The Dream Hotel in Chelsea is a NYC hotspot with a rooftop lounge that is known to have some of the best views in the city. The Dream is also known for its Mexican restaurant, Bodega Negra, which is tucked away underneath the hotel. The atmosphere is dark but festively decorated with a Mexican theme. The bar has a great selection and the food is great for sharing, which makes the restaurant the perfect place for dinner and drinks before a night out…
Bodega Negra does not have a gluten free menu, but the menu is very NOBREAD friendly and the servers are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to selecting gluten free options. To start, the guacamole is a must-order! It is creamy, fresh and citrus-y, and uses jicama and radish instead of traditional onion and tomato. Also, the chips served with the guac are fried in a separate fryer; thus, there is no cross contamination! Another great option to start your meal with is the Yellowtail Ceviche served with coconut ginger, mango Habanero salsa and plantain chips. The dish is fresh and light, and the fish melts in your mouth. Bodega also offers a number of different street style tacos which are great for sharing and they are served on gluten free corn tortillas! We tried the classic grilled fish tacos with a tomatillo orange salsa, jicama slaw, and crema, and we were very impressed. If you are in the mood for something lighter, all of the salads are gluten free and range from a fresh and simple grilled corn salad to a quinoa kale salad with cashews, grapefruit, and pear. For a more traditional-size entree, the Amish Chicken and Banana Leaf Roasted Snapper are both gluten free and excellent options.
Bodega Negra serves quality Mexican food on mostly small plates, so I highly recommend ordering a variety of items and sharing with the table. For the full experience, order a tequila cocktail with your meal and head to the PhD rooftop lounge upstairs to enjoy the view of the city lights.