Next to the Frying Pan or Boat Basin, Lure might be the closest you get to eating on a boat in New York City. Located below ground in SoHo and set like you are on a ship, Lure makes you feel at sea and serves some of downtown NYC’s best seafood. Not only is the food incredible, but Chef Josh Capon’s establishment is incredibly nobread friendly; the menu is naturally gluten free and the waitstaff is knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to catering to food restrictions and serving the perfect gluten free meal…
To start, any restaurant that serves a potato chip basket versus a bread basket is immediately off to a good start in my book. The potato chips are made first thing in the morning and first in the fryer, so they are not subject to any cross contamination, either! However, the french fries are fried and subject to cross contamination, so if you are sensitive I would avoid. For apps we ordered edamame and a few sushi rolls that were nobread approved. It is important to tell your server that you are gluten free- wasabi will be withheld from the plate and you will be given tamari sauce as a soy sauce substitute. It’s so rare that I am able to eat sushi at higher-end restaurants, so this was definitely a treat. Only select sushi rolls are gluten free (any served with ponzu are not, but this can be withheld), so be sure to ask your server if your roll of choice is nobread approved. Unfortunately, the tuna tacos are a no-go. The shell is NOT corn based and there is soy mixed with the tuna. For the mains, my waitress pointed out that the majority of entrees are intrinsically gluten free. I HIGHLY recommend the sauté bronzino, the steamed red snapper on bok choy and jasmine rice dressed in a curry broth (made with tamari sauce so it is gluten free for everyone!), the roasted salmon, and the grilled whole daurade. Lure is also known for their burger which IS gluten free when you order it nobread and noonionrings. The best part about Lure’s entrees is that each fish or poultry dish is accompanied with one or two sides. The sides menu is extensive, too, and I definitely recommend adding the brussels sprouts with pancetta, sweet potato & pecans, and herbed fries to complete your meal.
Chef Capon nailed it again; the food at Lure is AMAZING. And I wasn’t the only person who thought so. Every person at the table commented at one point or another how delicious their food was. I’ve been dying to try El Toro Blanco, Chef Capon’s latest feat, and after my Lure experience, El Toro has moved to the top of my list of places I NEED to try. The ambiance here is great, and the bar is perfect for post-dinner regrouping. I highly recommend!
PS- if you can have dairy, don’t leave without trying the flour-less chocolate cake!