Archive for New Jersey

Gluten Free Cookie Dough Ice Cream

October 30, 2007 at 12:01 pm · Filed under New Jersey

So I realize this is not a restaurant, but I felt it was worth writing about.

 Last night, in a Shop Rite over in South Jersey I discovered a GF Cookie Dough Ice Cream made by Turtle Mountain!!

 http://www.soydelicious.com/products/purely_decadent_cookie_dough.html

 It is currently sitting in my freezer waiting for me to try it. It’s dairy free for those of us who have lactose problems as well. Not for those who have a problem with Soy, as that is the main ingredient.

More to post once I’ve tried it! 

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99 – A for Effort!

August 3, 2007 at 11:57 am · Filed under New Jersey, Restaurants (Chain)

Ninety Nine
Deptford Mall
Deptford, New Jersey

http://www.99restaurants.com/

With the knowledge that 99’s website identified items containing gluten, I went there with high hopes with some girlfriends of mine. I had identified some menu items beforehand I was interested in trying, and when the waitress came to take my order I explained my food allergies. She did the wonderful thing and went to double check with the manager who came out to talk to me with two copies of the printed out Nutrition/Allergy list (one of which he left with me). He helped me identify them as gluten free and told me to ask for him if I had any questions. So I ordered, with strict instructions that the biscuit that came with my meal should not be on my plate.
Well, the food came out and low and behold there was my biscuit… touching my salmon. So I politely sent it back with the person who brought it out and when our waitress came to check up on us, she was absolutely devastated that they messed it up. She swore up and down that she put ‘no biscuit’ and they just didn’t listen to her. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my Gluten Free meal until my friends had finished eating. But the waitress felt so bad that she actually took my meal off the bill.
While I wasn’t too impressed with the meal itself and the delay in getting my meal was disheartening, the staff did really care and it showed. I’d be happy to go back there again and give them another try.

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Pasta Pomodoro, Take Two

July 9, 2007 at 12:32 pm · Filed under New Jersey, Restaurants (Local)

Technically this is take three since I’ve been to the restaurant twice before, but this is only the second time I’ve written about it here. Original Review

The first thing I learned on my dinner excursion is that my blog is actually helping people! At least one person has found their way to Pasta Pomodoro in Voorhees after reading my review (which makes me VERY happy!). Hopefully I can keep expanding the places I go to and helping people find restaurants that allow you to eat gluten free with a peace of mind.

The second thing was that my favorite restaurant was clearly a hit amongst Philadelphia as well! Recently, there was the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness Gluten Free Cooking Spree in Philadelphia. I had heard all about it but sadly could not attend due to the high cost and my modest budget. Surprisingly, I had heard nothing about the winner… that is, until Saturday night when Pasta Pomodoro’s chef Pat and owner Skip were very proud to serve their Award Winning Coconut Crusted Chilean Sea Bass (a very big deal at the restaurant – for good reason!).

To top off the meal, my friends and I indulged in two gluten free desserts. The GF Brownie and GF Chocolate Banana Cream Pie. Doesn’t the sound of the last one just make your mouth water? The brownie was good, but if dairy isn’t a problem it would probably taste best with vanilla ice cream (it was also tasty the following day). The Chocolate Banana Cream pie didn’t last until the next day though, it actually didn’t even last 5 minutes. It was devoured and I think I can safely say its one of the best pies I’ve ever tasted (comparable to Mr. Ritt’s, who is also worth a try if you haven’t been to his bakery).

To be fair to our gluten eating friends and family, all my friends greatly enjoyed their glutinous meals as well. The men polished off their plates and while the women all took home leftovers, they were consumed for lunch the next day. 

Stay Tuned: Review of Stephen Starr’s Pod

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Bahama Breeze – Call Ahead

May 8, 2007 at 7:28 pm · Filed under New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Restaurants (Chain)

Bahama Breeze
King of Prussia Mall
http://bahamabreeze.com/

I went to Bahama Breeze twice – the first time I called ahead and the second time I didn’t, and I feel like it made a huge difference.

The first time I called ahead and talked to the head chef. I explained my food allergies and he let me know it would be no problem accomodating. Just let the waitress know what I was allergic to, pick a couple menu items, and he would make what he could for me. So I went and had some delicious chicken kabobs. (I didn’t have any sort of reaction afterwards)

About 5 months later, I went back for the same delicious kabobs. When talking to the waitress and explaining the food allergies, she went back to the chef and then came back saying they wouldn’t feel comfortable serving that to me and the only thing I could have would be the shrimp appetizer (without the bread), and the fresh fish entree’s, but only with simple seasonings. I got the Mahi Mahi simply grilled and it was just that – simple. It didn’t taste bad per-say it just didn’t really taste. I think the best part of my second trip to Bahama Breeze was the super tasty drinks. If you like the fruity drinks, this is the place to go. I’m tempted to call ahead again and speak to a chef about GF menu items as it may work better.  

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Pasta Pomodoro – Worth a visit

May 8, 2007 at 7:12 pm · Filed under New Jersey, Restaurants (Local)

Pasta Pomodoro
Eagle Plaza – Route 561. Voorhees, NJ
http://pastapomodoronj.com/
Do you live in or around Voorhees, NJ? If so? I suggest you get off your computer now and go get something tasty from Pasta Pomodoro! In the past month they have added a special Gluten Free menu onto their regular menus. It is actually the front cover!

At Pasta Pomodoro, you can get pizza, pasta, garlic bread, sandwiches, and cake! I’ve been there a total of twice – both time getting pasta dishes that I loved. I prefered the Pollo Marsalla to the Mushroom Pasta, but that’s probably just a personal taste thing. The pasta ‘is’ Tinkyada, so if you don’t like Tinkyada then I would avoid the pasta.

The house salad w/dressing was tasty (the salad comes GF so no need to worry there). The garlic bread was the best I’ve had in my life (and even my gluten eating dinner companions enjoyed). The piece of vanilla sheet cake I had at the end of my meal was very sweet and I had a hard time finishing it.

The restaurant is great for both Celiacs and non-Celiacs alike. It’s kinda pricey ($12-$20) depending on the menu item. It is BYOB, so don’t forget to bring your own wine. Another (understandable) downside is there is an additional cost for being Gluten Free. GF pasta is $3 on top of the initial pasta dish price.

 My first time there I had the pleasure of speaking to one of the owners, Skip (who has Celiac). He was able to give me his stricted confidence that cross contamination would never be an issue and that his staff is trained on handling GF meals.

It was a joy to go to, and I’m looking forward to trying one of the GF sandwiches. I wish I lived closer as that would make a great ‘take away’ lunch. 

This is by far one of my favorite restaurants!

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