Gluten-Free Lasagna and More!

Food Matters Gluten-Free Italian, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

Find out more about where you can get gluten-free lasagna at A Gluten-Free Guide.

New York Gluten-Free News

GF Beer Bread with Butter, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

Living gluten-free in NYC is becoming just a little bit easier. Lilli and Loo recently launched a gluten-free menu, GourmetLand reintroduced their gluten-free menu and now some of my favorite gluten-free products are available in health food stores in the city.

Le Garden GF Beer Bread Prepared

Le Garden Gourmet Gluten-Free Bakery in upstate New York now has products available at two Manhattan stores:

Food Liberation on Lexington and 89th 212-348-2286
The Health Nuts, Inc. on Second Ave and 64th 212-593-0116

I love their hearty artisanal gluten-free breads and their melba toasts can't be beat.

Le Garden GF Beer Bread Mix, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

I tried their gluten-free beer quick bread mix a couple months ago, using Redbridge gluten-free beer.

It was absolutely delicious on its own, but paired wonderfully with my hearty turkey chili recipe.

EveryBody Eats Garlic Bread

Everybody Eats, a gluten-free bakery in Brooklyn, now has store hours on Saturdays AND is selling their products in Manhattan at Food Liberation on Lexington and 89th 212-348-2286.

Kelly at the CeliacChicks, announced last week that gluten-free lasagna, baked ziti and more will be available by delivery from Food Matters. The company is the brainchild of Vanessa Phillips, the woman we also have to thank for the ever-expanding gluten-free menu at Lilli and Loo and now a gluten-free menu at PizzaBolla in downtown Manhattan.

For those of you who live outside NY, don't fret, you can order products from Le Garden GF Bakery, Everybody Eats, and Food Matters. The shipping fees can sometimes be expensive, but trust me it's less than NYC rents.

Gluten Free Chinese Food In NYC - GourmetLand on the Upper East Side

UPDATE February 2008 - after a brief closure, GourmetLand is back with a full and expanded gluten-free menu. And for even more GF Chinese food in Manhattan - try Lilli and Loo - it is fantastic.


On Saturday night I told a married man “I love you!” No, I’m not cultivating a new identity as a home-wrecker. I just couldn’t contain my joy when I learned of all the accommodations Eric, the manager of a new Chinese food restaurant, is making for gluten free customers.

I saw a single posting on the Celiac listserv a couple of weeks ago mentioning “GourmetLand’s gluten free Chinese food on the Upper East Side.” What? How could I not know about this? It can’t be. There must be some sort of mistake. Well, I decided to do some research and came across this menu online. Hmmm, no mention of the GFRAP or cross-contamination issues. I still had my doubts, but decided to check it out with my lovely friend Emily. I figured worst-case scenario, I could head to one of the other gluten free restaurants in the neighborhood.



When we arrived at GourmetLand, we found a small upscale restaurant with a beautiful bar and affordable prices. I asked the hostess about their gluten free menu and she responded “Oh, I’ll let you talk to the manager, he’s really into the whole gluten free thing.” Hmmm, that’s a good sign. Eric, the manager came over to our table. I asked him about the gluten free menu and how they prevented cross-contamination with all of the other gluten containing foods in the kitchen. (Chinese food restaurants are usually quite difficult because they use the same woks repeatedly) He said “Oh, we have a whole section of the kitchen just for gluten free dishes. In fact, next week we will be getting a whole new menu offering a much wider range of appetizers, side dishes and main courses. I am also working with a pastry chef to get some more gluten free desserts on the menu. He’s just working to get certified with the proper Celiac groups.”


It was at that point that I burst out with my declaration of love and asked Eric how he became acquainted with gluten free diners’ needs. Eric and his wife have a dear friend who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease last year. He told me that they would cook at their house and have a separate set of dishes for their friend. When they decided to open GourmetLand they included six gluten free main courses. I was also informed that I could order any of the veggie dishes and the Chicken Lettuce wraps “gluten free.” Oh my! The only problem then became how to make a choice.

Emily and I shared the Chicken Lettuce Wrap appetizer with gluten free sauce.



After much debate, I selected the Mandarin Shrimp for my main course. I loved the sauce and the extra water chestnuts.

Emily and I shared the Sichuan Asparagus – hot and spicy but oh so good.

I can’t wait to go back once the full gluten free menu is available. Oh, and even better news for me – I live in their delivery zone! I didn’t think I would ever see the day that I could have gluten free Chinese Food delivered to my door. While we didn't get to sample the entire menu, the breaded (with cornstarch) Cheng Du Chicken was highly recommended. They serve Redbridge gluten free beer (Bard's Tale and more are on the way), potato vodka, and for dessert they have a rich chocolate gluten free brownie.

