Nyc Trip

[modiddly16]

So I just got back from my weekend in NYC, it was the first time since I had been there since I was 13 years old (I'm over half way to 30 now ) and it was my first time since being gluten free. I have to tell you Mozerelli's blew my mind.......they were so accommodating and the food was so delicious. I ate there twice because I liked it so much. They sell gluten free desserts from a place called my dads bakery (you can order online but not as many as there are in the store) and those cookies/cakes were probably the best gluten free items that I've ever had.

We went to Risoterria for lunch on Saturday and it was one of the best sandwiches I've had as well...I wish we would've had more time (or a larger appetite) to try some more of their food because it was so delicious. They had shirts that said No flour power and put a "celiac seal of approval" flag on a toothpick in all the gluten-free items, which I thought was cute.

I wasn't impressed with Blooms Delicatessen Cafe, at all.....I was actually kinda pissed off about my experience there. I'm usually the last person to complain when someone tries to accommodate for celiacs folks like me because I so greatly appreciate it. This place was recommended by the celiacs group of NYC and I wanted a good sandwich...so I order a roast beef sandwich and told the waitress that I wanted american cheese on it. She then told me that American Cheese was not gluten free. I asked her what she meant, just theirs or in general...and she told me that no american cheese was gluten free. I just told her that was inaccurate but I would have mozzarella instead. She then proceeded to give me a lecture about how she has been a waitress for 15 years and she took a class about celiac disease and that no american cheese is gluten free. This disturbed me on so many different levels....mostly because, hi...I'm the one suffering from the disease, so I think I have a higher knowledge about what is and isn't safe and lecturing me about it, because a class was taken? Well I honestly wanted to walk out and give my business elsewhere...it was insanely frustrating. She then went on to mess up my order and complain about me to everyone working in the restaurant (there were like 4 people in the joint besides myself) and I got dirty looks from everyone while I sat there eating.

I was perfectly nice about it too, I was just letting her know that it was inaccurate to say that all american cheeses were not gluten free but that i'd be happy with mozzarella...I'm not a very rude person, I mean, I was probably more surprised than anything but a lecture was not warranted.

I've actually never even heard of any american cheeses not being gluten free...I mean, I'm sure there are some but I haven't heard of them!!

We also made the trek to Babycakes....I have to advise you to skip this place. It's in a VERY shady area that is in the shadows of the Williamsburg Bridge and honestly, the cupcakes/donuts weren't worth the trip out there. I've heard all the hype and I was honestly so excited, but it was a huge let down.

All in all it was a great trip and I highly recommend Mozerelli's and Risotteria. I wish I could go back now to eat there

[Gemini]

So I just got back from my weekend in NYC, it was the first time since I had been there since I was 13 years old (I'm over half way to 30 now ) and it was my first time since being gluten free. I have to tell you Mozerelli's blew my mind.......they were so accommodating and the food was so delicious. I ate there twice because I liked it so much. They sell gluten free desserts from a place called my dads bakery (you can order online but not as many as there are in the store) and those cookies/cakes were probably the best gluten free items that I've ever had.

We went to Risoterria for lunch on Saturday and it was one of the best sandwiches I've had as well...I wish we would've had more time (or a larger appetite) to try some more of their food because it was so delicious. They had shirts that said No flour power and put a "celiac seal of approval" flag on a toothpick in all the gluten-free items, which I thought was cute.

I wasn't impressed with Blooms Delicatessen Cafe, at all.....I was actually kinda pissed off about my experience there. I'm usually the last person to complain when someone tries to accommodate for celiacs folks like me because I so greatly appreciate it. This place was recommended by the celiacs group of NYC and I wanted a good sandwich...so I order a roast beef sandwich and told the waitress that I wanted american cheese on it. She then told me that American Cheese was not gluten free. I asked her what she meant, just theirs or in general...and she told me that no american cheese was gluten free. I just told her that was inaccurate but I would have mozzarella instead. She then proceeded to give me a lecture about how she has been a waitress for 15 years and she took a class about celiac disease and that no american cheese is gluten free. This disturbed me on so many different levels....mostly because, hi...I'm the one suffering from the disease, so I think I have a higher knowledge about what is and isn't safe and lecturing me about it, because a class was taken? Well I honestly wanted to walk out and give my business elsewhere...it was insanely frustrating. She then went on to mess up my order and complain about me to everyone working in the restaurant (there were like 4 people in the joint besides myself) and I got dirty looks from everyone while I sat there eating.

I was perfectly nice about it too, I was just letting her know that it was inaccurate to say that all american cheeses were not gluten free but that i'd be happy with mozzarella...I'm not a very rude person, I mean, I was probably more surprised than anything but a lecture was not warranted.

I've actually never even heard of any american cheeses not being gluten free...I mean, I'm sure there are some but I haven't heard of them!!

We also made the trek to Babycakes....I have to advise you to skip this place. It's in a VERY shady area that is in the shadows of the Williamsburg Bridge and honestly, the cupcakes/donuts weren't worth the trip out there. I've heard all the hype and I was honestly so excited, but it was a huge let down.

