Yup you heard me correctly folks, a totally gluten free RESTAURANT! Yes there are 1 or 2 grab and go totally gluten free places in NYC that are really good but a sit down restaurant with actual table service in a beautifully decorated space didn’t exist. UNTIL NOW!!!! Its called THE LITTLE BEET TABLE in NYC.
Before I get to the glorious food and the totally helpful and educated staff, I want to point something out- A TOTALLY GLUTEN FREE RESTAURANT = WE ARE BEING HEARD!!!!!!
IF this celiac thing and gluten free “fad” was just that, then this blog wouldn’t exist nor would this restaurant AND others that are popping up. The Little Beet is not just some mom and pop restaurant struggling to survive all done for their celiac child but rather experienced restaurant owners and a seasoned chef who would not be wasting their time, passion and MONEY in appeasing a small percentage of fad eating “picky”people if this wasn’t REAL!
IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN.
It IS happening though because people are demanding BETTER FOOD OPTIONS, CLEANER FOOD OPTIONS all without sacrificing TASTE AND NUTRITION. GOOD, CLEAN, FOOD is what I always promote for Jennifer’s Way Bakery and that’s the products we produce. It IS possible and ITS HAPPENING!
Now lets get to the food!!!!!!!! One word- WOW! Fresh, clean, wonderful flavors and choices. I had read about The Little Beet and of course I had my questions: Was it REALLY gluten free? Was it a completely gluten free kitchen? Was it healthy? Was it really a restaurant with real CLOTH napkins where a waiter will come and speak to me and not be annoyed by my questions? REALLY? I had to go so for myself.
When I walked into this Park Ave South restaurant I was pleasantly surprised by the comfy, friendly atmosphere filled with beautiful tables and a great bar. When getting seated by the hostess I started with my questions. She answered them all: Yes completely gluten free, Yes healthy fresh food and even yes to cloth napkins. I then asked about other food allergies and if the kitchen is understanding. I explained that I was a severe celiac and had other food restrictions. The hostess happily said, “I’M a celiac too and totally understand your worry but I eat here everyday and the kitchen GETS IT, everyone here does. NIRVANA
The waitress was HAPPY to explain what every item was made out of and what was in everything. She was also helpful with removing dairy and soy in my selected choices WITHOUT rolling her eyes. YES I said choices. I think me and my two other gluten challenged dinner companions almost ordered the whole menu between the 3 of us. Shrimp with Garbanzo Beans and Chillis, Quinoa Risotto, Flatbread with Prosciutto, Roasted Squash, Roasted Potatoes, A Rigatoni dish, a Chicken Dish and even a Vegan Rice Pudding..AND don’t forget the list of mixed drinks, alcohol and non alcoholic choices. I of course brought some Jennifer’s Way Bakery Rosemary Sea Salt Italian Bread as I always do (I’m italian and need crusty bread with my food) to enjoy with dinner and later some of my Chocolate Chip Cookies. It was a an evening of eating!!!!! FEAR FREE EATING!
I must admit It was almost weird at first to just sit there and NOT worry. I actually found myself questioning what I was eating even though I was told it was ALL gluten free. Sadly I was aLmost waiting for a sign of the “OH NO” feeling that we all understand. But Nothing happened. Nothing but ENJOYMENT. ENJOYMENT of simply eating and chatting with friends. Just the way a meal is suppose to be.
If you are in NY go check this place out and leave your worries at the door! Maybe my bread will be gracing their tables soon to meet you there as well. EIther way you will be happy you went.
Be Well
Jennifer
yay! It is about time! Now we need to convince all the bakeries and little restaurants to open up some gluten free places in Wisconsin!
I want to open my own gluten free store as well, but funding is next to impossible if you don’t have your own capital. Any ideas????
We, as a group, will be heard! Congrats to this newest trend…
Nice! I’ll have to check it out.
I found myself craving one of your bagels today. No time before work to come into the city today, but I need to stop by the bakery and stock up.
My daughter (who is also celiac) lives in Boulder, Colorado and there are quite a few gluten free restaurants. And the others that have a GF menu seem to get it.
