Gourmet Land - Gluten Free Chinese Food in New York City

Gourmet Land is a new gluten free dining option in New York City, and while all restaurants that cater to people with celiac disease and other gluten and wheat intolerances are incredibly exciting to me, Gourmet Land is something special, by simple virtue of its focus on gourmet quality Chinese food.

Chinese food is one of the most difficult cuisines for someone with celiac disease to eat in a restaurant environment as opposed to prepared with appropriate safety measures at home. Most soy sauce includes fermented wheat and that, combined with many items being fried in flour, makes Chinese food an almost impossible choice for the celiac patient. When I was diagnosed, even above Italian food, I was certain I would never be able to eat Chinese food again.

But then, Gourmet Land opened on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. While every item on Gourmet Land's menu is not gluten free, the gluten free menu is extensive and includes classics like egg rolls, fried rice and Mongolian beef. There are even gluten free dessert items, and best of all, the gluten free dishes are all prepared in a segregated area of the kitchen, which is reassuring to those people sensitive enough to gluten to have major concerns about cross-contamination (I'm one of them!). The restaurant also promises to keep expanding their gluten free choices.

Gourmet Land, however, is a draw from more than the gluten-free dining; it also has a nice atmosphere, something that's hard to find in a New York City Chinese restaurant, most of which merely specialize in delivery (and don't worry, as you'd expect from any Chinese restaurant Gourmet Land does deliver and has lunch specials too). While I could do without the TV over the bar, Gourmet Land is a pleasant spot for dining with friends or family or even a casual date.

Gourmet Land can be found at:

1588 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10028
Between 82^nd and 83^rd streets

Celiac disease is a genetic disease that effects approximate 1 in 133 Americans, although it often goes undiagnosed for years. Those with celiac disease are unable to consume gluten, a protein found in wheat and its relatives. Celiac disease symptoms include intestinal distress, weight problems, mood and neurological disorders as well as problems with teeth, skin, nails and hair. There is no cure for celiac disease and the only treatment is to simply avoid gluten entirely. For more information on celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease and celiac sprue) visit The Celiac Disease Foundation.