Monday, July 26, 2010

Gluten Free at Dodger Stadium (beer and snacks)

So I went to watch the Dodger play the equally hapless Mets last Saturday.
I had read in the LA Times that the Dodgers (by way of their food server - Levy Restaurants) would be offering some gluten free items this year.  I didn't want to post until I checked it out.

You need to find the Kaiser Permanent Healthy Plate cart.
Here is what the cart sign looks like...

















Here is a picture of the prices...notice that the GF Beer, Redbridge, is not unreasonably priced (for a ballpark) at $6 per 12 oz bottle. It is about a 400% markup over normal store prices...like most other beer.
















And lastly, here is a picture of the gluten free redbridge beer (so you know it is not a myth).  Remember, beer sales stop in the 7th inning, so get their early and ask for the Kaiser Cart with the gluten free beer...
















Sadly, the food left almost everything to be desired...they only had GF snacks.

There were only 3 choices..1) gummy bears 2)pistachios 3)snack bars.
 (and the gummy bears were getting mushy in direct sunlight)

I wrote before about the new gluten free food at the new Met Stadium, which included some GF BBQ and other fun things.  Even the Washington Wizards have some GF foods available.  It's sad that there are not better offerings for the 56,000 fans that Dodger Stadium can hold. If they have an average ratio of about 1 in 100 people as a celiac, that means there are 560 celiacs that can't buy a proper meal at Dodger Stadium (when the stadium is sold out).

In short, it is a good start, but underwhelming.  It would be great if the Dodgers and Levy Restaurants were more proactive about catering to people with dietary needs (particularly celiac disease).  I would go to more Dodger games each year if I was able to eat food (which means more food, ticket, and parking money for the McCourts).

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Gluten Free in Waikiki, Gluten Free in Honolulu, Gluten Free in Hawaii

I'm going to Hawaii in the near future, so am posting this as the list of places that I may go
(so I can refer to it).
Reviews when I return. Some are big chain restaurants.

PF Chang's : Gluten Free menus are in PDF on the site.
Waikiki - Located in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center
Sunday - Thursday 11:00am- 11:00pm   Friday - Saturday 11:00am - midnight
2201 Kalakaua Ave. Suite A401
Honolulu, HI 96815
Honolulu - Located in the in the Hokua Building
Monday - Thursday and Sunday 11am - 10:30pm  Friday & Saturday 11 am - 11:30pm
1288 Ala Moana Boulevard, Ground Floor (Enter from Auahi Street)
Honolulu, HI 96814

Outback Steakhouse -Gluten Free Menu is a PDF.
Waikiki
4:30-10:00 daily (some days they open at 4)
1765 Ala Moana Blvd,
Honolulu, HI 96815
1-808-951-6274
Roy's - Waikiki Beach  (Hawaiian Fusion, looks pricey.) Also another location south of Honolulu.
Need to talk to chefs and make reservation in advance.  Notify them you are celiac.
226 Lewers Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-7697

Down to Earth  -  market that allegedly sells a lot of GF snacks.  MAP HERE
2525 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: (808) 947-7678
7:30am - 10:00pm
Hula Grill Waikiki - may be a possibility.  go by and ask them before you get hungry.
Waikiki
2335 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu,
HI 96815
House Without a Key -little south of Fort Derussy. 
entertainment 5:30-8:00.  Open 7am-9pm.  Has lunch and dinner menus.  Pricey. The chef can modify things, but it would be rather expensive for some grilled chicken/steak with white rice and steamed vegetables.  Nice view.
Waikiki
2199 Kalia Rd
Honolulu, HI 96815
11am-1am
226 Lewers St
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-9273

Cheeseburger in Paradise - said to be on Waikiki Beach but I can't find the location on their site.  Cheeseburger has a Gluten Free MENU HERE
NOTE - Though they share the same name of Cheeseburger in Paradise, the restaurant/bar in Waikiki has a different web address and NO gluten free food. AVOID.  That explains why they are not a listed location. I am leaving them on here so you don't trek there for nothing.

