my gluten-free world: mac & cheese, please!

another dreary day in the city. i’m talking torrential downpours, the kind that chills you from the inside out—and leaves your whole being just damp and cold. it was one of those days. i was meeting my friend for an early dinner at a gf friendly place that i have been talking about for over a month--s’mac—a restaurant dedicated completely (and i mean completely) to mac & cheese—what a concept. why hasn’t someone thought of this before? i had planned on meeting my friend here before i looked at the weather forecast, but i really could not have chosen a more perfect comfort food than this for the day that we were having. i took a would-be pleasant walk (on a sunny day that is) to the strand to take a look at some books on my way over. i love meaderning over there and just picking up books and reading the first few lines or so. i took a few moments out on my walk to s’mac to peruse the new books at the strand, and was greeted with the a plastic umbrella bag that just makes whatever part of you that’s not wet, wet. i could stay in that store forever, but food beckoned me. so, after a quick pit stop, i was on my way back out to walk in the rain. at this point, i didn’t even see i a need for the umbrella. could i get anymore drenched?

when i reached s’mac, i was pleasantly greeted by warmth, and a soothing aroma of cheese. i walked in the doors, and it was as if the grey from outside was left out there. seriously, it looked like the sun was shining on this place. i couldn’t help but smile. i kidd you not—it was sunny in there! as soon as i entered the cozy restaurant, i was enveloped in warm hues and comforting smells of cheese that wafted through the air. i felt like a just stepped into a giant grilled cheese sandwich, all warm, and orange, or i guess more appropriately, a bowl of mac & cheese?! i took a seat in the corner, next to an old- fashioned radiator, which emitted even more warmth, and i looked up to admire the low-hanging orange lamps, that gave this place a hip vibe and orange hues… ah, now i got it. it really did seem orange in there. beyond the warmth and the soothing ambience, the smell of melting cheese permeated the restaurant. i took a seat and waited for my friend. within minutes i saw her outside, miserable and wet, shaking her head and her umbrella probably for the same reason. i watched her expression as she walked through the door. she stepped in, looked around, and smiled. “this place smells great! and it’s so warm.” if i have not sold you yet purely on the atmosphere, let’s talk food.

the options are limitless. there are so many varieties, sizes, cheeses, toppings of mac & cheese dishes, you could come back everyday and always try a new combo. most importantly for people like me, they have gf options, rice pasta. i was thinking cheesy, like kraft mac & cheese cheesy. i ordered a combo with american and cheddar cheese, broccoli, basil and roasted tomatoes. and yes, it tasted as good as it sounds. each order comes in its own little skillet, and potholder to boot. my friend ordered a variation with feta and parmesan cheese, olives, basil and broccoli. it looked great. the best part is that it is served baked and crusted over at the top, so you have to break into the baked cheese layer to get to the gooey, melty cheese center. the portions are perfect sized also, just enough to fill you up from the rich cheese. everyone was smiling in s’mac that day. it is a ‘must’ on the places to eat in nyc, for the gluten and gluten-free among us.