Indigo, the One Aldwych hotel restaurant whose gluten-free menu will amaze you
Your life can change overnight for any number of reasons... but the day they announce to you that you are celiac (they say) is a great shock.
Among other things for your social life, since the simple act of eating or dining with friends becomes an obstacle course on many occasions.
Fortunately, in London there are multiple options for celiacs or for those who have decided to give up gluten voluntarily, both restaurants dedicated exclusively to gluten-free gastronomy, as well as those that offer reliable options.
** NICHE ** _(197-199 Rosebery Avenue) _
When Marc Warde and his partner Adrian Morgan opened Niche in 2013, the idea of a gluten-free restaurant was not on the table. However, shortly after opening the restaurant, Marc was diagnosed with celiac disease and it was from there that they began to work on a gluten-free menu.
Thus they became London's first 100% gluten free accredited restaurant. Their slogan is “gluten free, but you would never guess it”, and that is that they use seasonal and fresh ingredients and all the food is homemade, so giving up gluten does not mean giving up taste.
On the menu there is meat pies, gnocchi, hamburgers and British classics like sausages and mashed potatoes.
** LEGGERO ** _(64, Old Compton Street) _
With homemade fresh pasta made with organic ingredients as the main claim, in addition to homemade bread, or focaccias, this is a place where you can choose with confidence because there is no dish on the menu that has gluten.
Pasta options include tagliatelle and ravioli made with sorghum flour. They have two locations and one is in Soho, in the heart of the city.
** ARDICIOCCA ** _(461 – 465 North End Road, Fulham) _
Another Italian restaurant option, but this time in South London, in Fulham, Ardiciocca is accredited by the British Celiac Association and is totally gluten free.
His philosophy is characterized by simplicity. Their menus, which vary according to the season, boast of being made up of highest quality ingredients.
In addition to pizzas with typically Italian ingredients such as 'nduja' or Genoese pesto, They also have pasta, and meat dishes, like pork fillet with basil and tomatoes , or fish, like the cuttlefish with pea puree.
Ardiciocca: an Italian with quality product 100% gluten free
** BEYOND BREAD ** _(2 Charlotte Place; 267 Upper Street; Selfridges Food Hall, 400 Oxford Street) _
A paradise for celiacs, this bakery-cafe with two locations (Islington and Fitzrovia) has brioche, ciabatta, baguettes, sourdough bread and loaves of seed bread.
If in addition to bread you want to take something sweet, the options include delicious cinnamon buns, almond croissants or chocolate muffins among others.
Likewise, they also have salty options, such as ham and cheese or tuna toast, and vegetarian sandwiches, salmon, or meat, such as chicken or pork.
You won't be able to resist the sweet and savory delights of Beyond Bread
** OLLEYS FISH & CHIPS ** _(65-69 Norwood Rd, Herne Hill) _
Located on Herne Hill in South London, not far from Brixton, this charming fish & chip restaurant It owes its name to the celebrated Dickens classic, Oliver Twist.
The fish has a guarantee of sustainability from the Marine Stewardship Council and they have a gluten-free menu every day of the week, you just have to ask for it.
LE MERLIN _(78 Lower Clapton Rd, Clapton) _
This creperie located in the most vibrant area of Hackney, in East London, offers all its galettes in the Breton style, that is, made with buckwheat flour, so they are gluten free.
Although they cannot guarantee that there is no cross-contamination, since the crepes are made with wheat flour, According to the staff, they have celiac clients and they have never had any problems since they are very careful with all the utensils they use.
Galette options include dishes such as the galette de bacon, goat cheese and fig jam, smoked salmon and homemade lemon cream, or confit chicken with blue cheese sauce, caramelized onions and honey.
DISHOOM
With several locations in the city, if there is one thing that is guaranteed at Dishoom, it is that It is impossible to eat there without queuing, no matter what time you go.
This restaurant, which boasts of yielding homage to the Iranian cafes that were once a part of Mumbai's cultural life, It has dreamy interiors.
Although it is not 100% gluten free, yes it has a specific menu –They also have another menu for those who are lactose intolerant–.
In it we find classics like the black Daal of the house, lamb dishes with a variety of toppings, from chili, garlic, and ginger to lime, coriander, and cumin. Chicken curry is also a good option.
In Dishoom it is better to assume that it is time to queue
** INDIGO ** (1 Aldwych)
Although it is currently temporarily closed for renovations, this restaurant is one of the best celiac and lactose intolerant restaurants in London and will reopen its doors again at the end of April.
With options to order a la carte, or by menus (there is a tasting menu, as well as more affordable menus that include two and three courses respectively), the executive chef, Dominic Teague, has created a menu that is free of gluten and lactose, with dishes such as rabbit with carrots, handmade gnocchi or oysters with apples and truffles among others.
The restaurant is located in the One Aldwych hotel.
Likewise, UK Celiac Association include in your credentials various fast food chains that can save us from a rush to eat something quickly if we are in the city sightseeing or with little time to sit down to eat. Pho, Pizza Express, Carluccio's or Chipotle are among the restaurants designated by the association.