Three weeks ago today, I was suffering with the flu in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I had to look for an urgent care facility on my smartphone and head there urgently from my hotel. The freezing rain and frigid temps of Denver did nothing to help my illness and as the hours crept on as we slowly drove to Colorado Springs, the sicker I felt. Sadly, I spent my entire first day in Colorado Springs at urgent care, the Walmart pharmacy, and my hotel bed. I even spent some hours on the floor of the hotel bathroom. With a fluctuating fever, the cold tiles of the bathroom were the only place that felt comfortable to me. Needless to say, this was NOT the trip to Colorado I was expecting.
But a girl gotta eat, right?! Isn’t there an old adage: Starve a cold, feed a fever? And fed that fever I did!
I discovered this place through FindMeGlutenFree. I ate a delicious gluten-free English muffin, an omelette with spinach and cheese, bacon, and hash browns. Staff will let you know all gluten-free menu items. I sat at the bar eating breakfast with a lovely woman who was also gluten-free. We chatted about gluten-free food, GMOs, travel, family and more. She was so kind and gave me tickets to a concert that night. Unfortunately, I was too sick to go and forgot her name but it was one of those unique experiences with a stranger that I love experiencing when I travel.
Breakfast at Over Easy
EmergiCare
402 W. Bijou St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Sadly, this is where I spent my Friday morning getting chest x-rays to rule out pneumonia and being tested for the flu which was positive. The staff was friendly and thorough which made getting sick from home at least tolerable. Unfortunately, I learned that there is no pharmacy in downtown Colorado Springs and you needed a taxi or a car to get there. I felt so crappy that I waited to fill my prescriptions until the afternoon. You can read my Getting Sick on Vacation post for more details and how to prepare for becoming sick away from home.
No sightseeing for me except for the inside of this urgent care!
The Rabbit Hole
101 North Tejon Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
This place was cool and totally random. My boyfriend found it on Yelp so I wasn’t sure if there would be anything I could eat on the menu. Once we found the place (it looks like a subway station and we walked right by) we descended the stairs to a funky underground restaurant. The menu is clearly marked with a symbol to indicated gluten-free and the waitress was very helpful to point out what was safe and how things were prepared. We ate VERY well at this restaurant, but I was fading fast at this point and just wanted a bed.
After dinner, we took a second trip to the Walmart pharmacy and then I tucked into bed for the night around 8pm.
The Rabbit Hole’s entrance to the underground restaurant
The Rabbit Hole menu
Pork “wings”
Cherry braised buffalo short ribs
The next morning I woke up to blue skies and a raging fever. I headed back to bed (or the cool bathroom floor) for a few more hours before we had to check out of the Antlers Hilton. This is the oldest hotel in Colorado Springs and was quiet during our winter stay. The staff was very friendly and helped me use the fax machine so I could change my flight home. I was supposed to fly to Wisconsin to see my sister, but under the advisement of the urgent care doctor I changed my flight to fly home early instead. So sad!
Before we left Colorado Springs, I knew I MUST go to Coquette’s Bakery. This place is 100% gluten-free and got rave reviews on FindMeGlutenFree, Yelp and more. It really does deserve it’s own post.
When I walked in this place, I felt like I was walking into gluten-free heaven. The front bakery cases were full to the glass with tempting gluten-free baked goods. Behind the bakery cases, was a lovely restaurant. It looked like a diner with a trendy bar in the back. I was so excited to be there that I forgot about my flu for the meal.
Coquette’s Bistro and Bakery, a celiac safe haven
When I saw the Monte Cristo on the menu, I knew that was what I must get. As a lifelong celiac, I never had a sandwich like this in my life. A Monte Cristo is a ham and Swiss sandwich in a battered deep-fried hoagie, side of strawberry preserves & powdered sugar. WHAT?!?! Let’s read that again. YES! A battered deep-fried hoagie! This was probably the most delicious sandwich I had in my entire life. This sandwich made my whole sick trip to Colorado worth it. Oh, and truffled french fries. Remember, this place is 100% gluten-free so the fries were totally safe!
Monte Cristo at Coquette’s Bistro and Bakery
DE-LISH-OUS!!
My boyfriend had the Rise and Dine savory crepe which was eggs, ham, onion, tomato and red pepper hollandaise with truffled french fries. I was so into my sandwich, I didn’t even try his breakfast. He said it was one of the best breakfasts he had and did not even care it was gluten-free.
