steakhouse, 1300 Linton Blvd., 561-272-7201.  They do have a gluten free menu.

Note:  On Atlantic Avenue, in downtown Delray there is Nutrition Cottage at 407 E. Atlantic Ave., http://www.nutritioncottage.com.  They have a wide selection of gluten free products, including a freezer with frozen breads, desserts and other goodies.  On January 7th I wrote about them on this blog. All you have to do is click on the month of January, 2012 and scroll down to the 7th.

Regarding grocery stores…..some better than others; Publix, Winn Dixie, Whole Foods, not in that order, though.

You can check the website of Celiac Disease Foundation of South Florida, http://www.cdfsouthflorida.org.

If you do happen to get that glazed look from your server as you mention the “gluten allergy”, ask to speak with the Manager.   Good luck and have a great day!!

February 9th, 2011

Mellow Mushroom, Delray Beach, Florida, Restaurant, Review, Pizza Bakers, Gluten Free Pizza, Village by the Sea, South Florida, Palm Beach County

My status is:  I am on a quest; to find the best gluten free pizza.  But, the reality is that there is no comparison to the real thing.  Thankful for the fact that restaurants are trying their best?  You bet!!!

In the past year as I visited Delray I noticed Mellow Mushroom.  They are pizza bakers but they also have calzones, hoagies, appetizers, salads and lots of different types of beer.  It seems that they do draw a nice crowd, whether is for lunch or dinner.  It was not going to happen since it is a pizza joint and my husband has a gluten allergy, therefore, he has to eat gluten-free.  So, I forgot about them.

Surprise, surprise.  I got an e-mail that listed different restaurants throughout the U.S. with gluten free items in their menu. Mellow Mushroom was listed.  I called them and they said that they offered gluten-free pizza every day.

This past Monday we paid them a visit to see for ourselves.  My husband just wanted a thin, crispy crust pizza.  He said it would make his year if he got that.

Mellow Mushroom is located on 25 S.E. 6th Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483.  Tel. 561-330-3040.  Website is www.mellowmushroom.com/delraybeach.  You will also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

As you come into the restaurant you will find that it looks like it is an easy going place; funky decor.  Just like a lot of businesses start, this one was started by friends back in the day.  Yes, 1974 and near Georgia Tech.  At present, the headquarters are in Atlanta.

It is a franchise; individually owned and operated with its own twist and theme throughout the restaurant; adding local color.  Mellow Mushroom is open Mondays – Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 until 12:00 a.m. and Sundays from 11:30 until 11:00 p.m.  Please check the website for specials.

On with our dining experience; I don’t want to get off track.  We were seated immediately and it was about 8 p.m.  The restaurant was comfortably crowded.  We ordered something to drink.  And, that is when we decided that the restaurant was going to be disjointed.

Waiting a long time for those drinks to come we already had seen the menu and knew what we wanted.  One person wanted the calzone.  I wanted the tossed salad with a balsamic dressing.  And, you know already what my husband wanted; the gluten free pizza.  Toppings?  Green peppers, onions, ground beef, and mushrooms. 

The waitress was friendly and finally she arrived with the drinks.  Our order was then placed and my husband was waiting in anticipation for his thin crust pizza.

For the time of the evening, they took a long time.  I do know that they cook to order, but it took a long time.  Then the calzone came out, then my salad and then the pizza.  At that point, another round of drinks was ordered and the waitress had forgotten my balsamic dressing so she was to bring that, as well.

The calzone was okay, but nothing to write home about. 

I was dissapointed with my salad because the tomatoes were limp; almost like they were past their prime.  Two sad slices of bacon on top.  Plus, I still did not have the dressing and I ordered it again.  By the time it arrived I had eaten the toppings on the salad so only lettuce was there.  Not worth taking a picture.

I must admit that the pizza looked great.  Again, it will never be the real thing but for someone that cannot eat regular pizza, this was a real treat.   We did have to send it back to get it more crispy, though.  I had a few slices myself, and I will say that I will come back again for it.

That was the experience.  Lukewarm, I guess.  Definitely, worth checking again.

Talk to you later…you know I will…