All in all it was a great trip and I highly recommend Mozerelli's and Risotteria. I wish I could go back now to eat there

Sounds like you got the city attitude at that deli! I love large cities and have had mostly great overall experiences in them BUT I have to admit that some native New Yorkers from the city are arrogant and argumentative. Which can be OK because when I am treated like that, my inner Boston b_itch comes out

and I can usually match them word for word!

You are correct....no non-gluten-free waitress knows more than you about being a Celiac and she is absolutely incorrect about the American cheese thing. There are plenty of cheeses that are gluten-free and you have to trust your instincts. She needs a reminder that the customer is always right....which is another thing going by the wayside these days.

Thanks for recommendations on the other good places and when I get back to NYC, I'll make sure to stay away from that deli!

[minniejack]

thanks so much for your post--I'm going with my DD's orchestra in February and will try to hit some of your suggestions.

Oh, and one waitress told me that whey was wheat and not gluten free.... A waiter at Greg Norman's in Myrtle Beach, who would NOT get the chef for me because he knew all about gluten, insisted that the risotto had wheat in it because it had a creamy sauce....and it was pasta--I'll remember that the next time I make risotto, a rice that makes it's own creamy sauce....

And no wonder the majority of us stay home to eat.

[jkmunchkin]

Glad you loved Mozzarelli's and Risotteria. They are both excellent! I actually never recommend Bloom's to people. In my opinion it's not that great. I appreciate that they have a gluten-free menu and used to work near there, so I ate there a few times, but it's nothing to rave about. I'm sorry the experience was so bad. (Although I don't think it's fair of Gemini to say that New Yorker's are arrogant and argumentative. I actually very often have people comment what a myth that is and they find NY'ers to be so nice and helpful).

If you ever come back to NY I'd suggest giving Babycakes another try. Maybe it was an off day. I know it's not in a posh area (although I wouldn't classify it as shady); but personally I LOVE their stuff. The funny thing is I don't think the cupcakes are awesome but everything else I've tried their (doughnuts, crumb cake, banana bread) has been out of this world. I have dreams about the doughnuts. LOL!

[modiddly16]

Thanks, I don't know when I'll be back in NYC...although I crave Mozerelli's already!! Maybe I will give Babycakes another try.....it was pretty shady in my mind because there were a lot of things going on over there that day, a few fights broke out and a lot of cops were involved, so it just made me feel uncomfortable and the donuts weren't that great, but you're right...its totally possible that it was an off day, so maybe I'll give it another shot if I'm over there.

I certainly didn't think anyone was rude or arrogant...i was actually quite surprised at how pleasant and helpful everyone was!! And, like I said about Bloom's...while I appreciate them having a celiac friendly restaurant, I really wasn't pleased with any aspect of it. But overall the trip was great! I just wanted to post my experiences in case anyone was planning on going soon.

[Gemini]

Glad you loved Mozzarelli's and Risotteria. They are both excellent! I actually never recommend Bloom's to people. In my opinion it's not that great. I appreciate that they have a gluten-free menu and used to work near there, so I ate there a few times, but it's nothing to rave about. I'm sorry the experience was so bad. (Although I don't think it's fair of Gemini to say that New Yorker's are arrogant and argumentative. I actually very often have people comment what a myth that is and they find NY'ers to be so nice and helpful).

If you ever come back to NY I'd suggest giving Babycakes another try. Maybe it was an off day. I know it's not in a posh area (although I wouldn't classify it as shady); but personally I LOVE their stuff. The funny thing is I don't think the cupcakes are awesome but everything else I've tried their (doughnuts, crumb cake, banana bread) has been out of this world. I have dreams about the doughnuts. LOL!

I think you need to re-read my post! I made a point of saying that most of my experiences were positive ones but some New Yorkers were arrogant and argumentative. So I stand by what I said and it was a very fair assessment of New York. Many people are very, very nice but when you get the arrogant ones, they take the prize for it.

[Gemini]

Thanks, I don't know when I'll be back in NYC...although I crave Mozerelli's already!! Maybe I will give Babycakes another try.....it was pretty shady in my mind because there were a lot of things going on over there that day, a few fights broke out and a lot of cops were involved, so it just made me feel uncomfortable and the donuts weren't that great, but you're right...its totally possible that it was an off day, so maybe I'll give it another shot if I'm over there.

I certainly didn't think anyone was rude or arrogant...i was actually quite surprised at how pleasant and helpful everyone was!! And, like I said about Bloom's...while I appreciate them having a celiac friendly restaurant, I really wasn't pleased with any aspect of it. But overall the trip was great! I just wanted to post my experiences in case anyone was planning on going soon.

You don't have to back track on what you posted because someone doesn't agree with you on all counts. You may not have used the words directly but your experience with that waitress could be described as rudeness and arrogance on her part. I have run into that type myself....the ones who profess to know all about Celiac Disease and then go on to stupidly categorize it as an allergy! (My experience personally...not necessarily anyone else's.)