Friday, February 24, 2012

News & Notes: February 24, 2012

Longtime readers know that I love baseball, so it was with great pleasure that I sopped up coverage of the start of Phillies Spring Training this week. If you're heading down to the team's preseason games in Clearwater, Florida, check out my article from a couple years back on dining options in the area (all the links are current). Tickets for the Celiac Awareness Night at the Phillies game on July 20 are now on sale, and if you purchase tickets through this link, net proceeds will go to support celiac awareness efforts. I'll be there, and I hope to see you in the stands.

The local Landmark Americana chain, which has locations in University City (3333 Market St., 215-222-4500), West Chester (158 W. Gay St., 610-701-9900) and Glassboro (1 Mullica Hill Rd., 856-863-6600) and more on the way, has a gluten-free menu highlighted by hamburgers with buns. Thanks to reader Marj M. for the heads-up and the menu.

Another reader, Miriam B., let me know about Pronto, a quick-serve Italian spot in Exton (217 Eagleview Blvd., 610-524-3278) which has penne and salads on its gluten-free menu. Through Saturday, you can purchase an AmazonLocal deal for Pronto for $5 and get $12 worth of food and drink (and $2 toward your next visit).

In Mt. Airy, Latin restaurant Avenida (7402 Germantown Ave., 267-385-6857) has a gluten-free menu. Thanks to readers Jen D. and Janet B. for the tip.

One of our faves, Pasta Pomodoro in Voorhees (700 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd., 856-782-7430), has added breaded chicken and veal and mozzarella sticks to its already huge gluten-free menu. You can check out chef-owner Pasquale Masters preparing one of his gluten-free dishes on the Heart of Philly YouTube channel.

City Kitchen Pizzeria in Southampton, which served gluten-free pasta, has closed.

Tweason'ale is now on draft at the South Philadelphia Taproom (1509 Mifflin St., 215-271-7787)(thanks, Emily D.), Prohibition Taproom, located south of Spring Garden Street (501 N. 13th St., 215-238-1818)(thanks, Eugene V.) and The Bishop's Collar (2349 Fairmount Ave., 215-765-1616 (thanks, Sherrie S.). You can check Dogfish Head's Fish Finder page for nearby bars and beer stores that carry the brew.

Dock Street Brewing Co.'s own gluten-free beer, Sudan Grass Ale, will return to the West Philly pub in May.

The Wegmans market in King of Prussia is slated to open on May 6.

A springtime tradition, Rita's annual "First Day of Spring" Italian ice giveaway, will be held on Tuesday, March 20 from noon to 9 p.m. at all open locations. Rita's has introduced several new flavors, and the following ones are gluten free: Black Cherry Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie and Root Beer Float cream ices and Margarita, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Sour Patch Kids and Strawberry Colada Italian ices.

Schar's gluten-free manufacturing facility in Gloucester County, New Jersey is on pace for a June opening date, according to an article at NJ.com. The plant will produce breads, rolls, baguettes and bagels.

The newest addition to the YoCrunch line of 100-calorie packs is gluten-free Fruity Pebbles vanilla fat-free yogurt.

Congrats to reader Ariel L., who won the recent giveaway from Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery. I'll have another giveaway next month to celebrate Gluten Free Philly's third birthday, featuring gift certificates from Zavino Wine Bar and Pizzeria, Sweet Freedom Bakery and others.

Shoo Mama's Farm Fresh Cafe in West Chester (66 E. Street Rd., 484-315-8431) is hosting an all-day fundraiser tomorrow for the Chester County chapter of the Gluten Intolerance Group. Bring in this voucher and Shoo Mama's will donate 15% of your bill to the group.

Next Saturday, March 3, the Marlton ShopRite (307 W. Route 70, 856-983-7370) will host a gluten-free food demo sponsored by the National Gluten Free Alliance. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Chef Luca D'Angio of New York's Pizza Bistro (the top-rated gluten-free restaurant on Long Island) will be preparing his homemade Italian Gluten Free Foods specialties. You'll also be able to sample breads, muffins and cakes from O'Doughs.

The Gluten Free Philly Facebook page is now more than 1,000 followers strong. Be a part of the active online gluten-free community by liking the page and by following me on Twitter.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael
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1 comment:

  1. Pasta Pomodoro Pasquale told me while dining on Valentines day... that all of the flour in the restaurant is GF so there is no risk of cross-contamination. Regular pasta is still avail but thats much, much easier to control.

    5 different types of GF pasta... including ravioli!

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