GF Diner Joy (Peters', With Pictures)

This past Monday was (yet another) grey, rainy day here in NYC. Despite the weather, 12 hungry celiacs attended a NYC Celiac Disease Meetup at Peters' Gourmet Diner. Peter was so very accommodating, setting us up at a nice long table along the center of the restaurant, with plenty of room on either side for people to visit and mingle.

In case you aren't familiar with Peters': It's owned by a Peter and is decorated with photographs featuring (other) famous Peters:  Peter Gabriel, Peter Jackson, Peter Faulk - you get the idea. It has an upscale diner feel, with a handful of booths, many tables, and both a front and back patio. It's equally great for a big family meal and quiet solo dining, you and a book on a weekday night.

All that, and their menu is almost completely gluten-free! Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner. Pancakes, omelettes, club sandwiches and burgers, chicken parm and pasta. So many options that it took us a good 20 minutes to make up our minds. For the most part, we went old school:

Cheeseburger and fries - can't beat that with a stick.

With a little twist:

Cheeseburger with salsa and avocado

Lighter fare:

Broiled 1/2 chicken with sauteed vegetables. Much brighter and happier than my sad little camera pic lets on.

And the dish I coveted the most (while thoroughly enjoying my burger):

Chicken parm, baby. And, YES, those cutlets are BREADED, gf-style.
 

There were also beautiful salads, stuffed potato skins, sandwiches, GF beer, and more - I didn't want to hold up the chowing down with my picture taking. Forgive the low light of the pics I did take: just wanted to give you some idea of what Peters' has to offer, to encourage you to get on over there!

(And if it helps to put your worried GF mind at ease: half of the kitchen at Peters' is dedicated GF, with its own fryer, toaster, griddle, etc. Peter has been operating this way since the diner's inception, prompted by a good friend's GF diagnosis. About 20% of their clientele is GF. Let's increase that percentage, shall we?)

I also can't overstate what a fantastic time we all had - chatting, sharing stories and recommendations, and just enjoying time with people who get it. If you haven't already, please consider joining the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup, a Celiac Meetup in your area - or starting one if there isn't one where you live!

Wish for a Wednesday (Plus Diner Recommendation)

Dear Brooklyn,

Could you please rustle up a diner where I can get safe basic meals like pancakes and omelets, sandwiches, a burger - maybe even an egg sandwich to go? Because I really miss that and could use one of those egg sandwiches on this rainy morning.

Please and thank you,
Carolyn

While I have yet to hear of such a thing in my native borough, Manhattan has one! Peters' Gourmet Diner (yes, the apostrophe goes there - you'll see why once you visit) on the Upper East Side (UES) of Manhattan is GF heaven. Pancakes, salads, burgers, pasta - and not a sad little throwing-us-a-bone GF menu. You can't tell from the Menupages menu, but MOST of the menu is gluten-free. M-O-S-T. There's GF garlic bread to go with your pasta, hot Reuben sandwiches, a dedicated GF fryer for french fries - the works.

I just wish there was a Peters' in Brooklyn! That's the only downside to this spot - they're waaaaay over on the east side at 1st Avenue (1606 1st Avenue betw 83rd & 84th). But it's definitely worth the schlep. They're kid-friendly and have year-round seating on their heated back patio plus additional outdoor seating in front once the weather turns nice. Museum row is just a few avenues over, so it's PERFECT if you're planning a museum afternoon (I've stopped here many times pre- or post). And if you live in the area, they deliver! A win/win. Get thee to Peters' posthaste!