Gluten-Free at Taste of Kiva Zip NYC

Last week I went to a really cool event in Manhattan. This event was hosted by KivaZip. According to KivaZip FAQ, "Kiva Zip is part of Kiva.org. It is a small project through which lenders make microfinance loans directly to borrowers in the U.S. and Kenya via the Internet. Kiva Zip was launched as a pilot in November 2011 and moved into its Alpha testing phase in September 2012."

I was already familiar with Kiva.org but didn't realize that they were now funding entrepreneurs closer to home. As a small business owner, I know how difficult it can be to start up a company. I think this community supported type of financing is such a cool idea. Find a product or project you believe in, support it financially, and get your money back. It's as simple as that!

I was especially impressed with the Taste of Kiva Zip event because there were so many gluten-free businesses displaying their products. I think more than half were actually gluten-free! These businesses were funded thanks to the microfinance loans through KivaZip. The money raised helped them to launch their businesses or move it into the next level of product. The producers were grateful and very friendly. I was happy to meet and eat!

Please help support these small gluten-free businesses by visiting their websites and purchasing their products!

Nuts+Nuts, a farm-direct Indonesian Roasted Cashew Company
http://nutsplusnuts.com/

itskale: baked kale and chia seed chips
http://www.itskale.com/ 

Hernan Mole Pipian
NOTE: only this version of their mole is gluten-free!
http://www.hernanllc.com/  

Hernan Mexican Hot Chocolate
http://www.hernanllc.com/

Little Luna Cookies from 8 Bit Bakeshop
https://www.8bitbakeshop.com/little-luna.html 

Ka-Pow Veggie Jamz
http://veggiejamz.com/

Nonna's Sauces
http://www.citysaucery.com/nonnas-sweet-sauce/

Note, many of these products are made in shared facilities or incubator kitchens. I spoke to each producer to explain I was celiac and not just eating gluten-free by choice. It is up to you if you feel comfortable eating these products.



Are you interested in helping a gluten-free company build their business through a microfinance loan on KivaZip? Help Yummy Mummy Cupcakery, a gluten-free and vegan bakery, reach her goal by lending money today! https://zip.kiva.org/loans/14952

Gluten-Free in New York City Updates

If you follow me on Gluten-Free Globetrotter, you might have seen my post on Friday. Over the past seven years or so, I have been maintaining a map of New York City's gluten-free friendly restaurants. This is a never-ending process because restaurants in NYC open and close with the blink of an eye sometimes. Nevertheless, I have committed to keeping this updated over the next few months. I hope you find this helpful and that you share with your friends.

With more than 150 places currently on the map and at least 200 more to add, this is definitely a HUGE project. If I am missing any of your favorite restaurants, please send me an email at gfglobetrotter@gmail.com.



CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MAP!

Toffee and Ice Cream Making Class in New York City

Ok, stop licking your monitor and sign up for this class right now! 

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

NYC

Join the NYC Celiac Meetup group for a tasty toffee tutorial and ice cream lesson while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the new gluten-free commercial kitchen space in East Harlem’s historic La Marqueta building. 

Laurie Pauker from Laurie & Sons Candy, proves why she has a toffee pedigree lauded by The New York Times by demonstrating how to make toffee in a professional toffee maker, as well as how you can make it on your own stovetop. Each attendee will get to dip their own toffees in chocolate and finish them with sea salt or other spices and take their creations home in a box. 

Catherine Oddenino from Luca & Bosco ice cream - recently selected as one of The Village Voice's top 100 dishes in NYC - will show how a professional ice cream machine (batch freezer) works, and explain the science of ice cream. We'll churn up some gluten-free Cookies & Cream ice cream, taste other ice cream flavors and take home a pint. Wine will also be served.  

The kitchen is entirely gluten-free. Note, the toffee and ice cream both contain dairy. 

Cost per person is $42 which includes a PayPal processing fee. Buy your tickets here.

Pasta Flyer Lands in New York City Tomorrow Through Saturday

I am so excited to announce that Pasta Flyer finally lands in New York City tomorrow! I first connected with Chef Mark Ladner of Del Posto via Twitter when I learned about his gluten-free pasta side project. Then, the Chef Mark Ladner hosted a gluten-free pasta dinner for the NYC Celiac Meetup group in June. After that, I was lucky enough to be brought onto the Pasta Flyer team to help with social media and the pop-up events up and down the East Coast. Chef Mark likes to cook and I like to "tweet and eat" gluten-free pasta. It was a win-win situation!

