Where to Eat on Homecoming Weekend

Homecoming weekend is full of fun things to do, whether it’s attending a sporting event, viewing a film screening, or just spending some quality time with your loved ones. But as packed as your schedule may be, it’s always good to reserve a little time for some quality dining, and Middletown offers some great options.

Breakast/Brunch/Lunch:

O’Rourke’s Diner: O’Rourke’s is probably the most famous restaurant in Middletown. Established in 1941, it has been a Connecticut staple for breakfast and brunch for years. Be sure to try their hash, freshly baked bread, and egg dishes. Disclaimer: There will be a line, so come early or be prepared to wait.
One of the many eggs benedict dishes at O’Rourke’s
First and Last Tavern: For only $20, First and Last offers an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch buffet with breakfast items, Italian specialties, and desserts. This is a great place for a big group, especially one with picky eaters, since everyone will find something they like. We particularly love the sweets (chocolate chip/oatmeal raisin cookies, cheesecake, and tiramisu). Reservations recommended.
The cookies at Sunday brunch at First & Last
Ford News Diner: If you’re looking for an authentic, old Middletown experience that won’t put a hole in your wallet, definitely check out this little diner on Main Street. The service is exceptionally fast and the food is cooked right before your eyes. Go for something simple, like one of their satisfying breakfast sandwiches, which is served with some really awesome home fries. See full article here.
Breakfast sandwich at Ford News Diner
Café 56: New to the Middletown restaurant scene, Café 56 is run by a chef and baker team that prepare everything they offer. Order at the counter and either sit to eat your meal or take it to-go. The food is “of the Americas,” so you’ll find an interesting fusion of Latin American and more continental ingredients and menu items. Try one of their delicious breakfast pastries or a tacandwich, a blend between a taco and sandwich.
The tempting bakery counter at Cafe 56
Sweet Harmony Café & Bakery: This is one of our all-time favorite Middletown restaurants. The atmosphere is charming and complements their home-style American comfort food. We recommend any of their salads or sandwiches for lunch, and do not skimp out on dessert—it’s the highlight of the meal. Come with a small party and be prepared for a wait because space is limited.
Cream puff cake at Sweet Harmony

Quick Bite to Eat/ Coffee:

New England Emporium: Chances are that you or your son or daughter have already been to the Emporium. It’s a Wesleyan staple, to say the least. The vibe is an interesting blend of modern and rustic, and the food options are fairly expansive, with several egg dishes, crepes, sandwiches, and salad options, in addition to a variety of specialty drinks and desserts. Be sure to try the chocolate rooibos tea and any of their spiced chai beverages. And you can’t go wrong with the crepes (especially the Havarti)!
Brew Bakers: This is another hit among the Wesleyan community. The ambiance is bright and cheerful, with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s the most popular destination to get your bagel-fix, and their pastries are made by an award-winning Austrian chef. The grilled muffins are a satisfying snack, and we’re big fans of the omelet sandwiches.
Chicken meatloaf melt at Brew Bakers
Neon Deli: Located right on Cross Street in the middle of campus, Neon is your go-to stop for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat. This is a great place to grab a freshly made sandwich for a picnic on Foss Hill. The Sussman Special is a personal favorite, a soft 6-inch roll with chicken cutlet, provolone cheese, black olives, pepperoni, and onions, melted to perfection and served by some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Fran, the owner of Neon, is one of the friendliest guys you’ll ever meet.

Dinner:

