News & Notes: October 31, 2014

The Phil's Tavern in Blue Bell (931 Butler Pike, 215-643-5664) has rolled out a new gluten-free menu with appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees and more. Advise your server of your dietary request.

Reader Denise F. let me know about several other Montgomery County spots that offer gluten-free options. The Victorian Village Italian Bistro in Hatboro (420 S. York Rd., 215-394-5948) has gluten-free spaghetti and ziti plates, grilled chicken Parmigiana and other dishes on its menu. Just down the road, Hatboro Dish (102 S. York Rd., 215-347-0036) has breakfast sandwiches on gluten-free Sweet Note bagels and pizza, both of which can be prepared separately upon request. Ben & Irv's in Huntingdon Valley (1962 Country Line Rd., 215-355-2000) also has Sweet Note's bagels as well as bread, cookies and pancakes; request that the pancakes be made on a separate part of the grill.

No Tricks, Just Treats

As we enter the fall and winter holiday seasons, the perennial question arises: What candy is gluten free?

Halloween is Friday night and the kids will bring home pounds of sweets from their neighborhood rounds. Before the kids get that sugar rush, be sure to read ingredient labels to see whether the candy they're interested in is safe. The Celiac Disease Foundation has published a handy gluten-free treats list covering major brands like Hershey, Mars, Tootsie Roll, Just Born and Nestlé. Happy Halloween!

News & Notes: October 24, 2014

The High Point Cafe locations in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia (602 Carpenter Lane, 215-849-5152; 200 W. Allens Lane, 215-248-1900) and in Brewerytown (2831 W. Girard Ave., 267-519-0984) offer gluten-free breads like quinoa loaves and soda bread and sweets such as berry oat bars, macaroons, and cranberry orange muffins. The items are baked and packaged in a separate gluten-free kitchen. High Point's gluten-free products are also sold at other locations, including Weaver's Way in Chestnut Hill, Manayunk Brewing Company, and the Trolley Car Cafe in East Falls.

We spent last weekend in downstate Delaware for a youth baseball tournament and spotted a number of new gluten-free-friendly restaurants. Gary's Dewey Beach Grill (2000 Coastal Hwy. - Suite 105, 302-227-8519) offers gluten-free crab cakes. The restaurant is open on the weekends through the fall.

The small plates/tapas menu at 14 Global in Bethany Beach (14 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 302-616-1035) notes gluten-free options like pan-seared snapper, drunken PEI mussels and crispy pork belly. New Planet Pale Ale is usually available from the bar. During the fall season, the restaurant offers dinner service on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Revolution Calling

If Jax Peters Lowell's Against the Grain and The Gluten-Free Bible are the gluten-free community's Old Testament, then The Gluten-Free Revolution (Holt Paperbacks) completes the canon. Lowell, herself a Philadelphian, has tapped into the city's vast gluten-free resources in Revolution, the newest version of her handbook that's being readied for national release.

News & Notes: October 17, 2014

Grub Burger Bar has opened its first Philadelphia-area location this week in Willow Grove (159 York Rd., 215-800-0699). Gluten-free burgers are served on buns from Local Oven, and the sweet potato fries are prepped in a dedicated fryer.

Many of the menu items at Blue Bell's El Sarape (1380 Skippack Pike, 610-239-9466) are gluten-free-friendly or can be prepared accordingly.

An all-gluten-free "juice" truck is coming to Philly courtesy of The Juice. For now, owner Katie Rodger will deliver her superfood smoothies and desserts throughout the area, while juices are available for pick-up at various locations on the Main Line. Email her for ordering information.

Festival of Bites

Ravitz Family Markets is hosting its semi-annual Gluten-Free Festival at ShopRite of Marlton (307 W. Route 70) this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be over 60 different products available for sampling, including items from local businesses like Sweet Megan's Bakery and The Little Bakery of Blue Bell (sweets), Sweet Note Bakery (bagels), Tonya's Gluten-Free Kitchen (soft pretzels), Caesar's Pasta, Bill’s Best BBQ Sauce, Snyder’s of Hanover and Brad’s Raw Foods and national brands such as Chex, Dole Soups, Kikkoman, Udi's, Dannon, Cabot Creamery, Dr. Praeger's, Pamela's, Absolutely Gluten Free and Kinnikinnick.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, the Southern New Jersey chapter of the Celiac Support Association, the South Jersey Health & Wellness Center and ShopRite's Registered Dietitian Ashley Cully will also be on hand with gluten-free and wellness information.

News & Notes: October 3, 2014

Forage American Brasserie is a relative newcomer to the Shops at Main Street in Exton (120 Woodcutter St., 610-524-3334). The menu at this suburban BYOB features many gluten-free and vegan plates. Executive Chef Ralph Fernandez has chosen to showcase gluten-free cooking because his wife has Celiac Disease.

(Photo credit: Rat's Restaurant/Facebook)

French-influenced Rat's Restaurant in Hamilton (16 Fairgrounds Rd., 609-584-7800) - located near the famous Grounds For Sculpture - lists gluten-free choices like lobster crepe, pan-roasted black bass and Scottish salmon on its current dinner menu.