This NYC Pasta Flyer pop-up is three days only, so be sure to stop in for a delicious bowl of gluten-free pasta. The entire Pasta Flyer menu is 100% gluten-free. I will be there all three days so be sure to ask for me when you stop in! See you there.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1010542208971189

Pasta Flyer Pop-Up in NYC
December 18-20, 2014

Lunch (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
11:30am-3:30pm

Dinner (Saturday only)
5:00pm-8:00pm

7 Cornelia Street
between West 4th Street and Bleecker Street

NO RESERVATIONS! First come, first served!

NYC Marathon Pledge-a-thon with the NYC Celiac Meetup Group

Join the NYC Celiac Meetup Group as we support the Celiac Disease Foundation Team gluten-free™ at the 2014 TCS NYC Marathon!

On Sunday, November 2, six amazing athletes will be running for CDF Team gluten-free™ to help promote awareness for celiac disease and non-celiac disease gluten sensitivity. The NYC Celiac Meetup Group is hosting an online pledge-a-thon to help raise money for CDF Team gluten-free™. This is not an in-person event. Please support this year’s CDF Team gluten-free™ runners at the 2014 TCS NYC Marathon.

Your RSVP and donation will go directly to CDF Team gluten-free™. Everyone donating $25.00 through this page will receive a T-shirt. To donate $25.00, please RSVP here and pay on this event page using PayPal.

Click here to learn more and to donate on the NYC Celiac Meetup Page.

New York Celebrate Celiac Community Party This Weekend (Plus Giveaway!)

On Saturday, September 20, the Gluten Free Calendar Celebrate Celiac™ Community Party returns to New York City! In it's second year, the Celebrate Celiac event is slated to be even bigger and better than last year's first time in the Big Apple. Tickets are only $5 and the first 50 people to attend will receive a gift card to Pala Pizza and a bag of gluten-free goodies.

I am speaking first thing in the morning and will have my own table at this Saturday's event. I am representing the NYC Celiac Meetup group and will also have some gluten-free goodies to giveaway! Think of it as a Gluten-Free Garage Sale. Stop by and say hello.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Affinia Manhattan

371 7th Avenue, New York, NY
Grand Ballroom

10am-1pm

Ages 7+: $5 at the door*

12 and under: FREE

* 50% donated to the National Celiac Disease Society, a 501 c (3) non-profit organization

Want to win two tickets to the event! Enter below. 

For more information about the event, visit our NYC Celiac Meetup event page!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AllergyEats Food Allergy Conference

This October, I plan on attending the 3rd Annual AllergyEats Food Allergy Conference in New York City. This conference is for restaurateurs and food service professionals with a focus on "How to Maximize Safety and Increase Customer Engagement, Loyalty, and Revenue."

This year's impressive line-up of speakers includes:

• Matt Abdoo, Chef de Cuisine at Del Posto Restaurant, New York, NY
• Robin Hamm, Director, Food Safety, Quality, and Commercialization at Red Robin International, Inc.
• Jared Schulefand, Owner and Operator of Home, Branford, CT
• Betsy Craig, Founder and CEO of MenuTrinfo
• Julie Kuriakose, MD; Physician, Educator, Author and Co-Founder of Hudson Allergy
• Robert Landolphi, Culinary Development Manager at the University of Connecticut and Author of Gluten-Free Every Day Cookbook, Quick Fix Gluten Free and Cooking Light Gluten Free Baking
• Scott H. Sicherer, MD, Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Professor of Pediatrics, Allergy and Immunology, and Chief of the Pediatric Division of Allergy and Immunology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY
• Michael Pistiner, MD, MMSc, Pediatric Allergist for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Voluntary Instructor of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, Co-founder and Content Creator, AllergyHome
• Lisa Giuriceo, Support group leader of the Food Allergy and Asthma Support Group of North Jersey
• Beth Hillson, Founder of the Gluten-Free Pantry, Author of Complete Guide to Living Well Gluten Free and Gluten-Free Makeovers, Food Editor for Gluten Free & More
• Lori Sandler, Owner of Divvies and Author of The Divvies Bakery Cookbook
• Colette Martin, Author of The Allergy-Free Pantry and Learning to Bake Allergen-Free and advisory board member, Kids with Food Allergies 
• Paul Antico, Founder and CEO of AllergyEats and former financial analyst and portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments

I am looking forward to seeing Beth Hilson again and to finally meeting Robert Landolphi and Paul Antico in person. This should be a very interesting event and I am excited to participate.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 

Beginning at 8:00 a.m. 

Radisson Martinique on Broadway 

49 W 32nd Street, New York City

http://www.allergyeats.com/conference/

Early bird registration is $259 until September 21, 2014. Attendees will also enjoy lunch with the experts, lively Q&A sessions and the opportunity to sample vendors' allergy-friendly products at the event.

