Address: 515 Slate Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 243-2210
Website: http://www.slatestreetcafe.com/
January 2011: This review was written by GF Lady, the previous owner of GlutenFreeAlbuquerque.com and is used here with her permission.
A group of friends had chosen the Slate Street Café in downtown Albuquerque as our meeting place for a Friday night dinner. I had been to the Slate Street Café once but it was prior to living gluten free. Therefore, I called the restaurant the day before our group was to meet. I spoke with one of the hostesses, and she told me that they would present me with a menu that had all the items that could be made gluten free highlighted in red. She proceeded to list the entrees that I could order and what changes were necessary to make them gluten free. When I inquired about procedures to prevent cross contamination, she clearly explained their detailed process.
By the time our group met, I was expecting a great evening and I wasn’t disappointed. We were taken to a table in an alcove that was perfect for conversation and their version of the gluten-free menu had been set aside for me – an inconspicuous but welcoming gesture that was one of the advantages of calling the restaurant in advance. I ordered the Black Cherry Chop because this entrée is gluten free and consequently does not have to be altered in any way. The pork chop was thick, tender and the flavor imparted by the black cherry sauce was sensational. Spicy, cubed sweet potatoes that had been roasted with pecan halves were placed under the pork chop and on the side were fresh green beans sautéed with bacon. Honestly, I wanted to go back the next evening and eat the same meal all over again.
Black Cherry Chop
You get to choose from a variety of appetizers, salads and entrees at Slate Street Café. However, you need to request that things such as blue cheese, crispy onion straws and croutons are removed from salads, or that gluten-free soy sauce is used on the Ahi Tuna. Everyone on the staff that I encountered knew what was required to make their meals gluten free. Nonetheless, you will be asking for an alteration to the standard menu so you must be able to clearly communicate your dietary requirements.
Update: As of January 2011 the Black Cherry Chop is no longer on the menu. There are other things that can be made gf.