Denny's - Look at the allergen PDF before ordering.
2345 KUHIO AVE
HONOLULU, HI 96815
(808) 922-9522

205 Lewers St
HONOLULU, HI 96815
(808) 923-8188
Bubbies Ice Cream and Desserts - they have mochi that may be GF.
(I never made it to either location) - no review forthcoming.
Varsity Center  - Across Varsity Theater on Coyne Street
1010 University Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96826
Mon-Th 12 PM - 12 AM
Fri - Sat 12 PM - 1 AM
Sun 12 PM - 11:30 AM

Hawaii Kai  - Koko Marina Shopping Center
7192 Kalanianaole Hwy D103
Honolulu, HI 96825
(808) 396-8722
Sun - Th 10 AM - 11 PM
Fri - Sat 10 AM - Midnight

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Gluten Free Cider

Everyone loves a good list.  Here is the CeliacsUnited.com list of the top gluten free ciders (that I have tried and recall enough to write about).  Beware, some other ciders are not gluten free due to additives etc (avoid Hornsby's for example).  Everything on this list was Gluten Free when I tried it.   I'll add photos eventually.  I purchased everything at bevmo, but most are available elsewhere.  Expect to pay about $1.50 per 12 ounces (9 bucks a 6-pack for you non-math folk).



1. Fox Barrel - Hard Apple Cider.  6.0% alcohol  They claim...

Using freshly pressed juice and a passion for quality,our ciders are refreshing and enjoyable, equally comfortable on the beach or at a dinner party.
I had the 22oz variety and I agree. I claim...
Sweet dang.  That is delicious.  I do feel refreshed. Thank you sir, may I have another.  I'd even drink it if I didn't have celiac disease.  It is kind of them to have a large "Gluten Free" under the nutrition facts.  It is a tad pricey.

2a. Woodchuck Draft Cider - Amber.  5.0% alcohol.  The original flavor.  Amber/golden honey color and good aftertaste.  Non-celiacs will approve of the flavor also. 

2b. Woodchuck Draft Cider - 802.   The name comes from the area code in Vermont that the cider is made.  They "use caramelized sugar instead of white sugar to tone down the sweetness" (their words). I think it tasted pretty sweet (of the..."that sounds pretty sweet to me" variety).  I would definitely have it again.  Different than the amber, not better or worse.

4.  Woodchuck Draft Cider - Spring Cider. 5.0% alcohol. Yellow label with spring meadow scene.  Granny smith with a hint of honey.  Grand improvement over plain Granny Smith.  Mellow smooth tones in your mouth and a friendly aftertaste.

5. Woodchuck Draft Cider - Granny Smith.  5.0% alcohol.  Makes your mouth pucker like you are drinking a sour apple jolly rancher or some fancy less than butch apple-tini.  Apple taste is so strong it seems healthy.  A unique way to get your daily serving of fruits.  I am not too enamored with this.


7. (tie) Woodchuck Draft Cider - Fall Cider (limited release).  5.0% alcohol. Back before my celiac disease was diagnosed, I'd drink beer.  This is the "Sierra Nevada Pale Ale" of ciders.  It is not very pleasant initially, but given a chance repeatedly (over more than a few weeks), it began to grow on me a little.  I think this has the potential to be a cult classic.  You may love or hate it, but try it 6 times before you totally write it off.  I still think it tastes like pine tree urine with a hint of apple.  Has an autumnal label (sorry no pic).

7. (tie)Woodchuck Draft Cider - Raspberry.  4.0% alcohol.  In an obscure reference to tombstone (val kilmer's doc holiday)...Raspberry is my huckleberry.  I just did not really like it.  Too much of the raspberry, would be fine as a dessert cider, but more than one is too many.  I may be too harsh.

Woodchuck Draft Cider - Pear - 4.0% alcohol.  I have not tried yet.

There are other ciders out there that I have not tried or forget...looks like I need to get out there and try some. Also, is it just me...or is cider a strange word.  Look at it on its own.    cider          CIDER          strange.