About AllergyEats

This conference is organized by AllergyEats,  a free, peer-based website and app where people find and rate restaurants based solely on their ability to accommodate food allergies.  The site, app and related social media forums help families with food allergies reduce the guesswork - and the anxiety - surrounding dining out with food allergies. 

AllergyEats lists more than 750,000 restaurants nationwide, which people can rate, and it also offers web links, menus and more.  Restaurants are easily searchable by geographic location, so people can find allergy-friendly restaurants around town and around the country. 

The organization also offers a variety of opportunities for restaurateurs and food service professionals, including an annual food allergy conference.  For more information, please visit www.AllergyEats.com.

Natural Wine and Paleo Food Event in Brooklyn, NYC

One of my best friends is a sommelier. Now that is a good friend to have if you ask me! Wine with Kristen is teaming up with Chef Melissa Gellert on Wednesday, August 27th in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NYC for a cool event natural wine and paleo food event.

During Popping Your Cork: Natural Wines and the Paleo Palate, you will cover topics such as

• Guides to pairing your food and wine
• Foods that are on the Paleo diet 
• Guides to buying natural wines
• Hints on how to start your own Paleo diet

This event is perfect for those eating gluten free and dairy free, along with anyone interested in finding out more about these types of diets and drinking good wines.

To learn more and to also find a discount code for this event, please visit the Popping Your Cork event page on the NYC Celiac Meetup website.

About your hosts:

Wine with Kristen founder, Kristen Siebecker, has been a great fan of viticulture and vinification since her first illicit sip of Boone's Farm wine beverage many years ago. She hosts "Popping Your Cork" a recreational wine class in New York as well as chats about wine on her blog, winewithkristen.com an dis co host of the podcast "I Feel Vine".

Kristen is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, holds the Advanced Certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust with distinction and is certified in Advanced Blind Tasting by the American Sommelier Association.

Chef Melissa Gellert is a culinary professional and has worked as a private chef and at yoga retreats in Vermont, New York, and Mexico.Shespecializes in health-suppportive, Paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan cuisines.

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Options in New York City

I am excited to share two gluten-free options for your Thanksgiving meal in New York City this year. I've had dinner at both restaurants and can assure you that you are in great hands for your turkey day meal. Even though I never ate out at a restaurant on Thanksgiving, I know this option is quite popular for New Yorkers who do not want to cook. This is also a great option for people coming to New York City for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade who want a traditional gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner. Don't delay, make your reservations today!

Pappardella 

316 Columbus Avenue at 75th Street

212-362-3200

http://www.pappardella.com/

Gluten-free Thanksgiving Menu

Primi First Course, choose one

• wild mushroom soup truffled mascarpone
• prosciutto di parma, warm lentil salad & parsley vinaigrette
• butternut squash ravioli brown butter, fresh sage & parmegiano

~~Chardonnay 446, Noble Wines, Monterey, California 2010~~
446 single vineyard  celebrates the most coveted burgundy vine stock. Complex & silky with fresh citrus & tropical pineapple notes

Secondo Main Course

• roasted free range turkey 
• sweet sausage & glutenfree bread stuffing, sautéed brussel sprouts with hazelnuts, sweet potato & parmegian puree & orange cranberry sauce

~~Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Stallion, Calfornia, 2009~~
Tucked away in the Silverado trail, this cab exposes dark cherry, plum & baking spices in the nose, followed by berry jam & dark chocolate on the palate. Lingering finish

Dolce Dessert

• chocolate pecan pie vanilla gelato

~~Moscato d’Asti, Marco Negri, Veneto Italy 2009~~
fresh nose, herbaceous, caramel & melon flavors

$45 per person plus tax & gratuity for 3 course prix fix
$65 per person for 3 course prix fix & wine pairing

For reservations please call  212-362-3200 or log on to http://www.pappardella.com/

Casa Pomona

507 Columbus Ave btwn 84th & 85th St 

212-362-3200

http://www.casapomonanyc.com

Gluten-free Thanksgiving Menu

Appetizer, choose one

• Butternut Squash puree, crispy capers, GF truffle crouton
• Tuscan Kale salad, jamon Serrano chips, golden raisins, blood orange

~Vina Esmeralda, Moscatel Blend, Torres, 2012, Penedes, Spain~

Main Course

• Oven Roasted Free Range Turkey, smoky chorizo stuffing, smashed sweet potato, roasted brussel sprouts, cranberry confit