And with every breakfast comes dessert…
One piece of cake, two forks
I think if I had been feeling less fluish, I would have purchased more at Coquette’s Bakery before I left. I did manage to buy a slice of blueberry coffee cake and a loaf of bread. There were so many delicious baked goods in the display cases and a fully-stocked freezer with baguettes, bagels, challah bread, buns, muffins, and more.
S’mores
Blueberry Coffee Cake
Chocolate Lemon Donuts
The baked goods change everyday and honestly, I don’t think you will be disappointed with anything. This place is a must for any gluten-free trip to Colorado Springs.
My boyfriend and I checked out of the hotel and decided to go for a drive. I was reclining in the front seat, snoozing and soaking up the sunshine through the car windows. The temps hit 55º F which was a welcome warm-up on my feverish body. We decided to go to Garden of the Gods since we could easily drive there and it didn’t require me to do any strenuous hiking or walking.
I loved Garden of the Gods. It reminded me so much of my first solo trip to Sedona, Arizona. The red rocks against the bright blue sky lifted my spirits. This place is really beautiful and only a short drive from downtown Colorado Springs. I highly recommend a trip here! I wish I had been feeling better because I would have loved to hike and explore this park a little bit more.
Pikes Peak 5089 Pikes Peak Highway
Cascade, CO 80809
This 19-mile drive to 14,115 feet is worth it, especially if it is a clear day like it was when we were in Colorado Springs. You either pay by person or carload and the prices to enter this park vary by season. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the top of the mountain. The higher we went, the lower the temperatures dropped. The trees also stop growing too as you approach the top of the mountain because of the lack of oxygen with the increasing altitude.
Oh the altitude… It killed us! When I got out of the car at the top of Pikes Peak I felt awful. At 14,115 feet above sea level this is some HIGH altitude and the highest I ever experienced in my life. I felt drunk, nauseous, gassy, and dizzy. It was like my body was losing function by the second. Add the flu and I felt like I was going to pass out any second. I looked over at my boyfriend and he was looking just as green as me. We walked slowly to the gift shop to sit for a minute and to use the restrooms. The Pikes Peak staff must have a warped sense of humor because they had these crazy hologram photos in the bathrooms. Nothing is more disorienting than using the bathroom and thinking a lion is jumping out from the painting on the wall. I had to tell my man immediately what I saw to confirm I wasn’t crazy and he saw them in the men’s room too. It is one trippy experience!
Smiling through the altitude sickness and the flu.
We took a few obligatory pictures at the top of the mountain but both were really affected by the altitude and decided to leave. The mountain top closes at 4pm in the winter, so we had to head down anyway. Note to self, make sure to give your body time to acclimate to altitude when traveling in the future!
The view was worth it!Facing east (I think) from the top of the mountain
Not what a celiac wants to see on a drive up a mountain. Good thing I wasn’t “glutened”!
We slowly made our way down from Pikes Peak, leaving the high altitude behind, and headed back to Denver to catch our flight the next morning. By the time we got to Denver, I was exhausted but hungry. It was a big football day and the first place we went was packed. We wound up eating dinner at Federal Bar and Grill. I found this place using FindMeGlutenFree again where I read the owners had celiac disease. The hearty burger on a gluten-free bun was exactly what I needed.
Southwest Burger: Pepper jack cheese, fresh made roasted corn pico de gallo, and avocado on a gluten-free bun. Not pictured, sweet potato fries made in a dedicated fryer.
Being sick away from home sucks, I am not going to sugar coat it. I was achy, tired, coughing, and just feeling miserable. Colorado Springs is very beautiful once the sun starts shining and the blue skies come out. I wish I could have enjoyed more of the trip but I just could not physically handle it. Major shout out to the boyfriend who took very good care of me on this trip. Buying my meds, rubbing my head, hugging me as I cried through my fever. He is the best! I did my best to be a trooper, but I paid for it. I went straight home after we landed on Sunday night at JFK airport and did not leave my house for four full days. This was the first time I got this sick during travel but I managed to deal with it the best that I could. I would definitely go back to Colorado to do more exploring, hiking, biking, and enjoying the beautiful state. Oh, and to eat another Monte Cristo at Coquette’s Bistro! But next time, I will leave the flu at home!
