March 27th, 2012
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!!
January 22nd, 2012
In Delray Beach, Florida some restaurants come and go, just like anywhere else. But then, there are those who are now part of the established eateries that make this Village by the Sea such a South Florida destination. They are serving tried and true dishes; some are a house specialty and some are a customer’s favorite.
So, if you find yourselves in this Village by The Sea, enjoy the town, the beach, the shops and all the restaurants; some are more casual than others, but almost all of them offer al fresco dining.
I visit Delray often and the following restaurants are favorites in Delray. They all offer so much on their menu. But, there are some dishes that I am totally hooked on. Check my list.
Ziree Thai and Sushi is located at 401 West Atlantic Ave. (a few blocks west of the Delray Beach Tennis Center). Tel. 561-276-6549. Website? http://www.zireethai.com.
Sushi, sashimi, other Asian delights are among the many dishes. I have been visiting Ziree since they opened and have seen it grow and be such a part of the local community.
I love a dish called the Atlantic Ocean. It is a combination of salmon, shrimp, scallops, squid and mussels, steamed in thick curry sauce and basil leaves. It is a delicious dish and can you believe that it is only $19.95. It is served with your choice of white or brown rice.
Jimmy’s Bistro has been in Delray for a few years, at 9 S. Swinton. Tel. 561-865-5774. You can find Jimmy’s Bistro on Facebook. I was there when Jimmy first opened the bistro. I knew success was around the corner. It was a matter of time; a few passed the word around and Jimmy has become very much loved in the community. It is small, quaint and has great background music.
One of my true favorites and I imagine, a signature dish along with his Po’ Boy is Jimmy’s Tomato Soup with Parmesan Crust. It is served steaming hot; love poking through the crust to find a comforting soup. It is filling so get a lighter entree. Or, have a salad with it.
Cabana El Rey – It is referred to as Cabana, located at 105 East Atlantic Ave. Tel. 561-274-9090. Website? www.cabanarestaurant.com. This restaurant serves a variety of Latin dishes; tostones, mariquitas, coconut rice, morcillas, paella, rice in squid ink, but a favorite of mine and one that you will always find on its menu, is the Pollo Asado which is a half roasted chicken rubbed with adobo (garlic, oregano, lime and extra virgin olive oil). It is served with a choice of yellow or white rice and beans, of course. It is $17.95 and is the best; kid you not.
Tramonti is located at 119 E. Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-272-1944. Website? www.tramontidelray.com. This restaurant is one of those that is crowded all the time. Do anything you can to get ahead of the line; speak Italian? That’s even better. They serve a very good lunch too if dinner is not your thing or reservations are hard to get.
A signature dish of Tramonti is called Spaghetti in Cartoccio Areo. It is a baked spaghetti with shrimp, parma prosciutto in a cognac cream sauce. The baking is done in foil. Well seasoned, thick sauce, just enough cognac.
Another favorite? Carpaccio Di Manzo is a beef carpaccio on a bed of arugola, capers, balsamic vinegar and shaves of parmigiano cheese. It is more of an appetizer.
Brule Bistro is in what is known as Pineapple Grove. This Art District of Delray is becoming a second Atlantic Avenue. Brule is located at 200 NE 2nd Ave., Tel. 561-274-2046. Website? www.brulebistro.com. I have yet to make it for dinner; that will be soon, though. The restaurant has a good menu and an extensive wine list.
The chilled gazpacho with yogurt creme is excellent on a hot South Florida day. Homemade; not canned.
The Market Salad is a favorite and it has assorted veggies and white balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Topped with grilled chicken, it is certainly a beautiful meal.
City Oyster was one of the first restaurants I went to when I first came to Delray Beach about 9 years ago. It is located at 213 East Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-272-0220. Website? www.cityoysterdelray.com. Definitely it is defined as American Cuisine. It has a great bar and very impressive inside. I usually just sit outside having what I love there best; raw oysters. They are from different parts of the country. Served on ice, plump and salty. That’s all I need to say.
Vic & Angelo’s is located at 290 East Atlantic Ave. Tel. 561-278-9570. Website? www.vicandangelos.com. Great atmosphere, good bread, fine wings, and delicious pastas, but one dish that I order every single time is the V & A Caesar Salad. Romaine Hearts, hand shaved Reggiano, white anchovies with the homemade Caesar dressing makes this one of my favorite salads. It is large enough to share; I never do and I never offer either.
After that salad a veal picatta with artichokes, capers and lemon jus…is a favorite, as well.
Bru’s Room is a Sport’s Bar right in the heart of Delray. Along with many types of beers, and plenty of televisions for all the sport aficionados, they serve the best, bar none, Wings. I usually order the Triple Threat. It is a combination of all their wings; BBQ, Sweet ‘N’ Tangy and hot, grilled and topped with minced garlic. You can leave the garlic out or just get like I sometimes do, the Sweet ‘N’ Tangy, but the magic word is Grilled. You can order them for take-out, as well. Call 561-276-3663. Bru’s Room is located at 35 NE 2nd Ave. Website? www.brusroom.com. The wings are gluten free and it is one of the few restaurants that I have encountered in South Florida offering a gluten free menu.
The Office is located at 201 East Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-276-3600. Website? www.theofficedelray.com. No ordinary office this is. They serve outdoors, at the bar or indoors. I have had different salads at the office; some are specials but one that is always on their menu and a favorite is the Vinegar Maker’s Salad. Romaine, tomato, avocado, cucumber, carrot, onion, olives, chick peas, and roasted cauliflower. It is even better topped with a fish, beef or chicken. My choice is usually beef.
A resurgence of deviled eggs I have found to be in a lot of restaurants. Their Truffled Deviled Eggs with paprika and chives are so good.
The Dark english Ale Battered Fish with salt and vinegar “chips”, pan fried onion dip, and cole slaw does not have any rivals.
Lemongrass is located at 420 E. Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-278-0222. It is a happening spot with plenty of customers enjoying unique fare. I have had, just like in the above mentioned restaurants, plenty of what they have to offer, but, one dish that is outstanding, besides being a conversation piece is their Holly Snapper. Boneless and fried snapper, topped with a garlic sweet chili sauce. I take my time in eating it and savour every last bite. Love it!!
Another favorite and signature dish is the Lobster Monster Roll…crispy lobster, cucumber, scallions, asparagus, masago, I/O with sesame seeds. This is all you need to order.
Delray Beach, let me tell you that you have come a long way….good for you…talk to you later.
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