“I Need Gluten-Free Options, Dairy-Free Options, And Sexy Vibes”

LA Feature

Dear Infatuation: A Valentine’s Day Restaurant Advice Column

Dear Infatuation,

It’s very specific, but I need the following in a V-Day restaurant: gluten-free options, dairy-free options, and sexy vibes.

Thanks,

Knows What She Wants

Shot by Jakob Layman

Dear Knows What She Wants,

Hot people have stomach issues. Everyone knows that. So, it’s surprising that the pool of great gluten-free and dairy-free restaurants with a decent vibe is small, but we’re going to give it our best try. Tsubaki comes to mind, a fantastic Japanese izakaya in Echo Park. Located right off Sunset, this is one of our favorite places in the city to snack on charcoal-grilled chicken oysters, Japanese meat skewers, and chilled buckwheat noodles served with a warm dashi dipping broth. Of course, the gluten-free person will have to watch out for soy sauce, but with a combined indoor and outdoor space, plus a great sake list, this is the perfect place for dates with dietary restrictions

Another sexy option is  Night + Market, and we stand by both their Venice and West Hollywood locations (the one in Silver Lake is temporarily closed). Since many dishes are made with rice or rice noodles, you’ll have plenty of gluten-free options, and the only milk here comes from coconuts. For a sensual night out, we prefer the Venice location—but be warned, they’re closed on Mondays, a.k.a. V-Day Proper, so you’ll have to go on the weekend. Night + Market Weho will be open on Monday, however.

The rogue, fun choice you seek is Emma Habesha (pictured above), a wonderful Ethiopian restaurant two blocks away from The Dunes apartment made famous by Insecure. Although renown in the vegan/vegetarian world, the plant-heavy cuisine is also great for people avoiding gluten: if not totally intolerant, there are only trace amounts of gluten in the main starch—sour, spongey injera—but even if you can’t digest gluten, avoiding it is easy enough. Emma Habesha has a festive outdoor seating area, a gigantic, thatched hut where you and your date can enjoy lentil stew, excellent green beans, and a full-service coffee ceremony at the end.

XOXO,The Infatuation LA ❤️