Nyc Restaurants - Recommendations

[Celiac in the city]

Long time reader, first time poster. Diagnosed celiac for 4 years and extremely sensitive. 24, living in New York City, still enjoying the restaurant scene in NYC despite the celiacs. I always carefully explain to the waiter what I can and cannot have, both before and after I order. Yes, I've had some times where I've definitely eaten something that wasn't 100% gluten-free....but for me, being able to eat out in restaurants with friends and not feel restricted is worth it. Very long winded intro into my suggestions for eating gluten-free in NYC. Please also note that besides the below, I've eaten in many other great places with no gluten-free menu but great waiters/waitresses who have taken care of me.

Lumi - great Italian restaurant with gluten-free menu on UES. A bit on the fancy side.

Peter's - diner on the UES with a very long gluten-free menu. Felt great to be able to order a grilled cheese for the first time in years.

Candle 79/Candle Cafe - sister vegan restaurants on the UES with gluten-free menus. Delicious, but expensive.

Gobo - gluten-free menu, vegan on the UES. Not as expensive as candle cafe, but in my opinion no where as good

Bistango - italian in Murray Hill with gluten-free menu. Lovely staff, wonderful food, homey atmosphere

Risotteria - gluten-free risotto, panini & pizza. Yummy, but tiny tables and occasionally long waits

S'mac - gluten-free macaroni in the east village. Tons of choices of choose from, as long as you're in the mood for mac & cheese! Try the brie and fig.

Babycakes - gluten-free cupcakes, brownies on the LES. I think the cupcakes are a little dry but still - gluten-free cupcakes!!! The brownies are great.

Lilli & Loo - chinese and pan-asian, midtown east with a gluten free menu. Sometimes it's awesome, occasionally just ok. Lots to choose from.

Mozzerelli's - I definitely spelled that wrong! Pizza place across from Madison Square Park. Selection of gluten-free pizza and desserts. About four times a year has a gluten-free sunday with gluten-free pasta and sandwiches on the menu. Really yummy, but for some reason I never feel well after I eat there. It's possible I'm reacting to something else in the food, since I can't figure out how the food would be cross-contaminated on the day where they only have gluten-free food in the kitchen

Hampton's Chutney Co - no gluten-free menu, but has a great selection of dosa (naturally gluten-free, indian chickpea crepes) with inventive fillings

BR Guest Restaurants - Dos Caminos (mexican), Atlantic Grill (seafood) & various others around the city - no gluten-free menu, but waiters are trained very well to handle allergies and other food sensitivities

Union Square Cafe - no gluten-free menu, but again waiters are well trained. Delicious foods, but expensive and a reservation is usually needed.

Only one place where I've had an awful experience - Vynl. There's one on the UES, one the UWS and one in Chelsea. Waiter told me the nachos were made with corn chips. They came and I thought they looked a little funny. So I asked him to make sure. He came back and said they were definitely corn. As I was eating my third bite he came by and told me that he had made a mistake and they were wheat. He had obviously never checked when I asked the first two times and then thought better of it. He then had the nerve to charge us for the nachos. Partly my fault, since I had a bad feeling about it, but still I would never eat at a restaurant that hired staff that lazy and rude.

[NJKen]

I've had good experiences at Sambuca, an Italian restaurant on West 72nd Street (about 6-8 blocks north of Lincoln Center), and Lili's 57, a very informal Chinese/Japanese/Thai restaurant on 7th Avenue near 57th Street. Both have gluten-free menus.

Also, for people not familiar with New York's geography, UES=Upper East Side, LES=Lower East Side, and UWS=Upper West Side. Upper=Northern and Lower=Southern.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

The best part about NYC now is being able to eat, ha! Thanks for your recommendations!

[ENF]

Gluten free restaurants, and events, in and around NYC are discussed on The New York City Celiac Disease Meetup Group Message Board. There's been a lot new gluten-free options lately, and this is a good resource for residents, or visitors, to keep track of them with.

[jkmunchkin]

I actually just posted this on the Pizzeria Uno's thread, but figured I'd chime in here as well. I just ate at the Pizzeria Uno's on the UWS a couple weeks ago and the vegetable pizza was really good. I was heading over to Nice Matin (which I recently heard has a gluten-free menu), but I passed Uno's on my way and decided to give it a try. I felt rather touristy sitting at a Uno's in the city... but the pizza was great so it's ok. LOL!

There is also a restaurant that I read about on Celiac Chicks called Petit Cafe that in addition to other menu offerings has gluten-free French Toast! I plan on checking that out soon.