Review: Risotteria, New York

When I asked for gluten-free recommendations in New York, Risotteria, situated in the West Village, was the name on everyone’s lips. It has become so famous throughout the coeliac community and beyond, that I read tales of lines around the block at lunchtime, and having to wait an hour for a table (they don’t do reservations).

With that in mind, Poonam and I decided to go at midday, opening time, figuring at least the queues wouldn’t be THAT long. In the end, we were seated immediately, and I could see why the waits were so long; there was only room for about 20 diners altogether. It’s in another of New York teeny tiny spaces, spaces that make my small London flat look roomy.

As might be expected, the menu is largely made up of risottos, all sounding absolutely delicious. The difference between this and other italian restaurants is that almost everything on the menu is gluten-free. Some of the menu is not (opens pdf). But this is a restaurant that is safe and switched on when it comes to cross contamination and general understanding of gluten-free.

I generally don’t order risotto when I’m out as I feel I can make it perfectly well at home, but the varieties of rice and delicious combinations of ingredients tempted me away from pizza on this occasion. I chose the italian sausage and portobello mushroom risotto with carnaroli rice.

While we were waiting, gluten-free breadsticks appeared as if by magic. Try not to laugh at their humorously phallic shape and instead focus on my pretty sundress (Very Easy Vogue V8723).

Surprisingly the breadsticks were chewy, not crispy, not unlike a soft pretzel. Mmm, I could have gone for some more of those! You can see their gluten-free shop in the background, where they sell various gluten-free bakery products.

My risotto was everything I could have hoped for, and made me keenly aware of my own risotto-related shortcomings.

The Italian sausage was delicious and the portobello mushrooms were great, as portbello mushrooms always are 😉 It’s certainly motivated me to try and find Italian sausage in London – any recommendations?

My friend Poonam had a salad, but I was too busy chowing down my own food to note down which one so all I got was a hasty snap:

Rather unceremoniously presented, but I tried some of it and it was pretty delicious!

The worst part of the meal was feeling too full for dessert. And it being my last day in New York, I had somewhat run out of money. Oh well 🙂 I loved their dessert menu though:

Risotteria is another stop on the “must visit” gluten-free tour of New York. It’s safe, the staff are friendly and set in the very trendy West Village there is plenty to do in the area.