Vela
$$$ • Restaurant
Most Recent Reviews
One of the best dining experiences I’ve had. We had the fried mushrooms, truffle fries, gf bread with honey butter, and I got the cacio e pepe and banana pudding as well (all gf of course). The menu has GF or GFO (gf option) marked. Our server was very knowledgeable about celiac and the food was incredible (the banana pudding was probably the best dessert I’ve ever had).
We had a wonderful dinner here. They have some nice drink specials and most everything either is gluten free or can be made gluten free. The fried mushrooms are something special, not the button caps you see everywhere else. The octopus was very tasty and banana pudding was fabulous. A side of truffle fries came late so they took it off the bill but it was very very tasty. So many wonderful options I am sure we will go back the next time we are in Toronto.
I went to vela for my birthday, I had been twice before I was diagnosed with celiac disease and had fantastic meals. My server was incredibly knowledgeable and she let me know that almost everything on the menu could be made gluten free. I had the steak and fries (dedicated fryer) along with some vegetable sides and the crudo. Had an awesome night with my friends and food was delicious to boot. They also brought me out gluten free bread with butter, which never happens!
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More Reviews
Most of the menu is gluten free and clearly marked as such. They also distinguish between items which are normally gluten free and ones that have a gluten free option (GF and GFO respectively), which is a level of detail all restaurants should aspire to. Our server confirmed they have a dedicated fryer. Excellent experience overall and I felt fine after.
My friend and I did the chef’s tasting menu for dinner and it was amazing. Dedicated gf fryer, gf pasta options, and baked Alaska was my dessert! Also if you go before 7pm some bottles of wine are half off, so we started our dinner ressy at 6:30 ◡̈
Everything on their menu is Gluten Free. Every single option! Even the desserts!
The server said the owner has celiac so ensured their menu is flexible and the kitchen is set up to avoid cross-contamination. I got burrata for starter, steak and fries (GF fryer) and banana pudding. They gave me toasted GF bread (safely) with the burrata and offered the other guests to have gluten bread but said it would be served separately.
Almost everything was gluten-free or could be made gluten free. They confirmed a dedicated fryer.
Had a fantastic dinner here last night. Most of the menu is/can be made gluten free. There is even a dedicated GF fryer - you must try the fried mushroom. And the GF casarecce noodle is great.
The staff was great to accommodate my celiac. Anything that did have gluten, they separated it for me and my husband without compromising the flavour. We had the 7 course tasting menu which was really good.
Amazing experience at Vela! I’ve been twice now, first time 2 years ago when they first opened and ordered individual items. This time I did the 7 course tasting menu. Both were fantastic, very confident in their GF knowledge and everything was safe. They use a dedicated fryer and swapped out one of the dishes from pasta to GF gnocchi. Would definitely go back a 3rd time!
So many gluten free menu options clearly marked! Very celiac friendly and delicious.
The server was very knowledgeable about celiac and taking precautions. She said they have a dedicated GF fryer but unfortunately the oil is reused from both fryers and gets mixed, so anything fried was off the table. But she swapped my side for green beans, and all the other food was amazing.
They were familiar with celiac and were accommodating. We did the 7 course meal and were happy to do a gluten free option for me.
Had a great experience at Vela, everything on the menu is either gluten free or has the option to be. Waiter made me feel safe and asked if anyone had any food allergies. 10/10 would go back!
The food is wonderful at this upscale restaurant and is coupled with attentive service. Both of our servers were extremely knowledgeable about celiac issues and answered questions about cross contamination that demonstrated that Vela takes this seriously. Most dishes are either GF or have a GF option; gf pasta is cooked in separate water from regular pasta; there is a dedicated fryer; and all of the breading used in dishes such as chicken schnitzel is GF; GF bread is available etc etc
The food is beautifully cooked with lots of sharing possibilities. Highly recommended.
Beautiful, fairly fancy resturant. About 95% of the menu either is or can be made gluten free. Was asked about allergies before ordering and server knew exactly what celiac disease was and assured me that the kitchen takes allergies extremely seriously. Had the deep friend mushrooms which were incredible, a raw salmon appetizer, and the truffle pasta with gluten free pasta! The best part? They have tons of gluten free desserts!
Do not go here if you have celiac. They have no idea what cross contamination is. I sat at the bar (they call it the “chefs counter”) where you can watch all of the food be cooked. I saw one of the chefs put steak/eggplant/other food on the exact same spots on the grill that he also kept putting bread on. He would also cut the steaks with his bare hands after touching gluten-filled bread. When I asked the waiter if my steak was cooked on this same grill he became rude and said he had to ask the chefs (this is after he confirmed for me that my food would be safe in the first place). He came back and told me that my food was fine because the chef “remembers where he puts the bread so he doesn’t put other food where the bread was” and that “the bread isn’t on the grill long anyways so it’s not a big deal”. I was excited due to the good reviews on this app and I also called the restaurant in advance and they told me they were celiac safe. I’ve spent the last 2 days extremely sick. The staff assure you repeatedly that your food is safe but in reality they do not understand celiac or cross contamination.
Amazing restaurant! Almost all items on the menu are GF or GFO. Servers are very knowledgeable and the food is fantastic. So grateful to have a fine dining GF restaurant. Their patio is also great!
Amazing Dining experience, super celiac safe and friendly. Their entire menu accommodates to a gluten free option! 10/10 experience
We had a fabulous meal at Vela. Almost the whole menu is gluten free! Including breaded and fried items. They have gluten free bread for things that come with bread or toast.
We had hamachi crudo, beef tartare, crispy maitake mushrooms, halibut, chicken schnitzel, and a pavlova. And fries.
Did I mention it was all fabulous??
If you’re looking for a fancy date night-type restaurant, I highly recommend Vela!
