Friday, May 20, 2011

News & Notes: May 20, 2011

Highlighting the week that was, National Foundation for Celiac Awareness founder Alice Bast accepted The Philadelphia Award, presented to a citizen of the Philadelphia region who, during the preceding year, acted and served on behalf of the best interests of the community. The award includes a $25,000 prize, which Alice graciously donated to the NFCA.

Surely not as significant, but nonetheless interesting, was my Tuesday feature on Revolution Cider, a homegrown, gluten-free hard cider that is served in Philadelphia-area bars and restaurants. Since then, The Pub on Passyunk East - better known as The P.O.P.E. (1501 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-755-51245) - has picked up the drink, so now you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage with a gluten-free sandwich.

Shoo Mama's Farm Fresh Cafe in West Chester (66 E. Street Rd., 484-315-8431) offers sandwiches on gluten-free bread or a bagel, chicken fingers, brownies and other items. The kitchen uses a separate cutting board for gluten-free items and has a dedicated fryer.

The Cheeseburger in Paradise chain has long offered a gluten-free menu - including fries - but will dramatically improve that list with the addition of gluten-free burger buns. They'll be in all locations by mid-June, with the roll-out now underway. CIP has local spots in Exton and Langhorne, Pennsylvania and in Newark, Delaware.

I wouldn't make it my first choice for dining out, but in a pinch Houlihan's may do. The American chain has a list of gluten-free menu items posted at its website. (Celiacs and sensitive individuals should avoid the fries unless there's a dedicated fryer.) Houlihan's has area outposts in Bala Cynwyd, Plymouth Meeting, Cherry Hill and Lawrenceville.

Cock 'n Bull, at Peddlers Village in Lahaska, has rolled its gluten-free pasta option into new lunch and dinner menus. Among the choices are a BLT sandwich on whole-grain bread, chicken parmigiana and a brownie for dessert. Thanks to reader Robert H. for the tip.

I've posted updated gluten-free menus from several Jose Garces restaurants - Chifa, Tinto, Amada and Distrito - at the Gluten Free Philly restaurant page.

Joy Cone - the company that produces ice cream cones found at many stands and parlors - now makes gluten-free cake and sugar cones. They are manufactured in the same facility as the wheat-based cones, but the lines are cleaned in preparation for making the gluten-free versions. I found the cake cones at ShopRite in Cherry Hill.

Reader Megan E. let me know that Costco carries Rudi's gluten-free multigrain bread, while Danielle T. wrote on Facebook that Whole Foods in Marlton also has Rudi's. Tina S. found Udi's products at ShopRite in Delran.

The Chester County Gluten Intolerance Group meeting on Thursday, May 26 in West Chester will include a gluten-free potluck dinner. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Next Saturday, May 28, Jules Thin Crust in Jenkintown will host a gluten-free pizza party and book signing from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Kids will be able to make their own pizzas, while local author Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer will be available for questions from parents. Her book, The Kitchen Classroom, is a cookbook offering 32 visual gluten-free, casein-free recipes to aid developmental skills.

Have a great weekend!
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1 comment:

  1. Although the Bala Cynwyd branch of Houlihan's had a serious fire this week and will be closed for a while.

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