Gluten-Free Restaurants NYC – Nizza hits Midtown with Soccas and More

When people come to NY for a ‘gluten-free culinary tour’ there are so many options, it’s almost an embarrassment of riches.  However, when visitors come to NY  to enjoy the theater and need a convenient restaurant before the show – I never had many suggestions.  I would recommend Bistango or Rice followed by a long walk or a quick cab ride over to the theater district.  In January, that all changed with the addition of Nizza to the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program.  Midtown West now offers an affordable gluten-free meal with great ambiance and superb service – oh and the food is fab too!

Soccas are one of the restaurant’s signature plates – it’s a chickpea dish – a cross between a flatbread, pizza and crepe.  I ordered one with swiss chard and topped with egg and fontina cheese.  My friends (including Ms. Allergic Girl) ordered theirs with basil, mozzarella and basil.  It was more substantial than the chickpea crepe I had in Florence, Italy – hearty and enough to feel full (at a bargain price of $8-12)

They have a variety of gluten-free appetizers – including eggplant rollatini – cheesy, rich goodness that is almost always made with gluten-filled breadcrumbs. There are loads of options for vegetarians and while I didn’t order any of their gluten-free desserts on my first visit, I am looking forward to their panna cotta next time.

Nizza launched their gluten-free menu in January but I didn’t make my first trip there until April.  The reviews I saw were good, but my biggest surprise?  They now also offer gluten-free breadsticks with fresh ricotta for dipping!!  While there are an increasing number of restaurants that can handle gluten-free requests, there are very few where you can enjoy the pre-meal starters of bread, breadsticks etc.  (Risotteria and Bistango are other options for Nyers)

I am headed back to Nizza for my friend’s birthday celebration tonight.  Happy Birthday Danielle!  It’s definitely worthy of a celebration dinner.  Thank you to the owners of Nizza who have done such a great job adapting their restaurant to be part of the GFRAP.

(Apparently business is booming since they launched the Gluten-Free Menu – hopefully this will encourage other restaurants to accommodate gluten-free diners!)

NIZZA
Address: 630 9th Ave, New York 10036
Btwn 44th & 45th St
Phone: (212) 956-1800

For you non-NYers don’t dispair – Socca’s aren’t that difficult to make at home.  I’m going to use chickpea flour to try this Sage Farinata (Socca) Recipe from Sunset Magazine soon.  This recipe says its possible to use canned chickpeas if you can’t find flour – so I’ll have to experiment with that and  report back with the results!