Amici Italian Grill: Amici is a great choice if you’re looking for quality American-Italian dining. Come here with the whole family and split some of the huge entrees, such as the Mediterranean salad and the veal parmigiana. You’re sure to leave this place feeling stuffed. Reservations recommended.
Amici Italian Grill
Esca Wine Bar and Restaurant: This is one of the more upscale options in town, with most of the entrees costing upwards of $20. The ambiance is beautiful and classy, and the menu is predominantly Italian fare along with some more continental choices. Go for any of the pasta dishes, especially the ravioli. Reservations recommended. See full article here.
North Atlantic Salmon at Esca
Mikado Japanese Restaurant: Don’t be discouraged by Mikado’s somewhat hidden location; it’s actually one of the best spots to get high-quality sushi in Middletown. They also offer a good selection of authentic Japanese hot dishes. If you’re not getting a sushi roll, try the Katsu-Donburi, which is a bowl of rice topped with fried pork, egg, and pickled vegetables. Reservations recommended.
Spicy Girl Roll at Mikado
It’s Only Natural Restaurant: This is the only all-vegetarian (and practically all-vegan) restaurant in Middletown. We love the interesting atmosphere, which is enhanced by the local art hanging on every wall. Some must-eats are: the sweet potato fries, the pierogies, and the vegan cupcakes, which are made by the owner herself. Reservations recommended.
It’s Only Natural
Anoho Asian Noodle House: Anoho is your one-stop destination for all things Asian. Their menu ranges from Chinese to Thai to Japanese and offers items including sautéed noodle dishes, noodle soups, sushi, meat- and fish-based entrees, and even dessert. But above all, you must try their Hot Almond Black House Special Blend Tea. It is almond tea with milk, sugar, and almond syrup, and it’s the perfect beverage to warm you up on a cool October evening. See full article here
Noodle soup at Anoho
La Cantina Café Ristorante: You’re unlikely to find many Italian restaurants as authentic as La Cantina. Don’t come for the ambiance; come for the delicious home-style cooking. Like any genuine Italian dining experience, the portions are big enough to share. The menu is always changing but we’ve never encountered a pasta dish that we didn’t love. Reservations recommended.
La Cantina
Thai Gardens: This is another Wesleyan favorite. Thai Gardens offers quality Thai food at very reasonable prices. Stick to the classics, like the chicken pad thai.
Thai Gardens
Mondo Pizza: If you’re in a pizza kind of mood, Mondo is your place—no questions asked. Their brick-oven, thin-crust pies are available to be custom-ordered with a huge variety of toppings. One of our favorite pies is the Oozy Egg, which is a white pizza made with fresh mozzarella, romano, prosciutto di Parma , egg, and truffle oil. Also, get a plate of eggplant fries for the table. Trust us, they’re worth it.
Mondo Pizza
Osaka Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar: Osaka is the only place in town to offer Japanese hibachi-style cooking, where a chef prepares your meal on a huge grill right before your eyes. This is an especially fun experience if you’re with children or big groups. Reservations recommended.
Osaka
Eli Cannon’s Tap Room: A long-time Middletown favorite, Eli Cannon’s is a mix between neighborhood bar and edgy, hip eatery. It’s a great place to grab a drink (their beer selection is renowned throughout New England) and the food is indulgent and delicious. We love the fried pickles, the nachos, and the Big E quesadilla, which is basically a Big Mac disguised in a flour tortilla. Eli’s doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared for a potential wait.
The Big E Quesadilla at Eli Cannon’s

Sweets:

NoRA Cupcake Company: Even though NoRA opened only a year ago, it’s already established itself as a go-to dessert stop on Main Street. Their cupcake menu changes daily, but always includes fun and unique creations, such as the Irish Car Bomb, a chocolate Guinness cake with Jameson chocolate ganache and Bailey’s cream cheese frosting. They also always offer at least one vegan and gluten-free option. This weekend they’re sure to have some cool, new, autumn-themed selections, so be sure to check them out! See full article here.
A few of the delicious options at NoRA
Fusion Bakery: Fusion epitomizes the concept of a neighborhood bakery. All their sweets are freshly made from scratch each day and are very reasonably priced considering their quality. You’ll find pastries, cakes, tarts, cookies and everything in between. Some of our favorites are the Italian rainbow cookie cake, the carrot cake, the scones, the cheesecake, the chocolate chip cookies… who are we kidding? Everything is phenomenal. See full article here.
Froyoworld Frozen Yogurt Lounge: The trend of self-serve frozen yogurt stores, which is sweeping the nation, has finally arrived in Middletown, Connecticut. Some highlights of Froyoworld’s offerings this weekend include the salted caramel pretzel flavored yogurt, Thanksgiving pumpkin pie flavored yogurt, apple pie compote, s’more clusters, brownie bites, and the Lucky Charm marshmallow toppings. See full article here.
Some of our personal Froyoworld creations

