Friday, July 22, 2011

News & Notes: July 22, 2011

Hello, Grilladelphia! The temperature in the Delaware Valley should dip a few degrees by Sunday, when the  Bards Irish Pub (2013 Walnut St., 215-569-9585), near Rittenhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia, holds its inaugural gluten-free event. Items from the gluten-free menu, which include fish and chips, beer-battered onion rings and pizza, will be served starting at 3 p.m. Bards beer and Magners cider will be the featured drinks, and there will even be dessert thanks to Main Line Bakery.

If you want to check out the gluten-free concession stand at Nationals Park when the Phillies are in the nation's capital, get tickets for the team's road trip to Washington on August 19-21. We caught the Phils-Nats game on Memorial Day, which I wrote about on Tuesday.

Congratulations to Staci S., whose name was randomly selected as the winner of the Gluten-Free on a Shoestring cookbook, given away in conjunction with the recent Readers' Choice Awards voting.

Philadelphia proper is center of attention in this week's restaurant roundup. Le Pain Quotidien's second outpost in the city (801 Walnut St., 215-253-3114) is now open. Reader Heather H.'s husband manages this location and has worked with the staff to educate them on cross-contamination concerns. Gluten-free items include omelets and salads.

Joe J. let me know that Girasole in Center City (440 S. Broad St., 215-732-2728) serves gluten-free pasta.

With five locations in Center City, a Marathon Grill is never too far away. Gluten-free items are now noted on the menus there.

On Maple Shade's scenic Main Street, Cafe Fontana in Maple Shade (30 E. Main St., 856-321-1301) serves gluten-free pizza.

The Avalon location of Uncle Bill's Pancake House (3189 Dune Ave., 609-967-8448) doesn't list gluten-free pancakes on the menu, but they're available upon request. Thanks to reader Larry D. for the info.

The Pop Shop in Collingswood (729 Haddon Ave., 856-869-0111) is now using gluten-free products from Lancaster's Amaranth Bakery.

Baked goods from Gluten-Free Warrior Genevieve Sherrow are available at Grindcore House (1515 S. 4th St., 215-839-333, a South Philly coffeehouse.

Dia Doce's locally made gluten-free cupcakes are available at suburban farmers' markets in Wayne, Chester Springs and Malvern, among other places. Owner Thais da Silva's gluten-free varieties are prepared separately  using dedicated pans, mixers and utensils. Weekly menus are posted on Facebook and Twitter, but any flavor can be made gluten free for larger orders.

Catering By Design, a caterer based in Philadelphia (215-866-9500), is now a member of the NFCA's GREAT Kitchens program and can provide gluten-free meals for any event.

The Bachman Company is giving away a treat to one of my Facebook followers. Like the Gluten Free Philly page and enter via this post [Facebook login required] for a chance to win four bags of the company's new Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips, which are gluten free, and coupons for other gluten-free products such as Puzzle Pretzels, tortilla chips and popcorn. The winner will be randomly selected later today.

Saffron Road's new gluten-free-certified products are now available at Whole Foods Markets. These include Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Bites, Chicken Tenders and Tandoori Seasoned Chicken Nuggets.

Costco stores now sell gluten-free ravioli from Pasta Prima, which I wrote about in this space in May. Thanks to Jaime L. for the tip.

Simply Organic is adding four new gluten-free baking mixes to its product line: Devil’s Food Cake, Golden Vanilla Cake, Spice Cookie and an herb-infused Pizza Crust.

Participating ShopRite stores are now carrying gluten-free macaroni-and-cheese, eggplant parmesan and other frozen entrees from GG's Originals.

Thanks to Jeffrey A., who let me know that Williams-Sonoma stores throughout the country, in partnership with New York City's BabyCakes bakery, will be hosting a free "technique" class on gluten-free baking on Sunday, August 28. Class times vary by store, so contact the location nearest you for more information and to reserve a spot.

Have a great weekend and stay cool!
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