Restaurant Inspection 2009

Have you been wondering what happened to GFNYC's annual round-up of restaurant inspection results from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)?

Wonder no more.

As always, the restaurants on this list—New York City eateries on the roster of the Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP)—continue to be way ahead of other Big Apple restaurants in recognizing the health concerns related to gluten in their foods.

The lower the number score, the better the inspection results, with a score of 28 or higher constituting a failing grade.

Topping the list are Asia de Cuba (albeit with a rating from 2007) as well as Tuttoriso, Candle 79, and Risotteria. Many restaurants did worse this year than last year, but (unlike last year) none received a failing grade. Not available at this time is an inspection report for Nizza.

02 11/21/07 Asia de Cuba (Manhattan) no new inspection
04 01/16/09 Tuttoriso (Staten Island) newly inspected
09 01/08/09 Candle 79 (Manhattan) up 7
10 06/12/08 Risotteria (Manhattan) unchanged
12 03/20/09 Sambuca (Manhattan) down 7
13 12/05/08 Peters' (Artaki) (Manhattan) up 4
13 03/10/09 Lili's 57 (Lili's Noodle Shop) newly listed
15 01/04/08 Outback Steakhouse Chelsea (Manhattan) no new inspection
15 07/17/08 Outback Steakhouse Brooklyn (Brooklyn) up 65
18 11/12/08 Bistango (Manhattan) down 2
18 09/08/08 Outback Steakhouse Queens Boulevard (Queens) down 9
19 11/29/08 Outback Steakhouse (Staten Island) down 3
20 12/22/08 Outback Steakhouse Third Avenue (Manhattan) down 2
20 12/05/08 Lumi (Manhattan) down 10
22 11/20/08 Carrabba's (Staten Island) down 1
22 03/09/09 Gus' Place (Manhattan) down 14
25 05/14/08 Friedman's Deli new to list
25 11/03/08 Outback Steakhouse Bell Blvd. (Queens) down 12
25 01/05/09 Lilli and Loo (Manhattan) down 14
27 03/16/09 S'MAC new to list
27 09/22/08 Gusto Grilled Organics new to list
27 04/29/08 Bloom's (Manhattan) down 14
NA --/--/-- Nizza no inspection found

For the most current DOH inspection records, click here.

GFRAP restaurants can be found here.

Gluten-Free Pasta Twirling

Pamela Silvestri of the Staten Island Advance posted a short item, called "Petty Over Spaghetti" (March 9, 2009), about the etiquette of eating spaghetti.

Illustrating the story: an image of "Spaghetti and meatballs at Tuttoriso, a gluten-free restaurant in St. George."

Silvestri asks readers, "Do you have any rules when it comes to your strand pasta?" Sure: It must be gluten-free. And avoided during dates and business lunches. And eaten while wearing washable clothing that matches the color of the sauce. And that's about it, I think.

How about you?

Here's a lesson on the "spoon" method (not to be confused with "spooning"). Warning: The spaghetti in this video probably contains gluten.



Source (00:25)

Tuttoriso covered in Staten Island Advance

Staten Island Advance reporter Pamela Silvestri writes up the GFRAP restaurant Tuttoriso in her September 18, 2008 article "Defloured."

Silvestri writes, "It is important to recognize the importance of Tuttoriso for Staten Islanders, particularly those who suffer from specific carbohydrate, milk protein or wheat allergies. Most importantly, this is one of the few Staten Island restaurants where significant items -- breads and a respectable variety of baked goods -- are being made from scratch. Without a doubt, this vertical control over ingredients helps indemnify a business geared to those with food allergies."

Silvestri praises the baked goods and home cooking as well as the restaurant's efforts to cater to people on special diets, but she also notes slow service (somewhat understandable considering the home cooking) as well as the lack of complimentary "welcoming" appetizers (an absence certainly not unique to this GFRAP restaurant).

I can see where Silvestri's coming from, but I'd like to stress just how good the gluten-free sandwiches, desserts, and drinks can be. (I'm still making my way through the menu, so I'm not yet ready to pass judgment on many other offerings at Tuttoriso.) If you haven't yet sampled the restaurant's breads and baked treats, I urge you to make the journey to Tuttoriso and give them a try—especially while the weather is still pretty good. Only a short walk from the ferry landing, Tuttoriso is a great destination for gluten-free day-trippers, date-trippers, and tourists as well as commuters ferrying between Staten Island and Manhattan. Kerrie at Gluten-Free in the Shaolin goes so far as to call the restaurant a "gift."
















Photo: David Marc Fischer

MY HERO!
















The Staten Island restaurant Tuttoriso joined GFRAP last year on the advanced level, which means that, like Lilli and Loo, it has made an extra investment to assure all that its gluten-free menu is indeed gluten-free. Pictured above is Tuttoriso's delicious Italian hero, which I recently enjoyed with an ice cream soda and some "homemade" baked goodies to go. Among Tuttoriso's strong points are its bakery offerings: breads, cakes, cookies, muffins, etc. You can drop in for a meal, but you can also drop in for something simpler, like a drink or snack.

Another one of Tuttoriso's strong points is its location. A short walk from the ferry terminal as well as Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home of the Staten Island Yankees, the restaurant is very convenient for downtown Staten Islanders as well as commuters and other ferry travelers—especially during the warm weather months.

