For years now, I’ve walked by Mario Batali’s hotspot OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria, but as you may have guessed from the name of the restaurant, I’ve been apprehensive to go in and try! That was until I went into the restaurant for the first time this week and had the opportunity to sit down with the team to hear about their gluten free options. The restaurant doesn’t sound like it would be too gluten-friendly, but I learned that is far from the case! Gluten free pizza crust isn’t offered, but gluten free pasta, countless vegetable and salad dishes, and meat/seafood options are all available and more than okay for the NOBREAD crowd!…
To start, I highly recommend dabbling in the verdure section of the menu. My friend and I started with the Cauliflower Alla Siciliana, Lentils ‘Toscana,’ and Roasted Beets & Saba. All are served cold, and in an adorable portion-controlled bowl, making them the perfect appetizer. When dining with a large group of friends, order a bunch of these small plates! The parsnips with parsely and parmesan sounds incredible, but unfortunately I am dairy free and had to sit this dish out. From the pesce section of the menu, you have to order the octopus with celery and lovage. Bite size bits of octopus are served chilled, and again, this is the perfect size starter, and will whet your appetite for the rest of your meal. OTTO serves a gluten-free pasta that is corn based and can be subbed in for almost all the pasta entrees offered. I ordered the Taccozzette Con Stracotto with pork shoulder, tomato, and basil, and it was incredible! The gluten free Fusilli Con Sausage & Escarole is the most popular pasta on the menu, and I will have to order it on my next visit to the restaurant.
Not only is the food delicious, but it is affordable, too! I was impressed at how fair the prices were given the restaurant’s high-end reputation and sophisticated ambiance. OTTO is the perfect restaurant for people of all ages, and I recommend going to the restaurant for any occasion, from your next client lunch to dinner with kids! The restaurant is delicious and will be enjoyed by people of all ages!