Starting on November 8th, Toronto is kicking off their Gluten Freedom Week. The aim of this week is to create an enjoyable dining experience for individuals living gluten-free in Toronto and the surrounding areas. Think NYC Restaurant Week, with prix fixe menus and special promotions, with a gluten-free flair. I was excited and even a bit envious when I first heard about this week, wishing we had something like this in New York City.
In order to learn more about Toronto’s Gluten Freedom week, I connected with Rachael Hunt, founder of Gluten Freedom Week and blogger at Gluten Freedom Toronto, for a brief interview.
Toronto’s GlutenFreedom Week
Gluten-Free Globetrotter: What is Gluten Freedom Week?
Rachael: GlutenFreedom Week is an event based in Toronto involving restaurants throughout the city. The second edition is taking place November 8-15, 2014! Each participating establishment offers guests a 3-course gluten-free prix fixe meal for the duration of the week. The goal of the event is to create a special dining experience where individuals living gluten-free (for whatever reason it may be) are able to enjoy incredible food for a great price. We want to applaud the restaurants who are able to accommodate us, while demonstrating that gluten-free dining can be diverse, gourmet, and sexy.
GFG: When did you start GlutenFreedom Week and why?
Rachael: I created the event out of a personal desire to dine out at the city’s hotspots without feeling excluded or worried. Upon developing a serious gluten intolerance 2 years ago, my social life was impacted by my inability to dine out with ease. I felt it wasn’t fair or necessary, so I took matters into my own hand and created an event that encourages inclusivity and brings the joy of dining to individuals like myself.
GFG: Are there any specific criteria for a restaurant to participate in this week? Does the restaurant go through training?
Rachael: As part of the application process each restaurant needs to outline their cross-contact presentation methods so that they can easily be communicated during the week (and beyond). They also need to provide full ingredient lists to my partner and I prior to the event, so we can ensure that each dish is in fact gluten-free. We offer additional training workshops with interested restaurants so that they can have a better understanding of what it’s like from the guests standpoint and learn how to serve them better.
GFG: How frequently does GlutenFreedom Week occur?
Rachael: This is the second edition this year [2014]. We organized one in May. We may just stick to doing one a year and focussing on making that one really amazing!
GFG: How many restaurants are participating in November?
Rachael: We’ve got 20 restaurants participating in November.
GFG: What restaurants are you excited to eat at during GFW?
Rachael: That’s a really tough one because I am so excited about all of them and it wouldn’t be fair for me to choose just one!!
GlutenFreedom Week Disclaimer (from their website)
GlutenFreedom Toronto and participating restaurants cannot guarantee that every meal is free from cross contamination of gluten, and as such we recommend that you use caution and due diligence before consumption for your health and safety. Each participating restaurant is fully aware of the risk of cross-contamination, and as such are taking extra precaution to avoid/eliminate this during GlutenFreedom Week and beyond.
About Toronto’s GlutenFreedom Week
This is a week-long event that will take place at Toronto’s finest dining establishments from November 8-15, 2014. The participating restaurants will offer patrons a delicious selection of 3-course gluten-free fare for a fixed price.
Rachael Hunt, founder of Gluten Freedom Week
About Rachael Hunt, founder of GlutenFreedom Week and GlutenFree Toronto
“I am a self-proclaimed foodie who is living with a serious gluten allergy. I’ve been living in Toronto for four years now and enjoy checking out the city’s hottest restaurants, cruising through the city on my bike, picnicking in Trinity Bellwoods, and cooking with friends!”
I’m about ready to book a flight to Toronto to take part in this awesome gluten-free week! For those of you who are local, do you plan on attending Gluten Freedom Week? If so, which restaurant are you looking forward to the most?
The most frequently asked question to this blog is “Where can I find a 100% gluten-free restaurant in New York City?” In the past, I had to say there are no completely gluten-free restaurants in Manhattan but but now I am happy to report we now have a few totally gluten-free options. I will update this list as I learn of more 100% gluten-free options in New York City.
Note: While these restaurants are no-gluten establishments, it is still very important to inform your server about your dietary restrictions!
September flew by and today is October 1st. How did that happen?
It was a very busy month for this Gluten-Free Globetrotter. I bounced around from New York City to New Jersey to Brooklyn to California (virtually) to Massachusetts. I met new gluten-free friends and visited with celiacs that I have known for years. It was a busy but fun month and I always feel so happy after connecting with the celiac community. The highlight of my month-long travel was going to Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts with the Pasta Flyer team.
