Rosa Mexicano - a spicy gluten-free lunch

Rosa Mexicano Gluten-Free Lunch, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

When first faced with a lifetime of gluten-free eating many people envision a taste-free future of bland, tasteless meals of plain chicken and rice. When one is unfamiliar with the ingredients used by a restaurant there is little choice but to settle for such a bland but safe dish. A perusal of some of the amazing gluten-free food blogs reveals that one's taste buds can still dance with delight while being gluten-free. Mexican cuisine is a great option for creating a rich and spicy gluten-free meal. The corn tortillas, fresh meats, vegetables, rice, beans, fresh salsas and guacamole are typically naturally gluten-free. My stepdad and I made incredible homemade tamales last year, but when I want to satisfy my craving for Mexican food without an entire day of cooking I am lucky to have a few restaurant options in NYC.

Our office holiday lunch this year was at Rosa Mexicano, an upscale Mexican restaurant, started in NYC that now has locations in Atlanta, and Washington D.C. My first trip to Rosa Mexicano on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, was two years ago. It was disappointing at the time. The waiter only offered a few dishes that were gluten-free and was unable to confirm the gf status of their corn chips. My more recent trip exceeded my expectations, yielding a wealth of options and an extremely ‘gluten-informed’ server. While flour tortillas eliminate some options from the menu, I just viewed it as an aid in helping me narrow in on the other delicious dishes I COULD eat.

Our server confirmed the gf status of their corn chips and fresh made corn tortillas are gluten-free. They were great with the table-side guacamole.

We started with the Ceviche, a citrus marinated tuna, shrimp appetizer and the empanadas.

I chose not to eat the empanadas, they are deep fried which I tend to avoid, but they were unable to confirm them as 100% gluten-free. The server was informed enough about their ingredients to let me know that they are fried in dedicated oil but that the corn masa they use for that particular dish comes from a facility where they can’t guarantee there is no cross-contamination. The level of specificity he was able to give regarding the sourcing of ingredients was truly remarkable.

I ordered the Alambre De Camarones – grilled shrimp marinated in a garlic vinaigrette with onions, tomatoes and pico de gallo. It confirmed that eating gf can be a spicy treat for the tastebuds.

Other gluten-free options include many of their tacos – served hot in a cast iron skillet with cheese, chorizo chili, salsa and fresh warm corn tortillas. The grilled, marinated steak and Chilean sea bass were two that piqued my interest.

And for those looking for a more traditional Mexican dish, there are always the enchiladas made with corn tortillas and served with refried black beans and house rice.

The dessert offerings are the least impressive gluten-free options, with only ice cream and flan. But I certainly didn’t have room for dessert – and was happy to avoid the excess holiday calories!

While eating out is always risky, an informed server and chef can provide a gluten-free diner with a plethora of safe and delicious spicy dishes.

Rosa Mexicano - additional locations in Washington DC, Atlanta and NYC
61 Columbus Avenue at 62nd Street
New York, NY, 10023
Tel. (212) 977-7700

The Globe Restaurant - Atlanta

Around the corner from my favorite, Ecco, The Globe Restaurant in Atlanta has a couple of gluten-free options on its interesting menu. The décor is uber-trendy for my more classic tastes, but the food was quite good.

I started with the Chorizo Stuffed Dates wrapped in smoked bacon and served with a piquillo-pepper tomato sauce. I love the combination of sweet, savory and smoky flavors in this dish.

For my main course I ordered the herb-roasted organic chicken. In lieu of the gluten-filled panzanella salad that normally pairs with it, they offered me roasted vegetables and sautéed spinach.

The servers were quite accommodating to my requests. Thanks to Joy for her article on About.com for leading me to this new restaurant find.

I get back from my trip to Tuscany, Italy tomorrow - incredible food, wine, scenery and company. I have eaten more gluten-free food than I ever thought possible: from hand-made ravioli and pici pasta, lamb with caponata and a brunello wine reduction, grilled veal with garden-fresh sage, rosemary and tomatoes, to panna cotta, tiramisu, and of course gelato (including gluten-free cones). The photos and stories will only be a glimpse into perhaps the most perfect vacation I could have imagined.