Now if YOU want to declare your love to a married man and enjoy dinner with other gluten free friends, support GourmetLand with the NY Celiac Meetup group on March 28th. Sadly I won’t be able to make it, but I will be there in spirit!


UPDATE June 2007: I have Gourmet Land's new gluten free menu sitting in front of me. It is too good to be true. Almost the entire menu can now be made gluten free! There are 14 appetizers and salads including egg rolls, ginger spare ribs and warm duck salad; 15 seafood, beef, pork and chicken dishes including Orange Beef, Chinese BBQ Pork and Devilish Calamari; 10 vegetable, tofu, rice and noodle dishes including Singapore Noodles, Chow Fun and Tam Noodles; 4 desserts including a chocolate tort, chocolate truffle and mango sorbet; and Redbridge Beer and 2 potato vodkas! Book your plane ticket to NY now or if you are lucky enough to live in NY, go eat some gluten free Chinese food!

Gourmet Land 1588 2nd Ave, New York 10028 Btwn 82nd & 83rd St Phone: 212-772-8700

Gus's Place - Gluten-Free Pioneers

Gus' Place Montage, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

My virtual, and now real-life, friend, Sloane of Allergic Girl fame, recently wrote about having ‘Cheers’ experiences at restaurants. Being greeted warmly by familiar faces always lifts my spirits, but sometimes in a big city those experiences are few and far between. By having a few restaurants you patronize on a regular basis, you are more likely to have a ‘safe’ meal. Eating out is always risky but you can mitigate some of the risk by going to a regular stable of places. Aside from a safe meal, you may also have the opportunity to develop friendships with the server, manager or even the owner. If you are a regular reader, you know I have a pretty optimistic outlook on life, but cultivating the Cheers experience has been yet another blessing of my gluten-free lifestyle. Of course I wished I could eat the Chinese food at my brother’s wedding, and not have to worry about cross-contamination. I know it’s not easy, but I choose to focus on the positive and life-enriching aspects of Celiac.

Last weekend I had a great dinner at Gus’s Place on Bleecker street in the West Village. Gus’s restaurant is a small, warm space that makes me feel like I have stepped out of Manhattan and into a restaurant on a Mediterranean island. Truly, gluten-free pioneers, Gus’s Place was the first restaurant in NYC to participate in the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program. Their gluten-free options far outweigh their ‘glutenous’ ones.

Gus himself is almost always at the restaurant, full of cheer and a great love for people and food. With so many delicious options, you will need to eat a few meals there before you start to put a dent in all of the flavors they have to offer.

My favorite dish is a starter – the grilled octopus (we had to order two of these last weekend). It’s charred just right with big firm pieces that will convert even the most reticent seafood palate.

The grilled haloumi cheese is a Greek classic, one of the few cheeses that can withstand the heat of a grill without losing it’s form.

The mezedes plate gives a sampling of tastes – grilled lamb, lamb sausage, shrimp, stuffed grape leaves and tomatoes. My friend Mark declared it ‘the best lamb [he’d] ever had.”

The lamb sausage appetizer isn’t nearly as heavy as you might expect – it’s also surprisingly spicy.

I love the kalamata olive coulis on the pan roasted cod, and the filet just melts in your mouth.

The oven roasted feta, claypot chicken with polenta, ribeye with fries, and beet salad are just a few of the other gluten-free dishes.

And while they don’t make gluten-free pita, they do serve the amazing garlic feta spread with toasted gluten-free bread.

If you still have room for dessert after all of this excess, you can satiate your sweet tooth with crème brulee, flourless chocolate cake or Greek yogurt with honey and fruit. I’ve only made it to dessert once, but it didn’t disappoint.

Gus’s Place is full of memories of great food, friendly faces, warm greetings, and laughter. I hope you can make it there soon. Tell Gus I sent you.

Gus’s Place
Address: 192 Bleecker St, (at Macdougal St) New York 10012
Phone: 212-777-1660

This weekend I am looking forward to another ‘Cheers’ experience at Bistango. After dinner? My go-to spot is Pudding Stones. At home in CA, Carmines was our family restaurant. I haven’t been back since going gluten-free, but I still have great memories of the weekly meals. Do you have a favorite ‘Cheers’ experience?

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

Tini's Restaurant - a Taste of Italy in Manhattan

Tini's Gluten-Free Restaurant NY, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

For a romantic evening or just delicious gluten-free food, Tini’s Italian Restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side will please most every palate. I was able to visit this restaurant twice in the last two months. The environment is soothing, upscale and at the same time family friendly. This is a true Italian family owned restaurant. The owner, Enzo Lentini, greets regulars with a warmth and geniality I experienced during my recent trip to Italy. The food is simple, delicious and they strive to accommodate all gluten-free requests. Rather than a separate gluten-free menu, the few items that CANNOT be made gluten-free are starred.

