markconsueloss: Gluten-Free Friendly Restaurants in DC: Adams Morgan ...

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Gluten-Free Friendly Restaurants in DC: Adams Morgan ...

: Adams Morgan Neighborhood has several gluten-free restaurants. - Ieva Augstums

Gluten-free restaurant options are increasing for individuals with Celiac Disease, or a gluten allergy, in Washington, DC.

While gaining more understanding and acceptance by chefs and wait staff, maintaining a gluten-free diet while eating out can still be relatively tricky. Cross contamination of foods can easily occur, and ingredients that may include gluten (wheat, barley or rye) may mistakenly be used.

Unless a restaurant is certified gluten-free ? a designation given by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) ? it is imperative for an individual who has Celiac Disease or a gluten intolerance to inform a restaurant?s chef of their allergy. And while the GFCO has started a Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP), searching the database for restaurant locations in DC queries a sparse list.

However, centered at the intersection of 18th Street NW and Columbia Road NW, Adams Morgan?s restaurant offerings for gluten-free options are just as diverse as the neighborhood?s culture.

Here are a handful of places offering varying cuisines (sushi, Mexican, Peruvian, pizza), along with some tips to make sure your meal is truly gluten-free.

Perry?s

Billing itself as an American bistro and sushi bar, Perry?s provides a comfortable and casual dining experience. More importantly, they offer gluten-free sushi. In addition to having gluten-free soy sauce on hand, the sushi chef?s will create rolls using gluten-free sushi paper (and if they run out of paper, they will create the rolls using rice only). They are also good at substituting items in rolls to accommodate the allergy.

Casa Oaxaca

Diners at Casa Oaxaca (pronounced wa-HA-ca) experience authentic Mexican cuisine. Gluten-free items are clearly marked on their menu. While the choices seem limited, when you sit down, notify your server right away, as they are well-fitted to make appropriate recommendations for food substitutions. For example, when ordering their traditional guacamole, they will bring out two bowls, as they typically serve it with a homemade (flour) tortilla chip dipped in the bowl. Instead, gluten sensitive customers will receive homemade corn tortillas.

Las Canteras

Las Canteras is a quaint Peruvian restaurant that?s nearly hidden on 18th Street. With each menu item detailed by all of its ingredients, ordering gluten-free is relatively easy. It is best to double-check with the chef on some of the preparation methods, especially the sauces. And the best thing yet, they have desert -- chocolate quinoa cake.

Mellow Mushroom

Although not open yet, Mellow Mushroom pizza bakers, offers its very own, homemade gluten-free dough for any of their 12-inch size pizzas. The recipe is made with bean, rice and tapioca flour, yeast, starch and eggs, and the restaurant makes sure to avoid any cross-contamination.