Last week, I was really spoiled.  After a fantastic dinner at Rizzuto’s, I went to Bistango with my dad and Alex for a dinner date.  We do this pretty often since we both work in the city and I get to pick the restaurants.  This time, I picked Bistango - convenient location, gluten-free friendly.  I’ve been to Bistango before, and so I wasn’t necessarily surprised by the awesomeness of their gluten-free options, but it was still a treat.  Bistango was one of the first restaurants in New York to offer a pretty substantial gluten-free menu and they remain at the top of the list for options.  Not only do they serve gluten-free pasta, they offer gluten-free bread, beer, and dessert.  I know this from experience.

Bistango isn’t really quaint or charming or modern.  It has an elegant feel that sometimes makes the diner ponder whether should be wearing something dressier, but then they look around and realize their casual dress is fine.  I don’t love the decor at Bistango but that doesn’t matter, the food makes up for it.  When we got there at 6:30, the small restaurant was about 1/4 full, but diners steadily poured in as we ate. 

The first thing I did was order a beer.  Bistango serves two gluten-free beers, both from Green’s, a UK based brewery.  I had tried the “Endeavor” (about $6 a Whole Foods for a 18 ounce bottle), so I went for the “Quest.”  This beer tastes like beer. I mean, like good, quality, gluten-containing beer.  My dad and Alex agreed.  I’d be drinking this all the time if it wasn’t so expensive.  That was gluten-free item #1.  After I ordered my beer, the waiter asked if I was gluten-free, I said yes, and so he brought me some gluten-free bread.  This bread rocked.  Alex preferred it to his regular bread.  It was toasted, but still chewy, and had lots of grains.  It was a true whole-grain gluten-free bread, hearty, darker, and with lots of crunchy seeds and grains.  Sadly, unlike regular bread, this bread doesn’t come with free refills.  If you want another serving, it will set you back $5. 

By the time my pasta came, I was in gluten-free heaven.  I was drinking my delicious, Belgian-style beer, munching on bread with the rest of the table, and chowing down on the corn pasta with zucchini and ginger.  I’ve mentioned corn pasta before, but it’s worth reiterating how much better it is than rice pasta.  It has the same texture and taste as wheat pasta, and some say it’s better.  I almost didn’t finish my pasta.  Beer, bread, pasta?  Carbtastic and super filling.  How did I always used to eat like this?  Anyhow, my gluten-free gorge wasn’t over just yet.  My dad insisted we look at the dessert menu, and lo and behold, there were gluten-free desserts that weren’t ice cream or sorbet.  I had the apple tart.  It was good, but not great.  The tart had a melty chocolate layer that didn’t pair that well with the apple and crust, but mostly, I was happy to eat a gluten-free pastry at a restaurant.  When I return, I’ll go for the flourless chocolate cake or cheesecake.

If you want a gluten-free gourmande experience, Bistango is the place to go.