Tag Archives: gluten-free bread

Brunch at Brown Hound Bistro

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Last weekend, we took advantage of the fresh snow and went to Bristol Mountain for a day of skiing.  This was only my second time at Bristol Mountain as a new Rochesterian.  I was impressed by the accessibility of the mountain and the amount of runs they had for a small mountain in western New York.  We did a half day, getting in as many runs as possible to keep our bodies moving and warm.  By the end of the day, we were all much more exhausted than we had anticipated and spent the rest of the evening at a friends’ house on Canandaigua Lake by the fire, drinking wine.

The next morning, re-energized, we woke up early (for a weekend) and had breakfast at the Brown Hound Bistro.  The Brown Hound Bistro is near the southwestern part of Canandaigua Lake in South Bristol.  It is in a charming 100-year-old house and seats only 20.  It defines cozy.

Brown Hound Bistro only serves Brunch on Sundays and only from 8-2, so if you want a table, you are strongly encouraged to make a reservation.  For someone with a non-restricted diet, the menu has a wide array of options.  From French toast to German pancakes, NYC inspired bagel sandwich with salmon (entitled the Oh My Gawd!) to a Greek inspired lamb wrap, the Brown Hound has something for every palate.  But for a celiac like me, I felt limited to the eggs and salads especially since there weren’t any labels or disclaimers for special diets.  So, I ordered the Wild Bills Hangover, an omelette with cheddar, banana peppers, onion and bacon.

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I must admit, I didn’t disclose the fact that I was gluten free, until I specified no toast.  At that point, the waitress said, “I think we may have some gluten free bread left.”  Am I glad they did!  Yes, the omelet was delicious, but the gluten free bread was hands down the best gluten free bread I have every had.  It was sliced thick-Texas style, flavorful  and the texture was spot-on: chewy, but not tough.  I made everyone at the table sample it and they agreed it was really good.  Alas, bread that good, gluten free or not, could only be homemade and indeed it was.  I shamelessly asked the waitress for the recipe but she said it was a secret.

The Brown Hound Bistro makes good food and is quite charming- but I can get good food and charm at a lot of places.  What makes this small restaurant stand out is its baked goods, made on-site.  Although I would suggest they beef up their labeling practices on their menu and advertise that they accommodate gluten free diners, I would make the trek from Rochester on a weeknight to enjoy the freshly baked gluten free bread and I suggest you do too.

GF BLT

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While in Jackson, we were privy to freshly baked gluten-free bread from Harvest Organic Bakery and Cafe.  The loaf is primarily cornmeal, which can be deducted from its sweet taste.  In any case, for lunch one day, we wanted sandwhiches, and all we had was some bacon, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and a cornmeal loaf: the GF BLT was born

GF BLT Recipe

2 slices of gluten-free bread, toasted.

2 slices of pepper bacon

1bunch of baby spinach leaves

2 slices of tomato

2 slices of cheese (I know, not traditional, but really tasty addition)

Toast your GF bread while you are frying up the bacon.  Slice up the tomato and cheese.  When the bacon is done, assemble the sandwhich: cheese, spinach, tomato, then bacon.  Enjoy!


Bistango

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Last week, I was really spoiled.  After a fantastic dinner at Rizzuto’s, I went to Bistango with my dad and Alex for a dinner date.  We do this pretty often since we both work in the city and I get to pick the restaurants.  This time, I picked Bistango - convenient location, gluten-free friendly.  I’ve been to Bistango before, and so I wasn’t necessarily surprised by the awesomeness of their gluten-free options, but it was still a treat.  Bistango was one of the first restaurants in New York to offer a pretty substantial gluten-free menu and they remain at the top of the list for options.  Not only do they serve gluten-free pasta, they offer gluten-free bread, beer, and dessert.  I know this from experience.

Bistango isn’t really quaint or charming or modern.  It has an elegant feel that sometimes makes the diner ponder whether should be wearing something dressier, but then they look around and realize their casual dress is fine.  I don’t love the decor at Bistango but that doesn’t matter, the food makes up for it.  When we got there at 6:30, the small restaurant was about 1/4 full, but diners steadily poured in as we ate. 

The first thing I did was order a beer.  Bistango serves two gluten-free beers, both from Green’s, a UK based brewery.  I had tried the “Endeavor” (about $6 a Whole Foods for a 18 ounce bottle), so I went for the “Quest.”  This beer tastes like beer. I mean, like good, quality, gluten-containing beer.  My dad and Alex agreed.  I’d be drinking this all the time if it wasn’t so expensive.  That was gluten-free item #1.  After I ordered my beer, the waiter asked if I was gluten-free, I said yes, and so he brought me some gluten-free bread.  This bread rocked.  Alex preferred it to his regular bread.  It was toasted, but still chewy, and had lots of grains.  It was a true whole-grain gluten-free bread, hearty, darker, and with lots of crunchy seeds and grains.  Sadly, unlike regular bread, this bread doesn’t come with free refills.  If you want another serving, it will set you back $5. 

By the time my pasta came, I was in gluten-free heaven.  I was drinking my delicious, Belgian-style beer, munching on bread with the rest of the table, and chowing down on the corn pasta with zucchini and ginger.  I’ve mentioned corn pasta before, but it’s worth reiterating how much better it is than rice pasta.  It has the same texture and taste as wheat pasta, and some say it’s better.  I almost didn’t finish my pasta.  Beer, bread, pasta?  Carbtastic and super filling.  How did I always used to eat like this?  Anyhow, my gluten-free gorge wasn’t over just yet.  My dad insisted we look at the dessert menu, and lo and behold, there were gluten-free desserts that weren’t ice cream or sorbet.  I had the apple tart.  It was good, but not great.  The tart had a melty chocolate layer that didn’t pair that well with the apple and crust, but mostly, I was happy to eat a gluten-free pastry at a restaurant.  When I return, I’ll go for the flourless chocolate cake or cheesecake.

If you want a gluten-free gourmande experience, Bistango is the place to go.

Grilled Cheese Success!

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My first (successful) grilled cheese sandwhich in months.  Thanks Udi’s.

Grilled cheese sandwhiches were a staple of my childhood and always remind me of home.  Sadly, since my diagnosis I haven’t been able to really enjoy a grilled cheese.  I tried making one with Whole Foods Prairie Bread, but the bread soaked up the cheese, leaving me with two cheesy bread slices.  Fail.  After hearing much praise for Udi’s, I bought some from FreshDirect. The results are, as you can see, unbelievable.  It looks like bread, it feels like bread, and it tastes like bread. It isn’t dense or heavy, but light and airy, and doesn’t even need to be toasted to taste ok.  It is far from ok, Udi’s is a gluten-free bread revolution.  Buy some, now.