Gaffney's

Last night I attended a Chamber of Commerce Mixer on Gaffney's Patio. This has always been one of my favorite Chamber events. Last year's mixer was just two days after I began my gluten free lifestyle. It was my first restaurant visit so it's where my "question-asking" began. They serve great chicken wings (dedicated fryer). Last year there was no gluten-free beer available. Now of course there is but it has never been available at Gaffney's. I was an early arrival to the mixer so I introduced myself to the owner John Baker. I let him know that I attempted to order a beer they didn't carry. I explained Red Bridge Beer to him. He was interested to hear about it and said he'd order a case with his next order. He then picked up his cell phone and said he'd better order it before he forgot. As I stood next to him he placed the call to his distributor, ordering three cases. It will be available beginning tonight! You can bet I will be there enjoying their patio and a Red Bridge! Thank You, John!
Gaffney's is located at 16 Caroline Street on the corner of Putnam. Music on the patio Thursday thru Sunday nights. Enjoy!

Welcome Times Union Blog readers!

Thanks to Albany Times Union staff writer Christen Deming, glutenfreesaratoga received a mention in the Saratoga Seen blog today! Check it out. I enjoy the variety of posts there...http://blogs.timesunion.com/saratogaseen/ .

The very best pasta!

After suffering(!) with rice pasta for nearly a year I finally tasted corn pasta. I was not a fan of rice pasta at all. Corn pasta is fabulous!!!! It actually cooks up with some "bite" to it and the color is like real pasta. Previously I have only found corn pasta at Wegmans (in Western NY) or Whole Foods (way too far away). I tripped over it recently in Roma Foods. They have long carried rice pasta on a separate wooden rack. In a weak moment I was perusing the "normal pasta", I guess longing for the real thing. There I spotted the coveted corn pasta! I grabbed four packages, ran by the deli counter to thank the owner and checked out. I was so excited I went home and cooked some on my lunch hour! The owner tells me that people like the taste and texture and that "regular people" buy it. It is quite expensive but definitely worth it for me. A one pound package of spaghetti is around $7.50 and and 8 ounce package of penne will set you back $4.50. My family loves the taste of it but obviously I keep it hidden as it is a luxury item for me and they will eat Barilla that can be bought for 88 cents per pound.