Gluten-Free Sightings 'Up North'

Having just spent the holiday weekend in the Northwoods I thought I would share with you some of our gluten-free sightings.


Shell Gas Station
Highway 70 between St. Germain and Arbor Vitae

The price of gas on the image may catch your attention but if you read on you'll see that the Shell's billboard advertises gluten-free food! Gluten-free food at a gas station?!?

While the station did carry some traditional gas station food it had a decidedly health food store feel too it. The store offers good selection of gluten-free pantry staples that one might easily forget at home. They offered quinoa, San-J Tamari, cake mix, meal replacement bars, macaroni and cheese, pasta, canned soup, a variety of Asian sauces and noodles 'kits' as well as some other items I failed to remember. Next time I'll take a picture.


The Sweet Beans
113 Railroad Street
Eagle River, WI
(715) 479-CAKE

Walking down Railroad Street I happened to notice a sign in a window of a new business that indicated the business offered gluten-free foods. Without thinking we stepped inside and lo and behold it was a coffee shop that offered baked goods and sandwiches too. The Sweet Beans offers bread for gluten-free sandwiches as well as other gluten-free baked goods. When I was there they had chocolate cookies but had sold all of the muffins.

I did ask how they protect against the risk of cross contact and learned that the equipment is used for gluten and gluten-free baking but "everything is washed and sanitized." You'll have to decide for yourself if that is enough for you. Regardless, it's a cozy little place to go for a morning cuppa or a quiet little place to hang out with free WIFI if you need a break from your vacation!


The Outdoorsman
Boulder Junction, WI
(715) 385-2826

The Outdoorsman has a wondering gluten-free dinner menu that you can read about my experience here. Unfortunately, a dinner at The Outdoorsman didn't work into our schedule. So, we inquired about lunch and was told they don't offer a gluten-free lunch menu but that the chef can fix something. We opted out of lunch but will definitely be there for dinner soon!

Gleeday Gluten-Free Week

Various local bakeries and restaurants are participating selling their certificates on Gleeday, a Groupon-like site, during Gluten-Free Week with some of the proceeds being donated to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center.

Sweet Ali's Bakery in Hinsdale has a spend $12 get $25 worth of product certificate. By the way, Sweet Ali's Bakery is providing samples for our February meeting!

Deerfield's Bakery in, of course, Deerfield has a spend $10 and get $25 worth of product certificate.

Yova Cafe in Oak Park is participating as is Rose's Wheat Free Bakery in Evanston and Affresco Pizzeria/Lounge in Park Ridge. You can link to those restaurants through one of the above links. Watch the Gleeday website for more deals during Gluten-Free Week!

CSA's list of Chicago Restaurants

Looking for a GF friendly restaurant in Chicago? Check out CSA of Greater Chicagoland's gluten-free friendly restaurants here.

The Outdoorsman - Boulder Junction, WI

The Outdoorsman is a charming and cozy Boulder Junction institution that eagerly serves gluten-free food at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Four years ago, the owner, Amy was diagnosed with celiac disease. Since then The Outdoorsman has welcomed gluten-free diners and provided a safe haven for tourists and locals alike. While the restaurant is not solely gluten free, the menu clearly labels its gluten-free options.

The breakfast and lunch options are what one would expect, but the dinner menu is what I would consider 'Northwoods Gourmet' complete with elk, buffalo, bison, pheasant, cornish hen, ostrich, etc. Those less adventurous will happily see the menu includes steak, chops, chicken and sandwiches too. Everything we ate was delicious. The soup, bone-in ribeye and pheasant (served with garlic mashed potatoes instead of pasta) was phenomenal. If you find yourself in the Northwoods, do yourself a favor and enjoy a safe meal at this charming restaurant

Reservations are encouraged and be sure to tell them you'll be eating gluten free.

The website and menu can be viewed here; their facebook page here.

The Outdoorsman
Boulder Junction, WI
715-385-2826

A Fantastic GF Food Find!

Steve Veach, a food product specialist for CSA of Greater Chicago, sent me a photo of his most recent gluten-free food find....real deal gluten-free deep dish pizza.

The pizza you see pictured above and below is made by Chicago's Pizza. It is their gluten-free deep dish spinach and cheese pizza. Steve claimed, "The pizza is absolutely amazing and tasted just like the one I had 12 years ago at Uno's Pizzeria in Chicago!"