There is one in Asheville, NC. Posana Cafe. Asheville is in the mountains of NC and it is absolutely beautiful. I will be there this weekend for my niece’s college graduation (UNC Asheville). She is also Celiac. We visit this restaurant every time we are in Asheville. Can’t wait for Sunday brunch! Sticky Buns, bagels, pancakes…yum
There’s actually a great gluten-free option in, of all places, Olympia, Washington. And it’s an ITALIAN restaurant! Run by a family of celiacs, they have their regular menu, and their regular kitchen, and then there’s the gluten-free menu (which is as extensive as the regular menu) and their gluten-free kitchen. !!! When you tell them that you want the gluten-free menu, you get your own plate of gluten-free bread, and your own separate dish of dipping oil and spices… And yes – it’s a sit-down place with real cloth napkins and an extensive wine list.
What a great find! Basilico on Capitol Way in downtown Olympia.
It is always nice to know of all gluten free restaurants where you can feel safe. In Worcester, Massachusetts there is a chinese restaurant called Nancy Chang’s that has a totally separate kitchen for their gluten free menu. They also do not have any MSG in their food. I have never gotten sick and their food is fantastic!!
Jennifer-
I discovered your fight with celiac disease when I started researching what happened to your character on Blue Bloods. I started watching the show just recently on Netflix and couldn’t figure out where you were, so I googled you. It is their loss, sweetheart. Love you.
Anyway, I am not a celiac, but suffer from Hashimoto’s disease…hypothyroidism. It, too, is an autoimmune disease that over time, attacks the thyroid gland, which supports your whole endocrine system. Very similar symptoms as celiac, and I had every one of them, right down to my hair falling out. Sad to say it was vanity that finally brought me to the doctor. We don’t crap our brains out though, we retain 10-20 pounds of fluid and are constipated, depressed, fatigued, joint and muscle pain, cold hands and feet. The end result is a gluten and dairy free diet and medication if necessary. If untreated, the inflammation leads to heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, cancer, heart disease, digestive issues, dementia, shot adrenals, insomnia, not to mention a tad bitchy. Instead of being diagnosed with low thyroid, I got a hysterectomy and developed breast cancer eight years later.
I remember my mom having a goiter in 1965 and eating dairy free to ease her arthritis. At 89, she is in memory care with what they ” say” is Alzheimer’s. She also has vascular disease. All of these symptoms are hypothyroidism. I’m getting the same swelling and bad veins in my left leg just like her. I feel her dementia could have been kept at bay with diet and exercise. Assisted living pays no attention to special diets unless you are a diabetic. After my diagnosis last year, and discovering it is genetic, as her caregiver, I do not want to follow in her footsteps.
After much disappointment in western medicine, I am now a Pranic healer and turning my health around. Your book is going to be a big part of my recovery. I’m not much of a cook with spices, etc., but I signed up for your newsletter and will be purchasing your book this week for the recipes. I will also be purchasing some of your flours to help me get into the cooking groove. For the first time in my life, I smile when I think about cooking because I know it will be what my body NEEDS. I will know every ingredient.
I look forward to receiving your newsletters and wish you bunches and bunches of success in your new passion, You are helping more than celiacs, Jennifer. You are also helping those of us with Hashimoto’s, but more importantly, like me, you are following your spiritual path and doing what you are meant to do. You are a beautiful, inspiring woman with a passion for life, and you are teaching us the important lessons in life. I embrace your celiac disease as something that happened “for” you to bring you to this moment in your life. There is so much more coming for you. I “know” it.
Love, Light and Abundance,
Melanie Howard
What a wonderful treat to be able to dine at a restaurant without any worries. It’s so difficult to find restaurants that serve gluten-free food, let alone a whole restaurant that specializes in it. Jamie’s comment above about the gluten-free Italian restaurant sounds amazing.
This is great news and a restaurant I cannot wait to check The Little Beet Table out when I am in NYC. Hopefully, as other digestive issues such as fructose malabsorption are better understood there will be an increase in food options and restaurants for multiple food restrictions. Thank you for being such a strong advocate.
Jennifer- If you are ever in Buffalo NY, well actually Lockport NY, you must try a place called A Better Way Bakery and cafe. It has the best reuben and all kinds of great food!! Completely gluten free establishment started by a mom and dad who’s sons have celiac disease. It is my piece of heaven!