Unique to Middletown

Zen Roasters: This is the only coffee roaster in Middletown, Connecticut. The folks at Zen Roasters know their coffee and are great at preparing delicious, unique blends. Their location at 180 Johnson Street is about a five-minute drive from Wesleyan, but if you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur, you have to check it out. See full article here.
Zen Roasters roasts all their own coffee
Middlesex Fruitery: This place has been around for almost 100 years and provides a true Middletown experience. Tell the employees what kind of fruit you’re looking for and they’ll hand select a perfect specimen from their barrels of produce. Disclaimer: This fruit can get pretty pricy, but based on the quality and experience, it’s probably worth it.
Middlesex Fruitery
Jerry’s Pizza: We’re embarrassed to say that we’ve never been to Jerry’s Pizza, but their pies are nationally acclaimed. Their most famous dish is the white Sicilian pizza. Be sure to call ahead for this one though, because it takes an hour and a half for Jerry to perfectly prepare the dough.
Jerry’s Pizza
Sweet Harmony Café & Bakery: This is one of our all-time favorite Middletown restaurants. The atmosphere is charming and complements their home-style American comfort food. We recommend any of their salads or sandwiches for lunch, and do not skimp out on dessert—it’s the highlight of the meal. Come with a small party and be prepared for a wait because space is limited.
Cream Puff Cake at Sweet Harmony
O’Rourke’s Diner: O’Rourke’s is probably the most famous restaurant in Middletown. Established in 1941, it has been a Middletown staple for breakfast and brunch. Be sure to try their hash, freshly baked bread, and egg dishes. Disclaimer: There will be a line, so come early or be prepared to wait.
Eggs Benedict at O’Rourke’s
Tschudin Chocolate & Confections: Featured on Food Network’s “Sweet Genius,” Tschudin Chocolates sells a variety of chocolate creations, as well as several made-to-order baked goods. Their products are top-notch. Whether you’re looking for gifts or simply a chocolate pick-me-up, you have to check this place out.
Tschudin Chocolate
Eli Cannon’s Tap Room: A long-time Middletown favorite, Eli Cannon’s is a mix between neighborhood bar and edgy, hip eatery. It’s a great place to grab a drink (their beer selection is renowned throughout New England) and the food is indulgent and delicious. We love the fried pickles, the nachos, and the Big E quesadilla, which is basically a Big Mac disguised in a flour tortilla. Eli’s doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared for a potential wait.
Big E Quesadilla at Eli Cannon’s

This list is not representative of all the good restaurants in town; it is simply a collection of our favorite eateries to go to with our families. We hope it provides you with some insight on where to eat this weekend. Bon appetit!

Ari & Alex

While You Were Out…

Welcome back, Wes!

While all of you were mentally and physically detoxing on your living room couches, we’ve been living it up in Middletown, WesStuffed style. In between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM rowing practices, we’ve hit up an impressive amount of Main Street eateries, and gotten all the latest on what’s up and coming in this neck of the woods.

We enjoyed some classy dining at Esca Wine Bar and Restaurant. For $20.12, we ate a three-course, prix fixe dinner. This special is part of Middletown Restaurant Week, which will end on Thursday the 18^th. We definitely recommend you take advantage of restaurant week. Major $aving$! Read our review on dinner at Esca here!

Froyoworld’s “Tasty War” on breast cancer was a huge success! Even though we claimed to be full after our dinner at Esca, we still managed to eat a fairly significant amount of frozen yogurt topped with pink wafers, pink coconut, pink whoppers, pink oreos, pink mochi, pink marshmallows….You get the idea. Even though we could barely walk out of Main Street Market, we rested assured that our good deed contributed to breast cancer research!

On a rainy Monday night, nothing could’ve hit the spot more than the huge bowls of noodle soup we got at Anoho, except maybe the incredibly comforting almond milk tea that accompanied them. We’ve decided that this beverage is even more satisfying than Salty Ivans or Chaidermels. Sorry Pi, we’ve moved on.

