Grano Pasta Bar (a.k.a. Little Grano)

Gluten-Free Pasta? Not cooked by me? In a restaurant?  Obviously I had to go and check it out.  So that's what I was doing on Thursday. Grano Pasta Bar is very small, probably seats about 14 total.  It's great because it's almost as though you've been allowed to come into someone's kitchen to sit down and have some great food.  The kitchen is right there on the other side of the bar, so you get to watch your food get cooked right in front of you, which is a treat in and of itself.

The menu is simple:  Choose a pasta. Choose a sauce. Done.  Want salad with that, ok -- we have a few types.  The portion size of the pasta dish is huge, so be ready for leftovers, which I'm always a fan of -- dinner and lunch the next day? It's a win.  If you want wine with dinner, bring your own, or do what we did and head down to the wine bar just down the street and end your meal there with a glass of wine and some dessert.  Brilliant.


Looking for a bigger place?  3 blocks up there's Grano on Chestnut.  Haven't been there yet, but it's on the to-do list.

Bringing Gluten-Free Chicago to Baltimore. It's a Win.

Da Luciano's
8343 W Grand Ave
River Grove, IL 60171
708-453-1000
dalucianos.com

This wonderful restaurant is near Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Why am I mentioning it to Baltimore area celiacs? Because they will now SHIP gluten free food!! They offer gluten free food I have literally never seen elsewhere including gluten free ravioli, tiramisu, cannoli, and much more. Check out their website! My husband - who does not have celiac disease - says their gluten free food doesn’t taste gluten-free. (Doesn’t taste like it’s missing anything.) All I can say is I am very happy whenever I eat their food.

This restaurant is owned by a husband and wife who have children with Celiac disease so they really know how to cook for celiacs. If you’re ever in Chicago, it’s a must visit.

-Susan

Longing for Gluten-Free Pasta at an Italian Restaurant? We have three for you.

Susan wrote to use about these two great options. We're ready to go eat some pasta, and can't contain our excitement, so we're sharing with you. Get excited, and let us know your pasta experience at Ciao Bella, Aldo's, and/or Pizzazz Tuscan Grille!

 

Ciao Bella 
236 S High Street 
Baltimore MD 21202 
(410) 685-7733  
cbella.com 

Have you ever longed for genuine Italian pasta but your longing couldn't be satisfied because you have celiac disease? You don’t have to wait any longer! This lovely restaurant in the middle of Baltimore’s little Italy area is very friendly towards celiacs. If you bring your own gluten free pasta, they will make the pasta and put on any sauce you choose. My favorite is pasta a capri, which is a mixture of seafood (shrimp, clams, scallops) in a creamy white sauce. Most Italian pasta dishes are gluten free, as long as the pasta itself is gluten free. Make your reservation by phone. Mention when you make the reservation that you have celiac disease and you will bring your own pasta. Never hurts to follow up the day before your reservation. You will likely be asked for your pasta as soon as you walk in the restaurant. If you forget to bring your own pasta, no problem! Walk to Whole Foods just a few blocks south of the restaurant and buy gluten free pasta from there. I personally prefer the corn based pasta (as opposed to the rice based pasta). By the way, this restaurant is owned by Chef Gambino who you might have seen on TV. It’s a real treat to eat here and well worth the drive!

Aldo's 
306 South High Street 
Baltimore, Maryland 21202 
410.727.0700  
aldositaly.com
This wonderful restaurant in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood has FRESH gluten free pasta! I could not believe my ears when the waiter told me that they have fresh gluten free pasta. I had to of course try it out. I had their GF pasta with wild boar ragu sauce. It was one of the best meals of my entire life. The ragu sauce is very rich and complements the pasta. The wild boar ragu sauce is not a regular menu item; they only have it certain times. The waiter told me however that they generally have fresh GF pasta on the weekends. Just to be sure, though, call a day or two ahead and let them know you will want their GF pasta. It's awesome!!

