ChurchKey

We enjoyed an impromptu visit from our friend Heather this past weekend. We thought she would just be staying with us for an afternoon visit, but after consulting the Amtrak schedule, she opted for a morning train instead, and we got to enjoy her company over dinner. Chris suggested that we check out the new gastropub in the hood, ChurchKey.

I'm always game to go out for a bite, and have gotten used to toughing it out, GF-culinary-wise, at places where I can eat only a green salad. I anticipated ChurchKey was going to be one of these as we scanned the online menu at home. Brewpubs are not always known to be friendly to celiacs. Nonetheless, off we went.

The interior space (upstairs) is quite nicely done, with a feature point of a large window with lovely late afternoon light streaming in. We sat and scanned the menu. Heather could tell I was bracing myself for a salad kind of a meal, when all of a sudden, we spied something we hadn't seen online (turns out we did not read carefully enough!): "the above flatbreads can be made gluten free"! No way! Our nice server explained that there was a chickpea crust option. I ordered the grafton cheddar & broccoli flatbread, cheerfully ponying up the extra $2 for the GF option, and washed it down with a hard cider by Harpoon. How cool is that??

Everyone else fared well too. My dining companions liked their non-GF flatbreads (Heather actually preferred the flavor of the chickpea crust to her version) and quaffed some fine crafted brews. We heart this place and will definitely return.

So, ChurchKey is friendly, for GF and non-GF alike. I should also mention I saw 4 GF beers on the list when we were there, so you won't be thirsty if you have a yen for a brew. Sorry to not write more about it - I'm not a beer fan myself so I was happy to try one of 5-6 ciders on the menu.

ChurchKey DC website and their menu available online.

A disappointing mix

We had a horrendous run-in with a prepackaged GF product from Whole Foods. The mists of time had fogged my memory of just how bad this stuff was and how it should be avoided at all costs. Now I know - and so do you! Below is the rant I sent to the Whole Foods customer service email. We'll see if I get a reply.

365 brand Gluten Free pizza mix

This is a very disappointing product. For starters, the directions are convoluted, overspecific and do not resemble any other pizza crust dough directions I know (GF or otherwise). Why beat the eggs 3 minutes? Why not put the yeast in the lukewarm water with the sugar? I could not discern any benefit from following the directions as written - too many steps. The directions should be modified to should just combine the dry ingredients then mix in the wet.

The dough, once you make it, completely unworkable because it is sticky beyond belief. The directions should at least warn of this, and provide some means or suggestions to handle the dough. It cannot be kneaded or really touched. The only way I could cope with it was to heavily oil my fingers/utensil to move it around - not good.

The result, when baked, hardly resembles pizza dough. At best, it could be said to resemble focaccia. The mix makes a crust which is flavorless and pouffy. At least it does not have a grainy mouthfeel, but that is its only positive factor.

I expected way better, Whole Foods, particularly as the frozen 365 gluten free pizza prepared crusts are fairly decent!

Rustico

My former office mate, who also has a friend who is celiac, told me about Rustico in Alexandria, VA a little while ago. My erstwhile GF-friendly BF accompanied me down out of town to check it out.

Rustico has a chickpea crust pizza that is fairly crispy, thick, and quite filling (even at my hungriest, no way I can eat more than half a pizza!). You can get a variety of toppings. What is even more fun, is that there are also gluten free beers so you can munch and sip and approximate ye olden days before your diagnosis...there are even several suggestions for the beers and the one I had was quite decent!

It is a fun destination for a mixed-company group (GF and non GF) as the ample menu has many other pizza options, plus burgers, a large beer selection, and a friendly, convivial atmosphere.

www.rusticorestaurant.com

Pete's Apizza

This post could be very, very short indeed. Here is what you should do:

• Get yourself to Columbia Heights. Be hungry.
• Go to Pete's Apizza.
• Order a Kyra's pizza.
• Eat. Enjoy. Smile.

In the years since my celiac diagnosis, of course finding decent pizza somewhat reminiscent of the "real mccoy" is perhaps a celiac foodie's equivalent of the holy grail. My beloved non-GF BF (that's non gluten free boyfriend) found this gem in December and I make a trip, er, pilgrimage at least a few times a month since our first time there. The proprietor is super friendly and will gladly assist you with menu questions. The Kyra's pizza is on the menu in homage to a family friend. Now, the same disclaimer does apply in this restaurant and for all restaurants where you do not prepare the food yourself - there may be a risk of some cross contamination. But, knock on wood, so far I have eaten there safely every time. So, don't walk, run...and go sink your teeth into crunchy crusty goodness.
http://www.petesapizza.com/