I have been slacking off  in reporting what’s new in gluten-free New York City, so I’ve decided to start a new set of posts dedicated to sharing the gluten-free goings on every month.

Restaurants and Shops:

Rev’d Up Pi: a new healthy pizzeria in Manhattan offers gluten-free pies and pasta.

Harney & Sons: the master tea blenders opened up a shop in November in Soho, now serve gluten-free goodies from Tu-lu’s!

Events:

Joan’s GF Great Bakes Tasting: February 8 at Whole Foods Union School from 5-7.

Ice Skating Party to Benefit Celiac Disease Center: February 27 at Wollman Rink, $75 includes admission, skate rental and dinner.

Paul Taylor Dance Company Celiac Disease Fundraiser: March 2 at New York City Center, tickets range from $25-300 and includes admission, reception snacks, plus gift bags with goodies.

Valentine’s Day 2011

2011 has been off to a very snowy start in New York City, with ice on the way tonight and tomorrow.  Luckily, V-Day is only two weeks away and there are some great GF dining options and treats that will melt your heart (if not the snow).

Dining: The following restaurants have gluten-free menus and Valentine’s Day specials.

Asia de Cuba – New York
This sexy lounge is perfect for a hot date: $75 four course menu available 2/14,  with special dishes added 2/11-2/13.

Bar Breton
If you’re looking for a more relaxed, cozy atmosphere, this brasserie is your place: four course menu, $79 for 2 people, available 2/14.

Pure Food and Wine
This raw food establishment is perfect for the sophisticated yet hip couple: special prix fixe menu.

Treats: Valentine’s Day isn’t complete without chocolate; here’s a list of gf goodies.

Grocery Store Candy and Brand Name Chocolate
Sweetheart “Conversation Hearts” are gluten-free, thank goodness!  For other candies, Celiac Family put together this comprehensive list.  Do NOT buy Godiva for your GF Valentine- it contains gluten!  Ghirardelli is mostly safe.  Make a trek to Whole Foods to find more upscale chocolates, including Azure Truffles, which are all gluten free and kosher.  As for boutique chocolate shops in NYC, ask ahead!

Personalized M&Ms
I heard a proposal story where the ring was buried in bowl of green M&M’s, her favorite color; personalized M&Ms are thoughtful and delicious.

My Dad’s Cookies
My Dad’s Cookies is offering a valentine’s themed variety pack, available at Mozzarelli’s Pizzeria.  Their regular cookies are available online.

Tu-Lu’s Gluten-Free Bakery
While they don’t mention specific themed treats on the website, Tu-lu’s frequently updates their facebook page with daily treats.  Otherwise, try their red velvet cupcake for a classic, or their new pistachio for a twist.

It was possibly the rainiest Sunday we’ve ever had here in New York City.  I kept thinking to myself, if only it were 10 degrees colder like its been ALL WEEK and then I’d be making snowmen and watching Rufus bounce and bury his noise in the snow.  Even though I hate being forced stay inside all day, rainy days are good days for some things like sleeping in, eating big breakfasts, going through your Netflix queue, and baking.

It was determined I would bake, and when a Real Simple email popped up with a brownie recipe, I had found my target.  I wanted to make them seasonal, so they became peppermint brownies.   The result of the rainy day activity was the best batch of brownies I’ve ever made.  Here’s why:

1. They didn’t stick to the pan.  I HATE it when you make brownies and then end up having to scape crusted chocolate off your pan to enjoy a bar.

2. They didn’t taste like xanthan gum.  I modified this recipe myself, so this was really exciting!

3. Their texture was the perfect balance between cakey and fudgy.

4. Kosher salt+peppermint made this batch different than your average brownie and created a really interesting and delicious flavor.

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I was in charge of planning a co-worker’s birthday celebration Monday.  Work birthdays are always the same: squeeze people into small office, half-heartedly sing Happy Birthday, eat cake.  I hadn’t done a work birthday since going gluten-free.  This posed a predicament.  Do I make something gluten-free and serve it to everyone or buy something glutenous (i.e. cake from Whole Foods) and miss out?

I actually tried to do both.  Sunday night I tried out a recipe from the Whole Foods website that my roommate, Stephanie, found because it didn’t have xanthan gum in it.  She really hates xanthan gum.  Whole Foods calls these Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies, but I think they are more like a hybrid of cookie and brownie bites.  Still delicious.  So delicious in fact, that all but 4 disappeared Sunday night to my boyfriend and his friend.  Scratch birthday plan #1; I ended up buying cupcakes from Whole Foods anyways on Monday. 

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