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!
May 19th, 2012
Finally, Jody and I were able to make it to GreenMan. Can’t wait for this very popular breakfast and lunch spot to open every day. At the moment GreenMan is opening Thursdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
GreenMan Juice Bar & Bistro is located at 12 Wilmington Ave., right on the ocean block. Tel. 302-227-4909. Keep that number because you can order take-out, including whole quiches, as well.
Some of the Rehoboth Beach restaurants are located in old “cottages” that give them character and distinction. GreenMan is one of such restaurants. It has been spruced up to tackle another summer season at the Delaware Beaches.
The porch at GreenMan is sought after. The restaurant is small; inside tables and a small ordering bar.
There are blackboards mentioning the daily offerings, besides their menu. The staff is friendly and some have been there a long time.
I wanted to order a shot of their wheat grass. I feel that when I come to GreenMan I need to be eating as healthy as possible.
On that particular day they did not have it so I decided to get the Super Juice. It had carrot, apple, spinach and beets. I love beets and that was the primary taste on this very colorful juice.
I think Jody had either the Hawaiian Escape or the Strawberry Seduction. I can’t remember, but definitely bananas were the primary fruits. You can tell by the color of our juices which one was hers and which was mine.
Throughout the day GreenMan serves gourmet sandwiches, salads, homemade soups, quiches, and burgers. Teas, smoothies and organic drinks are always favorites.
Jody decided on a tomato and spinach quiche. Always popular the quiches go quickly. You can also order whole quiches to take home.
I decided to have a tofu and potato wrap. If you think that was boring; think twice. Delicious and perfectly seasoned.
One day, I am not kidding, I am going to have their Creme Brulee French Toast…..as soon as I decide I want to gain weight…I will do that. It is one of their most photographed offerings.
Sunny at the Delaware Beaches!!….Have a Great Day in Rehoboth Beach…
June 18th, 2011
I was ready for GreenMan. New season and new expectations. Breakfast with Jody. She is a foodie and ready to try anything. She held back a bit when I asked for a shot of wheat grass. Come on, I said, you have to tried it. I was telling her this, knowing that I had never had it myself. I expected a very earthy taste. It was somewhat earthy but what gave it a sweetness was a small piece of apple which was put through the juicer. About 3 bunches of the wheat grass make just a couple of ounces. Jody tried it and thought the same thing; not bad at all. I sipped my wheat grass through my breakfast and felt totally “green”.
 Green shot of wheat grass with a sliver of apple I have written about GreenMan in the past. If you want to, check my post, written on 12/17/10. Just go on the left hand side of this blog and click on the month of December and then scroll down to the 17th.
GreenMan is located at 12 Wilmington Avenue. Tel. 302-227-4901. On Facebook, just like everyone else is. The restaurant opens Wednesdays through Mondays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
It has an extensive menu and I have had delicious breakfasts while sitting in this quaint house. At times I have sat outside, on their porch, depending on the weather. GreenMan is simple, and small. It is popular and can get crowded easily.
Fresh fruit juices, smoothies, quiches, organic coffees, paninis, salads and bison burgers, among some of their offerings. The grits with sausage and cheese is a favorite. So is the creme brulee French toast, which I will have some day. Right now, only in my dreams.
Jody and I sat around and started to catch on our lives. We both can talk. When it was time to order Jody chose the tomato and basil quiche. GreenMan’s quiches are well known. You can also order full quiches, which is great to know in case you have unexpected guests. Just give them a call.
In keeping with my “green” attitude of the day I ordered a tofu wrap. It was very good. Chopped potatoes, tofu, spinach and just enough seasoning for breakfast.
If you are in Rehoboth Beach or surrounding areas and want to have a good breakfast or lunch, you should give GreenMan a try. Let me know how you like it.
Hope you have a nice week-end…..see you….
August 20th, 2010
Hey, how are you? This is the third time I am going to be talking about cupcakes.
Is there a battle between Cupcakes and Muffins; Really? A Faceoff, no less.
What are the differences between one another and, which ones do we ultimately like best?
Ask anyone and they will tell you that the differences are that the cupcakes have that wonderful frosting which evoke childhood memories; the muffin, well it’s just a muffin.
But, no way, the difference is really about sweetness. The cupcake is a “small cake” and one individual portion; whereas, the muffin, while also an individual portion is often sweetened, but not necessarily.
Muffins tend to be more like breads. They are more dense and therefore, more flour is used. There is a marked difference in texture. The cupcake is much lighter and, of course, there is that icing.
I had mentioned to a couple of people that I was going to be visiting Cake Break located at 7 South First St., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-260-9264. Website www.cakebreakrehoboth.com. They are on Facebook and Twitter. E-mail is cakebreakrehoboth@gmail.com. They are open from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Rachel Rockstarr contacted me through this blog and told me that I needed to try them. Some of the people I talked to had different opinions; I needed to check them out myself.
At Cake Break I met Eleanor, Samjeeb, Andriy and Jackie. All work in different capacities and all very eager to show me the shop.
It is not only cupcakes that are baked and sold here but they also have Surf Bagels, coffee, newspapers, cinnamon rolls, smoothies and breakfast cupcakes. The menu changes daily. You may choose to sit on one of their stools or outside on the bench.
Cake Break can customize any cupcake. They also bake special order cakes. Just give them a little bit of time and they will have them ready for you. You can also call Cake Break ahead of time and pick up your order at curbside.