Enzo Lentini relates that Tini's was inspired to be one of the first restaurants to participate in the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program after a close family friend was diagnosed with Celiac disease. Tini's gluten-free options give testament to the tasty delights they offer as part of GFRAP. During my first visit to Tini’s I ordered the scallops and polenta – a standout dish made with red wine, shitake mushrooms and butter.

I also enjoyed the grilled octopus and a taste of Andy’s Fennel Endive salad and Veal Scallopini. We were satisfied with all of our choices. I was also particularly pleased to see a Rosso di Montalcino on their wine list. It helped me hearken back to my afternoon at Poggio Antico.

Starting with the Fava and Chicory, a recipe from Enzo’s own mother, every bite demanded another until only the empty plate was left staring at my much satisfied countenance. It is one of the remarkable dishes I still crave and remember weeks later.

Another plate came with my main course, the Spigola Pugliese -- a bass filet in a simple sauce of black olives, fresh tomato wedges and basil-- providing me with yet another satisfying excursion in Tini's world. Simple ingredients produce a bright and flavorful dish. It reminded me of the call for simple cooking at La Chiusa.

My friend Kris ordered the stuffed artichokes and oxtail special. Kris has exacting standards for Italian food, having also lived in Tuscany; he was thrilled with everything Tini’s offered. (The stuffed artichokes are not naturally gluten-free, but they can be prepared gf upon request.)

While I didn’t order it during either visit, they offer most of their pasta preparations with gluten-free corn pasta. They have a few gluten-free dessert options as well, including a Chocolate Mousse, Panna Cotta, assorted gelati, and fresh fruit.

Tini's is not least expensive GFRAP restaurant, but the prices are not at all unreasonable for the location, ambiance and quality of food (appetizers average $10 and mains $18-25). It’s a taste of Italy without a seven-hour plane-ride. I look forward to many more dinners at Tini’s.

Tini's Ristorante Italiano Address: 1562 2nd Ave, New York 10028 At 81st St Phone: 212-628-3131

Gluten-Free Pizza Takes Manhattan

Mozzarelli's GF Pizza and Pasta, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

Yesterday, Mozzarelli’s pizzeria in NYC hosted a Gluten-Free day. The restaurant is usually closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but they opened for a special Sunday Gluten-Free extravaganza. They prepared a whole restaurant full of gluten-free pizza, pasta, desserts and more.

With countless types of pizza, homemade ravioli and even gluten-free zeppoli (the Italian version of doughnuts – but lighter and yummier) I was in a quandary – how could I possibly choose? Luckily, they were giving samples of the great penne alla vodka and gluten-free pasta with pesto sauce. They could pack anything to go, so I ordered the spinach quiche, chicken parmigiano, and two slices of pizza.

I had the chance to talk to Chef Ronny, the genius behind the NY style gluten-free pizza crust. The best balance of texture, flavor and crunch that I have had since my Celiac diagnosis. He was inspired by his niece, who was unable to eat at his restaurant until he developed the special menu. Ronny is excited by the challenge and was particularly proud of the homemade gluten-free breadcrumbs he perfected for yesterday’s menu. Thank goodness, because that enabled him to create the scrumptious eggplant pizza and chicken parm.

The gluten-free zeppoli were perfect – even lighter and more delicate than the gluten-free doughnut holes I had in Denver. They were such a hit they sold out well before closing. But my favorite dessert was the gluten-free cheesecake. Definitely the best I have had in a restaurant (I am partial to my homemade gluten-free cheesecake recipe).

Mozzarelli’s hosted a gluten-free day back in November, but I was in VA being forced to watch football that weekend and missed out on the celebration. If there is continued demand, Mozzarelli’s hopes to host Gluten-Free pizza, pasta and dessert Sundays once a month. I will keep everyone updated when the next event is scheduled. In the meantime, on weekdays they have a selection of 3-4 types of gluten-free pizza by the slice: separated from the regular gluten-glutton pizza and prepared with dedicated equipment. It’s such a luxury to be able to run into a local pizzeria, grab a single gluten-free slice and know that they are taking care to prevent cross-contamination.

Ronny and I had a great time talking about gluten-free baking. I am sure he will continue to excel when facing the challenge and look forward to tasting his new creations. Thank you to everyone at Mozzarelli's for their warmth, enthusiasm and a delectable gluten-free menu.

Mozzarelli's GF Pie Fresh From the Oven, originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

Mozzarelli’s
38 E 23rd St, New York 10010
Btwn Park & Madison Ave
Phone: 212-475-6777
Fax: 212-475-6888
Open: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm

Gluten-Free Chinese Food Comes Back to Manhattan – Lilli and Loo

Lilli and Loo Montage, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

While you may have mourned the recent loss of Gourmetland's gluten-free Chinese food menu, Lilli and Loo brings fantastic gluten-free asian cuisine back to NYC. More than just Chinese food, Lilli and Loo offers an entire pan-asian gluten-free menu – fully vetted and approved by the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP).