Vegetarian Option

• Roasted Winter Vegetable, sherry–pomegranate molasses vinaigrette

~ Rioja Reserva, Marques de Riscal 2007, Rioja, Spain ~

Dessert

GF Chocolate Pecan Pie, olive oil ice cream

~Rich Old Oloroso,’Royal Corregidor’, Sandeman, 20 year, Jerez, Spain~

$35 per person

$20 Wine & Sherry Pairing 

For reservations please call 212-362-3200 or log on to http://casapomonanyc.com

Tommy Lasagna Review and Blogger Round-Up

Last week, I had the honor of hosting a gluten-free bloggers dinner at Tommy Lasagna. There are so many awesome gluten-free bloggers in the New York City area so I was excited to have all of us together. We often dine at the same restaurants, attend the same events, and know the same people but we are rarely all at the same place at the same time. It was Tommy Lasagna's new gluten-free menu that brought us all together.

GF foccacia

Tommy Lasagna first opened in 2011 when Chef Tommy Mosera decided to take his lasagna to the masses after insistence from lasagna-loving friends and family. When one of Tommy's biggest fans and his restaurant partner's wife was told she had a gluten intolerance, Chef Tommy decided to make it his mission to serve her gluten-free food at his restaurant. According to Chef Tommy, it took six months to get the gluten-free pasta recipe down pat and I can honestly say his hard work paid off. Using Bob's Red Mill in some pastas and Cup4Cup for lasagna, Chef Tommy's gluten-free chemistry shines bright in his delicious house made lasagnas, pastas, and breads.

Caprese salad with homemade mozzarella

When I first spoke to the chef on the phone to plan our gluten-free bloggers dinner, I asked him my usual rapid fire "do you know gluten?" question. Chef Tommy answered all of my questions about cross-contamination, ingredients, flour in the air, and more. It was obvious that he wasn't giving me lip service but truly understood the needs of his gluten-free customers. In order to try his best to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen, all of the gluten-free pastas are made early in the morning (after a thorough nightly cleaning the night before) in a dedicated Kitchenmaid. When cooking the pastas, Chef Tommy makes sure all of the pastas are boiled in their own pots with clean water. Chef Tommy did warn that this is a gluten-filled kitchen so there could be airborne contaminants but they do their best to serve gluten-free meals safely. I appreciated his honesty and felt comfortable moving forward with the bloggers dinner. I did warn Chef Tommy that gluten-free bloggers (or any gluten-free/celiac people for that matter) are very critical of their meals and can get sick easily, but he didn't see a problem and welcomed us warmly.

Best. Chicken. Ever. 

When I arrived at Tommy Lasagna, it was great to see familiar faces like Anya, Carolyn, Judith (the only non-GF blogger), Katie, Kristen, Mike, and Molly and to finally meet Candice in person. We all made our introductions and quickly started chatting like old gluten-free friends. Chef Tommy and waiter Zach came over and greeted us, walked us through the beverages for the meal. The chef asked if we had any additional allergies and because with celiac there is always something else, we all piped up with our other intolerances and allergies. Chef Tommy paused for just a moment before saying "No problem!" This is when his staff started started serving the food. And serving and serving. Yep, they kept the food coming all night long with six gluten-free courses!

Not one, but two gluten-free lasagnas to try!

I ate so much, I am not even sure I can remember everything but I do remember foccacia, a caprese salad with olive oil and tomatoes, a pear and pine nut salad with goat cheese and arugula, two different lasagnas: a garden vegetable lasagna and a bolognese lasagna, fettuccine with vodka sauce and one with bolognese sauce, the most AMAZING crispy chicken with hash browns and Brussel sprouts, and then not one but TWO desserts: flourless chocolate cake and cheesecake. If I didn't tell you we rolled out of that restaurant stuffed to the brim, I would be lying. Chef Tommy went above and beyond my expectations and his gluten-free menu launch was a big hit.

Flourless chocolate and cheesecake

Here are some of the other blogger write-ups from the Tommy Lasagna Gluten-Free Menu launch night.

Based on a Sprue Story: Gluten-Free Food: Two Chefs Get It...
Another Gluten Free Blog: Tommy Lasagna
Gluten Free Mike: Don't Tell My Mother
London to NYC: Tommy Lasagna’s Gluten Free Menu
Pasta's Kitchen: Tommy Lasagna launches extensive gluten-free menu
Fooditka: Going Gluten Free with Tommy Lasagna
Gluten-Free Blondie: That Time I Ate Gluten Free Lasagna in an Otherwise Normal Restaurant.

