Cafe Express - gourmet, gluten-free and fast

My friend suggested we eat at Cafe Express the other day and I readily agreed.  I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed their simple yet tasty food. I ordered my favorite, a piece of grilled chicken with pesto and a plain baked potato, but there are many gluten-free options available including a caesar salad, greek salad and lots more.

You control the condiments and most of their soups and dressings are made from scratch, so they can tell you exactly what's in everything.  Whenever I've had questions, they've done their best to answer them and I've never gotten sick there.  Click here to check out their menu.  They have several locations in the area including one at Mockingbird Station in Dallas and on at Southlake Town Square.

Gluten Free Halloween Candy

I thought I could do a round up, but soon realized I was in over my head.  There are just too many kinds of candy.  The traditional forms of Snickers, M&Ms,  Reese's, and Butterfinger and Peeps all seem to be safe and most of the pure sugar types of candies.  As well as most of the marshmallow creme types of confections (candy corn.) Here is a link to the most thorough list I could find online.

Cypress Midnight Moon - Naturally Gluten-Free Cheese

OK, you might ask, what cheese isn't gluten free?  Well, there's the whole debate on Blue Cheese, which I hope to get to the bottom of.  The point is, this isn't just any cheese, it's my favorite cheese and it happens to be made from goat's milk - although it doesn't have any unpleasant tanginess - sorry, if I offend the goat-milk-cheese fans. 

In the Gluten Free diet it can be a challenge to find something tasty and not horrible for you.  Goat cheese is reportedly better for you than cow cheese.  No matter the health pros or cons, Cypress Grove's Midnight Moon is a cheese worth checking out.  I also like their cheddar.

You can order it online or buy it locally at Central Market in Fort Worth and Southlake or Market Street in Colleyville.  It might be available elsewhere, but these are places I've found it.

Cake-style, Gluten Free ice cream cones

I had high hopes for the new Let’s Do . . . Gluten Free Ice Cream Cones, and they did not disappoint. I served several friends fresh peach ice cream in the cake-style cones, and everyone agreed that their light, flaky texture was indistinguishable from that of traditional cones. This is a product that will be welcome in my pantry anytime.
The cones, which are gluten-free, vegan and kosher, weigh in at 10 calories each. Even though the packaging of the cones says they may contain trace amounts of soy, no soy products are listed, and a friend who is allergic to soy had no problem eating them.
The cones are available online from Gluten Free Trading Company, LLC and locally at Sprouts Farmers Market in Southlake, Whole Foods in Arlington and the Sunflower Shoppe in Fort Worth; $3.99 for a package of 12.

Garlic Jim's coming soon

I called Garlic Jim's a couple of times and couldn't get through, so I drove out there Sunday morning.  It's in a new strip mall and doesn't look open yet.  Unfortunately, there was no sign saying when it is supposed to be open.

Nancy A. Gordon said that Palio's Pizza Cafe in Colleyville will make a Gluten Free Pizza for you if you bring the crust.  

Gordon brings several rice crusts at a time and says Palio's charges her slightly less than they do for a full pizza.  She said she has never had problems with cross contamination.

Possible Gluten Free Pizza in the metroplex - Garlic Jim's in Flowermound

There was a recent article on Pizza News about the Garlic Jim's Famous Gourmet Pizza chain carrying Gluten Free Pizza.

There is a Famous Jim's in Flowermound at 5801 Long Prairie Road (972) 691-8800.  I've tried calling to confirm, but so far, I haven't gotten through.  This weekend, I plan to drive out there and see if I can pig out on some delightful Gluten Free slices of heaven.

I'll report back!

Gluten-Free Beer in Dallas at Trinity Hall - The Irish Pub & Restaurant

It was to my great surprise and pleasure that I discovered - count 'em - four Gluten-Free Beers available at Trinity Hall - The Irish Pub & Restaurant.  They also have a good variety of ciders.

The pub, which is in Mockingbird Station is at: 

5321 E. Mockingbird Lane in Dallas

(214) 887-3600

Click here for their full beer menu.

I tried the Green, Endeavor (Triple Style), which was quite hearty and satisfied my craving for something resembling Guiness.  

Also available are: Green, Quest (Dubbel Style), Green, Discovery (Amber) and Red Bridge (Sorghum).

Gluten-free friendly chain restaurants

It's good to have options when you're out and about.  These are some chain restaurants in the metroplex that are GF friendly.  

