GLUTEN-FREE LI

Back in May, Peter Bronski wrote a good article for Long Island Pulse called "Hold the Wheat: A Guide to Going Gluten-Free." In the article, Bronski noted that "An estimated two million Americans—1 in 133—have Celiac Disease, whether they know it or not (most, like me, live with years of pain and discomfort, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed). That means that in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, where there are some 2.85 million residents, statistically more than 21,400 people are living with CD—that’s enough folks to fill 1.2 Nassau Coliseums." Accompanying the article was a short list of gluten-free dining and shopping options.

Today, The New York Times offers Carolyn Nardiello's take on "Restaurants Offering Gluten-Free Options" on Long Island. The article mentions most of the area restaurants on the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP): Emerson's in Babylon, Mama's Italian Restaurant in Oakdale, and Caffe Baldo in Wantagh as the Outback Steakhouse chain [PDF]. Nardiello seems to have a good feel for the specialties of each restaurant: rib-eye au poivre and flourless chocolate cake at Emerson's, cannoli at Mama's, garlic knots at Caffe Baldo.

The article also notes a promising development: "Fran Watins, 57, of Commack, who is on the board of the Suffolk County Celiacs Support and Awareness Group (SCC), said that next month the organization, which has 400 to 500 members, will meet for the first time with restaurant owners on Long Island who may be interested in offering gluten-free menus." Let's hope this leads to many more options, especially under the aegis of a third-party organization such as GFRAP.

Also note: The site of the April 26, 2009 Long Island Vendor Fair will be IBEW Local 25, 370 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge.