In the short time that I have lived in New York, I've been told by at least a dozen people that Chelsea Market is, without question, THE place for food and foodies in the city. So, like some foaming-at-the-mouth tourist looking to catch a glimpse of Alex Guarnaschelli or Anne Burrell fresh from a Food Network taping, I decided to hop on the F Train late on a Sunday morning and go in search of Gluten Free goodness.
If you've not ventured to Chelsea Market, go. The place is like nothing else. Around every turn in this awesomely restored building (which formerly housed the Nabisco Bakeries) are purveyors of gourmet eats. Butchers. Fishmongers. Bakers. Green grocers. Chocolatiers. Gelato-ers. (Gelatorians? Gelatarians??)
So, I wasn't shocked to run across Friedman's Lunch, an unassuming eatery with a clever name (a nod to free-market economist Milton Friedman's famous quip that "There's no such thing as a free lunch"), great comfort food, and a TON of gluten free options. We're talking 75% of the menu can be prepared gluten free. Even the sandwiches.
As much as I kept eyeing the Reuben featuring house-made pastrami on Gluten Free bread (I vow to go back and try this), I was in a brunchy-eggy-cheesy mood.
Right there, smack dab in the middle of the brunch menu, the Truffled Cheese Grits called to me: Hominy grits with a hint of cheese and truffle oil with grilled asparagus, mushrooms, prosciutto, and poached eggs.
Even though my native Manhattanite dining companion warned me against ordering grits north of the Mason-Dixon, they were wonderfully creamy with just a little tanginess. Each forkful had bite size, perfectly tender asparagus tips and sauteed mushrooms. Then every third or fourth bite, the prosciutto would pop up and make a cameo appearance.
I'm not usually a huge fan of poached eggs. I tend to like my eggs scrambled or sunny-side-up for that bit of crispiness to offset the gooeyness. But, this was like a perfect little pillow of egginess perched atop the dish, with an ideal amount of liquid yolk to mix with the grits.
A big A+ for the food.
I also have to give them props for the atmosphere. The service is very good--attentive and friendly without being obnoxious. Repurposed wine bottles are refilled with filtered tap water every few minutes by affable servers in jeans and t-shirts who swing by and ask "How's it going?"
On that note, the overall vibe is very casual and relaxed. Seating in the front half of the restaurant is at a tall communal table, which very much lends to this feeling. (Side note: I've been to some restaurants in the city where the communal thing feels overly trendy and forced. But, sitting shoulder to shoulder with fellow diners as you nosh on comfort food feels very natural at Friedman's.)
Seriously, Celiacs and fellow gluten intolerants: Friedman's is a treat. You have to try this place.
75 Ninth Ave
inside Chelsea Market
Another important thing to note about Friedman's Lunch. You WILL have to wait to be seated. Just accept it and move on.
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