Pasta Flyer is “a fresh, healthful, gluten-free pasta bowl concept that takes the warmth of grandma’s cooking into a delightful, quick-service setting.” After a successful Kickstarter campaign in June, Pasta Flyer took their gluten-free show on the road in their awesome Air Stream food truck. I have been working on the social media for Pasta Flyer so I joined the food truck team for the Harvard stop on their tour.
Erin Smith (Gluten-Free Globetrotter) with Chef Mark Ladner of Del Posto and Pasta Flyer
During my time with Pasta Flyer at Harvard, I helped with social media; stocked the food truck; talked to chefs, fans, and friends; met awesome gluten-free bloggers No Gluten Required and Celiac Corner; and watched Chef Mark Ladner talk about gluten-free pasta to a Harvard audience. I was seriously in awe as I sat in a Harvard University lecture auditorium listening to this top chef from New York City talk about gluten-free pasta. We hit the big times people!
Chef Mark Ladner talking about gluten-free pasta at Harvard!
I had such a great time at Harvard, but an even better time getting to work on a food truck serving up a 100% gluten-free menu! People did not even realize that the food was all gluten-free because it was just so good. We sold out every single day at Harvard and I heard from the Pasta Flyer team they also sold out in Providence’s Johnson and Wales University each day. The dynamic team, the gluten-free food, and the cool food truck were a winning combination!
The awesome Pasta Flyer! Michael, Nastassia, Chef Mark, and Soon
Interested in trying Pasta Flyer? Their next stop is Philadelphia this Thursday and Friday. I will also join them in two weeks in New Haven, Connecticut at Yale University and later this October in New York City. I hope to see you there!
Next week is the start of the Summer 2014 Restaurant Week in New York City. This is a chance for you to dine at one of your favorites or wish-list restaurants at a discounted price. The menus during Restaurant Week are usually limited to those of us gluten-free customers. This year, I did some research on who is offering gluten-free Restaurant Week menu options. I emailed almost all of the RW participants and have included their responses below. In my opinion, it is only worth going to Restaurant Week if you have more than one gluten-free choice! Given that, I have included the restaurants that have a decent gluten-free options on their prix fixe menus. I chose not to include the restaurants that said “Sure” (yet seemed totally clueless when I asked which dishes), “yes, of course,” (and then the menu was all sandwiches), or “not at all” to make your choices easier
I highly suggest making your reservations TODAY! Restaurant Week is very popular and tables are filled quickly. As with any dining experience, please call ahead to make a reservation and alert the staff of your gluten-free dietary restrictions. You can also use OpenTable.com to make your reservations at many of the restaurants below. When using OpenTable, you will create a user profile and can indicate directly in your reservation that you must eat gluten-free. Read more about OpenTable here.
When you arrive at the restaurant, be sure to remind the manager and your server about your gluten-free request. It is up to you to ask about ingredients and preparation in the kitchen. Gluten-Free Globetrotter is NOT responsible for your food choices at any restaurant.
Did you have any great gluten-free meals during Restaurant Week 2014? Tag your Tweets, Instagram photos, and Facebook posts with #GFNYCRW so we can follow you!
NYC Restaurant Week July 21 – August 15, 2014* $25 Lunches & $38 Dinners Enjoy special three-course, prix-fixe meals at participating restaurants. *Saturdays excluded, Sundays optional.
Please click on links below for menus and for participation by restaurant. Restaurants are in alphabetical order. To find addresses and contact information for all restaurants participating in RW 2014, visit NYCgo.
Ai Fiori
“Apps- can all be done GF, and served with GF bread if desired. GF pasta can be subbed for Taglitelle, chicken is GF. And Panna Cotta is GF from dessert menu.”
Asellina
“For the lunch menu, both apps are gluten-free, the bucatini can be substituted w gluten-freepasta and the chocolate semifreddo is gluten-free. For the dinner menu, all apps are gluten-free, the bucatini can be substituted with gluten-free pasta and the chocolate semifreddo is gluten-free. ”
Auerole
“Many of our RW menu is gluten free, which is great! For the first course, the petite salad greens and heirloom tomato gazpacho can be done gluten free. For the main course– the grilled free range chicken and the summer vegetable risotto are both gluten free. Both of our desserts are gluten free as well!”
