Before I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2004, if you’d asked me to name my favorite cuisines, Japanese would’ve been high on that list. But one of the tougher things to accept about the diagnosis was that some cuisines were more off-limits than others. While wheat isn’t top of mind when you think about Japanese food, it’s omnipresent thanks to ingredients such as soy sauce, one of the “secret” sources of wheat people rarely think about. 

But all those concerns go out the window at a restaurant like Nami Nori, which serves up phenomenal Japanese cuisine that is 100% gluten-free. Nami Nori was founded by three chefs — Taka Sakaeda, Jihan Lee, and Lisa Limb — who are partners in the business, all trained in fine Japanese dining and all Masa veterans. (Chef Sakaeda has celiac disease himself.) There’s now a fourth partner involved in the business, a celebrity who fell in love with the spot: Grammy Award–winning singer, songwriter, rapper, producer, and designer Pharrell.

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We’re deep in the heart of winter at the moment, and I’m pretty sure I have a case of the seasonal doldrums. It’s bleak and icy out there, and for some reason, New York has been in the deep freeze for weeks. Since I have no imminent plans to escape, I’m thinking about trips I’ve taken recently. One of the best was to London. The skies were gray most of the time, but the combination of excellent dining, great museums, breathtaking architecture, and beautiful parks made it a joy to behold. Here are some of the places I loved.

Grato: This charming spot near the Kensington High Street is spread over two levels, and there’s a patio for when (if?) the weather cooperates. Grato is not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant, but the staff is careful with food allergies and intolerances, and they are well aware of potential cross-contamination issues. There’s a special allergen menu with details not only about gluten, but about sesame, sulphites, mustard, nuts, and other common allergens. Grato means “gratitude” or “thankful” in Italian, and the atmosphere is incredibly warm and welcoming. I had an arugula salad with prosciutto and pear to start and the veal Milanese as my main. (The menu changes with what’s in season, but the veal Milanese is still on offer.) For dessert, I had delicious vanilla panna cotta; there’s also gluten-free polenta cake and a selection of ice creams and sorbets. Dining at Grato was technically an accident — I ended up there after my original dining plans fell through — but it was one of the best meals of my trip.

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The first time I ate at a José Andrés restaurant was in Las Vegas circa 2017. Jaleo was — and still is — located on the third level of the Cosmopolitan (one of the more glam Vegas hotels, situated mid-Strip, just south of the Bellagio). Its mission is to celebrate the flavors of Spain — the chef’s homeland — and to showcase the rich regional diversity of Spanish cuisine. 

I remember that the food at Jaleo was really, really good, but what truly won me over was how careful the staff was with food allergies and intolerances. Gluten-free options weren’t listed on the menu, but the staff had detailed information about what would be safe for me to eat, and they were savvy about cross-contamination.

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and I’m here to help you celebrate! I know this holiday isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I like to think of it as celebrating love — whether love for a partner, family, or friends. Deep down, who doesn’t adore a holiday that celebrates chocolate? Maybe you could use a dose of self-care at the moment. Whatever the case, here are my recommendations for treating yourself — and others — to some gluten-free goodness this Valentine’s Day.

Chocolate 

Let’s start with a classic. When I was first diagnosed with celiac disease, one of the thoughts I consoled myself with was, At least I can still have chocolate. I was only partially right: chocolate is naturally gluten-free, but some companies add wheat or barley malt for flavoring or consistency. It turned out that some of my favorite treats contained gluten, including Lindt milk chocolate truffles (they contain malt). But there are some terrific companies out there making gluten-free chocolate that is simply divine.

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