The Globe Restaurant - Address: 75 5th St NW Atlanta, GA 30308 Phone: (404) 541-1487

Back to my Southern Roots - Blue Ridge Grill in ATL

Blue Ridge Grill Seared Scallops, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

Amber, a gluten-free food lover (by choice) has accompanied me to more amazing dinners than I can list. She always turns away the bread and splits dishes with me so that we can sample more, and I don’t have to worry about cross-contamination. The first time she suggested Blue Ridge Grill I didn’t have any idea what a treat awaited me. It is an elegant, old-time lodge with a very Southern feel. The food, however, is not as heavy as one might expect from a classic Southern establishment.

Tuna tartare timbale with avocado, tomatoes and onion, merited a second visit.

The heirloom tomato salad with fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil was served with Alea and Pink Hawaiian Sea Salt.

The smoky flavor of the course Alea salt was so intoxicating it led me to purchase the expensive delicacy and partake almost every day for a week.

The meat in the crab cocktail was not particularly noteworthy, but the selection of gluten-free sauces was impressive – cajun remoulade with scallion oil, horseradish aioli in addition to the standard cocktail and tartar sauces.

I first discovered how good grits could be during a trip to Atlanta, so the Blue Ridge version -buttered and served with boursin cheese just added to my Yankee fascination with the dish.

On one trip we ordered the sautéed spinach and were a touch disappointed.

The next time we stuck with a Southern standby – collard greens with ham hock, absolutely outstanding.

With all of the sides, during each trip we only needed to split one main course (“need” being a very relative term when so much food is involved).

My favorite was the seared scallops with fingerling potato and leek ragout served in a caviar butter sauce (my half-portion pictured above).

Amber preferred the pork chop with apple chutney.

The gluten-free menu at Blue Ridge even includes dessert options. We split what may be my all-time favorite dessert: crème brulee. Because it is one of my favorites (I bought a torch just so I could make it at home) I am unforgiving when served a sub-standard version. Blue Ridge’s offering was perfect, a crispy, crunchy shell with a smooth and creamy custard filling. The fresh berries make a lovely complement.

I am looking forward to future dinners at Blue Ridge and even more dining adventures with Amber.


Blue Ridge Grill - Address: 1261 W Paces Ferry Rd NWAtlanta, GA 30327 Phone: (404) 233-5030

The Chocolate Bar Decatur, Georgia

Chocolate Bar, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

The Chocolate Bar Decatur is a culinary treat all-around. As one might expect, this cute bar in Decatur, GA serves a wide area of chocolate truffles and other desserts. But they also have a great selection of (gluten-free) appetizers and “culinary cocktails.” Sitting outside on a warm summer day, quite few people in our party ordered the watermelon soda made with cava wine and garnished with a basil jelly. At only $5, it's quite the bargain.

The curried popcorn made with brown butter is one of those dishes that I now crave, and again with a $2 price point, it's your waistline rather than your pocketbook that feels the effects.

I love marinated artichokes but the preserved lemon and shallots make these remarkable.

Never one to turn down a cheese plate, we selected the manchego, pecan chevre and Pierre Robert cheeses accompanied by roasted nuts, strawberry, pear and pepper relish, apple pate and a sweet onion relish.

On subsequent visits I enjoyed the epoisses and monte enebro cheese in addition to a sweet pecan praline.

I was so enamored of The Chocolate Bar after my first visit that we went back for my birthday celebration. The last two times I was there they even had a small jazz band playing outside. I can’t imagine they will be able to keep that up once the weather gets colder so hurry - go and enjoy the affordable and delicious food and music outdoors.


THE CHOCOLATE BAR Address: 201 West Ponce De Leon Avenue, Suite C Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: 404-378-0630

Bite-Sized Gluten-Free at Krog Bar Atlanta

Krog Bar ATL Cheese Plate, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

My friend and fellow foodie Jim recently introduced me to Krog Bar in Atlanta. It’s a tapas and wine bar housed in a shed, but the ambiance of the open air patio, delicious food and wine list belie its location.

