Midtown East is full of small, eloquent restaurants that cater to the midtown lunch crowd. Vitae, located on 46th between Madison and 5th, is one of these restaurants and is definitely one of the best in regards to the quality of the food. Although the menu is small and your nobread order options may seem limited, the gluten free dishes are exceptional and absolutely worth experiencing…
The menu at Vitae is small and split 50% appetizers and 50% main courses. The appetizers are not very nobread friendly, and I suggest going with the fig and peach salad or arugula salad, or do what I do and order a delicious looking side order like the brussels sprouts to start! For mains, I HIGHLY recommend the seared diver scallop dish. Large scallops are served atop cauliflower, golden raisins, and cashews, and this dish is amazing. Careful- as with other dishes here at Vitae- seafood and meat entrees are accompanied with sauces that CAN contain gluten. Any dish with soy, including the curry from the scallop entrée and the broth used in the arctic char, contains gluten BUT these dishes can easily be prepared WITHOUT the soy. The arctic char, grilled chicken with roast root vegetables, and the hanger steak are other nobread favorites (just ask for nosauce).
The kitchen and staff at Vitae are well-educated on gluten and other food sensitivities. My waitress assured me that all entrees can be prepared gluten free, and she even went out of her way and pointed out that the trout is coated with a light layer of flour before cooking, so be sure to ask for this noflour!