Chicago's Pizza prepares the gluten-free dough in a separate machine in a dedicated room. Gluten-free pizzas are only available at two of Chicago's Pizzas locations - 1919 W. Montrose and 3114 N. Lincoln locations.

Chicago's Pizza
(773) 477-2777

Spinach Pie and Pita...Oh my!

Fattoush, a delicious Lebanese restaurant in Chicago, offers an extensive gluten-free menu. The menu is filled with many Middle Eastern favorites and even has gluten-free pita bread to enjoy along with your kebabs, salad, hummus, etc.

Fattoush made the switch to mainly gluten free after chef Lina was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and later an anaphylactic reaction to wheat. You can read more about that here.

OMG...It's Gluten Free!

Many thanks to OMG...It's Gluten Free for providing samples for our September meeting. OMG generously donated sausage pizza, cheese pizza, brownies and chocolate chip cookie dough which tasted fantastic even when we baked it! The OMG menu can be found here.

OMG...It's Gluten Free is conveniently located near I-80 and Harlem Avenue in Frankfort. Next time you need someone else to prepare your meal, dessert or breakfast OMG can come to your rescue!

OMG...It's Gluten Free
19810 South Harlem Avenue, Frankfort
815469-4900

Wildfire Wine Dinners

Wildfire Restaurants are hosting five gluten-free wine dinners to raise funds for University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. The event costs $75 per person with $25 being donated to UCCDC. The menu consists of four courses and each is paired with an appropriate wine.

Monday, November 8th – Wildfire Chicago
Tuesday, November 9th – Wildfire Oakbrook
Wednesday, November 10th – Wildfire Glenview
Thursday, November 11th – Wildfire Schaumburg
Friday, November 12th – Wildfire Lincolnshire

Limited reservations are available. To reserve your seats, call (312) 787-9000.

There was interest in putting together a Gluten-Free Wikaduke table so please leave a comment if you're planning on attending.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

The Chicago White Sox now offers a plethora of a gluten-free choices including beer, hot dogs WITH buns, sandwiches, nachos with various toppings, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream! Kudos to the Chicago White Sox for considering the needs of their gluten-free fans!

The Chicago White Sox Press Release announcing the gluten-free foods as well as the locations of those items within the park can be found here.

Many thanks to Heather for sharing this delightful news with us!

Biaggi's $10 Tuesdays!

The promotion is only valid after 4pm.

Biaggi's
2752 Showplace Drive
Naperville, IL 60564
630-428-8500

The Cheese Factory Restaurant - WI Dells

If any of you find yourself in the Wisconsin Dells, be sure to check out the Cheese Factory Restaurant. It's a vegetarian restaurant that offers an interesting gluten-free options as well as vegan options in a peaceful setting right in the heart of the Wisconsin Dells.

The Cheese Factory makes what Rachel Ray claims to be one of four "over-the-top" grilled cheese sandwiches in the United States! It's a grilled cheese club sandwich consisting of three larges slices of bread, four different types of cheese, several slices of tomato and Italian seasoning.

In preparing for a recent visit to the Dells, I called ahead to see if they would make me their famous sandwich if I provided gluten-free bread. They agreed so long as they weren't busy when I was there as they wanted to make sure they could do so safely. We got there as soon as they opened while the grills were still clean and they made me their famous sandwich using SIX slices of Udi's bread. The sandwich turned out to be grilled cheese I've ever had in my life and much more than I could eat. Next time, yes, there will be a next time, I'll ask them to make it with three slices of bread. ;)

The (GF) Melting Pot

Thanks to Jasenia for making us aware that The Melting Pot is now participating in GIG's Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program. The Melting Pot's extensive gluten-free menu can be found here.

The Melting Pot
4931 S. Route 59
Naperville
630-717-8301

OMG It's Gluten Free!

Susan and Alisa both mentioned it. Now it's my turn! OMG It's Gluten Free is a new gluten free bakery/cafe that opened in Frankfort. They offer several different baked goods as well as some savory items. The full menu can be viewed here. At the April meeting Susan waxed poetically about the pizza, lasagna, brownies and well nearly everything. OMG It's Gluten Free went above and beyond in the customer service by delivering a few forgotten items to her home in Plainfield! Alisa said "the take-and-bake pizza was really good!"

For those of you hosting a party, you might want to consider their lasagna. A HUGE pan (18 servings of 2 pieces per person) is $45.95; the 9 serving (2 pieces per person) is $24.95. They can even round out your menu with salad, rolls and dessert. The brownies are very good!

