News & Notes: September 30, 2011

Today's post is an all-products edition of News & Notes, but I first wanted to thank the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and its campaign to make gluten-free pizza available at schools nationwide. As a result of this effort, I contacted our school district's food-service provider to see if it could order the gluten-free pizza for our son's elementary school. It took some time, but I learned earlier this week that the pizza would be available in time for the weekly "pizza day" in the cafeteria. It made my night when I came home from work on Wednesday and my son told me that he felt "normal" to have to wait in line with his friends and get lunch on a tray like other students. For more on Schwan's food-service gluten-free pizza, visit the company's website and share the information with your own child's school.

On Tuesday, I posted a review of a recent meal at the Rainforest Cafe in Atlantic City.

The Ravitz ShopRites in southern New Jersey, particularly those in Marlton and Cherry Hill East, have greatly expanded their gluten-free sections. New to those stores are Mi-Del Gingerbread Men cookies and Glutino's new Genius bread. The Genius bread, in White and Multigrain varieties, features full-size slices.

Wynnewood's Main Line Baking Company has lined up more stores to sell its gluten-free products, including the Marlton ShopRite and Whole Foods in Wynnewood.

During a recent trip to Water to Go in Pennsauken, my wife discovered Russo's mozzarella sticks (delicious!), Kim & Scott's Bavarian soft pretzels (meh), and Joan's calzones (haven't tried yet).

Lots of new products were announced at the Expo East natural-products food show in Baltimore last weekend. Erin at Gluten Free Fun reported that Udi's will debut gluten-free muffin tops and three kinds of frozen pizza in January 2012.

Gluten Free Living tweeted from Expo East that Feel Good Foods will soon offer gluten-free egg rolls to complement its dumplings, while Sandra at the Gluten Free Optimist blog reported that the egg rolls will come in chicken, shrimp and vegetable varieties.

Have a great weekend and go Phils!

Let It Rain

Admit it - theme restaurants are kitschy fun, especially for kids. Places like Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood and Medieval Times serve up overpriced portions of food alongside slices of nostalgia, memorabilia and other eye candy that can keep children occupied while waiting on their meals.

While in Atlantic City over a late summer weekend with the boys, we wanted to try someplace different for dinner without spending outrageous amounts of money at a casino-restaurant. (I'm talking to you, Bobby Flay Steak.) We settled on the Rainforest Cafe (2201 Boardwalk, 609-345-5757), on the Boardwalk adjoining Trump Plaza. I knew that the restaurant didn't have a gluten-free menu, but my wife called ahead and was assured that the kitchen could accommodate dietary requirements.

As the name suggests, Rainforest Cafe is a restaurant that features a faux rain forest, complete with waterfalls, mist, trees and animals - robotic, of course; I doubt the health department would allow real ones to roam the kitchen. A walk-through aquarium separates the lobby from the dining room, where a simulated thunderstorm occurs every half-hour. We were particularly impressed with the ape (or was it an orangutan?) that swung from the branch right above our table.

After being seated, we advised our server of our older son's diet, and the chef soon came out to provide suggestions for ordering. Safe options included many salads, bunless burgers, and several seafood choices.

Our son settled on the Bamba's Barbeque Wrap, a shredded chicken wrap with spicy barbeque sauce and cheese that came with a side of cole slaw. The chef personally brought out the dish to the table, substituting three smaller corn tortillas for a two larger wheat flour wraps. He also prepared a side of french fries in a pan instead of a deep fryer.

We opted not to have dessert, but ice cream is available.

Chain restaurants - and themed ones in particular - can be hit-or-miss in preparing gluten-free meals. It's always nice when we can go to one where special requests are easily handled, even if it's a place where more than just people hang out.

News & Notes: September 23, 2011

As many of you know, the area's premier gluten-free event, Appetite for Awareness, has been a fall affair in years past. However, due to venue and scheduling considerations, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is considering holding Appetite in Spring 2012. In the meantime, the NFCA is hosting a major donor event at a private home on Tuesday, October 18 honoring Dr. Ritu Verma of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, a familiar name to the Philadelphia gluten-free community. Chef Marc Vetri (Vetri, Osteria, Amis) will be the special guest, with chef demos by Brad Spence (Amis) and pastry chef Monica Glass (10 Arts Bistro & Lounge) and gluten-free fare by Wolfgang Puck Catering accompanied by a wine tasting. If you would like to learn more about becoming a sponsor or purchasing a ticket, please contact the NFCA's Nancy Ginter.

Earlier this week, I wrote about Dogfish Head's new gluten-free beer that will be available in bottles by the end of the year.

All menu items at Cantina Diablos Mexican Grill in Ardmore (2330 Haverford Ave., 610-642-1370) can be made gluten free.

The area's second Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is now open in Chadds Ford, at the Garnet Valley Plaza Center (91 Wilmington West Chester Pike, 484-785-6880). The restaurant has a gluten-free menu.

Seasons 52 Fresh Grill's two area locations - at the malls in King of Prussia and Cherry Hill - have set their Fall 2011 gluten-free menu.

Reader Kelly R. let me know that Fuel's Center City Philadelphia location (1225 Walnut St., 215-922-FUEL) is serving gluten-free chocolate fudge cake in addition to panini.

Some recent restaurant closings: Philadelphia's Adsum and Ry's Bagels in Berlin, New Jersey.

Deliteful Foods' new location is in the Quakerbridge Village Commons in Lawrenceville (4110 Quakerbridge Rd., 609-799-7756)

Sweet Christine's gluten-free baked goods will be available at Eagles home games this season. They can be found at the concession stand behind Section 117 at Lincoln Financial Field with other gluten-free fare.

