BRIAN CHILSON
NATIVES GUIDE
GREEN CUISINE
Gluten free dining
I
n the recent Wall Street Journal article “The Diet that Shook Up Tennis?” journalist Tom Perrotta considers if rising superstar Novak Djokovic rose to the top of the tennis world because of his gluten-free diet, which some believe sharpens mental acuity as well as provides other health benefits. First things first, however: What exactly is gluten? Though it sounds like something you might find stuck on the sole of your shoe, gluten refers to storage proteins used in the production of grains. Those with gluten sensitive enteropathy (celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis) have to avoid wheat, rye and barley. (There are also those with an allergy, which differs from celiac disease.) Options in Central Arkansas continue to grow as more people go gluten free. According to centralarkansasgig. 44 JUNE 8, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES
org, the go-to resource for all local GF news and a support group, a handful of restaurants in Arkansas participate in the Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP), which means they have meal preparation guidelines, employee awareness posters and sources for gluten-free foods. Those restaurants are Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Mama Fu’s (Bentonville) and Outback Steakhouse. Red Mango (the popular Heights frozen yogurt shop) has gone a step further, using gluten free ingredients certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization. Anne Luther, manager of the Gluten Intolerance Group of Central Arkansas, advises, however, “Remember, eating out is risky; cross-contamination can still occur even if there is a gluten-free menu.” She applauds Lilly’s Dim Sum for its efforts to avoid cross-contamination and cites U.S. Pizza as an offender.
LOCALLY OWNED RESTAURANTS Locally owned restaurants that don’t participate in GFRAP but do offer GF options on their menus include: American Pie Pizza, Cafe Bossa Nova and Rosalia’s Bakery, Green Cuisine, Izzy’s, Lilly’s Dim Sum, Sharea Soup (a catering service) and U.S. Pizza. CHAIN RESTAURANTS National and regional chains that have GF items on their menus: Bravo! Cucina Italiana, Cantina Laredo, Carino’s, Chili’s, Cozymel’s, Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon, Olive Garden, On the Border, Palio’s, P.F. Chang’s and Pei Wei Asian Diner, Red Robin, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Shorty Small’s and Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro. GROCERY STORES While mainstream grocery stores like Kroger are slowly becoming hip to GF products, Whole Foods and Drug Em-
porium offers the widest and most varied selection. (Kinnikinnick frozen items and Glutino pretzels are favorites.) SHAREA SOUP Sharea Wheeler, chef and owner of catering service Sharea Soup, has been delivering GF soups and salads in Little Rock for two years and plans to open a permanent location in the near future. Wheeler says her focus has always been on a diverse and healthy diet. “My menu changes every week. Most of my customers are health conscious and are concerned about maintaining their weight or losing weight. I cook for meat-eaters, vegetarians, vegans and people on a gluten free diet.” As the gluten-free diet has become more popular, customers have requested that she label her gluten-free options, Wheeler says. Now, when she makes something with pasta or bread,