We stopped in to a new “gourmet foods & fine drink store” tonight and were happy to find Chopin potato vodka on sale. Vrai Amour, on Webster and Sheffield, just under the el tracks in Depaul’s campus area, specializes in upscale sausages and truly fine liquors and wines.
We inquired about the beer selection, which was solid (Unibroue, Sam Adams and Goose Island). Currently no gluten-free beer options, but the owner, Matt Somsky was happy to take suggestions on expanding the beer options. He knew three gluten-free options off the top of his head (encouraging), mentioning New Grist, Redbridge and Green’s. He plans on inquiring with his distributor next week to see what he can get for the shop. If he succeeds in getting any gluten-free beers, you’ll find out here first. If you stop in, tell him Celiac Snack sent you.
We’ve recently heard about a new restaurant/store concept on Chicago’s north side, called Balanced Kitchen. Anticipation seems to be just as high around the architecture, as for its food. Designed by 2 point perspective, the space is LEED certified to be “green,” and they claim the same about the menu. Both vegan and gluten-free, the restaurant is an outgrowth of G-Free-V LLC, a company deeply committed to gluten-free foods. Under the mantra “Food Without Limits, for People Living Without,” the company conducts gluten testing and certification as well.
A restaurant willing to go completely gluten-free is a refreshing idea. When you walk in the door, you know that everything is safe. Peace of mind for sure.
Have you been to the Balanced Kitchen? If so, let us know. We’ll be posting a formal review soon, and we’d love to know what others thing as well. Please comment by clicking on the link above…
A list of gluten-free foods I found in a Trader Joe’s last week has shown up on the company’s web site as part of an overall labeling initiative. As a private label store, selling more than 80% of its products under the store brand, Trader Joe’s is in a unique position to help its customers find appropriate items for special diets, including vegan, kosher, low-sodium, even 15min quick meals.
According to the grocer:
Our dedication to you as a valued Trader Joe’s customer is to provide you with helpful information to make informed buying decisions because we know that you have specific dietary concerns.
While not what I would call reader-friendly, the list is a long one, which should be exciting for anyone tired of the treasure hunt.
Gluten-free foods at Trader Joe’s Trader Joe’s labeling system
The folks at Enjoy Life Bakery just outside Chicago are on a mission: to help people, especially those with allergies and Celiac disease, eat freely and enjoy their foods.
To that end, the bakery cranks out a large portfolio of safe-to-eat products, including trail mix, snack bars, granola and bagels. Distributed in grocery stores like Jewel and Hannaford (which is quickly getting the gluten-free message), the brand is quickly becoming a go-to for people looking to eat gluten-free.
Some of the bakery’s staff eats gluten-free too. And they’ve put together a list of some of their favorite gluten-free foods (pdf). With a passion like this, Enjoy Life bakery is sure to succeed in making people smile.
