Restaurants offering healthier choices
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

For the first time since he was diagnosed with celiac disease five years ago, 11-year-old Benjamin Brook can go out for pizza. The recently opened PizzaSalad, a Thousand Oaks restaurant, offers pizza that is safe for Benjamin to eat.

The Agoura Hills resident suffers from a lifelong autoimmune disorder that forces him to avoid gluten, which can damage the small intestine. That means no bread, cookies, pasta, pizza crust and other wheat-based foods that may contain gluten.

"My family would never go to a pizza place because I couldn't eat anything," Benjamin said. "If there's pizza at school, I can't eat it. At birthday parties I bring my own (gluten-free) pizza."

Open since July 1, PizzaSalad is one of an increasing number of restaurants offering gluten-free and other dietary choices, including vegan, organic, lactose-free and low salt. PizzaSalad, at 1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., began with an organic, allnatural concept and quickly added glutenfree and lactoseintolerant options. Nearly everything in the restaurant is organic—food, trash bin liners, employee uniforms and countertops.

"When we started doing the whole organic thing, we realized that there are a lot of people dealing with a lot of food issues that make their lives not so pleasant," said Jessica Keramas, PizzaSalad owner.

After much research and sampling, Keramas found a caseinfree, vegan cheese for those with lactose intolerance and a glutenfree pizza crust for those with celiac disease. Keramas is in the process of sampling gluten-free croutons and breadsticks from several manufacturers.

"Some of the gluten-free stuff has no taste. It tastes fake. The PizzaSalad pizza tastes real," Benjamin said.

Providing gluten-free food is not easy, Keramas said. She underwent training to earn certification from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. Gluten-free foods must be kept separate from those with gluten. Crosscontamination can occur if the same utensils, pots or plates are used for both gluten and gluten-free foods.

"We take it very seriously. For celiac, gluten is toxic. It's not something you fool around with," Keramas said.

"One of the worst things about having celiac disease is the inability to go out for pizza," said Oak Park schools Superintendent Tony Knight, who has celiac disease. "Until now, celiacs had to go to New York to find gluten-free pizza in a restaurant."

Another Thousand Oaks eatery that offers all-natural food as well as glutenfree and lowsodium dining options is Fit 2B Thai at 593 N. Moorpark Road. Andy and Kesaya Tjan opened the restaurant at the location in August 2007. The couple began looking into offering gluten-free entrees after a customer suggested it. They analyzed each menu item and invited a representative from the Ventura County Celiacs Support Group to tour their kitchen and offer advice on making the restaurant gluten-free.

As a result, Fit 2B Thai's soy sauce and noodles were modified to make them gluten-free, Andy Tjan said. Drunken noodles, one of the menu items, is now the most popular gluten-free choice, he added.

"We had one lady come in and say, 'I can't have this and I can't have that,'" Tjan said. "I gave her some information about celiac disease, which she had never heard of. She went to the doctor and found out she had the disorder."

For information on Fit 2B Thai, visit www.fit2b-thai.com or call (805) 496-2501.

Other area resources that offer natural, organic or dietaryrestrictive entrees include:

•Natural Cafe, locations in Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Moorpark and Simi Valley.

For more information, visit www.thenaturalcafe.com.

•Simply Gluten Free in Thousand Oaks, gluten-free foods and free delivery in the Conejo Valley.

For more information, visit www.simplyglutenfree.org or call (805) 208-1600.

•Parry's Gluten-Free Bakery at 1407 E. Los Angeles Ave. in Simi Valley specializes in glutenfree cakes and cookies. Motherand-daughter owners Clarissa and Vanessa Parry both have celiac disease.

For more information, visit www.parrysgfbakery.com or call (805) 522-1643.

•Lassen's, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods sell a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian foods.

•Conejo Valley Adult School is offering several gluten-free and casein-free classes in the fall that teach food preparation and how to avoid cross contamination, and offer tips on traveling and eating out.

For more information, visit www.conejo.tec.ca.us or call (805) 374-1167.

•Venturaceliac.org provides information on restaurants that offer gluten-free menu selections.