Bar Eolo: Sicilian Kitchen & Wines “I’m the chef/owner here and am strictly gluten-free myself, so its very important to me to offer wheat-free dining options at my restaurants. On this summer’s restaurant week menu, most of the appetizers and entrees will be gluten free (or can be made as such) and all of the pastas are offered with gluten-free rice pasta for an additional $2. We also have gluten free bread and dessert options. ~Chef Melissa Muller Daka”
Ben and Jack’s Steakhouse “Starting with the lunch menu: For the appetizer, the mixed green salad, tomato & onion salad are gluten free but the soup of the day can vary. For the entrée, the filet mignon medallions (ask for no sauce), Ben & Jack’s burger (ask for no bun), grilled Norwegian wild salmon, and grilled chicken over mixed green are gluten free. Our desserts for the lunch menu are not gluten-free. For the dinner menu, the mixed green salad, thick slice of sizzling Canadian bacon are gluten-free and again, the soup varies on the day. For the entrée, our prim sirloin steak, filet mignon medallions, roasted half chicken, and grilled filet of Norwegian wild salmon are all gluten free. The side dishes are served with mashed potatoes and steam broccoli but for a Gluten-free alternative the mashed potatoes may be substituted with steamed or sautéed spinach.”
Bread & Tulips “Apart from the meatballs and the Pasta, all the other items are Gluten-free.”
Benchmark Restaurant “80% of our menu is gluten-free. The only items containing gluten on our menu would be the pork turnover and the cookie dough eggroll.”
Cafe Boulud “Lunch menu: Arugula Salad, Maine Shrimp Ceviche, Cucumber Gazpacho (without the brioche croutons), Skate Wing Grenobloise, Pan Seared Hanger Steak, Passion Fruit Semi-Freddo (remove raspberry biscuit), Buttermilk Panna Cotta.”
Cafe Centro “On the dinner menu, these items are gluten free: Watermelon Gazpacho with cucumber, mint & extra virgin olive oil, Cold Poached Atlantic Salmon with cucumber & melon salad, dill aioli, Flat Iron Steak au Poivre with mustard greens, pomme puree and sauce au poive. Chef Ted Rozzi assured me that many of the dishes can be made gluten free if the diner requests and he is always happy to make substitutions including gluten-free pasta to accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions.”
Casa Nonna
“Here are the Restaurant Week menu items that are gluten-free. For dinner: Grilled peach salad; Salmon Crudo; Porchetta; Sirloin (with no corn cake); Torchio Pasta (can be made with GF pasta); Snapper (can be made GF); Prosecco Granita. For Lunch: Watermelon Salad; Soup; Zucchini carpaccio ; Pork tenderloin; Razza Skate; Prosecco Granita.”
Costata “At Costata, all the apps can be made GF- again, just serving spread without the actual crostini. The Sirloin is GF, and the pasta can be subbed. We are happy to sub in gelato/sorbet for desserts if GF customer requests.”
Crema
“Gluten-free items include: Gazpacho de Coco, Pepino, Melon y Langosta; Taquitos de Chilorio; Pollo en Nogada; Tacos de Chicharron de Pancita; and Sorbets.”
Davio’s Manhattan (Lunch Menu, Dinner Menu)
“Our lunch and dinner menus can all be done gluten free except for the desserts.”
Etcetera Etcetera “Gluten-free options include: Mixed field green salad with house dressing and shaved parmigiano reggiano; Minestrone soup with pesto; Risotto with seasonal vegetables and parmigiano fondue; Selection of ice creams and sorbets- GF with out the little cookie garnish. We can offer the handmade gluten free gnocchi with choice of seasonal vegetables, tomato sauce or bolognese sauce or tagliatelle pasta for an additional $4.; The handmade gluten free tagliatelle; gnocchi is offered on our a la carte menu is made in house.”
Fig and Olive “Lunch: Beef Carpaccio, Chicken Tajine (without couscous), Paella Del Mar, Filet Mignon Salad, Chocolate pot de creme (without the praline financiers). Dinner: Melone & Burrata, Fig & Olive Salad, Salmon Tartar, Truffle risotto, Chicken Tajine (without couscous), Riviera Salmon, Petite Filet Mignon, Chocolate pot de creme (without the praline financiers)”
Fishtail by David Burke
“The following are gluten-free: Simple Green Salad; Roasted Branzino; and Summer Fruit & Sorbet. In addition, the below items can be made gluten free with a few simple substitutions: Tuna Crudo – order without the mustard soy; Steak Frites – order sans fries; and Steamed Black Bass – order without lotus chips.”
