Glutø Street Food

I have been Unilocaling since Unilocal was barely a thing — like 2005. I know the founders of Unilocal.I’m really into it. I take it seriously (now). I have almost never given a business one star but this really bears one star and one star only. I wouldn’t go so far as to say «if only there was a ‘no star’ option…» because there is one redeeming quality: they offer food for the gluten-​intolerant or the crazy people jumping on the gluten-​free craze (do some research — that’s just ridiculous — everything in moderation, people).
Personal opinions about ridiculous eating habits aside, I will get to the actual review portion of our review: The staff at Gluto are horrible. Like really, really awful. I had to practically beg for attention while three counter and kitchen staff stood around staring off into space. Service was NOT with a smile, and they seemed put out that I was even there. It bears mentioning that I was the ONLY person there. My expectation to be greeted or served swiftly was not unwarranted. Specifically when no one was doing much of anything besides slouching around and looking as though they would rather be anywhere but here. I now understand. My time at Gluto was 45 minutes of my life I will never get back. And that makes me want to cry a little.
I took my (extremely well-​behaved) one year old for lunch here. Hey — I try to keep the gluten intake low. I got the salad. It’s really hard to screw up salad. The quinoa is awful. Skip it. For 10e it was a pretty measly, disappointing salad. By Helsinki standards. By universal standards. For a place that touts itself for being gluten-​free, they could do a hell of a better job with the most basic of gluten-​free staples: bread. It was worse than the service.
The space itself is cool-​looking with plenty of tables for individuals and a nice community table. If you have a child, there are no baby seats, but the nice Thai restaurant will let you borrow one of theirs’ (to which the Gluto people will roll their eyes and look irritated… good. They looked like I felt. Win-​win). It’s clean, it’s sleek, you forget you’re eating in a glorified food court.
Summary: 1 star for setting and space (nice lighting, clean, appealing minimalistic décor). –4 stars for what I really find to be horrible service and awful attitude from the people working here. Like: if I had more time, I would send an email to corporate and call to complain to a manager if I thought it would make a difference. –1 star for food that is overpriced and not good. + some extra credit for the veggies being fresh and not mushy or old. I appreciate that. That’s about all I appreciated about this experience. Highly DO NOT RECOMMEND. Skip it and go to Johto or something and just get a salad or some other equally gluten-​free food. If you have a genuine, 100% celiac disease (99.999 999% of people reading this: YOU DO NOT have Celiac and you are just on the bandwagon. Stop. It’s annoying and makes you sound dumb), this could be your only option. Skip the salad and try the pasta maybe, ignoring the service.

Ok they are expensive and the food wasn’t the greatest but many people who have gluten intolerance just don’t have many choices. This is why I am thankful for this place. If you just cant take a risk with gluten, then you should pay the high prices.