While much of the menu is not gluten-free friendly, we still found plenty of food that “wouldn’t make me sick” as Jim likes to say. Despite that less than appetizing description, the food was scrumptious.

Jim left the cheese selection to me, even though I had only signed up for my French Cheese class at the time. I selected a hard sheep’s milk pecorino that reminded me of my time in Rome. The hard Mahon Riserva and the creamy and soft robiola rounded out the assortment. The bread was saved for Krog’s other customers, but our cheeses were accompanied by a rich forest honey, sliced apples and a sliver of fig and almond cake. (click through to flickr to see which cheese is which)

Not satisfied with a mere cheese plate, we also ordered the almond and olive trio. The mini arbequina olives are perhaps the “cutest” things I’ve eaten in a while. The mixed Italian olives had the perfect strong but not over-powering flavor. And I have yet to find a Marcona almond that doesn’t please my palate.

Krog Bar is a must visit, even if the weather keeps you off of the patio.

Krog Bar 112 Krog Street Ste 27 Atlanta, GA 30307 Phone Number: 404.524.1618

Gluten Free Thai in Atlanta - Nan Fine Dining

I recently had two wonderful meals at an elegant Thai restaurant in Atlanta. Nan – Thai Fine Dining, is an upscale restaurant with a focus on fresh cuisine. I discovered that Chef Nan was amenable to accommodating gluten free diners on the Atlanta Celiac Meet Up board. The members of this group keep an updated spreadsheet of restaurants in Atlanta with gluten free menus and chefs that gladly adapt their offerings to your needs.

While Thai is a cuisine that lends itself to safe gluten free dining, you still need to be vigilent. Because many of the better Thai restaurants employ native speaking chefs, I highly recommend the Thai dining card from Triumph.

On my first trip to Nan, I discovered that they were not as familiar with “gluten-free” as I expected. However, armed with my Thai restaurant card and with the help of a wonderful manager, I was able to enjoy a delicious meal rich with flavor. One of the toughest things about eating out gluten free is that many of the “safe” options are rather bland. At Nan I was able to satiate my taste for all things spicy.



I started with a not so spicy Satay Kai, grilled chicken on bamboo skewers with a lightly curried peanut sauce. While some peanut sauces can be too heavy or sweet, this sauce highlighted the curry flavor without weighing down the dish.

As usual, I ordered steamed vegetables. They advised me to avoid the sauce that normally coats the dish, which was perfectly fine with me. I prefer my veggies fresh and crisp rather than as a “sauce delivery vehicle.”



For my main course I selected the Gang Panang Talay, shrimp, mussels and scallops in a panang curry sauce. Curry sauces with coconut sauce can also get heavy and almost syrupy, but this red curry has a nice spicy tang without being sugary.

On my second trip to Nan, I was going to try something new, but the chef and manager recommended that I stay with the Gang Panang Talay because they were unsure about the ingredients in a sauce in the other dish that looked interesting to me. I always appreciate it when a restaurant is honest about an ingredient of which they can’t make a full account.

While I’ve heard some complaints that Nan is overpriced, you are paying for more than just the food. The environment is open, airy and beautiful. The food is prepared fresh, the tables are truly elegant, they have an amazing display (and use) of spices, the service is top-notch and the bathrooms alone are worth a visit!

Nan Thai 1350 Spring Street NW Atlanta, GA 30309 Telephone: (404) 870-9933

Magic Fingers Gluten Free Sushi Bar

Atlanta is a landlocked city, yet counter intuitive as it may seem, they offer some of the best sushi I have ever had. Magic Fingers or MF Sushi in Midtown provides an elegant environment and exquisite fare.

Now for those of you thinking “eww, raw fish?” Three years ago I was of the same mindset. At the time I didn’t even eat cooked fish, why would I pay MORE for raw fish? Luckily my good friend Gareth claimed that he didn’t like cooked fish either but assured me that he had enjoyed amazing sushi from “the sushi nazi” in LA. This hole-in-the-wall restaurant in a strip mall serves some of the best sushi in LA. Chef Nozawa is called the Sushi Nazi because a la the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld, he will kick out customers that talk on cell phones and doesn’t accept any payment but cash. We sat down for lunch, never saw a menu, but various sashimi and sushi dishes were brought to our table. (This continues until you say stop and then they give you a check.)