General Assembly (Lunch Menu, Dinner Menu)
“Many of our dishes are naturally Gluten Free. If you take a look at the attached menus you will notice the Gazpacho, salads, dips, sorbet, (un-breaded/fried) fish are all gluten free foods.”
Hangawi Gluten-free options are noted on the menu.
Hardings NYC “Gluten-free on our menu: Tomato soup without the bread. Romaine salad without croutons. Branzini, chicken. Desserts we can do sorbet!”
Kefi Restaurant
“We do offer GF options on our Restaurant Week menu, we offer GF pasta (Jovial brown rice pasta, 100% organic) and GF pita for all of our sandwiches (GFL Foods All Natural Gluten Free Pita Bread). ”
Kin Shop “Although the menu will change throughout Restaurant Week, we will continue to provide gluten-free options for our diners. Current gluten-free menu items include: Raw Kale Salad, Steamed Bouchot Mussels, Sautéed Skate Wing, Stir Fried Pork Cheeks, Coconut Rice Pudding, Mango Sundae”
Left Bank “All our appetizers are gluten-free, just ask to take out the crouton in the provencal fish soup and the toast in the steak tartare. For entrees the gluten-free options are: iron roast split chicken, seared hake, bavette steak. For dessert, we can offer ice cream with chocolate sauce (the profiteroles without the pastry).
Les Halles – Both locations: Park and Downtown
“All of the options are gluten free with the exception of the boneless ribs.”
Lexington Brass
“All of our restaurant week menu items are gluten free except the kale mac and cheese, chocolate cake and cheesecake. However these three items can be modified to be gluten free upon request!”
Maloney & Porcelli “We offer GF options. However, for those with an allergy, we always recommend letting your server know, as preparations can change slightly.”
Maya
“The only entrée that is not gluten free is the Pechuga Pollo. ”
Maze by Gordon Ramsey I was informed that the entire Restaurant Week menu for MAZE is in fact gluten free.
Michael’s Restaurant “All of our appetizers are 100% gluten free. The chilled shrimp salad and wild striped bass are gluten-free, the burger is not. Our desserts can be made 100% gluten free, if the guest inform the servers.”
Opia Restaurant
“The Restaurant Week menu is entirely gluten-free with the exception of the Tarte Fine Au Chocolat on the dessert menu.”
Pera NYC “All appetizers are gluten-free. For the Mediterranean Dip Trio cucumber will be served in place of lavash chips. For the spice roasted lamb ribs, no lavash bread. Entrees: Fresh Lamb Adana without the lavash bread; chicken brochette without the lavash bread, pan-roasted Mediterranean dorade, and sliced sirloin steak frites. Dessert: daily selection of ice cream and sorbets.”
Perilla
“This menu will not be presented but can be adjusted with the following suggestions: Appetizers: Steamed Bouchot Mussels with andouille sausage & fennel (ask for no garlic bread crumbs); Local Bibb Salad with plum, almond, pecans, pecorino & bee pollen vinaigrette; Chilled Cucumber Soup with hot peppers, greek yogurt, summer melon, mint & ras el hanout. Entrees: Roasted All Natural Chicken with peaches, radicchio. snap peas, paprika quinoa & natural jus (Make sure to ask for quinoa instead of barley!); Grilled Mahi-Mahi with carrot, green chickpeas, asparagus & kaffir lime aioli; Roasted Farm Raised Mushrooms with bamboo risotto, arugula & vegemite cherry ‘bordelaise’; Lime Panna Cotta with jalapeño caramel, puffed amaranth, watermelon sorbet; Selection of Ice Creams & Sorbets. We are always flexible with our guests. One item to note on our regular menu is the crispy mussel salad, that is done gluten free with rice flour. I think that is a fun option since it can be tricky to find items that are fried.”
Pranna Restaurant “The following menu items are gluten free and are on our Restaurant Week Menu: Lamb Boti Kabab (Marinated Boneless Lamb, Ginger, Mint Chutney), Vegetable Massaman Curry (Potato, Long Beans), and Chicken Tikka Masala (Tomatoes, Ginger, Yogurt, Toasted Spices). Unfortunately, there are no dessert options.”
