Aaaaand We're Back (Farewell to Summer Edition)

After a much-needed summer break, the blog is back! Lots of events, restaurant reviews, and lifestyle ideas to come. For now, a hot gluten-free tip if you're hoping to squeeze in one more (your first? for shame!) beach trip this season: La Bottega Italian Gourmet restaurant in Long Beach, NY has gluten-free items for your beach day pleasure.  They offer a separate gluten-free menu with dozens of gluten-free menu items, including salads, entrees, and panini on gluten-free rolls. Just a couple of blocks from both railway and the beach, La Bottega is a great option for a to-go GF meal or a place to dine-in post-beach before hopping back on the LIRR.

Da spot

Little bundle of joy:

Love the old school brown paper everything

The goods:

That's a serious sandwich

If you still have room, note that Red Mango, which offers certified gluten-free frozen yogurt, is on the same street as La Bottega. Lemme tell you, a froyo after a long, glorious day at the beach is the perfect way to end your trip.

The deets on getting to Long Beach, NY: Take the LIRR from Atlantic Center in Brooklyn (woot!) or Penn Station. (If you take it from Brooklyn, you'll need to transfer for Long Beach in Jamaica - no biggie.) During beach season, LIRR offers "beach getaway" tix that are such a deal, at $21 for both train ticket AND beach pass. (They are over $25 if purchased separately.) Once off the train, it's a mere 4 blocks to the beach, with delis, a Starbucks, a surf shop, and all other manner of amenities on the main drag. Just so easy, I can't believe more people don't make the trip! Labor Day is tomorrow and you have the makings of a lovely beach day, right here. (Just sayin'.)

Happy holiday weekend, all. More soon!