First Place: The Daily Kitchen & Bar
2934 W. Cary St.
342-8990
thedailykitchenandbar.com
Second Place: Lehja
Third Place: Tio Pablo
Celiac sufferers and the gluten-intolerant can breathe a sigh of relief when they pull up a chair at the Daily. Not only do gluten-free options abound but with the availability of GF rolls and bread, you no longer have to deprive yourself of burgers or paninis. Best on the menu — and cooked in a dedicated fryer — are the tender fried oysters, a treat that many celiac sufferers haven’t experienced since they were forced to give up gluten. Nor does the Daily want you to skip dessert, tempting diners with vanilla bean and lemon cheesecake with an oat and coconut crust and a dark chocolate almond brownie that comes with vanilla ice cream and strawberries tumbling over top. Most Indian food is gluten-free already, so Lehja is both a safe and delectable choice. Ditto for Mexican food, and if you’d like a taste that’s simultaneously creative and authentic, the fresh ingredients at Tio Pablo need to hit your plate as soon as you can make it happen.