Ristorante Morini “Anything from Ristorante Morini’s menu can be made gluten free. It’s just a matter of taking the crostino off the salad. Calamari can be made without breadcrumbs. Zuppa is gluten-free. Maccherone can be made with GF pasta, Chicken and Cod are GF. And the meringue can be made without the lady fingers.”
Rock Center Cafe (Lunch Menu, Dinner Menu)
“We do offer a number of gluten-free options on our restaurant week menus: Lunch: Appetizers: Chilled Gazpacho Soup Cucumber, Tomato, Onion, Avocado Cream; Roasted Golden Beet “Ravioli” Herbed Goat Cheese; Organic Mixed Greens Cherry Tomatoes, Sherry Vinaigrette. Entrees: Frittata Caprese Tomato, Mozzarella, Fresh Herbs; Seared Boston Blue Cod Summer Bean Salad. Dinner: Appetizers: Chilled Gazpacho Soup Cucumber, Tomato, Onion, Avocado Cream; Today’s Soup (this depends on the day’s recipe); Organic Mixed Greens Cherry Tomatoes, Sherry Vinaigrette. Entrees: Seared Chicken Paillard Tomato, Arugula Salad; Petite Filet Black Angus Beef, Tuscan Sweet Potato and Yukon Gold Gratin, Cabernet Wine Sauce; Atlantic Salmon (can request a substitution for the farro salad for dietary restrictions). For dessert at lunch or dinner, one can request our housemade ice cream or sorbet.”
Rocking Horse Cafe
“We have an extensive list of gluten-free items on our regular menu as well as the NYC Restaurant Week 2014 menu. These RW items are gluten-free: Budin Azteca; Tacos de Dorado; Vegetales en Pipian Verde; Bistec con Serranos y Limo; Pescado de Salpicon y Vegetale; Mole Michoacan; Carne Guisado; and Tortita de Chocolate.”
Rosa Mexicano (Lunch Menu, Dinner Menu)
“All the appetizers from the RW Lunch and RW Dinner menu are Gluten Free. In addition, all the entrees from the RW Dinner menu entrees are Gluten Free. All the RW Lunch menu entrees are, except for the Caesar Salad. ”
Sant Ambroeus “Almost our entire restaurant week menu is gluten-free. The chef orders this amazing gluten-free pasta, which he can substitute for the tagliatelle and trofie upon request. The only dish which has gluten is the Panzanella Estiva.”
Socarrat Paella Bar – Nolita “All the paellas except for the Fideua (noodle paella) are gluten-free. The same goes for the choices of tapas or appetizers that were chosen for the restaurant week menu. All three are gluten-free. The dessert it is not gluten-free, but if you ask the manager he/she will substitute it for a flan, which it is gluten-free.”
Stella 34 Trattoria
“On the lunch and dinner menus, these items are gluten free: · Chilled Corn Gazpacho with peekytoe crab, basil and chili oil; Sauteed Summer Beans with romano, wax, cranberry and green beans, garlic, basil and Parmigiano reggiano; Costoletta di Maiale which is a wood-oven roasted pork chop with wilted escarole and mostarda di Cremona; The Merluzzo may be made gluten free by omitting the herb crust which has bread crumbs in it. The cod is served with a trevio salad and lemon vinaigrette; Vivoli Gelato many of Vivoli of Florence’s gelatos and sorbets are gluten free which can be enjoyed by any and all. As always, please be sure that guests make a note of their allergy and/or dietary restriction when making a reservation.”
SushiSamba
“We offer a custom gluten free menu on a daily basis and our Restaurant Week menus follow suit with a selection gluten free dishes. During lunch gluten free guests can enjoy the Old Fashioned Seviche, Kuromitsu Glazed Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps; Quinotto Andino, Crispy Seared Salmon, Samba Sushi Plate (can be made gluten-free upon request!); Housemade Ice Cream and Sorbet. During dinner, gluten free options include the Old Fashioned Seviche, Salt and Pepper Squid; Quinotto Andino, Samba Sushi Plate (can be made gluten-free upon request!), Rock Fish a la Plancha (can be made gluten-free upon request!), Skirt Steak and Housemade Ice Cream and Sorbet.”