So if you find yourself near Frankfort and are hungry do yourself a favor and stop at OMG It's Gluten Free. You'll be happy you did...especially if you get a brownie!

Biaggi's, Naperville - GF Wine Dinner!

They said they were going to do it, but I was skeptical. I should have known better! Biaggi's in Naperville will host a gluten-free wine dinner that will take place on Thursday, April 29 at 6:30 pm.

There wine dinner which costs $65 per person includes six courses each paired with wine or a gluten-free beer. Among many other dishes, the mouth watering menu includes lobster ravioli, squash blossoms stuffed with crab, braised rabbit, foie gras pate and smoked trout!

Reservations are limited to 42 people and must be secured with a credit card. Don't wait to make those reservations!

Biaggi's
2752 Showplace Drive, Naperville
630-428-8500

It Was Greek to Me!

For sometime, Venus which is located in Chicago's Greek town neighborhood has offered a gluten-free menu! It's shocking that we didn't know about this before, but better late than never.

Neither Mary nor Tracy have experienced Venus' GF service so we are simply reporting new information. If you give the restaurant a try, please post a comment and let us know how it goes!

More GF Options at P.F. Changs!

On March 8, P.F. Changs will add a several new dishes to its gluten-free menu. The new entrees include:

• Gluten-Free Beef with Broccoli
• Gluten-Free Pepper Steak
• Gluten-Free Beef a la Sichuan
• Gluten-Free Hong Kong Beef with Snow Peas
  
• Gluten-Free Dali Chicken
• Gluten-Free Mongolian Beef
  

To view the new gluten-free menu, click here.

A Disappointing Night at Bolingbrook Golf Club

Let me first start by saying that in the past Bolingbrook Golf Club has been able to provide safe, gluten-free meals for its Celiac guests. I know this because I enjoyed their gluten-free entree which consisted of a large serving of plain grilled chicken and steamed vegetables without reprecussions in May of last year.

Unfortunately, last weekend I didn't have the same luck. I made two phone calls to Bolingbrook Golf Club. My first call to Taryn was not returned so I called again. The second phone call connected me to Julie who told me she would forward my information to Taryn. Julie said that they would provide me with a gluten-free meal which would consist of grilled chicken and steamed vegetables. Julie also told me that they had the seating chart and that they knew where to deliver the meal so I wouldn't need to talk to anyone upon my arrival.

The first sign of trouble began when the salads were served. I asked if the salad dressing was gluten free and the waiter seemed unsure so he got help in the form of the captain. The captain had no record of a gluten-free meal being requested but said that they could accomodate me and would prepare a grilled chicken breast and vegetables. Perfect! As for the salad, before arriving at my table he asked the chef if the salad and dressing were gluten free and they were.

When the entrees were served the waiter placed a plate of zucchini and squash linguine in front of me and declared it gluten free. I immediately got up and questioned a supervisor who also proclaimed it was gluten free. So there were two people pointing at my food in front of 7 other people telling me it was gluten free. Needless to say, I didn't eat the pasta. Sadly, the chicken and vegetables never arrived and the captain who had helped me earlier was not to be seen again.

I had Chex Mix for dinner at 12:30am.

The next business day I called and spoke to Lisa who seemed very disappointed in my experience. She connected me to Randy, food and beverage manager, who said he would communicate with his staff. He wasn't willing to share what he was going to communicate nor did he offer any form of an apology.

My advice to those attending upcoming events at BGC, eat before you go or take a meal with you!

Wildfire Fundraiser for UCCDC

According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center there is only one event taking place on February 16 at Wildfire and that is the event at their Glenview location.

The four course meal with wine pairings costs $60 and that includes tax and gratuity. For each person in attendance, Wildfire will donate $25 to UCCDC. The menu for the event may be found here.

More information on the event may be found here.

New restaurant - Bin 48!

I went to a new restaurant Friday night. I asked about gluten free menus items. They do not have a menu per say but will make what you want GF. I spoke with Cheryl Smith, manager who mentioned the chef's MOTHER HAS Celiacs Disease! So..he understands all about cross contamination! I will be bringing my hubby there soon! The name of the place is Bin 48 Wine Bar and Grill. Its located downtown Plainfield. I had the pork chop and it was great! Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday! Wendy

Restaurants with Gluten-Free Menu

Cooper's Hawk Winery in Orland Park and Burr Ridge has a gluten-free menu. View it here.

White Chocolate Grill in Naperville also has a gluten-free menu.