News & Notes: May 4, 2012

Center City Philadelphia is getting more gluten-free pizza. The new modern Italian restaurant Spiga (1305 Locust St., 267-273-1690), from the owners of GREAT-trained Le Castagne, will serve pizza and pasta for gluten-free guests. The chef intends to take precautions in preparing those items, but flour and glutenous ingredients are present in the kitchen.

Reader Daria D. let me know that French BYOB Bibou in Philadelphia's Bella Vista neighborhood (1009 S. 8th St., 215-965-8290) can accommodate gluten-free requests. Note that the restaurant is cash only.

Thanks to Lisa M., who shared the news that Trattoria Guiseppe in Edgmont (4799 West Chester Pike, 610-353-4871) has gluten-free penne pasta.

Readers my age or older who grew up in Philadelphia probably have fond memories of the Ground Round. Well, the chain is making a comeback. The first area location is in Langhorne (735 Middletown Blvd., 215-757-2323) at the site of a former Charlie Brown's Steakhouse near the Oxford Valley Mall. Gluten-free items are noted on the menus.

Matt F. recommends two accommodating Center City restaurants with knowledgeable staffs. At French bistro Zinc (246 S. 11th St., 215-351-9901), most items are gluten free and others can be modified. The kitchen now stocks bread from Taffets (formerly Tote) and usually has at least one gluten-free dessert on the daily menu. The majority of menu items at The Farm and Fisherman (1120 Pine St., 267-287-1555) also are gluten free.

The Fox's Pizza Den location in Kennett Square (347 Scarlett Rd., 610-444-6060) serves gluten-free pizza using Still Riding crusts.

New Hope vegetarian Sprig & Vine (450 Union Square Dr., 215-693-1427) notes gluten-free and soy-free options on its lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch menus.

Landmark Americana, which has a gluten-free menu, opened its newest location in Wayne (629 W. Lancaster Ave., 610-995-1001) on Wednesday.

Through Sunday, you can order a one-year/four-issue subscription to Delight Gluten-Free magazine for $9, which is half off the regular price, through Gluten Free Works' deals page. (As an affiliate, I get a small commission on orders at no extra cost to you.)

General Mills announced this week its newest cereal - Apple Cinnamon Chex. It's made with whole-grain rice with "real apple and cinnamon" and has no artificial flavors or colors.

You can read about last Saturday's Celiac Awareness Tour stop in King of Prussia in my post from Tuesday.

As a prelude to June's Philly Beer Week, Hawthorne's Cafe (738 S. 11th St., 215-627-3012) is hosting its third annual IPA Block Party tomorrow, which is Cinco de Mayo. Each drink ticket is $5 (the event is cash only) that can be redeemed at the keg of your choice. Gluten-free Crispin Cider will be available. There will be burgers, hots dogs, tacos, popcorn and nachos, but no word on which may be gluten free.

World-renowned celiac expert Peter Green, M.D. will be speaking at Paoli Hospital on Wednesday, May 9 at 2 p.m. You can register to attend in person or via webinar. 

Have a great weekend!

- Michael