Have you ever taken the Staten Island Ferry? Currently free, it's a classic "cheap date" of New York City.

You board the ferry in downtown Manhattan. (If you take the 1 train, make sure you're in one of the front cars at the South Ferry stop.)
















On one side of the ferry you can get a great view of the bridges connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. On the other side, you can get a view of this charming old lady. Even at her advanced age, she's especially photogenic in the morning.
















After about 25 minutes, the ferry arrives in Staten Island. There's something very sexy about the way the ferry makes its landing.
















To get to Tuttoriso, you can leave the ferry terminal to the south and take a right on Richmond Terrace; the restaurant will be on the left. You can get out of the ferry terminal by foot...
















...or I guess you could take a bus one stop. They're timed to receive ferry passengers.

















Here is the Tuttoriso storefront...
















...and here's a funky mural on the inside!
















Did I mention that potato salad is on the menu?
















Here's my favorite Tuttoriso cake so far.
















If you have to wait for the ferry to Manhattan, you can enjoy the beautiful fish tanks in the Staten Island terminal.
















EXTRA Tuttoriso owner Helen also hosts the Staten Island Celiac Organization at the restaurant. The next meeting takes place on June 12. Helen also plans to fill out the restaurant's schedule with an assortment of other special events—I believe gluten-free karaoke might be a possibility!

CELIACALENDAR

The Staten Island Celiac Meetup Group (SICMG) is having its next meeting—with pizza—at Tuttoriso on Thursday evening, May 8, at 7:00pm. Indicate your interest at the webpage for the meetup group.

The Greater New York City Celiac Support Group (CSA/USA) will meet at Outback (919 Third Avenue at East 56th Street) on Monday evening, May 12, at 6:30pm. RSVP by calling Merle at 212-662-2464 or Mary Ferry at 212-304-1026.

The New York City Celiac Disease Meetup Group (NYCCDMG) kicks off a Happy Hour at the East End Tavern (1589 First Avenue) on Wednesday evening, May 14 at 5:00pm. Drinks will include Redbridge ($4.50) and Magners ($3.50); pub food will be ordered from Peters'! Indicate your interest at the webpage for the meetup group.

The Westchester Celiac Sprue Support Group (WCSSG) holds an event with nutritionist Anne Roland Lee at DeCicco's (Ardsley) on Saturday afternoon, May 17 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Vendors include Everybody Eats and Joan's Gluten-Free Great Bakes.

The 2008 L. Lodico Walk for Celiac Disease takes place at Little Bay Park on Sunday morning, June 1, starting at 9:00am. Proceeds go to the CSA this year. Read about last year's walk here.

The WCSSG holds its annual picnic (weather permitting) at Kingsland Point Park (Sleepy Hollow) on Sunday afternoon, June 22, from noon to dusk. Metro-North's Philipse Manor station is just north of the picnic grounds.

RESTAURANT INSPECTION!

And now for the annual round-up of restaurant inspection results from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The restaurants on this list—New York City eateries on the roster of the Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP)—continue to be way ahead of other Big Apple restaurants in recognizing the health concerns related to gluten in their foods, which still doesn't seem to be a concern of the DOHMH.

The lower the number score, the better the inspection, with a score of 28 or higher constituting a failing grade. Topping the list are Asia de Cuba, Sambuca, and Gus' Place; at the bottom (with the only failing grade) is Outback Steakhouse Brooklyn. Not available at this time is a score for Tuttoriso, on Staten Island.

02 11/21/07 Asia de Cuba (Manhattan)
05 01/18/08 Sambuca (Manhattan)
08 04/24/07 Gus' Place (Manhattan)
09 03/14/07 Outback Steakhouse Queens Boulevard (Queens)
10 03/19/07 Lumi (Manhattan)
10 12/26/07 Risotteria (Manhattan)
11 04/04/07 Lilli and Loo (Manhattan)
13 12/26/06 Bloom's (Manhattan)
13 12/07/06 Outback Steakhouse Bell Blvd. (Queens)
15 01/04/08 Outback Steakhouse Chelsea (Manhattan)
16 01/30/07 Bistango (Manhattan)
16 08/19/07 Candle 79 (Manhattan)
16 07/31/07 Outback Steakhouse (Staten Island)
16 11/14/06 Tini (Lentini) (Manhattan)
17 06/11/07 Peters' (Artaki) (Manhattan)
18 09/27/07 Outback Steakhouse Third Avenue (Manhattan)
21 05/08/07 Carrabba's (Staten Island)
?? --/--/-- Tuttoriso (Staten Island)
80 01/30/08 Outback Steakhouse Brooklyn (Brooklyn)

For the most current DOH inspection records, click here.

GFRAP restaurants can be found here.

GFRAP ADDS STATEN ISLAND RESTAURANT!

The Staten Island restaurant Tuttoriso (36 Richmond Avenue, 866-801-2240) is now on the roster of the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP)! Thanks to my Staten Island informant Ellen, I've already heard good things about the place, which is conveniently located on the North Shore near the ferry, so I look forward to floating by to give it a try.

Also new on the GFRAP map: Golden Wok, a Chinese restaurant upriver in Ardsley.