Renaissance — Restaurant in Himachal Pradesh

As someone with CELIAC DISEASE - a medical condition where even small amounts of gluten or cross-contamination can cause serious health issues- dining out can be quite stressful. I felt relieved when I found this cafe.

While the cafe isn't fully gluten free, it offers several gluten free options on the menu. When I inquired about ingredients and preparation, the staff were knowledgeable about gluten allergies and took my questions seriously. I even asked about the source of their gluten free flours, they mentioned that although the facility processes both wheat and gluten free flours, they use separate chakkis (grinders) for each and assured me that every effort would be made to avoid cross-contamination.

A big plus was the open kitchen, visible through a glass window, which gave me some peace of mind as I could see how the food was being prepared.

I tried the gluten free Margherita pizza and the chicken burrito and both were delicious! Since I’m asymptomatic, I can’t always tell immediately if something has caused a reaction, so I’d recommend fellow celiacs speak directly with the chef or staff before ordering, and proceed only if you feel confident.

Aside from the food, the ambience was nice and perfect for a relaxed meal.

*Recommendations:

As someone with celiac disease, I truly appreciate your efforts...like using separate trays for gluten free meals and maintaining separate chakkis for different flours. However, I have a couple of suggestions that could make it even safer for people like me:

It would be greatly appreciated if you could consider using a separate oven for gluten free meals. While using a separate tray is helpful, a dedicated oven would significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

It's wonderful that you have separate chakkis for all flours. To further ensure safety, it would be ideal if the chakki used for gluten containing flours could be kept in a separate area from those used for gluten free...

As someone with celiac disease- a medical condition where even small amounts of gluten or cross-contamination can cause serious health issues- dining out can be quite stressful. I felt relieved when I found this cafe.

While the cafe isn't fully gluten free, it offers several gluten free options on the menu. When I inquired about ingredients and preparation, the staff were knowledgeable about gluten allergies and took my questions seriously. I even asked about the source of their gluten free flours, they mentioned that although the facility processes both wheat and gluten free flours, they use separate chakkis (grinders) for each and assured me that every effort would be made to avoid cross-contamination.

A big plus was the open kitchen, visible through a glass window, which gave me some peace of mind as I could see how the food was being prepared.

I tried the gluten free Margherita pizza and the chicken burrito and both were delicious! Since I’m asymptomatic, I can’t always tell immediately if something has caused a reaction, so I’d recommend fellow celiacs speak directly with the chef or staff before ordering, and proceed only if you feel confident.

Aside from the food, the ambience was nice and perfect for a relaxed meal.

*Recommendations:

As someone with celiac disease, I truly appreciate your efforts...like using separate trays for gluten free meals and maintaining separate chakkis for different flours. However, I have a couple of suggestions that could make it even safer for people like me:

It would be greatly appreciated if you could consider using a separate oven for gluten free meals. While using a separate tray is helpful, a dedicated oven would significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

It's wonderful that you have separate chakkis for all flours. To further ensure safety, it would be ideal if the chakki used for gluten containing flours could be kept in a separate area from those used for gluten free...

Response to owners post Considering that we have been visiting old manali and other similar places in India and around the world for over 30 years, we are aware of what hippie culture is. However, if your hippie culture is defined by being a rebel without a cause i.e. rude ,arrogant and intimidatory behaviour by your yellow haired manager, not adhering to any covid protocols whatsoever, overcharging for basic nessecities like water and other elements not specified in the menu, refusing to give glasses to drink water in as your staff claims "glasses break"... would request you to include these conditions in your exhaustive rules mentioned in your menu so that other customers know what they are getting into. As a suggestion, maybe you should put a board outside too stating these rules.All the best!

My review yesterday- Terrible staff...no manners whatsoever... completely spoiled ones mood despite the good pizzas...no respect for...