No Gluten? No Problem!

Gone are the days when everyone dove for the bread basket without a second thought. More and more Americans are realizing that, for a host of reasons, consuming wheat and other forms of gluten are not conducive to them being well. As a result, many restaurants have begun offering alternatives to our grainheavy diet. Whether you suffer from celiac or Lyme disease, are trying to eat fewer carbohydrates, or simply have found that eating less gluten seems best for your body, it’s so nice when you don’t have to sacrifice the pleasure of going out to eat in order to feel good.

UNITED FARMERS MARKET-- Belfast

The Belfast region is becoming known as “the next ‘it spot’ for food” in New England, according to chef Evan Mallett, who recently opened the Ondine Oyster + Wine Bar in the building known as the Gothic in downtown Belfast. And among the many well-reviewed eateries, there are a host of places that offer delicious gluten-free choices.

Ondine itself has several gluten-free items on its seafood-rich menu of “American modern heritage” cooking, including the Hardshell Clams dinner entree, which is served with polenta, greens and smoked bacon in a spicy pork broth. Folks seeking a quick, homemade lunch can stop by the Daily Soup’s cozy little spot across from the Belfast Co-op (which has a whole section of gluten-free groceries) to try one of the ever-changing and ever-comforting gluten-free specials, such as the Yellow Pea and Coconut Milk soup served with wilted spinach and spiced yogurt. Up in Searsport, Me Lon Togo, a new spot featuring West African-inflected fourcourse prix fixe dinner menus, often provides a gluten-free option such as the Cognac Chicken, served with housemade sweet potato gnocchi. And on Route One in Northport, Pizza Permare can make any of its locavore wood-fired pizzas on gluten-free dough.

If these haven’t already started you salivating, check out the following pages for more enticing gluten-free delights, including exotic appetizers, satisfying dinner salads and sandwiches, desserts and even gourmet hot dogs.

DETAILS -- WHERE TO INDULGE WITHOUT GLUTEN

BELFAST CO-OP daily from 7:30 AM-8 PM 123 High Street, Belfast @belfastcooperative 338-2532

BELL THE CAT M-Sat from 7:30 AM-7 PM & Sun from 9-4 15G Starrett Drive, Belfast @bellthecatinc 338-2084

DAILY SOUP weekdays from 11:30 AM-3 PM 118 High Street, Belfast @dailysoupbelfast 930-0304

FANCY PLANTS at united farmers market (see below) 975 Waterville Road, Waldo @Fancyplantsme 322-8225

ME LON TOGO F-Sun for dinner 375 East Main Street, Searsport @MeLonTogo 872-9146

MOODY DOG FOOD TRUCK seasonally T-Sat, 10 AM-3 PM & available for private parties 39 Main Street, Belfast @moodydog 322-2353

NEIGHBORHOOD T-Sun 5-9 PM & lunch in season 132 High Street, Belfast @Neighborhood04915 505-0425

ONDINE OYSTER + WINE BAR dinner every day & lunch on weekends; closed Wed 108 Main Street, Belfast @ondinebelfast 338-3318

PIZZA PREMARE W-F 4-8 PM & noon through dinner on weekends 681 Atlantic Highway/Route 1, Northport @pizzapermare 338-2600

UNITED FARMERS MARKET Saturdays year-round, 9 AM-2 PM 18 Spring Street, Belfast @18SpringStreetBelfastMaine 218-7005

WHALE’S TOOTH PUB & RESTAURANT W-F for dinner & S-S 11:30 AM-dinner 2533 Atlantic Highway/Route 1, Lincolnville Beach @whalestoothpub 789-5200

A cooking prodigy, Raymelle Moody-Guthrie opened the Moody Dog food truck as a way to achieve her dream of owning a small business with a local, natural focus. Any of her handmade gourmet dogs can be ordered wrapped in greens or on a GF bun-- and even the homemade soy dogs are gluten-free. Check out the Kraut Dog, made with mustard that Raymelle crafts from scratch, or the Chicago Dog topped with the Windy City's traditional celery salt and poppy seeds.

IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, SET THEM (GLUTEN) FREE!

Thanks to decades of combined hospitality experience, the Newcombes know how to make a place that feels like a second home. At the Whale’s Tooth Pub & Restaurant in Lincolnville Beach, sit outside on their oceanfront deck, or, off-season, grab a seat by the cozy brick fireplace and dig into their Steak & Gorgonzola Salad.

The truffles made by nutritionist Linda Prichard and sold exclusively at her Fancy Plants booth at United Farmers Market aren’t just gluten-free: they’re also raw, dairy-free and made from plants. Don’t believe something so wholesome can be decadent and delish? Try her take on the famous Ferrero Rocher chocolates, which Linda assembles by hand using cacao powder, agave, hazelnuts and coconut nectar. Even the vanilla she uses is gluten-free!

Just outside of town and recently under new local ownership, Bell the Cat is a favorite place to have a coffee or sandwich, and their Midcoast take on the New York City classic of lox-on-a-bagel, the Ducktrap Smoked Salmon, marries Maine-cured salmon with caper-red onion cream cheese on a glutenfree bagel. (All of their completely yummy sandwiches can be ordered on GF wraps or breads, too.)

Moody Dog inherited its truck and real estate from the Good n’ You folks, who went on to open Neighborhood, a restaurant with a hip vibe, amazing cocktails and tantalizing recipes borrowed from cuisines around the world. We recommend starting your meal with one of their many mouth-watering gluten-free sides, like the fried green tomatoes with cajun remoulade, which are garnished with edible flowers from a nearby farm.

BY ARIELLE GREENBERG BYWATER