Gluten-Free Brunching in NYC With Contributor Susan Cohen
Gluten-free dining has become somewhat of a dietary trend in recent years. Like the raw movement or veganism, people often cling to a different way of eating that may make them feel healthier and more natural. Unlike those lifestyles; however, gluten-free diets come out of an actual medical necessity. People with the autoimmune disease celiac have intolerance to gluten – a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. They don’t live this way by choice and often find it difficult to safely enjoy eating out, especially when it comes to the gluten-filled NYC brunch scene.
Enter Susan Cohen, a 26 year old from Great Neck who was diagnosed with celiac in 2000 when access to gluten-free food was very limited. Susan didn’t shy away from her disease, she embraced it and saw an opportunity to educate others and start a movement toward increasing awareness and making dining out easier for those affected. From creating the Generation Gluten-Free documentary to providing gluten-free brunch reviews on BrunchUponATime.com, Susan proudly shares her story and triumphs every day. Keep reading for what to know, what to ask, and where to eat when it comes to gluten-free brunch in NYC.
Enter Susan Cohen, a 26 year old from Great Neck who was diagnosed with celiac in 2000 when access to gluten-free food was very limited. Susan didn’t shy away from her disease, she embraced it and saw an opportunity to educate others and start a movement toward increasing awareness and making dining out easier for those affected. From creating the Generation Gluten-Free documentary to providing gluten-free brunch reviews on BrunchUponATime.com, Susan proudly shares her story and triumphs every day. Keep reading for what to know, what to ask, and where to eat when it comes to gluten-free brunch in NYC.
Gluten-Free Brunching: What to know
Check the menu before you go. A menu gives you a sense of what a restaurant prepares and offers the chance to think about what might be gluten-free or might able to be modified to be gluten-free. For example, if a restaurant's menu only has pancakes, waffles, and other carbohydrates for brunch then it's not probably going to work. But if a restaurant has a wide selection of eggs, there is a possibility that one of the egg dishes might be gluten-free or be able to be modified to be gluten-free. Perhaps a restaurant offers lunch options during brunch and they might have say a salad or a salmon dish that could work.
Let the waiter know you’re gluten-free. As soon as your waiter or waitress arrives at the table, let them know that you are gluten-free. At some restaurants, the staff is well versed about what gluten-free means, while at others they may not be, so if they don't, let them know what you cannot eat and how things need to be prepared.
Become a regular. The more you frequent a restaurant, the more they get to know you and the more they get to know gluten-free. If a restaurant knows they have a regular gluten-free patron they might start to think about carrying gluten-free bread for gluten-free brunchers or making a few adjustments or additions to their menu. In some cases, restaurants have been known to either specify or create gluten-free menu as a result of some loyal gluten-free patrons. Some have even gone as far as getting gluten-free certification.
Let the waiter know you’re gluten-free. As soon as your waiter or waitress arrives at the table, let them know that you are gluten-free. At some restaurants, the staff is well versed about what gluten-free means, while at others they may not be, so if they don't, let them know what you cannot eat and how things need to be prepared.
Become a regular. The more you frequent a restaurant, the more they get to know you and the more they get to know gluten-free. If a restaurant knows they have a regular gluten-free patron they might start to think about carrying gluten-free bread for gluten-free brunchers or making a few adjustments or additions to their menu. In some cases, restaurants have been known to either specify or create gluten-free menu as a result of some loyal gluten-free patrons. Some have even gone as far as getting gluten-free certification.
Gluten-Free Brunching: What to ask
The most important thing when dining gluten-free is to ask questions. Ask about a specific dish and check what's in it and how it's prepared in case a sauce needs to be left out or the dish needs to be slightly modified. Here are some brunch questions to keep in mind no matter what you order:
- Eggs: Ask if your egg dish is prepared on the same griddle as pancakes or any other foods that contain gluten. This is a very important question because if the omelet uses the same griddle then it will get cross-contaminated and you cannot eat it. If they do, ask if they can use a clean pan.
- Salad: If you are ordering a salad, always check if a salad has croutons.
- Protein: If you’re ordering a dish with salmon or chicken, make sure it's not dusted in flour.
- Fries: Ask if the fries share the oil with any gluten items. A lot of restaurants share oil, but there a quite a number who don't and that opens up the possibility to fries with brunch.
- On the side: When it comes to brunch, make sure they know not to put gluten toast or pita on your meal.
Gluten-Free Brunching: Where to Eat
I brunch regularly at Cafe 82 on the Upper West Side. I am a big fan of their omelet and gluten-free pancakes. It's the perfect neighborhood spot.
As a contributor to BrunchUponATime.com, I have been checking out different spots lately with gluten-free brunch options such as Friedman’s Lunch and Nice Matin. You can look here for all the recent gluten-free brunch reviews.
As a contributor to BrunchUponATime.com, I have been checking out different spots lately with gluten-free brunch options such as Friedman’s Lunch and Nice Matin. You can look here for all the recent gluten-free brunch reviews.