News & Notes: August 27, 2010

The last vestiges of summer are here, with summer vacations nearly complete and schools almost back in session. This fall should be an exciting one, with many gluten-free activities on the calendar. One of them is the annual Appetite for Awareness event, which I wrote about last week. It's going to be held on Sunday, October 24 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and tickets are now available. There will also be more local dinners in the months ahead organized by the Philadelphia Gluten-Free Supper Club, which just held its August "meeting" this week at Venezuelan restaurant Sazon.

Earlier this week, I shared information on some of the many websites that allow diners to save money at local restaurants.

Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar, located at The Inn at Penn in West Philadelphia (3600 Sansom Street, 215-823-6222) serves - wait for it - gluten-free penne. It's not listed on the menu, so request it of your server when ordering. Thanks to reader Mark G.

More by the shore: In Northfield, Mexican quick-serve Chido Burrito (807 Tilton Road, 609-484-1480) can accommodate gluten-free requests. In Long Beach Island, Harvey Cedars' Black Eyed Susan's Cafe (7801 Long Beach Boulevard, 609-494-4990), Buckalew's in Beach Haven (101 North Bay Avenue, 609-492-1065) and Surf City's Surfside Coffee House (1901 Long Beach Boulevard, 609-494-3345) fit the bill as well. Buckalew's lists organic corn pasta on its menu, while Surfside serves bread, bagels, English muffins and sweets at breakfast and lunch. W.L. Goodfellows & Co. in Galloway Township (310 East White Horse Pike, 609-652-1942) offers ravioli.

Terra in Philadelphia recently hosted a special dinner that incorporated dishes made with gluten-free Domata Living Flour. You can read about the meal from chef Eric Paraskevas and Kristin Voorhees of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. Terra recently obtained GREAT certification from the NFCA.

The fall edition of the Center City District Restaurant Week will run from September 12-17 and 19-24 (two weeks by my math). Participating restaurants will offer dinner at $35 for three courses (not including tax, gratuity or alcohol). The roster includes accommodating restaurants Alma de Cuba, Amada, Bindi, Bridget Foy's, Buddakan, Butcher and Singer, The Capital Grille, Chifa, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, City Tavern, Davio's, El Vez, La Fontana Della Citta, Lolita, The Melting Pot, Morton's, Noble American Cookery, The Palm, Percy Street Barbeque, Pumpkin Restaurant, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Terra, Time, Tinto, Xochitl, Zahav and Zama.

At the end of their meals, all diners will receive an entry form for the Restaurant Week Grand Prize Contest. The prize? An entire year of culinary adventure - 52 $50 gift certificates from select Center City restaurants. Dozens of parking lots and garages all over Center City will offer parking at $9 or less. All you have to do is present a voucher from a participating restaurant from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Participating parking facilities will be identified with a Center City District Restaurant Week poster at their entrances.

Marlton's Wine Works (319 Route 70 West, 856-596-3330) sells Toleration Ale, an English Pale Ale from the United Kingdom, at $7.99 per bottle. I didn't try it, but reviews at the Beer Advocate don't make it sound promising. (Really, couldn't they come up with a more appealing name?)

Heartland Pasta's new gluten-free noodles, made from a yellow corn/white rice blend, comes in spaghetti, penne and fusilli shapes. The pasta, which also is egg- and dairy-free, sells for between $1.99 and $2.69 per package and is available at Wal-Mart.

A postscript to my mention last time out about Butterfly Bakery's new gluten-free baked goods at Wegmans. The full product line is as follows:

• Muffins: Wild Blueberry, Lemon Citrus Poppy, Lehua Honey, Spiced Apple Raisin, Banana/Walnut and Pumpkin
• Loaf Cakes: Marble, Lemon Citrus and Plain Vanilla
• Sliced Creme Cakes: Espresso, Citrus Orange, Lemon Citrus and Plain Vanilla
• Cookies: Chocolate Chip and Creamy Peanut Butter
• Cupcakes: Vanilla with Vanilla Buttercreme and Vanilla with Chocolate Buttercreme
• Decorated Snack Cakes: Golden Cake with Vanilla Buttercreme, Golden Cake with Chocolate Buttercreme and Golden Cake with Mocha Buttercreme
• 6" Double Layer Decorated Cakes: Yellow Cake with Vanilla Buttercreme, Yellow Cake with Chocolate Buttercreme and Raspberry Swirl Cake with Mocha Buttercreme (all come with decorating bags)

The Butterfly products are made in a dedicated facility and also are tested for the presence of gluten.

Strange but true: Breyers' new chocolate chip cookie dough yogurt flavor - from the lowfat Inspirations line - is gluten free.

Immaculate Baking Company, whose ready-to-bake products can be found in the refrigerated sections of grocery stores, makes gluten-free/dairy-free Chocolate Chunk cookie dough.

Now through September 10, customers can pick up Glenny's gluten-free fruit and nut bars, soy crisps, oatmeal cookies and more at Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off. Just add two of the same product to your cart, enter code HALFOFF, and 50% off will be deducted from the second item.

The Next Food Network Star, the Food Network's hit culinary reality series, is currently casting for the 2011 season and is holding an open casting call in Philadelphia on Tuesday, August 31. The tryout will be at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel at 1200 Market Street in Center City from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. I think it's about time for a gluten-free cooking show, don't you?

Have a great weekend!