Restricted Diet, But Unrestricted Desire for Great Food

[Lalita Amos]

I've been challenged to find great places to eat for friends and associates (and, well, me) who have to keep kosher or halal (no pork, seafood or milk mixed with meat, for example); can't eat red (or other) meat; can't tolerate wheat, corn...

It's a little tough to find more than the "usual suspects," many of which aren't suited for a nice personal or professional nosh.

Looking for suggestions from you, the cool food kids!

Best,
Lalita

[Rae Kridel]

Kosher is hard. The only kosher place is the cafe at the JCC. You might be better off just searching for vegetarian. Maybe Tulip Noir, the new place up on W. 86th that's been getting rave reviews??? The menu changes with the season and they buy as much as they can locally. http://www.tulipnoircafe.com/home.html

[Rae Kridel]

Whoops. I just looked at their menu and they're not vegetarian. But it's still worth a look.

[Lalita Amos]

Cool. Looking for places and for recommendations from people who've gone. I guess there are several categories (probably could have been several separate discussions):

Kosher/halal
Vegetarian
Gluten-free

At least that helps me think more clearly about what I'm trying to create.

Hmmm...

Lalita

PS: Thanks for chiming in, Rae.

[Rae Kridel]

A friend of mine who has celiac goes to Sawasdee Thai Restaurant on W. 86th quite a bit. The owners will be able to tell him exactly what has gluten and what doesn't, so he knows that he can go off their recommendations. I once posed the question about vegetarian restaurants and the only one anybody could think of was Udupe Cafe, on Lafayette, by India Palace.

[Neil Kirby]

The Udupi is now called Passage to India. Haven't been there since then but am told it is still good. Kerala style.

Most Indian restaurants have a range of vegetarian dishes and it's nowhere near as hard to be one in Indy as it used to be (or so I'm told).

Celiacs is tough - I have a friend who suffers from that. Not well known and people just don't appreciate how great the sensitivity is. Apparently PFChangs is good and has a separate menu for people with this condition. I can dig up a few more from her mum.

[Laura Frank]

As a vegetarian, I find ethnic restaurants have the best options. Indian restaurants are my favorite, and most Indian restaurants in Indianapolis offer a wide variety of vegetarian dishes (the country is, after all, around 80% vegetarian). My current favorite Indian restaurant is New India at 96th and Allisonville. Thai is always a good option, as well, but you have to watch out for the fish oil hidden in some of the "vegetarian" dishes. Though maybe not suited for a "professional nosh", Broad Ripple Brew Pub also has lots of vegetarian and vegan items.

Most vegetarians can find something to eat at most restaurants, unless you're taking associates to a steak eatery. I do sometimes find it disappointing when the only vegetarian option available at restaurants is a salad. At least have a veggie burger! However, I also understand that I am the one that chose this lifestyle.

My sister does not have celiac, but does try to live gluten free, as it makes her feel better. She tells me Mexican restaurants are always great for her because of the corn tortilla option. Adobo Grill is a nice, upscale mexican restaurant. I just checked out their website and they have a gluten free section, as well.