Interested in Tommy Lasagna? The NYC Celiac Meetup group is having a prix fixe dinner on December 3 for only $36 per person. Join us! http://www.meetup.com/Celiac/events/150540152/

Clearing Up BabyCakesNYC Gluten-Free Confusion

A few weeks ago, when I first published my list of gluten-free bakeries in New York City, I was shocked by the backlash. I was attacked on Twitter by one of the bakeries who said the other bakeries I listed were not all gluten-free. I was really upset by all of these Tweets because my post was meant to be happy and celebrating all of the new gluten-free options for us in this city. This person came across as accusatory and quite honestly looked a bit jealous of the the competition that was now encroaching on their territory. My blogger friends rallied behind me and I knew there was nothing wrong in my post.

I do my research. I put together my post based on all of the information available on each individual bakery website and press releases sent out by the bakeries themselves. I did not include bakeries that also produce gluten-filled goods. These were all 100% gluten-free bakeries. I was bothered that this person on the Internet was implying I was a liar.

This Tweeter was relentless, specifically calling out Babycakes NYC for using spelt in their products. While this was true in the past, I remembered reading that Babycakes NYC stopped using spelt. I went to the source and I got my information from the Babycakes website and included them in my tweet. Babycakes NYC calmly responded to the negative tweets via Twitter and stated "We discontinued our spelt items a few months ago and have been 100% gluten free ever since. :)"

And then the comments and Tweets from others continued, continuously calling out Babycakes NYC. For those of you unfamiliar with Babycakes NYC, they have been a very popular destination bakery in New York City for years. They produce gluten-free goods such as cupcakes, cookies, and even donuts. In the past, they used spelt in their other products. Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time Babycakes was going through a bit of a gluten-free controversy.

I wanted to clear up any confusion, so I went directly to the Babycakes NYC website. And then I started getting confused. On their menu page, the top line clearly says: "All items are dairy free, egg free, soy free, and gluten free." The same information is on their ingredients page. But if you dig around on their website, there are a lot of old pages (that are probably meant to be archived) which clearly state  that Babycakes NYC uses spelt. I could understand why others were confused so I decided to go directly to the source. I emailed Babycakes and heard back in less than an hour.

With permission, I am posting the exact response I received from the Babycakes NYC general manager.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We stopped using spelt in our bakery late this spring and have updated our website as well. The link that states that we still use spelt is an old link that was accidentally left up on one page. We just deleted that link so that all of the updated information is available and correct through the website.

After phasing out our spelt products, we deep cleaned our oven and kitchen area to make sure that there is no risk of cross contamination. We no longer use any of our utensils, bowls, cleaning utensils, measuring cups, and pans that were labeled spelt and have thoroughly bleached and deep cleaned the sink that was used for Spelt products. 

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, all of the corrections to the website have been made. Please let us know if anything else comes up. Thank you and have a great day!

From this response, it is seems to me that Babycakes NYC understands what needs to be done in a kitchen once a gluten-filled ingredient is removed. They appear to have taken all of the proper protocols to rid their kitchen of gluten to the best of their abilities. The most important thing is their transparency. Babycakes NYC responded to my Tweet immediately and to my emails in less than an hour. They agreed to let me post their response to all of my readers. I don't always find gluten-free companies that comfortable with full disclosure, but not Babycakes NYC.

It is obviously still up to each of the gluten-free individuals if they want to eat at ANY of the gluten-free bakeries I mentioned in my post, but I really wanted to get the facts straight. I take my blog, and the health and safety of my readers, VERY seriously. I would never intentionally post false information. I applaud Babycakes NYC for their honesty and I thank them for being one of the soon-to-be SEVEN gluten-free bakeries in New York City.

Please note: This blog post is only intended to report on the Babycakes New York City location. For any questions regarding their other locations, please contact Babycakes directly!!!

The Sharing the Experience of a Gluten-Free Life

On Wednesday, June 27, please join the NYC Celiac Meetup group for a casual round table discussion about living a gluten-free life. Pre-registration is required. 

The Sharing the Experience of a Gluten-Free Life

http://www.meetup.com/Celiac/events/67996282/

Curtis Brown is a psychoanalyst / psychotherapist diagnosed with celiac disease who maintains a gluten-free diet.  He will be facilitating a group discussion on how it feels to be gluten-free in a world of gluten. He believes that, “like it or not we often stand out in the crowd because of our dietary needs. Navigating a safe source of food, learning the ins and outs of the diet, and feeling good about what we eat can be an emotional journey.”

Considerable focus is given to the medical and nutritional aspects of gluten-free living but many emotional challenges are also encountered.   For example, people often want to share how celiac disease or gluten-intolerance has affected his or her social life, dating, desire for traveling or willingness to negotiate eating out in non GF restaurants.  Or, how maintaining a GF diet has affected your family, friends and other important relationships.  Others might want to explore what a reasonable level of precaution is when attempting to adhere to a GF diet? I have heard some wonder if it ever gets easier and, if so, how long does it take.