Tertulia
“We absolutely have gluten-free options for Restaurant Week. For the first course, the gazpacho and salad are gluten-free. For the second course at lunch, the fish and paella, which is rice, are both gluten-free. For the second course at dinner, all 3 options are gluten-free. For third/dessert course, the flan is gluten-free.”
The Americano
“The following items on our restaurant week menu are gluten free: Fish tacos, watermelon salad, Roated Pork Loin, Organis Chicken (The grain salad is substituted for a quinoa salad), coffee flan and the sorbet.”
The Lambs Club “Gluten-Free Lunch Courses: Arugula & Asian Pear Salad – Parmigiano Reggiano, Pickled Ramps, Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Steak Tartare – Spanish Capers, Mustard Seed, Button Mushroom; Omelet – Wild Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Gruyere. Gluten-Free Dinner Courses: Arugula & Asian Pear Salad – Parmigiano Reggiano, Pickled Ramps, Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Steak Tartare – Spanish Capers, Mustard Seed, Button Mushroom; Italian Burrata – Snow Pea & Hazelnut Salad, Duck Prosciutto; Roasted Breast of Amish Chicken – Wapsie Valley Polenta, Haricots Verts, Sweet Corn, Tarragon Chicken Jus.”
The Mercer Kitchen
“Gluten free options for Restaurant Week One and Restaurant Week Three: Appetizer: Fennel Carpaccio with Sesame and Crème Fraiche; Mesclun Salad with Endive (Can substitute Lemon Vinaigrette for Soy-Truffle Vinaigrette). Entree: Slowly Baked Salmon, Tuscan Kale, Greenmarket Radishes, Red Verjus; Free Range Chicken Breast, Creamed Sweet Corn, Scotch Bonnet Sauce.
Gluten free options for Restaurant Week Two and Restaurant Week Four: Appetizer: Greenmarket Baby Beets with Mozzarella and Wasabi; Mesclun Salad with Endive (Can substitute Lemon Vinaigrette for Soy-Truffle Vinaigrette); Entree: Free Range Chicken Breast, Charred Radicchio, Balsamic Vinaigrette; Our Mercer Burger, which is a selection on all four weeks, can be easily made gluten free by omitting the bun and crunchy red onions. Our dessert selections for restaurant week, which have flour, can be substituted for fresh fruit sorbets.”
The Sea Grill Appetizers: Long Island Fluke Ceviche, ogo, cilantro, ponzu; Flash Fried Rock Shrimp, ramen noodle salad. Entrees: Jumbo Mexican Shrimp a la Plancha, ajillo, braised organic chickpeas; Grilled Whole Branzino (for 2), grilled summer vegetables, lemon olive oil; Sucking Pig Confit, corn succotash, chorizo, salsa verde; Desserts: New York Cheesecake, local strawberries, strawberry Bellini sorbet; Crisp Meringue, Bing cherries, whipped dark chocolate ganache. Note:The cheesecake that we are currently serving on The Sea Grill menu is crustless, and thus gluten-free.”
The View Restaurant and Lounge “Gluten-free: Marcona Almond Gazpacho; Heirloom Tomato Salad; Steamed Sea Bass; Grilled Hanger Steak; Baked Vidalia Onion / quinoa, spinach, romesco sauce; Passion Fruit Exotic Mousse / pineapple sorbet. Please note that we have gluten free dinner rolls available and all of our sauces are made in house and are gluten free.”
Tribeca Grill
“All the items on the Restaurant Week menu besides the Penette dish and the desserts are gluten-free. Guests can also request that the Penette dish be made with Tribeca Grill’s gluten-free pasta. Our daily selection of Ice creams, sorbets, and our crème brulee are alternate options for someone who is gluten-free.” Check with your server!
ViceVersa
“Gluten-free RW menu items: Garden salad with parmigiano house dressing; Roasted red beet carpaccio with caprino cheese; Chilled Cucumber & tomato soup with smoked Paprika oil; Salmon: sesame seeds, horseradish sour cream; Rosemary roasted lamb on grilled white polenta; Sorbets, ice creams.”
Zio
“Our gluten-free menu appetizers are the Pomodori or the Salmone. The gluten-free entrees are Gamberi or Filetto. The panna cotta dessert is gluten-free.”
If you are a restaurant that has gluten-free options during New York City Restaurant Week 2014, I would love to hear from you! Please email me here.