• P.F. Changs has a GF menu
• Pei Wei has a GF menu
• Cheesecake Factory has a GF menu
• Outback Steakhouse has a GF menu
• Chili's has a master list of what's in everything.  I often eat their children's grilled chicken - it's not marinated - and mashed potatoes
• Chipotle - Everything is GF except for the flour tortillas, so just get the bowl.
• Q-doba - check their online menu
• Wendy's - Their fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer and their burgers are GF.  They have a master list in the store.
• Sonic - They have a comprehensive list online
• Chick-fil-a - Their fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer and their grilled chicken (not the breaded one) is GF without the bun.

Tips for dining out in the Dallas Fort Worth area

1. Be nice to your server, he or she is the only one standing between you and gluten!
2. No matter what happens, leave a nice tip and thank the server for his or her patience.
3. If the server does something above or beyond the call of duty for you, thank his or her manager.
4. When you sit down, tell your server that you have a serious allergy to wheat and gluten.  If you get a blank look, let them know, that means flour, soy sauce and modified food starch.  Some restaurants have an allergy protocol, so as soon as you say "food allergy" they know what to do.  Some don't.
5. Have a couple of ideas in mind for dishes you think are likely to be gluten free.  Some usually safe bets are: grilled chicken salad with no croutons, curries, mexican food made with corn tortillas, steaks, pork chops, baked potatoes, etc.
6. Make sure the server checks with the chef on every sauce and dressing on your food.  Most creamy looking dressings have modified food starch or wheat.  Clear dressings and vinaigrettes are a good bet, but always check.  Also, ask if anything has been marinaded and if the marinade contains soy sauce.
7. Don't be disappointed if your first choice is a bust.  If you get upset, they'll get anxious and might not tell you if there's gluten in your second choice so they don't upset you further.  Also, it's not fun for the other people at the table if you have a melt down.
8. Ethnic restaurants often offer a greater variety of GF food than traditional american bar and grills.  Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Sushi (dipped in tamari) and Mexican restaurants often have more options.
9. If you order french fries, make sure they are cooked in a dedicated fryer.  If they are cooked in the same oil with breaded items like fish sticks or chicken nuggets, there is a huge danger for cross contamination.
10. You don't have to give up dessert.  Blue Bell vanilla ice cream is safe as well as most jello, creme brulee and flan.  The Cheesecake factory even has a GF cheesecake - their all-chocolate Godiva.
11. Be patient and try not to be too hungry when you go out to eat.  Remember, the first thing they usually bring out is bread!

Rise - An elegant restaurant with tasty surprises in Dallas

Rise 

Inwood Village at 5360 West Locers Lane, Suite 220 in Dallas.

(214) 366-9900

www.risesouffle.com

Rise specializes in souffles, some of which can be made gluten free.  This cozy, intimate restaurant seats a modest amount of people.  I went on a Sunday afternoon and had no wait time, but I have heard that if you go at a breakfast, dinner or brunch time, you should be prepared to wait up to an hour or two.  They do accept reservations for parties of six or more.

When I sat down, I let my waiter know that I was eating gluten free.  He talked with the chef, who came to the table and discussed the menu with me - what service!  They were able to prepare the mushroom souffle without wheat flour.  Also, I enjoyed the naturally free creme brulee and a decadent chocolate souffle for dessert.  The meal came to about $25 per person, but was worth every penny!

Helpful books about Gluten Free living

Ack!!!  I've just been diagnosed with Celiac disease, what do I do?

Here are some books that can help answer some of your most pressing questions:

• The gluten-free bible - I "borrowed" this over a year ago from a friend.  
  
• Gluten-Free Girl - I haven't finished reading this one, but I love the blog, so I'm betting it's fabulous.
• Gluten-Free Baking - This is written by pastry chef Rebecca Reilly and is the best baking book I've found.
• Any of the Gluten Free Gourmet books - These cover everything from comfort foods to healthy alternatives
• The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide - This is a must for people who like to travel or eat out.

This is just a sampling, there are now hundreds of cookbooks and guides out there including books that involve other specialty diets, like gluten free and vegetarian or gluten free and low sugar.

Welcome to Gluten Free DFW

I'm a multimedia producer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  Recently, I wrote an article about 5 specialty GF items I can't live without.  Since then, I've gotten lots of phone calls and emails asking for info about a gluten free lifestyle in the metroplex.

This will be a round-up of area info.  I'll include GF friendly restaurants, grocery stores, doctors, etc.  Feel free to add to this.  Hopefully, this can become a central place to store all kinds of DFW gluten free tidbits!

Here's where to shop gluten free

Gluten free items I can't live without