News & Notes: February 16, 2018

They're not yet on the company's website, but Promise Gluten Free now has baked-in-store sourdough breads. (The Ravitz ShopRite stores in southern New Jersey currently have them on sale for $5.49.) The breads are shipped par-baked and frozen, then baked off in the supermarkets in their own bags to avoid cross-contamination; you'll have to slice at home. There are four varieties in all: Rustic White, Rosemary & Olive, Rustic Seven-Seed and Seeds & Fruit. So far, my son has tried the white bread and really liked it. It's more soft than crusty, but tastes especially good after being toasted.

The company making my favorite gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, Tate's Bake Shop, has introduced two more gluten-free flavors: Oatmeal Raisin (which are also sold at Trader Joe's under the store's own label) and Coconut Crisp.

Schar has introduced a chocolate-covered version of its popular Honeygrams cookies, made with dark chocolate and honey. Also coming soon from the company is a puff pastry dough.

The Jewish holiday of Purim begins the evening of Feb. 28 and of course that means noshing on filled hamentaschen cookies. Katz Gluten Free has a full complement of flavors - chocolate, apricot, raspberry, prune and poppy - available for online ordering. Support Gluten Free Philly and use promo code WELCOME20 using this link for 20 percent off your order.

Locally, Bryn & Dane's is serving up gluten-free wraps, salads and smoothies at its just-opened outpost in Malvern (615 Morehall Rd., 610-296-5555).

In Manayunk, Jamaican-Korean The Spicy Belly (3847 Terrace St., 215-482-2095) maintains a dedicated gluten-free fryer and uses a rice flour base for most items. The Korean and jerk wings, shrimp curry and pork belly lettuce wraps are some of the gluten-free items served.

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Botto's Italian Line in Swedesboro (1411 Kings Hwy., 856-467-1570) has a large number of gluten-free options, including pasta (prepped separately), meatballs (made with gluten-free breadcrumbs) and sausage.

Further south in Vineland, Maplewood III (200 N. Delsea Dr., 856-692-2011) offers an extensive gluten-free menu that includes appetizers, pasta, entrees and desserts.

Jersey Mike's opened a location in Reading (3225 N. 5th St., 484-869-8559) earlier this week. Guests can order subs on Udi's gluten-free rolls at all Jersey Mike's locations nationwide.

Fox & Son is testing a fried gluten-free "Oreo"

This week, the all-gluten-free Fox & Son at Reading Terminal Market in Center City Philadelphia (51 N. 12th St., 215-372-7935) is offering - wait for it - fried gluten-free "Oreos" using Trader Joe's gluten-free Joe-Joe sandwich creme cookies. Based on early feedback, the owners are considering adding the treats to the menu permanently.

Another 100% gluten-free restaurant, Westmont's Heart Beet Kitchen (29 Haddon Ave., 856-240-1106) announced this week that it will be opening a location in Ocean City this spring. The address has not yet been revealed.

Turning Point announced a Summer 2018 opening for its newest Pennsylvania location in Newtown (2841 S. Eagle Rd.). The local breakfast/lunch cafe chain offers a gluten-free menu.

Studio Movie Grill will open a second Philadelphia-area location at Willow Grove Mall, likely sometime later this year. The first, in Upper Darby, offers gluten-free burger buns.

The Chester County GIG support group will meet on Thursday, March 1 at the Whole Foods in Exton beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting includes a store tour.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

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