Completely Gluten-free Bakery

Last weekend, B. and I made the trek to Evanston, Ill., to visit Rose's Wheat Free Bakery. It was a beautiful day, and we had a pleasant drive. Spending time together on a sunny day would have been enough, but what we discovered when we arrived more than justified the trip.

It's a friendly, charming place with an inviting atmosphere. Everything in the bakery is certified gluten-free; it's also a peanut-free establishment. A number of items are dairy-free; some are soy-free. Assorted coffee drinks and other beverages are available as an accompaniment to the variety of baked goods.

We talked to Rose about what the bakery can do. It truly is an allergy-friendly place, and the staff can accommodate custom orders, such as specially made cakes. A minimum of 48 hours advance notice is required for special requests.

Attached to the bakery is a cafe that offers a selection of items, including soups, quiches, pizza and the like. Everything is made from scratch, such as the chicken chili I tried, which was excellent. It was served with a crusty bread that had a nice texture and flavor, and made for a satisfying lunch. For dessert, there was a chocolate cupcake from the reserves in back. Rose whipped up a fresh batch of chocolate frosting and topped it with toasted almonds. I was practically dancing in my chair as I ate it, it was so good.

We left the shop that day armed with products to last us quite a while. The macaroons are to die for -- literally the best I've ever had -- and I have it on very good authority that the brownies (unfortunately, not soy-free) are outstanding. I'm looking forward to trying other products like the rolls and pizza crust the next time I visit.

Rose's Wheat Free Bakery is proof positive that gluten-free can be done, and done well. Do yourself a favor; if you live in the area, stop by and sample some fresh gluten-free baked goods. Arrive early to ensure that the bake case is full, as popular items sell out faster than they can be made. Rose also ships selected items that will travel well -- breads and so forth. You can peruse her menu at www.rosesbakery.com; you'll be glad you did.