How could a girl that didn’t like the fishy taste of a California roll make that leap of faith to eat big slabs of raw fish? I’m still not really sure where I got the courage. But thank goodness I did! The buttery, steak like taste of yellowtail and smooth rich flavor of salmon sashimi were unlike any of the rolls I had previously experienced. I discovered that the actual fish was delicious – it’s the seaweed used in rolls that I didn’t like. Since then I have developed a discriminating sushi palette. A perfect piece of hamachi or toro is an unparalleled luxury. If you can muster the courage, go to a good sushi restaurant (I still find most cheap sushi and rolls less than appetizing) and order a couple pieces of yellowtail (hamachi), salmon (sake) and tuna (maguro) sashimi, mix a bit of wasabi with your gf soy sauce and give the combination a try. You may be glad you did.

Once I was diagnosed with Celiac, sushi restaurants became a haven for my gluten free dining. It’s so much easier to ask someone if they want to go for sushi than look for other gluten free friendly dining establishments. I can just grab my bottle or packets of gluten free soy sauce and head to the restaurant.

For appetizers – the steamed or boiled edamame sprinkled with salt is always a winner.

While I know that some Celiacs have had success with more fancy rolls and sushi offerings, I keep it simple with a plate of sashimi.

Unfortunately eating sushi gluten free is not completely care-free and there are still things you need to be wary of in order to eat safely. Ask for your fish to be cut with clean utensils on a clean surface. The rising popularity of tempura rolls has increased the chances for cross-contamination here. Tell your server no crab unless they can assure you it’s real, most fake crab meat used in sushi rolls is made with wheat. Most roe (fish eggs) used to top sushi has wheat as an ingredient. Also, ask for no sauce, albacore sashimi usually comes with a forbidden sauce and many white fish are sprinkled with a gluten containing culprit. Eel (unagi) comes soaked in a sweet sauce that is a definite no-no. Double-check the wasabi, ginger and rice to make sure that there are no suspect ingredients. (I usually just forgo the rice since the combination of carbs, protein and fat wrecks havoc on my blood sugars.)

I highly recommend MF Sushi in Atlanta if you want to sample fantastic sushi far from the sea.

MF Sushi 265 Ponce De Leon Ave : Unit B : Atlanta GA 30308 Telephone: 404-815-8844

Ecco - Eating (too much) Gluten Free in Atlanta

Sometimes when you get behind on “blogging” you find a new restaurant that serves incredible gluten free food and you go back to it twice before having a chance to blog. The good news is that I have even more yummy photos and experiences to share.

Ecco is a relatively new restaurant in midtown Atlanta. It’s managed by the same restaurant group that owns La Tavola, where I had a delicious gluten free meal last year.

The space is beautiful and the menu is designed to satisfy all of my restaurant cravings. They serve a wide variety of gourmet meats and cheeses, taste and share small plates, appetizers and mains inspired by fresh and seasonal ingredients. They describe themselves aptly as “cuisine with European influences. …. Ecco embraces its classic roots while delivering an unmistakably modern, fresh and original dining experience.”

They are not part of the GFRAP, but I was able to discuss with a manager and a well-informed wait staff all of my gluten free needs.

The many small plates and appetizers make sharing easy, letting you sample an assortment of flavors and dishes.

During my visits I've had two meat and cheese platters, including a delicious 3 milk Robiola cheese that is a new favorite. (of course Piave remains near the top)


The mixed olives were surprisingly light – no extra olive oil weighting them down.

The tuna crudo with chili and chive is a unexpected combination of spice with the smooth texture of the fresh tuna.

The baby eggplant with pine nuts and sultanas is a mere $4 and was one of the top choices during my second trip to Ecco.

The garlic shrimp with olive oil and bay cost twice as much but the preparation was so delightful I wouldn’t hesitate to order them again.

Baby octopus is a risky dish if it isn’t prepared well, but the tomato, paprika and olive oil kept it from being overly “fishy” and the texture was just right.