Brown will lead an open discussion forum for people to gather to share their experiences while hearing of the experiences of others. The group will be open to newly diagnosed or to anyone wishing to share their experience of living gluten-free.

Brown’s website: www.curtisbrownlcsw.com devotes an entire section to the emotional challenges of living a gluten-free life due to celiac or gluten-sensitivity. He has maintained a private psychotherapy practice for close to 20 years. He previously was the director or a hospital-based program which provided support groups allowing him to facilitate well over 500 group sessions. He is a faculty member and supervisor for a post-masters training program in psychoanalyst / psychotherapy.

The cost for attending the group is $10.

The Sharing the Experience of a Gluten-Free Life
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Click here to register today: http://www.meetup.com/Celiac/events/67996282/

Foodie Events in NYC

Many people who are gluten-free would be reluctant to attend food events that aren't catered to their specific dietary needs. Me? I welcome these invitations. Even if I don't get to eat much at these events for fear of gluten containing foods or cross contamination, attending these events gives me a chance to meet chefs and restaurant staff face to face to talk about gluten-free dining. Making these in-person connections is invaluable to me. Often, I follow-up with an email or a meal at the restaurant and the staff remembers me as the gluten-free girl and I am fine with this reference.

There are two fun events coming up in May that I am planning on attending. Neither event has confirmed which participants are gluten-free, I think they are nervous to put any GF claims out there since the events are busy and they don't want to be held liable. As the events get closer, I will update you with my gluten-free discoveries.

Queens Taste 2012
The Queens Economic Development Corporation and lead sponsors Citi and Fairway Market invite you to Queens Taste 2012, the borough's premiere networking and culinary event. At least 50 restaurants and other food purveyors will provide delectables to more than 1,000 attendees, including some of the most powerful and best-connected Queens residents. The cuisine will feature everything from sweet to savory, Asian to Italian, and crunchy to creamy. But it will all be mouth-watering.

Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ET)
Location: Citi Field's Caesars Club
123-01 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing
Cost: $100 per person; $185 per couple
Buy your tickets here

Queens Taste Gluten-Free* Participants
Beyond Kombucha
Brewla Bars
Sweet Silk
Krumville Bake Shop
Spicy 'N Sweet
McClure's Pickles

*I cannot guarantee that any of these participants are 100% gluten-free. I am only basing my list on visiting their website. On the flip side, Krumville Bake Shop is a gluten-free baked good shops and has been a proud supporter of the NYC Celiac meetup group over the past few months!

The Great GoogaMooga
The Great GoogaMooga, the food, drink and music festival coming to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park this May 19th and 20th, reveals details about Extra Mooga today, its all-inclusive, paid ticketed experience. Set in a beautiful wooded area of the park, Extra Mooga is a festival-within-the-festival and offers an unprecedented intersection of food, drink, music, comedy. The Extra Mooga program includes 20 different events per day in the way of culinary seminars, music performances, cocktail demos, wine and beer tastings, and theme parties as well as over two-dozen specially curated menus.

Get excited! Free tickets are available and registration begins on April 24th!

Holton Farms CSA

Holton Farms is a CSA (community supported agriculture) truck that has recently started delivering to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. I heard about the truck coming to my neighborhood in Astoria on a local website but then noticed the truck across from my office about two weeks ago. I had the pleasure of meeting the friendly staff to learn more about their mission in New York City. They are basically bringing the farm to us urbanites who cannot get out of the city for fresh produce.

For those of you unfamiliar with CSAs, read on...

Holton Farms, located in Westminster, VT, is a family-owned farm run by eighth generation farmers—in other words, they take farming seriously. By practicing sustainable farming methods, their farm produces a diverse selection of agricultural products including vegetables, herbs and fruits, grass-fed beef cows, pigs, cage-free eggs, maple syrup and more!

Their goal is to produce and deliver wholesome food with integrity directly to the consumer. To make this happen, Holton Farms has come up with their own affordable and completely customizable CSA Select program. Their CSA Select program is different in that customers get to choose what and how much they want rather than taking home a box of whatever is given. This cuts down on waste and is also a better value. They've put together a simple diagram to explain how our CSA Select program works



The Holton Farms program will run from May 17 until November 21, bringing seasonal produce to the city each week at various drop-off locations (http://www.holtonfarms.com/map/). Although the season started May 17, you can sign up anytime you want as they do not have a cap on membership and your membership is YOUR money to spend as you see fit. Holton Farms is very excited about the program and think it'll encourage New Yorkers to cook great meals at home with fresh ingredients. More details, including the pricing plans, can be found on their website: http://www.holtonfarms.com/how-to-buy/csa-select/

The best thing about the extensive list of veggies, fruit and other non-grain related products from Holton Farms is that they are naturally gluten-free. They are looking to expand their baked good options to include gluten-free products, so stay tuned for this exciting news!

