Shalel

Mediterranean restaurant
Accommodating gluten-free
Dinner
Open Late
Cocktails
Mediterranean
More
Descend into an underground, candlelit space with intimate, rustic rooms evoking a romantic, cave-like atmosphere. The bare rock walls and warm, private nooks create a cozy, gluten-free friendly setting where attentive service ensures a safe, memorable dining experience.
Accommodating Icon

Accommodating

Some risk of cross-contamination

Trained staff
Checked by Atly
Always inquire directly about health and safety.
65 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023, USA
2.4km

People are saying

G
The food was excellent and the atmosphere was so cozy, but since dining here this experience hasn't sat right with me and I feel the need to bring it up to the restaurant and other people dining here. I told our survey that I had a gluten allergy and he was nice and accommodating, let us know what on the menu could be made gluten free and what couldn't. We ordered two appetizers and the mixed grill entree and the server let us know one piece of meat in the entree wasn't gluten free and he offered to bring it on a separate plate for my boyfriend. He then turned to me and said "what would you like instead, we could do chicken, filet mignon, fish, etc." implying he would sub that for the lamb that had gluten in it. I told him that whatever he recommends would be fine. Come to find out he added a $43 filet mignon entree to our ticket. Luckily my boyfriend realized what was going on and told me "he just upsold you a filet mignon" and we were able to remove it from the ticket, but the whole thing felt really scummy. The waiter's entire demeanor changed after I said "excuse me- when you said to add filet mignon was that an entirely separate entree?". He seemed sheepish and the rest of our dinner was just kind of awkward. For such a nice restaurant that isn't cheap, to feel like the staff is being dishonest and upselling two young customers like that was upsetting. We watched him talk rudely to an elderly couple sat next to us as well when their entree came at the same time as their appetizers. He rudely told them they should specify next time if they don't want the entree to come at the same time as the appetizer (I feel like that is something that wouldn't need to be specified??). The food was fabulous and the rest of the staff was genuinely lovely (there was a hostess who was so kind and made our night really special) so I think it is a problem with this specific server rather than the restaurant as a whole, but the whole thing was very shady and unsettling.
C
Gorgeous restaurant! Feels like stepping into an old haunted house, in the best way possible! The decor is seriously top tier and makes a great atmosphere for a date. The food was fabulous and had good sized portions! A lot of the menu can be made gluten free & is safe for people with celiac! I got the chicken kebab sans the pita and they offered cucumber slices as a replacement. The chinotto soda was AMAZING! A must try for a non-alcoholic beverage! The server was so friendly and knowledgeable too! I will definitely return here! Prices are good— about $50 a person for dinner!

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