Keep your eyes out for our upcoming article on Fusion Bakery! Their beautiful new location boasts some of the most delicious baked goods we’ve ever tasted. The only thing sweeter than the pastries is the staff who makes them.

We chatted with Chu Ngo, owner of the upcoming Vietnamese restaurant Lan Chi’s, which will be opening in January. This new restaurant is sure to be a wonderful addition to Main Street’s already diverse restaurant scene. Stay tuned for more information about the eatery.

We’re excited to chat tonight with the folks at It’s Only Natural Restaurant. After eating our fair share of sweets over the past four days, vegetarian cuisine may be just what we need to satisfy our never ending appetites without further suffering from our already ridiculous sugar highs.

As you can see, we don’t call it “WesStuffed” for nothin’! So what if we ate out three times a day for almost a week? We burned it all off in crew practice, didn’t we?? We’re looking for new friends with whom we can embark on more delicious adventures. If you’re interested, email us at WesStuffed@gmail.com.

ALSO…. check back tomorrow for a list of the best restaurants to take the folks to for homecoming weekend!

Yours truly,

Ari & Alex

Middletown Restaurant Week- Esca Wine Bar and Restaurant

It’s an exciting week for Middletown! For the first time ever, Seasons Federal Credit Union and the state of Connecticut have come together to present Middletown Restaurant Week. Starting today, October 14^th, and ending on Thursday the 18^th, twenty eateries around town will be participating. Many of these places are offering special prix fixe menus, where you pay $20.12 for an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. To celebrate the first night of the event, we ventured down to Esca Wine Bar and Restaurant on Main Street, where they are offering a special prix fixe menu.

Upon first entering the establishment, we were immediately impressed by the ambiance. The restaurant is fairly large, with lower level, upper level, and outdoor seating. We feel that one of the best words to describe the entire atmosphere is classy. While some eateries try too hard to appear upscale, and end up coming off as ostentatious or gaudy, Esca boasts a more simple, refined elegance. The color scheme is warm and inviting, the light fixtures and other furniture resemble a somewhat baroque architectural style, and the chairs and booths were exceptionally comfortable. The televisions that hung over the bar were a little off-putting, detracting from the otherwise classic charm.

When we entered, we were clearly not the clientele the staff were expecting, and they did not try to hide their surprise when we asked for the Restaurant Week prix fixe menu. That being said, we were immediately led to a two-person table in a central location on the main floor. We found the service to be unfriendly, and some of the wait-staff to be unknowledgeable about the menu. Our waitress was cold and short with us; and didn’t make an effort to make us feel like welcome guests. When we asked questions about the ingredients or preparation of dishes, she seemed annoyed when she had to go check.

Unpleasant service aside, we had a generally enjoyable experience at Esca. The food was well prepared, and its presentation was attractive. While nothing we ate was exquisite, it was evident that the cooking staff had put a genuine effort into the meal, especially considering that the price of this three-course dinner was only $20.12.

The prix fixe menu included two appetizers, three entrees, and two desserts. The meal began with warm foccaccia bread, seasoned with oregano, garlic, and oil. The bread was crisp on the outside, and soft and moist on the inside. The amount of seasoning was spot on, and made the use of olive oil unnecessary. When eaten warm, the bread was satisfying; however, once it had cooled down, the texture had changed dramatically, making it seem almost stale.

The appetizers, walnut and Gorgonzola poached pear salad and pumpkin ravioli, were the highlights of the menu. The salad featured crisp arugula in light balsamic vinegar and was prepared with a good ratio of walnuts and Gorgonzola to arugula. The poached pear, served warm, provided a nice contrast and a subtle taste of autumn. The pumpkin ravioli was also reminiscent of the change of seasons. Its mild yet evident pumpkin flavor was enhanced by the sage brown butter crème fraiche in which it was served. It seemed to melt in our mouths. Although the small portion of two ravioli proved satisfying and filling, it was so delicious that throughout the rest of the meal we couldn’t stop thinking about how we wanted more.

