The Cove, 606 W Cypress, has had an extreme makeover and is now is a member of the Gluten Free Restaurant Program (GFRAP). Not so extreme that the funkiness evaporated, but a new chef, a new menu, a new playground, a vegetable garden, and a new look for the guitar playing fish on the logo all add up to mo’ better! I visited with Lisa Asvestas (owner, along with her husband Sam) to catch up with what’s new. They have extended the main room and there are big windows all across the back now, for better indoor-outdoor access and view of the live music. The playscape has moved over a bit to make room for the herb garden and fire-pit.

The new chef is Michael Sohocki, and he is working with Lisa to create their new menu, while keeping the favorite standbys. Michael is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York and has worked in New York, San Francisco, and Japan.

Another new feature is a daily Chef’s Special that will usually include something gluten free. When I was there, it was an Organic Vegetarian Sampler with a sweet potato salad, along with two kinds of homemade hummus. By substituting a corn tortilla for the pita bread this would make a full meal. Another time the Special included Moroccan Lamb Stew which happened to be naturally gluten free.

Lisa told me about her search for grass-fed sirloin steak and bison for their special stew. They only use organic chicken and make all the stock and broth for their homemade soups. She mentioned several soups of the day that are gluten free. Recent offerings included Organic Mushroom, Tomato Bisque, and Roasted Red Pepper.

If possible ask for Lisa or Michael when you want to know more about the Chef’s Special and whether it is gluten free or not. Hamburgers can be ordered with gluten-free buns, but they do run out of buns at times.

The Cove only has one fryer, so remember that you cannot have any fried foods there. This means no corn chips for us, but the soft corn tortillas are okay.

Bluebell ice cream is available for dessert, and you can always depend on Redbridge beer along with several gluten-free ciders. As soon as there are other gluten-free beers available in Texas, Lisa promises to stock them. And as Chef Michael pointed out to me the day I was there, all the live music is gluten free!

Joe Barfield says, “A quick scan of The Cove’s recent schedule suggests what the club’s patrons love about it. Over the span of a few days, The Cove featured the jazz of City Sounds, the folk-rock of True Stories, the veteran garage attack of Los #3 Dinners, the New Orleans R&B of Mem Shannon & The Members, and the Americana of the Swindles.”

“The Cove comfortably encompasses these and other genres, because it draws music listeners with eclectic tastes. It's also hard to find another local music venue as family friendly as this one.” (AB May 2008)