Red White and Basil is a restaurant in a category all of its own. Situated at the beginning of Adams Morgan, Red White and Basil features traditional Italian sauces and pastas, with a hipster atmosphere, and affordable prices. And best of all, Red White and Basil is extremely gluten-free friendly…
Red White and Basil’s minimalist space draws you into the restaurant. Mason jars filled with sauce ingredients line the walls, and a print of 50’s era showgirls eating pasta is hung up on the wall.
Red White and Basil is known for their every night three-course pre fixe for $16, which includes a small house salad, a pasta dish, and a mini cannoli. The cannoli isn’t gluten-free but the pre fixe is still a good option for gluten free patrons because the “small” side salad is delicious, and a pretty good size. If you do not feel like going for the pre fixe, a pasta dish is a mere $11.
All the pasta at Red White and Basil is homemade, even the gluten-free pasta! Travis Hearne, the man behind the pasta, makes sure that all gluten-free patrons, especially ones with Celiac, feel safe to order at his restaurant. When making the gluten-free pasta, he takes apart the pasta machine so that every nook and cranny can be cleaned to ensure that there is little to no cross-contamination between the regular pasta and the gluten free pasta. Since taking apart the machine and cleaning it is an intensive process, only one type of gluten-free pasta is available at a time. However, they do switch it up. One week it may be penne and another it could be fusilli.
Although there is only one type of pasta, gluten-free patrons can choose between gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles. From there, Red White and Basil offers a multitude of sauces to choose from; and all are gluten-free! I highly recommend the Pesto Cream and the classic Marinara sauce. The Pesto Cream is the perfect combination of creamy and hearty, while the Marinara will make you feel like you are eating your Italian Grandmother’s secret sauce recipe. You can also add a protein to your pasta if you so choose. Every protein, with the exception of the meatballs, is gluten-free. I always go for the Italian sausage, however the chicken and shrimp are also good choices.
Red White and Basil also offers a basic brunch. Brunch options consist of a make your own omelet or a make your own pianni. The pianni’s are not gluten-free, but the omelets are. For the omelet, you can choose from spicy eggs, regular, and egg whites, a multitude of cheeses, veggies, and proteins.
If you are looking for cheap, authentic Italian food, look no further than Red White and Basil. With amazing homemade gluten-free pasta, and a multitude of incredible sauces, there is something that everyone will love.