Review of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

We just returned from a big family vacation at Nemacolin. Although the resort is totally crazy and seems a bit like a vanity project for the family that owns it, they do do a great job of catering to GF. Because we were such a large group, we stayed at one of the homes on the resort property and had our own kitchen which we used for breakfasts. Nearly every other meal was from one of the Nemacolin restaurants or from their private chef-- Chef John.

My son who has Celiac enjoyed dinners at Aqueous, Rockwell's Bistro, and Barattolo, lunch at the Peak, and ice cream from PJ's Ice Cream Parlor. Although most places did have some "GF" language on their menus, it seemed inconsistent, but our servers were always knowledgeable about what would be safe and what wouldn't. Aqueous, Rockwell's Bistro, and Barattolo all offered my son GF bread and butter when the rest of us were given bread. GF cauliflower pizza was available at Barattolo as well as GF pasta. It was definitely a splurge, but our meals with Chef John were all incredible and all safe for my son. The restaurant at the Peak offered GF buns for burgers and GF chips, no dedicated fryer. The ice cream parlor opened a fresh tub of ice cream for my son and used a clean scoop when scooping him a bowl of ice cream.

We did have one mistake/scare at one of our lunches at the Peak where servers gave my son gluten chips and salsa. Even though we stressed that he needed to be GF and questioned if the chips were GF (and were told they were) when they put the plate down, the servers came up a minute later and said they were the wrong chips. Amazingly, my son didn't get sick. He'd only eaten 4 and my guess is that it might have been fresh oil in the fryer and he somehow managed to avoid getting glutened by cross-contamination. This happened on our first full day at the resort and they were extremely apologetic and generous in reimbursing our day at The Peak, dinner & drinks for 14 that night, and another day at the Peak. Annndd, my son never got glutened for the rest of the vacation. All of this is to say that mistakes can always happen and you really have to do your due diligence.

Would I go back to Nemacolin? Eh, probably not. It's just a really really crazy place and not my style. That said, if I did go back, I would feel very comfortable having my son order from and eat at all the restaurants.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Dog friendly
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended