I Had Real Chinese Food!

[jkmunchkin]

Every so often I go on www.glutenfreerestaurants.org which list restauarants throughout the country that participate in the gluten-free restaurant program. Needless to say the people that run this are based in Westchester, NY so I think NY has the most restaurants listed (which bodes well for me).

The other day I noticed they added Ray's Cafe, a chinese restaurant in Rye Brook, NY (Stefi time to get excited). So last night I figured let's give it a try. Now I love PF Changs but sometimes I just want like Beef and Brocoli or Chicken and Cashews, yknow the old standards you order from any chinese place. Well not only do they have this it tasted great!!! Just like I remember beef & brocoli being.

I couldn't stop smiling during the meal. If you live in NY this was definately worth it!! I think I'll be getting take out here atleast once a week!

[mookie03]

STOP IT I AM DROOLING!!!!!!!! Wow, Jillian, you totally made my day! love pf changs but the long wait is such a deterrent (and who wants to go to the westchester and deal w/ parking, etc.) I am SO excited! Cant wait to try...i LOVE beef w/ broc!!! btw its been over a month since ive been to risotteria, im having w/drawal symptoms, can we go soon?!

[jkmunchkin]

STOP IT I AM DROOLING!!!!!!!! Wow, Jillian, you totally made my day! love pf changs but the long wait is such a deterrent (and who wants to go to the westchester and deal w/ parking, etc.) I am SO excited! Cant wait to try...i LOVE beef w/ broc!!! btw its been over a month since ive been to risotteria, im having w/drawal symptoms, can we go soon?!

I totally thought of you the whole time I was there!! The other night I thought about getting take out from PF Chang's but then the thought of parking, getting through the mall and then paying $3 for parking... I just wasn't in the mood (and then ofcourse there is the potential I will buy something while I'm at the mall - lol).

I could def' go for another Ris' date!! CeliaCruz?

By the way, for further out, have I mentioned I have summer Fridays at work starting with Memorial Day (hint hint).

[mookie03]

Nice! Thats a pretty sweet deal... and meanwhile, ill be studying for the bar- but ill certainly need to reward myself with lots of gluten-free breaks/rewards!!! Let's def go soon though, Celiacruz? Are you there? Anyone else interested??

[flagbabyds]

I will go next time i visit my sis in nyc. I really have never had chinese food, and it always looks sooo good!

[CeliaCruz]

I'm definitely interested!

Don't get me wrong, I love the whole "pan asian" "California cuisine" "PF Chang" thing. But sometimes I just want to go to a normal chinese takeout place and get some sesame chicken already. I am so excited!

[floridanative]

Wow jkmunchkin - sounds like a terrifice plate to eat! I had my first Chinese food in 11 weeks today - PF Changs - and it was really quite good. Had the lettuce wraps and sockeye salmon. It was busy (and always is there) so I was concerned that the kitchen may be too busy to prepare my meal correctly but five hours later I'm feeling great.

Last night we tried a new Japanese place right by us. It's in my nail place strip mall and my nail lady keeps telling me I have to try it. Well I stop in and get a menu, talk to the hostess about gluten free options and she does not look at me like I'm crazy. She starts showing me some things on the menu I can have. I called home, told hubby not to start cooking and I was coming to pick him up. We went back, armed with both my Japanese and Chinese dining cards (many workers there are Chinese) and lo and behold, the server went back to the kitchen, discussed the menu with the Chef and I could have five of the sauteed dishes, all of which had safe sauced. I had taken my own gluten-free soy sauce thinking I'd get a CA roll. Well the server kindly told me he didnt' think I should have that as it has imitation crab in it, which contains wheat. I had totally forgotten all about that....can you imagine? A server telling me I can't have something when I would have totally eaten it, and gotten sick. I'm so impressed with that place and can't wait to go back.

For those of you in Atlanta, the place is called Sake Cafe - Asian Grill, but I have no idea if they have multiple locations or not. This one is in Lawrenceville.

[jerseyangel]

Tiffany--you said Lawrenceville? That's where we used to live! We lived in the "Saratoga" subdivision. It was off hwy 29. Lived there almost 8 years, still have friends there. Sounds like you had a great meal

[jkmunchkin]

I'm definitely interested!

Don't get me wrong, I love the whole "pan asian" "California cuisine" "PF Chang" thing. But sometimes I just want to go to a normal chinese takeout place and get some sesame chicken already. I am so excited!

YAY!! Field trip to Rye Brook. Ok when we going? CeliaCruz & Mookie, if you want to take the train to me I'll pick you up and we'll go there. It's like 15 minutes from me

[mookie03]

YAY im so psyched. This week is kinda busy for me. I dont know what everyone's plans are next week due to passover/easter, but the only night im not free is Thurs (2nd night of passover). Or im free most of the following week...what days are good for everyone?

[2Boys4Me]

I have a good recipe for Beef & Broccoli if you're interested. The trick is finding gluten-free Oyster sauce.

Of course, you'd have to cook it as well, not as fun as going out.

[turtle99]

jkmunchkin, you are so lucky to find a place that actually serves gluten-free chinese food!

I miss Chinese food soooooo much, and maybe it has something to do with me being Asian

But here in Toronto (Canada), I have yet to find an eatery that will make gluten-free chinese dishes. Maybe I'll have to drive across the border, for some good NY food!

I have to warn you all out there, most authenic chinese eateries, do not cater to dietery needs, and do not understand food allergies. Even if they say they can modify there dishes, I usually don't trust them, because I know how the chinese kitchen works.

I'm not saying that all of them are this way, but unless that restaurant specifically creates a gluten-free menu to offer clients, it's not likely they are willing to spend such an effort.

Don't call me paranoid! just know from experience. Be careful everyone!

[bklyn]

JKmunchkin:

I've eaten at Ruby Foo's in Manhattan and they are very aware of Gluten Free! I believe someone's parent has celiac, and knew exactly what I meant.

Give it a try.

[CeliaCruz]

YAY!! Field trip to Rye Brook. Ok when we going? CeliaCruz & Mookie, if you want to take the train to me I'll pick you up and we'll go there. It's like 15 minutes from me

Suggest a date. I'm wide open this week! (And totally up for "gluten-free Tuesdays" at Risotteria! Anyone? Mookie?)

I have a good recipe for Beef & Broccoli if you're interested. The trick is finding gluten-free Oyster sauce.

Of course, you'd have to cook it as well, not as fun as going out.

Kame oyster sauce is gluten free and delicious. I use it all the time in my homemade stir-frys and have to buy a new bottle just about every two or three weeks. (Their Hoisin sauce is also safe, also yummy!) But -- I totally agree -- no matter how talented I am with my wok, I will never duplicate the experience of going out and getting old-school Chinese food. I miss the white cardboard rice containers and the disposable chopsticks AND those little packets of soy sauce! It's not the same without them.

[barry]

Nice! Thats a pretty sweet deal... and meanwhile, ill be studying for the bar- but ill certainly need to reward myself with lots of gluten-free breaks/rewards!!! Let's def go soon though, Celiacruz? Are you there? Anyone else interested??

Barry in Brooklyn would love to join you.

Chinese food should be shared - having one dish is boring after a while -

I love sesame chicken too.

Hope we can work it out

[2Boys4Me]

Kame oyster sauce is gluten free and delicious. I use it all the time in my homemade stir-frys and have to buy a new bottle just about every two or three weeks. (Their Hoisin sauce is also safe, also yummy!)

Never heard of it. Probably not available in the Great White North. (Well, Brown North)

[mookie03]

Yes, i am totally down for Risotteria AND gluten-free chinese-- either of the next two tuesdays would work for me...(not tomorrow but next week or the week after..) Or i'd go another day of the week too...I'm ALWAYS down for Risotteria

[jkmunchkin]

JKmunchkin:

I've eaten at Ruby Foo's in Manhattan and they are very aware of Gluten Free! I believe someone's parent has celiac, and knew exactly what I meant.

Give it a try.

LOL!! I've never thought to eat there.. and they are a couple blocks from where I work. I think I could convince a few co-workers to go on a Friday lunch, or CeliaCruz what do you say the next time you are near 4TS?!!

Work has been crazy for me the last couple of weeks so I don't want to commit to Risotteria on a Tuesday and have to cancel. But you guys pick a date and I'll plan to come.

What day of the week is prefered for everyone for Chinese food?!!!