News & Notes: June 20, 2014

b.good's Kale & Quinoa Bowl

The change in seasons has brought with it a number of grand openings in the Philadelphia region. New England better-burger joint b.good is set to open its first area location at the Promenade in Marlton (500 Rt. 73 S.) on June 26. There, you'll find gluten-free buns, kale & quinoa bowls, salads, fries, smoothies and shakes. Many ingredients will be locally sourced.

On Monday, casual American chain Not Your Average Joe's opens in Glen Mills (561 Glen Eagle Sq., 610-500-2222) with a stacked gluten-free menu that includes burgers on caramelized onion rolls, herb-crusted haddock and carrot cake.

After closing its Cherry Hill location several years ago, the family-style Italian chain Buca di Beppo is set to return to New Jersey with a spot at Bally's in Atlantic City early next month. The current gluten-free menu there features six entrees along with salads and sides.

Whole Foods just opened its Cherry Hill store (1558 N. Kings Hwy.) on Wednesday, bringing another market option for shoppers seeking gluten-free products.

Many of the menu selections at Oceanside Seafood in Avalon (2489 Dune Dr., 609-368-2114) are or can be prepared gluten free.

Mark Ladner, the executive chef at the well-reviewed Del Posto in Manhattan, has launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign aimed at developing Pasta Flyer, which unites Americans' love for two contrasting cultures: rural Italy's unhurried pasta lunches and urban Japan’s bustling, quick-service ramen shops. If successful, the chef will bring this new gluten-free pasta bowl concept to Philadelphia this fall, followed hopefully by brick-and-mortar locations in 2015. If you can, please support the chef's effort.

Starbucks is set to debut as many as three new gluten-free products in its stores nationwide on Tuesday, reports the Starbucks Melody blog. These include "That's It." fruit bars, Justin's dark chocolate peanut butter cups and Ocean's Halo seaweed chips.

7-Grain Bread from Canyon Bakehouse

Canyon Bakehouse, a gluten-free artisan bakery out of Colorado, has expanded distribution of its fresh bread line to all Target stores throughout the U.S. Canyon Bakehouse bread varieties include 7-Grain bread, Mountain White, Deli Rye Style, Cinnamon Raisin, Hamburger Buns and Hot Dog Buns. (I reviewed several of the breads back in 2010.) You can get a $1-off coupon at the bakery's website.

Target and other markets are stocking a new line of gluten-free cookie mixes from Immaculate Baking, which is known for its gluten-free refrigerated cookie dough. The mixes come in three varieties: Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate and Sugar.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

With the Gluten Free Philly app for iOS and Android devices, find more than 1,300 area gluten-free-friendly businesses on the go, search by cuisine or neighborhood, make reservations and more!