For our entrees, we chose the housemade fettuccine and North Atlantic salmon. The pasta dish, which is listed on the menu to be served with cremini and shitaki mushrooms, spinach, sundried tomatoes, Madeira crema, and shaved Parmesan cheese, was authentically cooked al dente. Although delicicous, we found some discrepancies between the menu description and the actual dish. The tomatoes were not sundried, but were cooked, and we were not given shaved Parmesan until we asked for it. That being said, the soft-cooked tomatoes provided a nice contrast to the al dente pasta. We were much more impressed by the salmon, which was served with butternut squash caponata, celery root, and lemon thyme agrumato oil. The salmon was perfectly cooked, with a crispy surface and succulent, tender interior. The presentation of this dish was by far the best we encountered throughout our dining experience, with the savory salmon sitting atop a bed of sweet vegetables and garnished with what appeared to be fried leeks. On the whole, both of these entrees were satisfactory, if not excellent. The one dish that we were not able to try was the pork Milanese, but we assume that it was similar to the other entrees in terms of taste, presentation, and overall quality.

Dessert, which is typically our favorite part of the meal, was unfortunately very underwhelming. The options were a zabaione made with local Connecticut apples or housemade biscotti. Once again, we were misled by the menu. When we ordered the “assorted housemade biscotti,” we were expecting an array of Italian cookies, but instead were served a plate of two surprisingly soft biscotti sitting on top of what seemed like a droplet of chocolate sauce. In addition, the other dessert could not be considered a true zabaione dish. While it featured crisp and well-seasoned apples, it was missing an essential part of what makes a zabaione a zabaione: the custard. We felt as if we had ordered an apple pie and were merely given half a piecrust. Additionally, the portion of the “housemade granola” was not nearly proportional to that of the apples.

esca apples — Local Connecticut Apple Zabaione

esca biscotti — Assorted Housemade Biscotti

Overall, our experience at Esca Wine Bar and Restaurant was pleasant but by no means remarkable. That being said, we definitely recommend that you take advantage of amazing Restaurant Week deals like this one. At an establishment where most entrees are upwards of $20, getting three courses for $20.12 is absolutely worth your while. Restaurant Week gave us the chance to eat at a restaurant that otherwise would have been considerably out of our price range. It’s a fantastic time to experience the breadth of dining options that Middletown has to offer. Do not miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

-Ari and Alex

Goodies for Gluten Free Glutton

Gluten free lifestyles seem to be all the rage these days, with more people eliminating the grain food group from their diets, and gluten free alternatives— including pasta, bread, rice, and bars—popping up in restaurants and markets all over the country. The majority of gluten free people lead these lifestyles because they Celiac disease or other intolerances to gluten. Wesleyan’s student body is no exception, and as gluten intolerance grows, the need for gluten free alternatives increases as well. The question is, how can you enjoy the complete college kid experience without pigging out on huge bowls of pasta, devouring ridiculously large sandwiches, and stuffing cookies in your mouth at three a.m.? Not to fear, my gluten free comrades!

Our very own campus offers an impressive amount of options for gluten-free eaters, not to mention the many restaurants that cater towards gluten free clientele in town. So regardless of what your taste buds are telling you, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.

“I think Bon Appetit Has done a lot–especially since my freshman year to accommodate gluten-free people.”, expresses junior Hannah Korevaar. “The staff have been extremely receptive to the need on campus and always want to know if more needs to be done. This year they are doing a much better job labeling food in Usdan and supplying the gluten-free section with various substitutes.” This was the general consensus among all three of the students I spoke with. Frankel informed me that “there is one staff member who’s in charge of gluten-free section and she’s super nice. I always see her in the section asking students what kinds of new foods they want to see.” Although not every dining option on campus is as gluten-free-friendly as others, it’s possible to find at least one gluten free meal or snack at every dining option on campus.

Meal Swipes:

Usdan Marketplace– Usdan Marketplace is probably the best option, especially if you have a condition that prevents you from eating anything that might have possibly touched gluten. The gluten free section, which is located directly across from the kosher section, is said to be on an upward spiral, with the variety and quality improving everyday. Student Gabe Frankel ‘15 raved about the baked goods, premade pasta dishes, and fresh blueberries and blackberries that are sometimes available.

