Welcome back to Downtown Highlights on Gluten-Free

The series in which we take the opportunity to “highlight” businesses in NYC, like the dedicated gluten-free Italian eatery, Senza Gluten.

As a result to this unpredictably tumultuous year and a half we’ve had, brick and mortar locations like this one have taken a hit thanks to the pandemic.

It is important to us here at Downtown to make sure that we’re serving the places that serve us.

For this episode of Downtown Highlights, we paid a visit to the esteemed Senza Gluten in Greenwich Village. The name Senza Gluten has Italian origins, of course, and translates to “without Gluten”.

The restaurant was created in 2014, by Chef Jemiko Solo.

Chef’s goal in opening Senza was simple: to ensure a 100% gluten-free atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a gluten-free meal, devoid entirely of gluten or any risk of cross-contamination. You won’t find a spec of gluten inside the entire facility.

Our own host of Downtown Highlights, Marley Gifford, has celiac disease herself, visiting the facility was a euphoric experience as it is for many visitors of Senza Gluten with gluten intolerances.

A Restaurant Made for those with Gluten Intolerances – Gluten-Free

Chef Solo does not have any gluten intolerances himself. However, many of his friends and relations suffer from various food allergies.

Chef made it his mission to help his friends, and all clients enjoying their food, and life, to the fullest.

He dedicates his work to ensure that his guests can again enjoy delicious dishes that disguise themselves as tasting just like the glutinous dishes we know and love.

Having the ability to eat glutinous dishes allows Solo to taste his dishes with an advantage, and gets him closer to the real thing.

The gluten-free possibilities don’t stop at the restaurant. Just down the street from the restaurant is the Senza Gluten Cafe & Bakery, which was opened in 2018.

This location allows the restaurant to expand its menu of different kinds of bread, pastries, and other baked goods. It is there that they also bake some of their savory dishes, like their arancini and mushroom ravioli, both Senza must-try.

Pay a visit to Senza Gluten and bring both your gluten-free friends and ones that aren’t. We bet they’ll barely be able to tell the difference.

To see the last Downtown Highlights episode, click here.

A fun summer destination and you don’t even need a passport. Howard Hughes Seaport does it again!

Come on snap out of it, let’s get rid of the doom and gloom! There’s a lot of positive going on in New York City.

Perfectly socially distanced, your own personal roof deck within a roof deck, The Greens

When we arrived, we were clueless. This touch-free, on-your-phone ordering was a bit much at first. No problem–the manager was happy to come over to help. She was delightful and informative.

Let’s put it this way: you cannot overhear your neighbor’s conversation. I don’t know if you can get this much private space on a nonprivate roof deck anywhere else in New York City and still be outside. They kept an extremely clean environment–we were delighted to see wipe downs and proper cleaning going on the entire time we were there.

It’s only their second week but they’re off to a great start.

Cheryl and I chose a tasting from each category.

We started with the cocktails. I had the Jalapeno – Watermelon Margarita, hornitos, jalapeno-infused watermelon juice, agave, kiwi liquor float. Our Sustainable Fashion Editor Cherly Lefkovits had the Vodka Soda – grey goose, club soda, both delicious and refreshing for this hot summer evening.

We started out with tuna tartare with preserved lemon, Calabrian chili, kalamata olives, and shrimp cocktail. The shrimp cocktail was delicious, cold, fresh, and just what was needed to start the evening off.

In between, we had a delicious order of french fries with garlic aioli, the corn on the cob. and the lobster roll with mustard mayo, sunburst tomato, and tarragon.

NYC’s ultimate socially distanced restaurant experience

Our final dish was the Grilled Faroe Island Salmon and Summer Squash Kebab with a delicious salsa verde lime, perfectly cooked, and the delicious mouth-watering Cheddar Cheeseburger, with passion fruit BBQ sauce, grilled onions, yes, and more french fries. Don’t judge!

We were hoping to make it to dessert but we couldn’t get there

Important: do not overdress. The atmosphere warrants shorts, casual sundresses, jeans, and bring your bathing suit and towels. There’s no pool but trust me it’s a perfect place to get a fabulous suntan.

A great place for families, date night, or just time out with your BFFs

Your cabana area can hold up to eight people comfortably, with beautiful sun umbrellas that have small white decorative lighting in the evening, cabana-style lounge chairs, and faux grass to frolic on. Don’t worry about an extra phone charger–they thought of that. Forgot your sunscreen? no problem! it’s on the menu.

Just before we left we had a chance to meet the handsome Chef Noah. Ladies, we’re not sure if he’s single but definitely say hello to him during your visit. Be sure to tell him Grace and Cheryl, from Downtown, sent you. The chef was personable, he took the time to chat with us about our evening and our meal.

Throughout the Summer THE GREENS will host various additional programs and even more fun experiences.

Anticipate Seaport Cinema’s dinner & movie nights, live music, and DJs as part of Seaport Sounds, presented by Heineken, and more!

For more about one of our favorite and newest destinations, The Seaport By Howard Hughes, visit https://www.seaportdistrict.nyc/history/