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I was so excited to see an article sent by a friend that mentioned that Nussbaum and Wu (113 and Broadway - near Columbia U) had GF pizza and cookies.

Please read the following that details our experience with this establishment.  Two disclaimers:  FIRST, I an ultraconservative as it is my children who are GF and only 1 of them exhibits symptoms upon being glutened.  SECOND, ALWAYS remember - Eating out can be risky.  

First, I called N&W to check on their food items and ability to prevent cross contamination as they are a fully functional bakery with wheat flour used throughout the day.  I was asked to call back the next day when the manager was available.  I did so and was told that their products were supplied by Mozzarelli's and made in a dedicated GF site.  The cookies are prepackaged and the pizza is kept under glass.  The toppings are kept separate and staff are trained to change their gloves.

Day 1 at N&W I went in to evaluate the site.  I asked the staff where the GF pizza was.  Staff preceded to remove the tray from its location WITHOUT changing gloves.  The GF pizza is kept in a large glassed bakery case, on the middle shelf, uncovered.  All shelves are wire racks, however it was clearly visible that the edges holding the shelves which are about 1" deep had crumbs on them.  We opted to avoid the GF pizza as I observed staff to touch it with unchanged gloves and also the crumbs above could be jostled when removing a pizza from the upper shelf and land on the pizza.  :<(  Thankfully, the cookies were in plastic packages that were heat sealed so those looked safe - although rather pricey but so goes the GF life.

Day 2 at N&W I returned to get some packages of cookies.  I requested that staff change their gloves and they did not.  At first I was confused, but later realized why.  I selected 3 packages and staff removed those 3 and placed them on the counter where all items are prepared, etc.  They changed their gloves and then removed the lids (first thought as he held the package to remove the tight fighting lid - wait you have just touched the outside of the package and will now touch my cookies and what the heck are your removing the lids anyway?).  He then asked me how many and I replied "3" but he seemed confused.  I then switched to Spanish and replied that I wanted "3, all 3."  He then told me to go to the register.  At the register I was handed a bag with 3 cookies in it.  I explained that I wanted all 3 complete packages.  They attempted to give me the 3 they had opened for me.  I said I wanted new, unopened packages as I needed to be sure they were truly still GF and not contaminated.  

In closing I thank N&W for trying and hope they get it, but they are not there yet.  I would NOT recommend ordering the GF pizza as the risk of CC is too high and that is without even getting to adding toppings.  If buying cookies, I would advise anyone to request to purchase the WHOLE package and CHECK that the seal is still intact.  I would then go home and WASH the exterior of the package before eating as they are in the open and exposed to gluten laden gloves all day long.

Eating out can be risky.

Sara, CT

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