Roasted mussels with saffron and chilis are a fantastic deal (and are pictured above) – a huge plate of mussels seasoned with saffron and chilis. It’s a little bit spicy but not overly so.

It’s hard to believe that three sections of the menu (pizzas, paninis and pastas) were completely off limits to me, yet I still had so much to choose from.

Fig glazed lamb loin with a warm potato and chicory salad was a great combination of savory and sweet. I’ve had mixed success with lamb as a main course, but this is one I would recommend to anyone new to the protein.

Trout is not one of my favorite fish, but this preparation, wrapped in grape leaves and served with winter squash, walnuts and sherry transcends the limitations of the fish and delivers a gluten free dining experience to be remembered.

Ecco Restaurant: 40 7th Street, Atlanta, GA 30308 Phone: 404-347-9555

Ted's Montana Grill Goes Gluten Free

Well, almost. Ted’s Montana Grill offers a limited gluten free menu. They are not part of the Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP), but they give diners a few options and they have locations across the country. They advise those with food allergies or Celiac to request that their dishes be prepared on a clean surface with new utensils etc. On my first trip to Ted’s I had mixed success.

I started with a simple garden salad with honey mustard dressing on the side. I confirmed with the waitress that it would be mixed in a clean bowl. The bacon was crispy and I enjoyed the dressing. A solid choice for a simple green starter.

While I was tempted by the bison burger without a bun, I had been eating out with such a frequency that I needed something a little lighter. I selected the Cedar Plank Salmon with asparagus and sliced tomatoes – double checking that it would be prepared on clean surfaces.

YIKES!

What is that on my plate??

It’s a big roll of gluten!!!!

Well, normally I would forgo any further food from such an establishment. In this case, the manager came up to me, apologized profusely and assured me that they would prepare a whole new plate (and all gluten would be banished from its vicinity).

Lucky me, since I was photographing my adventures, I was able to compare the plates and confirm that the new dish was indeed fresh.

I felt comfortable with the reparations and truly enjoyed my lunch. The asparagus was a touch too oily and the tomatoes were pretty plain, but the salmon had a wonderful smoky flavor. Salmon is not one of my favorites (except in sashimi), but I have actually found myself craving this since.

With one location in Manhattan and many in Atlanta, I will probably give them another chance soon.

(And they offer souvenirs! Though I’m not sure I want a mini-stuffed bison to remind me of how cute they were before they arrive on my plate. )

The Office Holiday Dinner

While I work out of the New York office, my team is actually based in Atlanta. Our holiday dinner was held at a lovely trattoria in Virginia Highlands called “La Tavola.” I didn’t have high hopes that I would be able to find anything gluten free. Last year I had communicated in advance with the restaurant (not La Tavola), expressed all of my needs to a seemingly very understanding waiter, only to find a big crouton hidden at the bottom of my salad. It was not a pleasant experience by any means. It emphasized for me why the Delphi forums require the warning of “eating out is always risky” when discussing restaurants.

This year my strategy was to eat a late lunch, and plan on eating a late dinner after the party if I was unable to find anything gluten free. When I arrived at the restaurant the hostess provided me with the prix fixe menu choices. I asked to speak with someone about my gluten free dining needs and she led me right to the chef. Whenever they let you speak with the chef directly – do it. It’s much better than playing “telephone” with the waiter.

The chef was well-informed about celiac disease, potential for cross-contamination and preparation needs. He was able to give me exact ingredients of the dressings and marinades. I ended up with a delicious salad and entrée – though none of the desserts were gluten free friendly.

The beet salad was served with shaved fennel, Granny Smith apples, goat cheese and a red wine vinaigrette. It was a lovely salad though I don't think the apples actually added to the dish.

I was able to have the roast chicken entrée served atop red grapes and mushrooms. The risotto made to accompany the chicken was prepared with barley, but I had plenty to eat with just the chicken. I was surprised by how delicious the combination of grapes and mushrooms was.


While “La Tavola” is not part of the Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program, I would be comfortable eating there again. The chef was quite accomodating and the food was delicious.

La Tavola is located at 992 Virginia Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 Phone: 404-873-5430