Upland Restaurant, opened in late 2014 by Chef Justin Simile, has been called the hottest new restaurant in New York City. Well, after going to the restaurant this week, I can see why so many people have made this claim! The ambiance is cool; high ceilings and space between tables makes the relatively small space seem larger than life, the food is deserving of five stars, and the waitstaff/kitchen is incredibly nice and accommodating to all diners. Most importantly, the menu is very gluten-friendly!…
I went to the restaurant for brunch this week, and couldn’t have been happier with my feast. To start, I highly recommend the little gem lettuce salad. The salad is large and perfect to share. For main courses, there are so many gluten free options it is hard to pick just one thing to order! I went with the farm egg omelette, no cheese, and a side of bacon. Served with greens, this omelette is light and refreshing. The skirt steak and eggs is gluten free when you ask for no romesco, and this dish was a popular order amongst the diners at my table. The eggs in hell (nobread), two eggs any style (nobread) and baccala are all gluten free and popular brunch orders, as well! The last item ordered at my table, that gave me incredible food envy, was the Upland cheeseburger with nobread, of course. Smothered in cheese, peppers, and avocado, this is an absolute must-order for all of the burger lovers out there. Upland serves gluten free pasta, too! Lastly, although items share the same fryer, cross contamination is VERY minimal. The crispy leeks that are featured in the burrata dish are the only gluten-containing item cooked in the fryer.
The dinner menu looks even more incredible than the brunch menu, and I can’t wait to go back and give it a try! I hear the roasted carrots (no romesco), seared brussels sprouts, and grilled amish chicken (no bulgar) are amazing! Also, the short rib for two sounds like my dream. Upland is delicious and well-deserving of all its praise and attention; if you haven’t been yet, you must go soon!