"The Holton Farms Farm Truck is a progressive mobile farm stand concept, that will operate throughout New York City, to serve as the main distribution point for their CSA Select program and restaurant wholesale clients. The Farm Truck allows access to neighborhoods throughout the Five Borroughs without having to open a store. Serviced by smiling Holton Farms employees dancing to happy reggae beats, the Truck will also sell products retail to non-CSA members assuming they are able to obtain the appropriate permitting from the City. Food Stamps will be accepted at the Farm Truck and prices will be discounted on fruits and vegetables by 20% for low-income New Yorkers."

Drop Off Locations:

• Mondays – Lexington and E96th St (12-1pm), Hunter College between E68th – E73rd St and Lexington Ave (2-3pm), E53rd – E56th St and Park Ave (4-5pm), Grand Central at E39th – E40th St and Park Ave(5:30-7pm)
• Tuesdays – W98th St and Columbus Ave (2:30-3:30pm), Bradhurst Ave and W148th Street (7-7:30PM)
• Wednesdays – 8th Ave and W38th St (4:30-5pm)
• Thursdays – Hudson Heights at W189th St and Cabrini Blvd (8-9am), Bryant Park at W40th St and 6th Ave (12-1:30pm), Columbus Circle at W57th St and 11th Ave & W63rd St and Broadway (4-5:30pm), Verdi Square at W72nd St and Broadway (6-7:30pm), W105th St and Amsterdam Ave (8-8:30pm)
• Fridays – Washington Square Park at E8th St and Broadway (12-1:30pm), 29th St and 5th Ave (2-3pm), Madison Square Park at E24th St between Park Ave and Madison Ave (4-5:30pm), Kips Bay at E32nd – E33rd St and 2nd Ave (6-7:30pm)
• Saturdays – Battery Park City (9-11am)
• Sundays – Long Island City at Arris Lofts (8:45am), Astoria at Steinway & 35th Ave (9-10am), Roosevelt Island (10:30-11:30am), Williamsburg at McCarren Park (12-1:30pm), Park Slope at Flatbush Ave south of Grand Army Plaza (2-3:30pm)

To sign up for a Holton Farms CSA membership, please visit their website. Once you have applied for the CSA Select Program, please send them an email and let them know that Erin S. from Gluten-Free Fun sent you their way. You can email Holton Farms at csa@holtonfarms.com

Trader Joe's Now Open in Chelsea NYC

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite places to stock up on gluten-free food when I head out to my mom's house on Long Island. I have yet to brave the lines of Trader Joe's in Union Square. Good news to those in Manhattan craving a Trader Joe's fix. There is a new location that opens today!!

Trader Joe's Chelsea
675 6th Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Phone Number: 212-255-2106
Trading Hours: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Beer is sold at this location

Hello Pasta Gluten-Free Option in NYC July 7th and Coupon

I read today on Gluten Freeville that Hello Pasta is opening today in NYC with a gluten-free, corn-based penne option on their menu. I have never heard of Hello Pasta, so I went right over to their website. This new restaurant sounds like the fast food of the pasta world, but Hello Pasta says that all menu options are prepared when you order and not hours before. There sauces are 100% natural and there are a number of gluten-free sauce options. Their menu is also clearly labeled with a GF, V, and V.V for gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan, respectively.

Ordering is easy.

Step 1. Choose your Favorite Pasta: Obviously, my choice is the gluten-free penne
Step 2. Pick a Sauce (gluten-free options below), Pick a Size and Say Cheese

Pomodoro – Tomato, onion, olive oil, basil, carrot, garlic, spice (GF,V.V)
Arrabiatta – Tomato, onion, EV olive oil, garlic, spice (GF, V.V)
Primavera– Broccoli, cauliflower, onion, green pepper, red pepper, yellow pepper, snap pea, spice (GF,V.V)
Bolognese –Tomato, (no HMO’s) ground beef, onion, carrot, EV olive oil, spice. (GF)
Sausage & Pea– Tomato, sausage, light cream, peas, garlic, spice (GF)
Chicken Tuscan – Chopped Tomato, chicken (no HMO’s), light cream, , EV olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, spice (GF)
Carbonara – Fresh Light cream, bacon, garlic, canola oil, asiago cheese, spice (GF)


Today on 8coupons.com, there is a text coupon for "Any Pasta, Any Sauce 88 cents! Thursday July 8th, 2PM - 8PM" at Hello Pasta at the Lexington Ave location. How can you go wrong?!?

