The Gluten Free Restaurant Restroom Review: Dusitra, North Haven, Connecticut

Diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2008, I was determined to be able to still enjoy going out for our Saturday night date with my husband.  As I encountered my roadblocks I realized I would love to write a review that would include my problems looking for gluten free friendly restaurants and my desire to recognize clean restrooms.  The Restaurant Restroom Review was born and is currently published once a month in "The Hamden Journal" once a month.  This blog is an extension to my endeavor. 

The Restaurant Restroom Review:

Looking for good food, gluten free friendly, and clean restrooms

DUSITRA Thai Cuisine

369 Washington Avenue, North Haven, Connecticut

(203) 239-2232

Food: Delightful

Gluten Free Friendly: Absolutely

Restrooms: Clean and spacious

As the old saying goes “never judge a book by its cover.” Located north of Big Y, across the street from the North Haven Fire House on Washington Avenue, Dusitra Thai Cuisine is housed in an unimposing building. I suspect that quite a few people have driven passed it oblivious to the delectable treasure.

A family owned restaurant, Dusitra offers a relaxed and comfortable atomosphere vastly different than its bland exterior. Tastefully designed in a modern setting with artistic wall hangings of the Thai Buddha, the room feels spacious and welcoming. The service at Dusitra is wonderful. Water glasses never empty and everyone is always smiling and polite. Wuttichai Likitranusorn, the owner, is one of the servers and always available to help you make your selection from a menu filled with variety of choices. Dusitra offers a full bar but I prefer to order an iced Thai tea. Thai tea is a refreshing orange tea with sweetened with condensed milk.

For an appetizer, we enjoy the Chicken Satay. Served on a skewer with a peanut sauce on the side, the Satay is nicely seasoned and very tender. The sauce is filled with peanut flavor and perfect with the chicken. If you are looking for something a little lighter you cannot go wrong with the Tom Kar soup. Tom Kar is a coconut soup flavored with lime, chili, mushrooms, galanga (from the ginger family) and kaffir lime leaves. It served with chicken or vegetables. Both version are very tasty and refreshing.

The Satay and Tom Kar are gluten free. In fact, there are many items on the menu which are gluten free or can be adapted. The staff is very knowledgeable in regards to such a diet restriction and on many occasions they have served us and told me that it was not safe to try my husband’s dish. I cannot say enough about how delicious the food is. We have enjoyed so much of it and can recommend many dishes including the Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles and Panang. Lately, they have been offering a Panang Curry Lobster or Pad Thai Lobster as specials. As a self proclaimed purist when it comes to lobster, I rarely have it with sauces however on this occasion I decided to try it. I have no regrets. The presentation was lovely served with the head and tail fins, the meat from the tail and claws were in between with the Panang sauce. The meat was cooked perfectly and we were able to enjoy the entire lobster.

For dessert we enjoy the Sticky Rice served with mango and coconut milk. It is very light a lovely way to end the meal. Dusitra’s prices are reasonable and affordable.

After your drinks and meal, you will want to go to their restrooms to freshen up. Don’t panic. The His and Hers single restrooms are always clean, spacious and a pleasure to utilize.

If you can find an Asian grocer you have found a whole new way to cook gluten free. From spring rolls made from rice paper to Pad Thai there is something you can eat. Thai food is flavorful and healthy. As with most Asian foods you will need to double check for soy sauce, if they use a separate deep fryer, and canned broths.