Slightly over a year ago, I was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. I tearfully bid goodbye to cakes, pasta, pretzels, pizza and all other deliciously wheaty treats. I feel lucky to not have full blown Celiac's disease, but it doesn't lessen the general annoyance of the gluten-free lifestyle. As a result, I cook for myself far more often than I go out to eat. Salads get tedious, and you just never known when a soup is thickened with flour or your bento box is doused in soy sauce instead of tamari. Twitter has been helpful, with various folks shooting their gluten free finds in my direction. Baltimore, though, is still woefully behind for those of us living the gluten-free lifestyle. I envy friends in New York and San Francisco with hoards of rice or corn-based options on every corner, and tell myself that it's only a matter of time until Baltimore joins their ranks. It's not to say Baltimore isn't trying - Brick Oven Pizza in Fells Point offers a pretty solid gluten-free thin crust pizza, and Woodberry Kitchen has an entire gluten-free menu and always bring me a gluten-free snack when everyone else orders the bakery tray. Artifact Coffee gave me a gluten-free scone once, and I'll never forget how exciting it was to enjoy a flaky, buttery baked good just like everybody else.