Now at Whole Foods stores are Annie's new Organic Orchard Fruit Bites. Available in grape, strawberry, apple and cherry, the Fruit Bites contain one serving of fruit in each pouch. The fruit snacks are naturally gluten and gelatin free, are vegan, and contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

JD's Best Pizza is now available at Martindale's Natural Market in Springfield. Thanks to reader Dana M. for the tip.

Food for All Market in Mt. Airy will have Feel Good Foods' gluten-free dumplings available for sampling on Sunday, September 25 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Have a great weekend!

A Head of the Curve

As the saying goes, there can never be too many gluten-free beers. So it's welcome news to hear that the highly regarded Delaware craft brewery Dogfish Head will release its Tweason'ale in bottles in December, according to an interview with founder Sam Calagione.

Tweason'ale is a sorghum-based beer brewed with fresh strawberries from Fifer Orchards, near Dover, Delaware, and buckwheat honey. For the sorghum, the brewery sourced a dark, sweet syrup with notes of molasses. The beer gets its name from the fact that the initial batch was brewed and served during the transition between spring and summer

The beer, to be sold in four-packs, will be produced at the Milton, Delaware brewery for national distribution. Dogfish Head intends to pursue gluten-free certification, ensuring that gluten levels will measure less than 10 parts per million.

News & Notes: September 16, 2011

My sincere thanks go out to everyone who voted for the blog in the CBS Philadelphia Most Valuable Blogger competition. I learned on Wednesday that Gluten Free Philly won the People's Choice Award in the Health, Fitness and Medical category.

As I wrote on Tuesday, Davio's, the Northern Italian steakhouse near Rittenhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia, will be hosting a gluten-free beer dinner on Tuesday, October 11. The featured drinks on the menu are Redbridge beer and two kinds of Magners cider. The cost is $50, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are being taken at the restaurant over the phone at 215-563-4810.

We'll start in Delaware with this week's restaurant information. New reader Don L. let me know that longtime Wilmington staple Kid Shelleen's (1801 W. 14th St., 302-658-4600) offers a gluten-free menu.

Moving north to Mercer County, New Jersey, Princeton Soup & Sandwich (30 Palmer Square E., 609-497-0008) rotates a selection of more than 30 gluten-free soups, with two or three offered daily. The shop also has Boar's Head hot dogs and salads.

Falls Taproom in Philly's East Falls section (3749 Midvale Ave., 215-849-1222) is serving Revolution Cider.

Available exclusively at Whole Foods are all-natural gluten-free beef corn dogs from Applegate Farms. The batter is made of a blend of corn meal, corn flour and rice flour.

GoPicnic ready-to-eat meals are now sold at local Wegmans markets, The Fresh Market stores in Pennsylvania, and even at Philadelphia International Airport (at the CNBC and Hudson News shops). A searchable list of locations by zip code is available at the company's website.

COOK (253 S. 20th St., 215-735-COOK) is a fully-equipped, 16-seat kitchen-classroom where guests can enjoy meals made by Philadelphia-area culinary professionals. On Saturday, October 22 at noon, "Gluten-Free Warrior" Genevieve Sherrow will lead a class on creating a gluten-free brunch menu. Her class menu will include Nutty Millet Porridge with seasonal fruit, Hearty Buckwheat Waffles, Scallion, Cashew and Nori Egg Scramble. The class costs $75 and online registration is available.

Have a great weekend!

Gluten-Free Beer Dinner at Davio's on October 11

Davio's, the Northern Italian steakhouse in Center City Philadelphia (111 S. 17th St.), is hosting a gluten-free beer dinner on Tuesday, October 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Each of the four courses will be paired with selections presented by Magners Cider and Redbridge beer, including items such as Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops with Pistachio Risotto and a Cider Vinegar Reduction and Braised New Zealand Lamb Shank with New Potato, Roasted Pumpkin and Natural Thyme Jus.

The dinner is $50 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations are necessary for this event by calling 215-563-4810. Davio’s offers an extensive gluten-free menu available everyday for lunch and dinner that includes pasta.

Menu

Passed Hors D’oeuvres 

Spiced Salmon Tar-Tar

Brandt Beef Fondue

Autumn Vegetable Napoleon

Redbridge by Anheuser-Busch

First Course

Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops

Pistachio Risotto, Cider Vinegar Reduction

Redbridge by Anheuser-Busch 

Second Course

Braised New Zealand Lamb Shank

New Potato, Roasted Pumpkin, Natural Thyme Jus

Magners Original (apple)

Dessert

Peach Tartin

Magners Pear (pear) 

Coffee, Tea and Decaffeinated Coffee - included in menu price

Ice Cream Man

In 1929, Mickey Schwartz began selling ice cream in Philadelphia from a wooden box carried over his shoulder. From there, his Jack & Jill Ice Cream Company grew into a successful street vending and vending machine business. The first street vending truck was purchased in 1938, and, a year later, the company created a vending machine division.

In the early 1980s, Jack & Jill brand novelties were introduced. By mid-decade, the company's ice cream product line grew beyond novelties to premium ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and water ice. Now based in Moorestown, New Jersey, Jack & Jill Ice Cream's distribution area has expanded beyond the Delaware Valley to Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

All flavors of Jack & Jill's ice cream - except for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Blueberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortcake and others with brownie, cookie or cake products - are gluten free. In addition many of the company's novelties are safe, including the Toasted Almond Bar, Cherry Slush Bars, Screwball, Stix varieties and ice cream cups. A complete ingredients and allergens list can be found at the company's website.