As far as finding gluten free options in other sections of the marketplace is concerned, Erin Kelly, a graduate of 2012 states that “It’s a kind of dangerous place because nothing on the floor can be guaranteed gluten free, but you can definitely get creative, especially if you use veggies from the salad bar to make sandwiches with stuff from the gluten free section.” Korevaar is a zealot for the salad bar as well “When I eat at Usdan, I get a lot of salad. The vegan is often gluten-free, so I eat that a lot. I get pretty excited about the spicy chick peas.” She told me. If vegetarian eating isn’t for you, don’t worry! Frankel, a self proclaimed carnivore, often gets the gluten free turkey burgers, as well as other meat products from the grill section, “classics”, and the kosher station. These make for great meals on their own, as well as good supplements to items located in the gluten free area. Frankel also advises that gluten free students keep their eyes peeled for the occasional gluten free specials offered in other stations, like stir fry in classics, corn tortillas on quesadilla night in Mongolian, or the occasional memorable special, like make-your-own-pizza with gluten free crust that was available last year at the front of the marketplace.

Be warned, however, that unless an item is in the gluten free section, it is not guaranteed not to have been contaminated.

Summerfields– Summerfields can be a bit tricky, since much of the menu relies on grain products. Hannah Korevaar ‘13 usually opts for a salad when she and her friends hit up Summies. Taqueria options are also doable, with corn tortillas available for students interested in making their Mexican-style meals gluten free.

Usdan and Pi Cafes– Frankel brings up an interesting point about American culture, which is particularly evident on college campuses. “The majority of snacks and quick lunches that we eat contain gluten.” He told me. “Think about the last time you were on the run. You probably grabbed chips, cookies, pretzels, or some kind of breakfast bar.” When you think about it, you realize that he’s right! Quick lunches are no different. The go to options are sandwiches, pizza, burgers, and fries. Even though Usdan Cafe and Pi don’t offer gluten free bread, it’s definitely possible to eat gluten free when you’re in a rush.

The marketplace has a to-go option during lunch hours. If you know what you’re looking for, you can grab a box, fill it with goodies, and skedaddle to your next appointment within five minutes. If that just won’t cut it, stop downstairs at the cafe. You can get a cup of soup and a salad (the fresh mozzarella and tomato is particularly delicious) or a sushi roll (try the teriyaki chicken for a very filling meal). As far as snacks are concerned, Ronnybrook yogurt and yogurt drinks are some of the freshest and most organic products you can find at Wesleyan. They also come in a variety of flavors, all of which are gluten free. If you’re not feeling dairy, Frankel highly recommends “NuGo Free” bars. These gluten free snacks are packed with healthy ingredients and covered in chocolate. “They’re amazing” he gushed. “You need to try one.”

WesShop– WesShop has a fair amount of gluten free offerings, but the traditional “WesShop lunch”, which can be purchased with a meal instead of points, is impossible for gluten free students. It’s pretty much a wheat-fest, with a sandwich, cookie, chips, and an apple. But coming from a gluten eater, you can take my word for it that you’re not missing out on much. The pre-made sandwiches are far from delicious, and I would substitute a sushi roll for one of those soggy masses of bread any day, meal swipe or not.

As far as groceries are concerned, WesShop’s selection is so diverse that you’re probably better off there than many places off campus. There are a variety of gluten free snacks, including chips, cookies, and bars, as well as gluten free granola, oats, pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice, bread, and a variety of frozen meals.

Frankel recommends the “Food Should Taste Good” tortilla chips, as well as the coconut macaroons. Kelly says that during her four years at Wesleyan, she often picked up picnic food at WesShop, like hummus, tortilla chips, and rice cakes. She’s also a big fan of the Luna Protein Bars they sell. I tasted a couple gluten free snacks to see if any of them were up to par with the gluten alternatives, and was highly impressed by Dr. Lucy’s Cookies. The cinnamon thins are particularly delicious. Also, the gluten free Annie’s mac & cheese, which substitutes rice noodles, is just as delicious as any of the gluten containing varieties!