We can't forget about Pizzazz, our current favorite, which is the restaurant that makes us feel the most normal. We can get almost anything from the menu and know it's going to be great. From sandwiches to pizza to pasta, anything that normally would be off limits is a-ok.

Gluten Free Italian Food

If you haven't had a large gluten-free cheese pizza in a while, you'll want to try Conte's Pasta Gluten Free Cheese Pizza.  It has a thin crispy crust, delicious tomato sauce, and just the right amount of cheese.  It's not personal sized, like Glutino's version, so there's room to add your own toppings.  It's done in 10 minutes.

In fact, it's so delicious, I'm going to purchase some of their other gluten-free products:  Ravioli, Lasagna, Gnocchi, Pierogies, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Manicotti, and Stuffed Shells. 

I was able to find the pizza at The Natural in Timonium, MD; however, the other products I'm going to have to purchase online.  I'll be sure to let The Natural know which one's they should stock up on!  I'm just so excited.

I'm thinking about having a full Italian Meal:  Against The Grain Baguette made into Garlic Bread, a delicious Salad, and Ravioli!  

Some days when I get home from work, I just want to shove something in the microwave and be done with it.  (Ok, so I'm one person, so I always want to do that...) Gluten Free Cafe frozen entrees are delicious.  I'm particularly fond of the Fettucini Alfredo.  I've also found these at The Natural.  

The Natural Market

The Natural Market

2149 York Rd

Timonium, MD 21093

410-560-3133

Hours:

Monday - Friday:  9:30am - 8pm

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 11am - 7pm

I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of The Natural in Timonium, MD.  Their selection of gluten-free products just keeps expanding, and they keep continuing to find new and improved products.  They have some outstanding frozen foods, especially Glutino's frozen personal sized pizzas as well as some gluten-free TV dinners that are quite good.  (TV dinners--as far as I recall--were never top-notch gourmet food anyway...)  

The shopping center is currently under construction, but it's worth the trip!

Gluten-Free Macaroni & Cheese

It has been quite a long time since I've had macaroni and cheese that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I've tried Amy's frozen rice macaroni and cheese, which is good, but not outstanding.  I've tried Glutino's frozen macaroni and cheese, which is less good, but ok.  I was eating rice and cheese earlier today and thinking back to my days of Kraft macaroni and cheese.  Oh, how I loved that powdered cheese when it mixed in with the milk and butter.  Well, I want it back.  And since I'm having a lazy Sunday, I figured I'd try to find some way to get it.  So, guess what I found?  The cheese in the cheese packets inside the box of Kraft Mac & Cheese boxes are gluten-free!  Hooray.  That just means that I will now sub out the gluteny Kraft macaroni for gluten-free pasta and voila! Gluten-Free Mac & Kraft Cheese.

Favorites from the Grocery Store

In no particular order

1. Great Breakfast: Glutino Plain Bagels toasted with Cream Cheese
2. The Perfect Lunch: Whole Foods Market Sandwich Bread toasted with Chicken Salad
3. For Lunch or Dinner: Glutino Frozen Personal Pizza: Spinach & Feta or Tomato & Cheese
4. Great Dinner with the possibility for leftovers for Lunch: Tinkyada Tricolor Fusilli Pasta with Chicken, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Black Olives, Artichoke Hearts, and Olive Oil
5. Great Breakfast Food: Erewhon Rice Twice Cereal
6. Trader Joe's Sweet without Wheat Tiramisu Dessert Cake
7. Whole Foods Market Frozen Pie Crusts as the crust for Quiche Lorraine
8. As a great snack: Glutino Pretzel Sticks & Peanut Butter
9. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner: Van's Waffles toasted with a little Butter and Maple Syrup
10. When I have no time: Amy's Frozen Meals
11. When I want to feel like a kid again: Dinosaur Shaped Chicken Nuggets with Heinz Ketchup or Kraft Barbeque Sauce