GF Yale/New Haven

Apologies to our eight faithful followers for our lack of posts this past month. We'll do our best to post more consistently from now on! I have spent the last five weeks at Yale University, where I was (obviously) constantly on the lookout for anything gluten free. I was pleasantly surprised with all that I found and can honestly say that I never felt deprived of anything!

Here is my informal "Gluten Free Guide To Yale/New Haven, CT"

Restaurants:

While there are many restaurants in the area that have gluten free options, I only dined at two, due to their close proximity to the university and recommendations that I had received from others:

Georgie's Diner (427 Elm St., West Haven, (203) 933-1000, georgies-diner.com) -- Classic diner style, with many gluten-free options, including, sandwiches on GF bread, chicken parmesan with GF bread crumb.. (http://www.georgies-diner.com/GLUTMENU.pdf)

Pros:

-It's an exit or two before Yale on 95

- The food was decent

- The service was fast and the people were nice

Cons:

- The bread tasted like cardboard.

Claire's Corner Copia (1000 Chapel Street, New Haven, (203) 563-3888) -- All organic and vegetarian restaurant with gluten-free, and vegan options. Their menu ranges from omelettes, to delicious salads and sandwiches, to pizza, to Mexican entrees such as quesadillas and burritos.

Before eating at Claire's about three weeks ago, I hadn't had a quesadilla for four years. Suffice to say, when I saw "gluten-free quesadilla" listed on their menu, I knew exactly what I wanted. I ordered the Roasted Organic Vegetable Quesadilla and it was truly everything I could've asked for. The tortilla was crispy and the vegetables were fresh and it actually felt real. I've since tried their salads (incredibly innovative and tasty concoctions such as the "Puebla Salad" (organic black beans, onions, mixed greens, corn kennels, organic bell peppers, chopped tomatoes, organic cucumbers, feta cheese, red onions and corn chips) and their desserts.

Yes, desserts.

Everyday they are sure to have their double chocolate or regular macaroons (extremely delicious, but slightly too sweet).

I've also been lucky enough to indulge in their GF Lithuanian Coffee Cake and their GF chocolate chip cookies.

http://www.clairescornercopia.com/20100714-CLAIRESmenu.pdf

Barnes and Noble/Starbucks/The Yale Bookstore (77 Broadway, New Haven, (203) 777-8440) I spent a large majority of my time at Yale inside this store. Not only is it a great place to study, and find books for a research paper or to read for a study break, there is a Starbucks too, to satisfy any caffeine desire. While these two stores, merged into one, is a fantastic creation, seen in many states across America, the Yale Bookstore has even more. There is also a clothing shop, full of Yale apparel, necessary at any college or university, there is a basement floor where they sell items such as blankets or fans or rain boots or pens, pencils and notebooks. But still, despite the large scope of necessities already listed, this store has more. Next to the Starbucks there is a small convenience store, carrying things such as medicine, soda, gum and snacks. I was delighted to find Larabars, Breakaway Snack Bars, Food Should Taste Good Chips and Glenny's Soy Crisps, among the other gluten free potato chips and snacks.

Whereas I would usually have to ignore the grumbling of my stomach while studying inside of a Barnes and Noble, it was really amazing to be able to stand up, walk over to the shelves full of food that I can actually eat and choose something. Having options is more liberating then one would think.

Blue State Coffee (276 York Street, New Haven, (203) 787-9929)

Another favorite study place of mine, Blue State had absolutely incredible coffee and an amazingly nice staff. They also, on occasion had GF brownies...

Durfee's Sweet Shoppe (200 Elm Street)

Located next to the Yale Women's Center, this little convenience store tons of gluten free items including Amy's frozen dinners, Gluten Free Café frozen dinners, Glutino pretzels, Enjoy Life cookies, and K-Toos sandwich cookies.

hope this is helpful for the next time anyone visits New Haven!

-C

ps. Chelsea Clinton had a GF wedding cake?!

http://www.examiner.com/x-33455-Boston-GlutenFree-Food-Examiner~y2010m7d31-Kelloggs-cereal-recall-now-includes-Corn-Flakes