Gluten-Free Dining In DC

written by Amanda on 10/14/2010


Despite Carmine's being a pasta haven, the chefs at the DC newcomer know how to cater to gluten-free guests.

Q:
"Do you have some recommendations for DC area restaurants where I can find a gluten-free meal?" - A.D.

Amanda says:
I asked my good friend, writer and gluten-free expert Carol Blymire to weigh in on this one and she offers an amazing list of choices, some which may surprise you. (So many Italian spots!)

Also, fresh from my inbox, Wildfire in Tysons Galleria has put together a gluten-free week, Nov. 7-13, featuring a three-course lunch for $19.95 and a three-course dinner menu from $25.95-$36.95.

I'll let Carol take it from here. She writes:

While there are no gluten-free-specific restaurants in the DC area that I know of, it is possible for people with celiac disease or those looking to avoid gluten to eat well and eat gluten-free. Some restaurants here in the area have dedicated gluten-free menu options, while others simply know how to cook for people who can't ingest gluten.

Of course, all of these recommendations come with the caveat that it's still in your best interest to call a day or two ahead to let the staff know you can't eat gluten so that they can be prepared to cook for you. And, always, always, always send a thank-you note or personally thank the manager and chef before you leave. It's not intrinsically easy for restaurants to accommodate people going gluten-free (gluten is everywhere), so a little thanks goes a long way.

Here are my favorites:

Rasika's Indian cuisine is a good bet for gluten-free diners.

Bibiana: Chef Nick Stefanelli and his team can prepare a delicious gluten-free lunch or dinner, and pastry chef Doug Hernandez has made many of his desserts — including his famous chocolate bombe — gluten-free, as well.

Birch & Barley: Nevermind that this restaurant's focus is on beer; they are a safe haven for people who can't eat gluten. And, pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac has a plethora of gluten-free dessert options on the menu.

Cafe Atlantico: I'm a big fan of their Latino dim sum Sunday brunch, but I'm an even bigger fan of how they spell out their food allergy options on the menu, and how they train their staff to be aware of what each dish's ingredients are so they can help steer diners in the right direction when it comes to allergens, intolerances and preferences.

Carmine's: There are more than 50 things on their menu that are safe for people with celiac, including gluten-free pasta and sauce options. Their kitchen staff has been trained in cross-contamination risks, so they're really sensitive to that, as well.

Central Michel Richard: The kitchen and the service staff here are incredibly accommodating of people with celiac, and they turn out amazing food that will make you forget you can't eat gluten.

CityZen: In addition to it being, I think, the best restaurant in Washington, it's also a safe place for people with celiac to eat. Chef Eric Ziebold and his entire staff are well versed in food allergens, and gluten in particular.

Palena: I can't recommend Palena highly enough for their ability to cook for people with celiac. Frank Ruta, owner and chef, is a master, and it is a pleasure to eat his cooking.

Pete's Apizza: While they have gluten-free pizza available for people with gluten intolerance, it's not recommended for those with celiac disease because they prep and parbake the crusts and the pies in the same space with the regular pizzas, so there's high risk for cross-contamination. That said, they do offer gluten-free pastas, which are safe for people with celiac.

P.F. Chang's: I know it's "Chinese food for white people," but the team at P.F. Chang's accommodates gluten allergies better than almost any other chain. In fact, John Linderman, partner and chef at the Chevy Chase P.F. Chang's has a daughter with extreme food allergies, so his kitchen is incredibly well-versed in how to cook for and serve people with celiac and other food allergies.

Rasika: By and large, Indian food is intrinsically gluten-free. Rasika's food is outstanding and flavorful, and it's been my experience that the service staff is helpful when it comes to food allergies and gluten sensitivity.

Carol Blymire wrote about cooking her way through The French Laundry Cookbook, and is now documenting her adventures in avant-garde home cooking in her new blog, Alinea at Home. Diagnosed with celiac disease in November 2008, Carol is grateful for the chefs who feed and teach her, and for restaurant staff who make her not feel like a freakshow or a nuisance for having an autoimmune disorder.