Savoring Time with Friends

Friend Montage at Rice, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

Today is my friend Molly’s birthday. She is my most loyal reader (other than my Dad) and she has accompanied me on more gluten free adventures than anyone.

One of the reasons a Celiac diagnosis can be so disruptive is the immediate affect it has on your social life. Dinner parties and restaurants require upfront research and “ingredient transparency” that isn’t always easy to obtain. As frustrating as that can be, I have been touched by the kindness and understanding shown by my friends.

Tomorrow we are celebrating Molly’s birthday at a restaurant in NY called Rice. It’s HER birthday and she made sure to choose a restaurant where I could eat comfortably. And it’s not just Molly who has shown me such compassion. My cousin Lisa arranged her goodbye dinner according to where I could eat. Keely adjusted the menu for a dinner party so that I could eat with the group. Amber made sure the waiter didn’t bring any bread to the table even though she surely would have enjoyed it. There have been determined waiters and chefs who made sure that I could eat more than plain lettuce and a dry chicken breast. These are just a few examples of the kind of thoughtfulness and consideration I’ve been the recipient of in the past two years. I am so grateful for my network of support.

Rice has become a regular haunt for my group dinners. Here are a few of the things my friends and I ordered on a recent trip and we will surely be nibbling on tomorrow.

Hot tea served with four different kinds of honey

Steamed Edamame

Mesclun Salad with a Tropical Garnish – avocado, hearts of palm, and red pepper served with a choice of gluten free dressings

Mexican Chicken Soup with avocado, tomato, corn, rice, cilantro and lime (one of my favorites)

Butternut Squash Chowder – squash bisque with basmati, thyme and nutmeg

Sweet Corn Arepa with queso fresco

Thai Coconut Curry – white meat chicken, shrimp or tofu stir fried with broccoli, red peppers, red onions and carrots in a coconut curry bath

Rice also has an amazing brunch deal on the weekends (though not everything offered is gluten free). As you can see, Rice on Lex is a great location for group dinners, just warn everyone in advance that it’s cash only.

Happy Birthday Molly!

Rice, 115 Lexington Ave, New York 10016At 28th St Phone: 212-686-5400
81 Washington St, Brooklyn 11201 Btwn York & Front St Phone: 718-222-9880
166 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn 11217 At Cumberland St Phone: 718-858-2700