Non- Bon Appetit on Campus

Red and Black Cafe– If you’re going to Red and Black for brunch, you won’t have any trouble, asserted every gluten free student I talked to. The egg dishes and smoothies, which make up the majority of the menu, are completely gluten free. Lunch and dinner, however, are a little tougher. After hearing woes from the interviewees about struggling to find lunch and dinner options in the cafe, I called Red and Black myself to see what they recommended for their gluten free customers. They told me that although sandwiches were not an option because they don’t have gluten free bread, they do offer gluten free soups, salads, and deli salads that are gluten free. Try making one of the delicious gourmet sandwiches into a platter. Take the Paisano for example, which combines fresh mozzarella cheese, prosciutto, tomato, and fresh basil with a drizzle of olive oil on ciabatta bread. Without the bread, this is just like a caprese salad, with the prosciutto adding some protein and uniqueness.

WesWings– WesWings is a little easier, especially for meat eaters, like Mr. Frankel, who frequents the eatery often and usually orders the honey-ginger wings. Meat dishes and salads can all be made without gluten, and any sandwich can be served without the bread. For a super healthy meal that’s gluten free to boot, ask for a piece of marinated grilled chicken without the sandwich, and get it with a small salad, hummus and vegetables, the veggie platter, or a cup of soup.

Off Campus– it seems like pretty much every restaurant off campus has something on the menu that doesn’t contain gluten. Additionally, many places will modify a dish to suit your specific dietary needs. For this list, I have compiled number of the most popular restaurants among the Wesleyan community that have a fair share of gluten free
alternatives.

Italian:
Mondo– Mondo is one of the best place for pizza in town. Its artisan, thin crust pies are incredibly delicious. Luckily, they’ll be happy to give you a gluten free crust. Korevaar raves about the pizza, which she says is probably her favorite meal out in Middletown. The toppings are sublime, with choices ranging from pineapple to gourmet cheeses to oozy egg to sausage. If you’re not feeling pizza, there are also several gluten free salads on the menu.

Jerry’s Pizza– Somehow Jerry’s Pizza has seemed to hit every food blog on the internet, and yet remain fairly below the radar among the Wesleyan Community. Probably because it’s on South Main Street (across the street from the Athenian Diner), and requires a very tedious and inconvenient two minute drive. Well, if you’re into seriously good pizza, regardless of whether or not you can eat gluten, find a car and check this place out. Their gluten free menu includes pizza, meatballs, stuffed shells, ravioli, and eggplant and chicken parmesan.

Amici- Amici is one of the most popular Italian restaurants on Main Street. It’s especially good for birthdays, dates, and when parents are in town. If you’re gluten free, don’t worry! They have gluten free penne, and can modify several of their other dishes to fit your needs.

Tuscany Grill– Although they don’t have gluten free pasta, Tuscany Grill stands out for their separate gluten free menu, which includes items like risotto, grilled salmon, and coffee encrusted pork tenderloin.

Fiore- If you’re looking for a meal that is more authentic, choose Fiore over Amici. They can make any pasta dish with gluten free penne, and will do their best to accommodate customers with regards to dietary modifications.

Esca- While still having enough pasta dishes to be deemed an Italian restaurant, Esca definitely leans a bit more towards the continental end than some other options in town. Any item on their menu with a star next to it can be made gluten free, and gluten free pasta can be substituted in any noodle dish.

Mexican:
La Boca– At La Boca, gluten free customers have a small menu from which they can order. This includes enchiladas, cilantro green tortillas, roja sauce, fajitas, tacos with corn tortillas, and any burger or chicken sandwich without the bun.
Iguanas Ranas- Similar to La Boca, at Iguanas, tacos, as well as other menu items, can be made with corn tortillas. One of the most popular gluten free dishes that they recommend is a corn tortilla with refried beans, cabbage, guacamole, cilantro, onions, and tomatoes.

Cafes:
Brew Bakers– Brew Bakers works hard to be gluten-free-friendly, especially to cater to the Wesleyan community. Any of their sandwiches can be made on gluten free bread and wraps, except for the paninis. Frankel recommends the smoked salmon and egg sandwich, and Korevaar agrees that the omelette sandwiches are definitely the way to go.

