Better late than never...

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The blogger's dilemma hits again and I've been terrible at keeping this baby updated. Despite the ease that comes with the ch-ch-ch-changes (see previous post).

Well, better late than never and here are some of the excellent gluten-free finds I've had this summer. Oh, and they are delicious.

316 Columbus Ave
New York

This is a great Italian restaurant. Very classic/old-school with a ridiculous wine assortment. AND they have a gluten-free menu. This gluten-free menu is divine. Everything (and more) on the regular menu can be made gluten-free. Pizza, pasta, garlic bread, bruschetta. You name it! This is an Upper West Side staple and whether you are gluten-free or not, the food is fresh and delicious and the staff is beyond friendly. For $1.00 you can get a gluten-free roll to dip in your olive oil, and there is nothing more enjoyably than sharing bread with the non-gluten-free brethren. The Claudia Cardinale cocktail -- prosecco and St. Germain -- is absurd. Worth a trip just for that!

54 Irving Place
New York

This raw vegetarian restaurant was recommended to me by a random woman on the subway who saw me ogling over cupcakes that were not gluten-free. She said they were the best cupcakes in town, I said I was gluten-free, and she pulled out a juice and doggy bag from One Lucky Duck, the counterpart to Pure Food and Wine. 3 subway stops later, I was hooked and knew this place would be high on my list of go-to restaurants. After many attempts, and canceled reservations, I finally made it with my sister and a dear friend of ours. The menu was extensive (and a bit expensive) but if you order right, you cannot really go wrong. Definitely the lasagna, definitely the tamales, NOT the polenta (if you like real cooked polenta). The sangria was divine and the vibe in the restaurant is very nice -- not like the bare essentials vibe that some veg restaurants give off. In a world where we are all trying to be environmental and eat less meat, this is a great place to get started.



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