Gluten-free dining options can be found in certain New Jersey restaurants.
Gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease, affects an estimated three million Americans as of October 2010. This genetic disorder necessitates the removal of gluten from the diet in order to alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and joint pain. These glutens are found in food products containing wheat, rye and barley. New Jersey residents with celiac disease need not restrict their dining to home. A number of restaurants in the state offer gluten-free options on their menus. The prices quoted below were effective as of October 2010.
Bertucci's
Bertucci's is a chain of Italian restaurants with an extensive gluten-free menu. These menu items include the shrimp scampi appetizer, ordered without the grilled crostini for $10.25; the Caesar salad, ordered without the garlic croutons for $7.99; a sausage soup for $4.99; balsamic chicken served with mashed potatoes and string beans for $14.50 and for dessert, chocolate mousse for $5.50.
There are seven locations in New Jersey. Restaurant hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 pm., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Gaetano's
Located in Red Bank, this regional Italian cuisine restaurant has a casual atmosphere and seasonal sidewalk dining. The gluten-free menu on their website offers the assurance their ingredients were segregated from wheat in the manufacturing process. Menu items include a spinach and goat cheese salad for $8.95, saut ed asparagus for $7.95 and penne with little neck clams for $23.95.
Gaetano's is open daily. Lunch is served Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner is served Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is no lunch served on Sunday.
Joe's Pizzeria & Vittoria Ristorante
Gluten-free pizza dough is available at this family-run pizzeria in Summit. Menu items include the Verona, a four cheese pizza costing $10 for personal-size, $14 for small and $17 for large; the Atene with feta cheese, calamata olives and spinach costing $10 for personal-size, $15 for small and $20 for large; and the Roma with mozzarella, Roma plum tomatoes and fresh basil costing $10 for personal-size, $12 for small and $15 for large.
The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. Note, pizza is not served in the dining room on Friday and Saturday nights, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Park & Orchard
Park & Orchard puts the emphasis on natural with their fresh grown vegetables and fruits and their avoidance of ingredients such as bleached white flour and refined sugar. The online celiac menu gives specifications on order gluten-free, such as how you want your rice cooked and which soups and salad dressings are available gluten-free. Celiac menu items include the baba ganoush appetizer ordered with no pita for $5.95; the Cajun shrimp and andouille sausage stir-fry for $23.95 and dairy and wheat-free lasagna, containing polenta and tofu ricotta, for $19.95.
The restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dinner is served Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 4:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lunch isn't served on the weekend.
Tags: Monday through, items include, costing personal-size, costing personal-size small, Friday Saturday