If you’re looking for an upscale meal that can accommodate a gluten-free diner, look no further than Kingbird. While the restaurant does not offer a separate gluten-free menu, the wait staff and chef are able to create delicious gluten-free dining options. I was excited to see that the restaurant offers a gluten-free bread basket and house chips (made in a dedicated potato fryer) for you to snack on while you pick a cocktail. Unfortunately, their only gluten-free/Celiac safe liquor is Tito’s Vodka, which meant I did not get to try their famous Manhattan. However, the staff spiced up one of their “balanced life” drinks called the “pamplemousse” which included grapefruit, lime, vanilla, and Tito’s vodka. The broader menu includes many gluten-free options, ranging from seafood to flavorful salads to steak…
I let the chef decide what the best gluten-free options for the evening would be. To begin, we snacked on the Kingbird house chips. The potatoes were marinated for 24 hours and then flash fried in a dedicated fryer and coated with chili powder, honey powder, and sea salt. They were the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. It also paired well with the sweet pamplemousse cocktail.
I was excited when the waiter delivered a gluten-free bread basket for the table! The toasted bread was delicious with their butter and chives. My dining partner for the evening even exclaimed he could not tell the difference between the gluten-free toast and gluten-filled bread.
Next, we sampled the ginger-cured madai. The madai, also known as red sea bream, is considered the king of all Japanese fish. It did not disappoint. The bite-sized dish was packed full of flavor. The fish was firm and mild, coated with ginger and small bubbles that revealed an additional zest.
The colorful chargrilled beet salad was presented so beautifully it was tough for me to take the first bite. I was glad I did, though! As the name hinted, the beets held the strongest flavor in the dish, and they were complemented by the candied walnuts and burrata. A nice Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the salad.
The white asparagus veloute was brought to our table next with a Chablis white wine. The white asparagus itself was flavorful and juicy, also providing a nice crunch. I enjoyed it even more with the delicious cream sauce. The dish also had caviar on gluten-free toast! I was so excited to enjoy the tasty caviar with the crunch of toast.
The main course, a table-side bouillabaisse, was an experience all in itself. The Kingbird staff presented the broth and veggies in a condensation device that allowed the broth to fully soak up the flavor of the vegetables. Once the broth was poured over the octopus, lobster, scallops, and rock fish, the aromas had our mouths watering. The broth captured the flavors of the veggies and once you pair a bite with the seafood, your tastebuds are in for a treat!
For dessert, we shared a creme and ginger meringue served with ice cream. The ice cream was formed into a ball with cream, ice cream, and a lemon zest. All three flavors together created a sweet ending to a delicious meal. The bite-sized meringues and a glass of rosé champagne put a smile on our faces after a delicious and easy gluten-free dining experience!