I was worried about traveling for a month in New York City and not being able to cook for myself. Being without my kitchen and pantry, without my favorite grocery store near by, without my red cast iron pan and the floral apron my mother bought me. But actually, New York is the best place to eat out for wheat/sugar/dairy free folks! Here are my favorite places:
Souen
This popular macrobiotic restaurant has 3 locations in Manhattan. Macrobiotic eating is all about the balance between the yin and yang in foods. Brown rice, vegetables and selective proteins are essential, plus Japanese influenced ingredients like umeboeshi plum. They don't use dairy or sugar and only have a few wheat dishes (like noodles and seitan.) I ordered the most balanced meal of salmon terriyaki (cooked in a gluten free-tamari), steamed greens, and their seaweed/vegetable filled "maze rice" and cold kuki-cha tea. They also have gluten free cornbread and healthy desserts such as the adzuki bean mouse I ordered!
Pala
Pala has done it right, creating an elegant and traditional restaurant atmosphere, with quality gourmet pizzas, but all with the option to be gluten free! It feels like a "normal" restaurant without any crunchy granola hippie aesthetics, only white linen tablecloths here and simply good food that people who do or don't eat gluten can enjoy! They have gluten free beers and wines and also serve gluten free pasta dishes and have an entire vegan menu. I had a savory pizza topped with lamb sausage and asparagus!
Pie by the Pound and Mozarelli's
Pizza joints that we can eat at! At Pie by the Pound you have to order a whole pizza, so go with a gluten free friend. But Mozarelli's has gluten free slices available, which made me so happy. I hadn't stopped for a slice of pizza in over 6 years! These places will bring you back to your college days of late night food cravings.
Sacred Chow
This place is the opposite of Pala, all vegan food and funky lanterns hanging from the ceiling and waiters who are high on life and super...relaxed. They serve vegan tapas, and heroes sandwiches (that can be served on gluten free corn tortillas) and many choices to mix and match. Since it is vegan, beware of all the seitan they use since that's made from 100% gluten (not good for us)! But they label everything well and are happy to answer any questions about the menu. They also have a large selection of desserts that we can eat!
Mercadito
Being away from San Francisco and from the tastiest Mexican food in the US, I was seriously craving tacos. My friends Hannah and Coleen took me to this fancy Mexican restaurant- not quite like the Mission taquerias, but very quality food! We had amazing mahi-mahi ceviche, chunky guacamole, and an array of the cutest tacos filled with fresh mangoes, spicy pork, and cactus leaf.
Risoterria
I didn't actually get a chance to go here, but I hear it's a fantastic gluten free Italian restaurant in the West village. They specialize in risotto and pizza, and even have gluten free panini! I am definitely going there the next time I'm NY!
Super Core
This hip little Brooklyn cafe has amazing Japanese tapas, and my favorite- rice balls! Check out my blog entry on this place:
http://jasminshappytummy.blogspot.com/2010/07/rice-balls-in-brooklyn.html
Angelica Kitchen
I always hit this spot when I come to NYC. They have the healthiest, freshest, and most delicious foods made with love and care. Check out my blog entry on this special restaurant: http://jasminshappytummy.blogspot.com/2010/07/angelica-kitchen.html
Baby Cakes
This sweet little gluten-free and vegan bakery has the cutest cupcakes with delicious frosting and my favorite brownie bites! They even serve agave sweetened lemonade! See more on my "Favorite places to eat out" page on my blog: http://jasminshappytummy.blogspot.com/p/my-favorite-places-to-eat-out.html
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