New England Emporium– There’s no need for gluten free students to jealously watch as their friends consume delightful crepe creations. The Emporium has a special recipe, so any of the large selection of crepes on the menu can be made gluten free! This is supplemented by the wide variety of salads, omelettes, and daily soups.

Javapalooza– Upon analyzing the menu at Java the other day, It became evident that this establishment too is very accommodating towards gluten free people. Any of their crepes can be made without gluten, and they also serve omelettes and salads.

Neon Deli– Unfortunately, our favorite almost on campus eatery has not yet jumped on the bandwagon. However, in a recent discussion with co-owner Fran Galle, I learned that the one thing preventing him from hopping on board is the fact that gluten free bread needs to be kept frozen, and therefore all sandwiches would need to be served toasted. “Would that bother people?” He asked me. As far as I’m concerned, as long are there are options for the gluten free eaters among us, people will be happy, but what do you think? Fran wants your opinions, so either come into the store or email him at frangalle@gmail.com, to let him know if toasted bread is a deal breaker for you. As far as eating gluten free at this point is concerned, there are still some options. Kelly recommends going for one of the bean and lentil combinations offered in the deli salad section.

Cafe 56– This new breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant is already getting rave reviews. It’s definitely a location to check out, and they’re serving up gluten free bread for their sandwiches. They also have a wide selection of omelettes for gluten free customers.

Sweet Harmony Cafe and Bakery– Sweet Harmony also offers gluten free bread, meaning that all of their sandwiches can be made gluten free. The rest of the lunch menu pretty much consists of salads and chicken dishes, but if you came to Sweet Harmony to satisfy your sweet tooth, don’t worry! See desserts below.

It’s Only Natural Restaurant– I.O.N, not surprisingly, does a lot to accommodate gluten free customers. Their offerings range from miso soup to sweet potato enchiladas to vegetarian fried rice, to a macrobiotic plate, to any sandwich served on a gluten free buns, or using lettuce instead of bread. Kelly recommends the Cali melt, which includes hummus, avocado, portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cheese. They also typically have a gluten free dessert available. See dessert selections below.

Desserts: There’s more than just ice cream and frozen yogurt for gluten free people to munch on when that sweet tooth rolls around. Several of the bakeries in Middletown serve up exceptional goods completely free of the product!

Fusion Bakery– Fusion’s gluten free menu is on a rotating schedule, but they typically have at least three choices at all time. Popular selections include flourless chocolate cake, chocolate pot de creme, gluten free tiramisu, chocolate cupcakes, and coconut macaroons.

NoRa Cupcake Company– At NoRa, you can always find at least one gluten free cupcake. Recent offerings include “oreo” mudslide, chocolate mint, chocolate peanut butter explosion, and vanilla chai latte.

Sweet Harmony Cafe and Bakery- Going along with the general theme, Sweet Harmony offers gluten free baked goods on a rotating basis. Popular selections include gluten free brownies and carrot cake.

It’s Only Natural Restaurant– I.O.N’s gluten free bakery is on a rotating schedule as well, with chocolate bundt cake posing as a regular on the menu.

Grocery:

It’s Only Natural Market– If WesShop isn’t cutting it, The I.O.N Market is sure to have the gluten free products you’re looking for. As I walked through, I was highly impressed with the amount of frozen, canned, and packaged items. Frankel raves about Udi’s gluten free bread, and their double chocolate and blueberry frozen muffins, which he referred to as “the best things ever”. He also advised that no one leave without purchasing the frozen mini gluten free brownies by French Meadow bakery.

Long story short, whether you’re looking for pasta, pizza, sandwiches, enchiladas, or baked goods, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings either on or off campus. The other good news? As gluten-free living plays a larger role in society everyday, more and more eating establishments are altering their menus to cater towards the increasingly prominent customer demographic. WIthin the next few years, we’re expecting to see a ton more options both on and off campus, so check back soon to get the scoop on what’s happening in Wesleyan and Middletown’s gluten free revolution!

-Ari Rudess

Are we missing anything? What’s your favorite gluten free restaurant or dish at or around Wesleyan?