Customers with food allergies should breathe a sight of relief. They offer Vegan, Nut Free and Gluten Free cupcakes. The Gluten Free and the Nut Free can easily be iced, but they are still in the developing stages of a Vegan free icing. Remember that vegans do not consume any animal products.
The chocolate gluten free cupcake got the best reviews in my household. We have tried many of them and by far this one was the best.
The Red Velvet with red cocoa, and cream cheese icing was delicious but I have to tell you that my personal favorite was the Rum Raisin Bread Pudding cupcake/muffin. It had cinnamon, raisins and a rum icing.
Eleanor loves to make coffee and I had an iced coffee latte and off I went to explore what else Rehoboth had to offer on a summer day.
The question by Cake Break to you is, “Is it time for you to take a cake break.?”
And, my question to you is, Will Cake Break make it into the Cup Cake Wars on t.v.? Stay tuned.
Note: If you would like to check my other 2 posts on cupcakes, then go to the left hand side of this blog and under Archives click on January and scroll down to the 5th. That was Sweet Sin in Baltimore, Maryland. You can check the other post by clicking on the month of June and scroll down to the 14th and that company, Cupcake Couture is in Delray Beach, Florida.
Have a great week-end!!
March 25th, 2010
Once again, I will have to repeat that some say passion is your key to success and others say that if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life.
It was late in the afternoon, and you know how pretty it was. I felt like I wanted a cup of coffee. Since I was near Lewes I ventured into Notting Hill, which is a coffee roastery. But it is more than a coffee shoppe, read on…
Nobody was in the shoppe when I came in and it was around 4:15 p.m. They were closing at 5 p.m.
In a few of my past posts I have mentioned the winning dispositions of some business owners. You know from the moment they look at you that they are friendly; a smile says it all. And, that is just what happened when I met Amy Felker who is the owner and roaster of Notting Hill. I only met her briefly but that is all it took.
She has been known to say “Most people don’t like what they do, but I love what I do”. That is her passion!
Notting Hill is located in the center of Lewes, Delaware, right on 124 Second Street. Tel. toll free 888-99-Latte or 302-645-0733. Website is www.nottinghillcoffee.com. E-mail address is amy@nottinghillcoffee.com.
Notting Hill started with a partnership but since 2003 she has been the sole owner and roaster.
She roasts herself every single bean. You know, coffee roasting is a chemical process by which flavor components are either created, balanced, or altered in a way that augments the flavor, acidity, aftertaste and body of the coffee.
A lot of Amy’s flavors and all of her blends are owned by her; they are unique and you will not find them anywhere else.
So, after Amy roasts her beans then they are bagged. All bags are stamped by her and her staff. Notting Hill distributes wholesale, as well. Amy can make thousands of different beverages at the shop and more than 135 different types of coffee are on the shelf. She really runs the day to day operation of the shoppe.
Depending on the year, she can sell 25,000-40,000 lbs. of coffee.
Coffee has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. Business and coffee go hand in hand. It is a favorite around the world and has been for a long time regardless of how or where it is served.
That tiny bean is responsible for the employment of thousands of people.
Notting Hill is a very warm and cozy coffee shop. But there are so many other delectables sold here. You should know that just like the coffees, all baked goods and soups and sandwiches are baked or cooked in the shoppe.
The shoppe opens at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. During the summer season there will be extended hours.
Some customers come for specific baked goods like the Blueberry Puffing Muffin, which is like a blueberry muffin inside a pastry. Just check the picture yourself.
Another favorite is the Ooey Gooey which is a long twisted cinnamon pastry with cinnamon and sugar. I did not see one, but I can see it being similar to a Spanish churro, if you have ever had one, except this one is twisted.
You can find cookies, muffins, scones; everything that goes well with coffee. But, coffee is not the only beverage served here; there are smoothies and blended iced teas, as well.
There is a great assortment for the tea drinker. Loose teas to be bought to take home or just to be enjoyed sitting in one of the tables inside the shoppe, while you read one of the newspapers available for the customers.
On the Board you will find an Espresso Menu, as well as a Menu consisting of the daily offerings. Another small board will announce the Organic Java of the Day. And a third board will be a Cocoa Menu with all kinds of cocoa drinks, even sugar free ones.
The whole time I was there, Linda, who also works at Notting Hill was busy getting ready to close for the day, but customers started to come in and she graciously took care of them.
As I was sitting sipping my coffe I started to remember the Puerto Rican coffee that was always so well known, and all the coffee plantations around the island, now Paradores or Inns. Some of the coffees from Puerto Rico are Cafe Yaucono, Cafe Crema, Cafe Rico, Cafe Pilon, Yauco Selecto and Cafe Alto Grande. Puerto Rican coffee is rich and full-bodied.
A few things worth mentioning are: Some of the coffees available at Notting Hill are bird friendly, Smithsonian certified and Rainforest Alliance certified.
You should really visit the website above mentioned. You can place orders, check what they have besides coffee and most of all get a sense of what Amy is all about.
If you are visiting our Delaware Beaches check this shoppe out. Their new omelette in a muffin will be making its debut soon.
As Notting Hill gets into the month of April they are so excited since April 30th will be their 20th anniversary. Congratulations!!
That’s all for tonight…See you and talk to you later….
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