Del Ray Restaurant Nominated For 'Best Gluten-Free Bakery'

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Del Ray's Happy Tart is up for "Best Gluten-Free Bakery" in a nationwide contest.

The bakery was named among 20 nominees in USA Today's 10 Best contest. Nominees represent many parts of the country, from New York to San Francisco and Wisconsin to Texas.

"Thanks to a wave of inventive gluten-free bakeries cooking up flourless desserts and baked goods just as indulgent as their traditional counterparts, gluten-free eaters have plenty of ways to satisfy a sweet tooth," states the contest page.

Happy Tart fits that description well. When Patch spoke with owner Emma Cech last fall, she said her bakery has been a go-to place for DC area visitors needing gluten-free options. Offerings range from cakes, crepes, cookies, pies, tarts and other pastries.

Cech, who is gluten intolerant, opened the Del Ray bakery with completely gluten-free offerings over six years ago. Since then Happy Tart has expanded to a second location in Falls Church. The Del Ray location reopened last fall after renovations.

Members of the public can vote once a day for their favorite up to Monday, July 9 at noon. As of this June 20 afternoon, Happy Tart sits in eighth place.

Vote in the 10 Best contest here.

Image via Patch editor Emily Leayman