The Grill on the Alley

This is the more upscale version of Daily Grill (which has 23 locations that just instituted a gluten free menu in February – See my review of Daily Grill here.)

The Grill on the Alley, owned by the same company as Daily Grill, offers traditional American fare in a sophisticated yet casual atmosphere – white linen and dark wood, modeled after “the great American grills of yesteryear.” This steak, chop and seafood place has a very extensive gluten free menu, in cooperation with the Gluten Intolerance Group, and the knowledge to execute it competently. They promise a clean pan for each gluten free meal preparation and this chain educated their staff on cross-contamination issues. The lunch menu is quite reasonable and has a surprisingly down home kind of feel with things like gourmet burgers and sandwiches in addition to great steaks, soups and salads, but the dinner menu is more for a special occasion, in my opinion. I’ve eaten at two locations several times and love, love, love this place-especially for lunch. None of their Prime Burgers are on the gluten free lunch menu (many other great things are), but they are awesome (sans bun, of course), and its a great place for vegetarians as well.

7 LOCATIONS: California- San Jose, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westlake Village. Chicago, Illinois. Dallas, Texas. Aventura Florida.

BONUS RECIPE: If you don’t live near one of these restaurants and aren’t traveling near one soon, you can still enjoy something from the restaurant. One of their famous specialties is the gooey, smooth Macaroni and Cheese, but don’t order it – it’s not gluten free!! Last time we were there, my mother ordered it and loved it so much, she tracked down the original chef, got his recipe, and applied her grandmotherly kitchen chemistry skills to make it family sized and perfectly gluten free for us. It’s a bit too decadent for everyday consumption, but now and then it’s heavenly. I’ll generously share the secret chef/family recipe with you HERE!!

Here are some items from their extensive Gluten free lunch and Gluten free dinner Menus

Some items from their lunch and dinner GF menus (subject to change and may vary by location) include: Shrimp Cocktail, Trio of Hummus (Kalamata Olive, Sun Dried Tomato & Traditional Hummus served with Sliced Cucumbers); Seared Rare Ahi Tuna (Pickled Cucumber, Wasabi and Ginger); Mixed Green Salad; The Grill Chopped Salad (Iceberg, Tomatoes, Bacon & Bleu Cheese); Gazpacho; Manhattan Clam Chowder (Eastern Chopped Clams with Vegetables in a rich Tomato Broth); Cobb Salad (Tossed with Diced Chicken, Lettuce, Tomato, Bleu Cheese, Bacon, Egg, Avocado and Scallions in our Creamy House Dressing); Grilled Lime Chicken Salad (Mixed Greens with Chopped Vegetables, Asparagus, Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes and Corn, tossed in our Citrus Vinaigrette); Charbroiled Chicken Caesar Salad (Romaine Hearts and Parmesan Cheese, tossed in our Caesar Dressing); Pan-Seared Salmon (With Sautéed Spinach, Mushrooms and finished with a Lemon Butter Sauce); Charbroiled Trout (Fresh Idaho Trout simply grilled served with choice of Vegetable); and Blackened Catfish (topped with a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce and served with Spinach Mashed Potatoes).

Grill Classics include Filet Mignon (simply grilled and served with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes), Grilled Herb Chicken Breasts (with Fresh Fruit and Tomatoes); New York Pepper Steak (simply grilled 16 oz. USDA Prime Steak with Cracked Black Pepper, Chopped Bacon and Onion); Grilled Vegetable Plate (served with Steamed Spinach, Broccoli, Asparagus and Jasmine Rice); Pan Seared Chicken Piccata (topped with a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce with Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable); and Double Cut Pork Chop (served with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Zucchini, Onions and Apples).

Desserts include Sorbet and Berries and All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream (with choice of Raspberry Sauce, Hot Fudge or Caramel Sauce topping).

Sides and sauces to compliment any entrée include Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potato, Jasmine Rice, Spinach (Steamed or Sautéed), Grilled Asparagus, Carrots, Broccoli, Lemon Butter Sauce, Beurre Blanc Sauce, Salsa Fresca, and Pomodoro Sauce.