Hello Pasta
649 Lexington Ave. at 54th Street
Opening July 7, 2010
"This location is very special to us at it is the very first Hello Pasta restaurant to have ever opened! Designed by Antonio Di Orzo (Bluarch), it is located between 54th and 55th street on the East side, across from the Central Synagogue.

At this location, we offer delivery anywhere between 49th and 59th street and from 5th Ave to 3rd Ave. CALL 212-55-PASTA (212-557-2782) FOR DELIVERIES!

Monday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm"

Hello Pasta
708 3rd Ave btwn 44th and 45th
Opening in August 2010

Hello Pasta
1400 Broadway at 38th Street
Opening in September 2010
I am most excited about this location because I work around the block!

Hello Pasta
125 Maiden Lane at Water Street
Opening in August 2010

New York City Gluten-Free Restaurants Now on Google Maps

My last post was a list of all New York City restaurants that are participants in the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP). I got a great response from my Long Island Gluten-Free restaurant map (not GFRAP) so I thought I would put the NYC map together. You can find the list of all GFRAP restaurants in Manhattan and the five boroughs here.


View Larger Map

Also visit my Long Island, NY Gluten-Free restaurant Map here.

Gluten-Free Cooking Classes in NYC

A few of my readers and NYC Celiac Disease Meetup members have recently asked me about cooking classes in NYC. I took a great cooking class with the Gluten-Free Girl at Whole Foods Bowery last October. Both Whole Foods and Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health have upcoming gluten-free classes this fall. Click on the links below to check them out:

Natural Gourmet Institute
Gluten-Free Cooking & Baking
48 W. 21st St., 2nd floor
New York, NY 10010
(between 5th & 6th ave.)
http://www.naturalgourmetschool.com/html/classes-gluten-free.html

Whole Foods Market
95 East Houston St
New York, NY 10002
212.420.1320
212/420.1360 fax
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/calendars/HOU_CC.html

Gluten-Free at S'MAC

"S'MAC (short for Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese) is an exciting new eatery located in the heart of Manhattan's East Village.

[They] specialize in, you guessed it, Macaroni & Cheese! [Their] menu is simple yet delicious with a variety of "MACS" available. Come check them out -- you won't be disappointed! You can eat-in, take-out or for those days that you just don't want to change out of your pj's, S'MAC does offer delivery."

You can now order gluten-free S'MAC dishes in the East Village for an additional cost. I haven't had a chance to go yet myself (although it might be a good thing to grab for dinner tomorrow night) but it is getting great reviews in the NYC gluten-free community.

CHECK IT OUT:
345 East 12th Street
NY, NY 10003
212-358-7912
sarita@smacnyc.com
http://www.smacnyc.com/glutenfree.html

NYC Restaurants

There is an awesome site called Menupages.com that lets you review the menus of tons of restaurants in New York City. Rachel F., a member of the NYC Celiac Disease meetup group, recently told me that "gluten-free" is now a drop-down search item in various neighborhoods. Apparently, it only shows up as a choice when there is a restaurant in that neighborhood that has a gluten-free menu or that is aware of gluten-free needs.

Here is a list of the restaurants that Menupages.com indicates have gluten-free items available. These menus can change and some NYC restaurants (especially/unfortunately gluten-free restaurants) have a high turnover rate, so please call before dining.

Asia de Cuba
237 Madison Ave | Btwn 37th & 38th St

Bloom's Delicatessen
350 Lexington Ave | At 40th St

Tropica
200 Park Ave | At 45th St

Candle 79
154 E 79th St | Btwn Lex & 3rd Ave

Lumi
963 Lexington Ave | At 70th St

Slice, The Perfect Food
1413 2nd Ave | Btwn 73rd & 74th St

Peter's
1606 1st Ave | Btwn 83rd & 84th St

Cafe Fiorello
1900 Broadway | Btwn 63rd & 64th St

Sambuca
20 W 72nd St | Btwn CPW & Columbus Ave

Bistango
415 3rd Ave | At 29th St

Chennai Garden
129 E 27th St | Btwn Park & Lexington Ave

Risotteria
270 Bleecker St | Btwn 6th & 7th Ave

Sacred Chow
227 Sullivan St | Btwn Bleecker & W 3rd St

Gobo
401 6th Ave | Btwn Waverly Pl & 8th St

Flor's Kitchen
149 1st Ave | Btwn 9th & 10th St

Viva Herbal Pizzeria
179 2nd Ave | Btwn 11th & 12th St

Babycakes
248 Broome St | Btwn Orchard & Ludlow St

teany
90 Rivington St | Btwn Orchard & Ludlow St