2849 Jerusalem Avenue
Wantagh, NY
(516) 785-4780 (map)
(Before Manhattan is overflowing with more GF dining options than we can keep up with, we thought we’d finally get our act together, crack open the archives, and write about the field trip we took awhile ago to Caffe Baldo. They are pioneers in offering a gluten-free menu in New York and we really respect that.)
We had heard A LOT from our readers about Caffe Baldo, however we just never happened to find ourselves in Wantagh. So, we planned a special journey out there with a fun group of cute celiac chicks we had met at a Meetup. Let’s just sum up the event by saying that you don’t go here just for the food – it’s worth the trip for the whole experience! The amount of love this food is made with is the equivalent to a Disney made version of Like Water For Chocolate.
Caffe Baldo is owned and run by Joanne and her family. Everyone plays a special role in this operation. Joanne was the inspiration for recreating the family’s Italian recipes gluten-free. Her son and husband are the manpower and creative force behind the converted recipes. Joanne and her mother, Helen, are the perfect hostess/servers. Helen is especially cute with her grandma-esque brusqueness. "I call them Glutens!" she exclaims, referring to her gluten intolerant patrons. Add to this team food that pleases the masses along with good vibes and no one will leave unsatisfied. So, next time you’re in or near Wantagh, stop by and see your Italian family at Caffe Baldo!
Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge.
 Garlic Knots |
 Clams |
 Calamari |
 Chocolate Cake |
 |
 |
 Group of Chicks |
 Cute Baby Chicks |
| Pizza | Celiac Patron Collage | ||
I just got back from a great NYC vacation. We tried the Redeye Grill on 56th St and 7th Ave, and they knew all about gluten free eating! It was a wonderful experience. The food was great and they were able to prepare several gluten free choices including 2 with rice pasta. It was so good that we ate there twice.
We also had a wonderful gluten free experience at Court Street Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ.
We also went to Happy,Happy,Happy Bakery and it was fabulous. I can’t wait until they are able to ship.
I am visiting New York from Auckland, New Zealand, for just less than one week later this month – August 2005. Am staying in midtown Manhattan and am very interested in checking out what America has to offer in gluten free food. Have celiac disease and would love to find range of gluten free foods available, exp. bakeries and health shops, restaurants, etc. Need info promptly as leave New Zealand 10 August for overseas trip, arriving in New York on 21 August. With thanks, Robyn Black
i have just been diagnosed with celiac disease after years of problems. i am looking for any and all information anyone ia willing to offer; i’m having trouble adjusting to this new way of eating. i also
have sceleroderma (advanced) and ulcerative colitis so
it gets complicated!
I grew up in Wantagh and try to go to Caffe Baldo every time I go home to visit my mom. I even have my picture on their wall of celiacs. Joanne takes so much time with celiacs on their first visit there. she writes down all of your food allergies and keeps all your info in a special book. they have a separate gluten free menu and everything I’ve had there has been delicious! I can’t wait to go back!
I was diagnosed with Celiac disease last month and made my first trip to Cafe Baldo tonight! It was WONDERFUL! My husband had the “regular” menu; I chose Chicken Parm. and Pasta from the gluten-free menu. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between this meal and any other I’ve had pre-celiac…
And the desserts… the peanut butter cookies were delicious. Helen and Joanne treated us like family. It was a wonderful experience.
Wendy E.
I just went to cafe baldo for the first time in a year and was extremely disappointed. I remember the garlic knot being crunchy on the outside and light and doughy on the inside, this time they were burnt on the outside and raw and gooey on the inside. The pizza crust was also raw and rubbery. I just wanted to know if anyone else has had this experience recently or maybe they were just having a bad day.
These people have a history of pissing me off. My husband calls orders in ahead of time, and he gets there and they make him wait like another 20 minutes, or we get a GF pizza and its all weird and gooey in the middle, or he goes to pay with a credit card and they tell him that he can only pay with cash (and act all snooty like he should have known) when they have visa logos on their door… I have been served (on more than one occasion) half-cooked, gooey, sloppy calamari (no shame at all!), and the huge tin of mushy, pathetic, chef-boyardee tasting “pasta bolognese” I got last night for $15 was the end of my rope.
I can buy much better pizzas at Dr. B Well’s in plainview and I can make much better Italian food myself! So I’m done with them. Once, they even messed up their liquor license and my guest and I couldn’t get wine. I am just so annoyed with them.
What kills me is that they know they have no competition – what other gluten free Italian restaurant is there?
Don’t think I am ungrateful – obviously I have given them a bazillion chances to make it up to me. But come on, LOOK at what you are serving to people.
I think their pizza is really delicious, but the size of the pie is pretty inconsistent. Sometimes it can be much smaller than what it was the last time. For $24 I would like it to be at least close to the size of the box.