The gluten-free movement was huge in 2011 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2012.
The number of gluten-free diners is steadily increasing thanks to the raised awareness about Celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder that affects nearly 1 in every 133 Americans) and gluten intolerance and national chain restaurants have started to take notice.
If you’re a gluten-free diner who prefers to eat local and avoids national chains, then dining out can be difficult at best.
Luckily, Richmond’s well-established dining scene has recently seen a boom in the number of gluten-free-friendly restaurants and the results are nothing short of delicious.
Here are a few restaurants that are worth checking out:
The Empress: Every menu item is gluten-free or optionally gluten-free, including several in-house baked goods. If you’re looking for a diverse and delicious dining option, this is it.
The Roosevelt: This talked-about restaurant has several gluten-free-friendly options on its menu. Items are not marked, but the wait staff is happy to discuss gluten-free options and ensure a safe dining experience.
The Belvidere at Broad: The Belvidere boasts several gluten-free options including vegetable lasagna and incredible gluten-free burgers. They also carry several domestic and imported gluten-free beers and ciders.
Ellwood’s Café: The popular Ellwood’s Café always stocks gluten-free bread for breakfast and lunch sandwiches. They also carry gluten-free fresh salads, tasty sides and delicious baked goods.
Balliceaux: Balliceaux has several clearly labeled gluten-free dishes that are far from ordinary. The tandoori fried cauliflower alone is worth the trip, as are the several farm fresh gluten-free entrees.
Garnett’s Café: This quaint cafe is a great gluten-free lunch spot that features sandwiches with gluten-free bread. It also offers gluten-free pies and cakes from Ipanema’s bakery as dessert options.
Ipanema: This popular vegan and vegetarian dining spot offers several gluten-free options. The bakery also produces gluten-free pies and cakes for special order.
Lamplighter Roasting Company: Lamplighter offers hot and cold sandwiches with gluten-free bread. They also offer great breakfast sandwiches on gluten-free bread to go with their beloved freshly roasted coffee.
Selba: Selba offers a decent-sized, dedicated gluten-free menu as well as clearly labeled menus for dinner, happy hour and brunch.
Nile: The signature spongy injera bread of this tasty Ethiopian eatery is made with teff flour, so nearly everything is gluten-free.
Carytown Cupcakes: A gluten-free option is usually offered at Carytown Cupcakes. If you are concerned with potential cross-contamination issues or have other food allergies, call ahead.
Frostings: Frostings also offers gluten-free cupcakes every week. Again, if you have cross-contamination or other allergy concerns, call ahead.
Several other restaurants in Richmond, such as Lemaire, Acacia, The Blue Goat and Black Sheep are great at accommodating to the needs of gluten-free diners.
Here are some tips to help ensure you have a safe dining experience wherever you choose to dine:
1. Preview the menu: If you can, preview the menu online before you head out to eat. If you have further questions about menu items, call ahead and ask to speak with the chef or a kitchen manager. Most kitchen staff would rather you call ahead and discuss accommodation options than run the risk of making you ill.
2. Ask questions: Be sure to ask your server about gluten-free menu options and always, always inform them that you eat gluten-free. Ask them to double check that your order is, indeed, gluten-free with the chef. If you are particularly sensitive or have Celiac disease, specify that the kitchen should be extra careful with cross contamination.
3. Be kind: Snapping at servers and kitchen staff will get you nothing but bad service, so be kind and patient when you’re asking about accommodations. If your server or the kitchen is unsure about what foods are safe, simply give them a list of what you can and cannot eat. There are also gluten-free dining cards you can purchase that are especially helpful for dining at ethnic restaurants.
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