Owners Maggie and Alfred worked for five months to perfect their gluten-free recipes unveiling their gluten-free menu last week. The pan-asian offering reflects their Malaysian roots while their gluten-free offerings look for inspiration to their business partner's daughter, Vanessa, who has Celiac disease. After becoming accustomed to creating special dishes and using wheat-free soy sauce for Vanessa, they decided to reach out to a GFRAP representative to give a safe gluten-free Asian dining experience to more of Manhattan. Not content to provide merely "safe" food, they strive to offer customers "real" food rich with flavor and exotic spices. Their efforts pay rich dividends to all who dine at Lilli and Loo.

Maggie and Alfred display genuine care for their patrons and impressive knowledge about food. There are many intricacies involved with gluten-free cooking: being aware of cross-contamination dangers, checking for hidden sources of gluten, knowing which brands of fish sauce or rice noodles are gluten-free, etc. At Lilli and Loo patrons can dine with confidence that the owners knowledge of such intricacies is nonpareil. After noting their warmth and friendliness, I was struck by Alfred's love of food. This man is a kindred spirit to any foodie.

Alfred derives evident pleasure in discussing food, recipes and ingredients. He delightedly explained to me that arrowroot starch gives their gluten-free sauces a better texture and clearer consistency. His energy levels rose as he talked about all of the attention and detail brought to bear in creating truly outstanding gluten-free recipes. Alfred's eyes twinkled as he described the ingredients in the fresh Saigon spring rolls and dipping sauce. Strike up a conversation with Alfred about the subtleties and nuances of food preparation and you will soon find yourself soaking up insights from a true culinary artist. At Lilli and Loo I felt the tangible graciousness and joy towards creating great gluten-free food that I experienced during my culinary feasts in Italy.

After all of this discussion about the menu, my stomach was rumbling. I wanted to eat some of Alfred's creations! Joined for dinner by my gluten-free stalwart Molly and my little sister Alex, the quantity we ate belied our small statures. But since I still didn't get to sample everything; a follow up visit is necessary -ah, but I get ahead of myself.

We started with the Fresh Saigon Roll, made with fresh mango, avocado and rice vermicelli in a rice paper wrapper. It was presented beautifully with a strip of nori to add a depth of color. The best part was the spicy mint dipping sauce – fresh basil, cilantro and ginger make this sauce something I would have eaten with a spoon had decorum not gotten the better of me. Molly's comment about the sauce is illustrative: "this is ridiculous it's so good." It's fresh and subtle with a spicy finish.

The Tom Yum Seafood soup was next. This hot & spicy lemongrass kaffir lime broth with seafood okra, tomato and mushrooms is VERY spicy but we all loved the heat – Alex said she had never had a soup with so much flavor.

To round out our appetizers we ordered the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps. The pineapple and fresh ginger add a fresh sweet taste that surprises and delights.

The Pomegranate Teriyaki Grilled Chicken is sweet but with a bite “like a pomegranate.” I love it when the flavors of ingredients are highlighted instead of hidden. The steamed vegetables were cooked perfectly, with just a hint of crisp and crunch.

The Borneo Orange Chicken is made with crispy white meat and a spicy mandarin orange sauce. Molly, who is generally a vegetarian, decided to give one piece a try. That piece was so intoxicating she kept going back for more, eventually finishing the dish. When you have to fight a vegetarian for a chicken dish, it must be good.

My favorite was the Asian Shrimp Ratatouille – diced tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and peppers in a sweet and sour sesame garlic sauce. The eggplant was better than the special at Gobo. I could eat this dish every night for a week without tiring of it.

Alfred is working to expand the gluten-free menu in the coming weeks and if this location's offering takes off they will look into developing gluten-free menus for the other three Lilli and Loo locations in Manhattan. I have an extra incentive to help make this happen since their uptown location would deliver to my apartment. If you are lucky enough to live within a 15 block radius of 61 st and Lexington, you can already order a gluten-free meal to be delivered to your door.

Before leaving, I met the other partner whose daughter inspired this great addition to the GFRAP roster. He told me that they are open to suggestions because they aren't doing it for the money but to do what is right for customers. I had an incredible meal start to finish – my only suggestion would be to have some alternative to the 'gluten-filled' fortune cookie for the gluten-free customers. Maybe just serving a fortune on a plate rather than the cookie. Anyone have any ideas?

Lilli and Loo: 792 Lexington Ave, New York 10021 Btwn 61st & 62nd St Phone: 212-421-7800