The Gander, located in the Flatiron District, is new to New York City and was one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of 2014. Brought to us by Jesse Schenker and his restaurant group that also brought us Recette, The Gander serves traditional American cuisine but with unique and imaginative twists and elements. I am happy to say The Gander is absolutely deserving of all the hype; I went to the restaurant for the first time last week and was incredibly impressed. The decor, high ceilings, and spacing between tables sets a comfortable and welcoming ambiance, and the food is delicious!…
Before I start raving about my meal, I have to mention that not only is the waitstaff at The Gander very well-versed on gluten allergies and the ingredients of each dish, but they go out of their way to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your meal. The kitchen is notified about all dietary restrictions at the table, providing a comfortable and stress free dining experience. For my main course, I ordered the salmon on potato salad with french beans and sorrel. This dish is 100% gluten free; however, I am dairy free, too, and my waiter was more than happy to sub my potato salad with a watercress salad. Other nobread approved orders you HAVE to try include the sea trout tartare, local greens salad with vegetables and red wine vinaigrette, roasted white elf mushroom, roasted branzino, and duck breast. The sides at The Gander are delicious, too. Some of the portions are a bit on the smaller side, so I highly recommend supplementing your meal with a side. If you can handle a little cross contamination in the fryer, the french fries are amazing, and on my next visit I need to try the baby carrots and grilled asparagus for a healthy supplement. The cauliflower looks delicious too; this dish is not gluten free but if you tell your server you have an allergy, they are happy to accommodate.
One last note about The Gander. Whenever I go to restaurants, I always inquire if there are any gluten free (and dairy free) desert options. The answer is always, “yes, we have sorbet;” hence my sorbet addiction! The sorbet at The Gander is incredible. Chocolate curry, strawberry rhubarb, blueberry, plum with red wine; the flavors are incredibly unique and absolutely delicious… and a true testament to the high class and quality of The Gander’s cuisine. I look forward to going again soon!