Speaking of pizza, I stopped in at Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria in Bend's Old Mill District. I’ve been there more than a half-dozen times and, even though the kitchen is not dedicated gluten free, have never had a problem.
This evening I ordered a Margherita pizza with gluten-free crust. The restaurant bakes the GF pizza on a separate tray in a wood-fired oven, taking care to avoid cross-contamination. As usual, the waiter was helpful, taking the extra step of marking the ticket “Allergy” before submitting it to the kitchen.
The pizza was made with San Marzano pomodoro, fresh mozzarella and basil. The crust was baked crispy — a must with GF pizza because, it’s a sad fact, some things are just impossible to replicate (yet!). GF croissants and GF pizza crust are two of them. They just cry out for the lightness and elasticity that gluten adds to baked goods. Nevertheless, Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria serves a tasty facsimile that is pleasantly crunchy on the edge, while remaining soft and supple at the center.
As a complement, I ordered the bountiful Chopped Kale Salad (to be precise, a half-order!), loaded with golden beets, stone fruit, goat cheese and candied walnuts, and topped with tangy blood-orange vinaigrette.
Overall, Flatbread is a great option to enjoy pizza with family and friends without much worry. Just make sure to ask the server to remind the kitchen to bake your GF pizza on a separate tray and mark the order “Allergy”
375 SW Powerhouse Dr #130, Bend, OR 97702, (541) 728-0600
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