News & Notes: March 25, 2011

Normally, I mention new gluten-free products further down in my Friday posts. I'm making an exception this week, however, because this is too good to wait on. Longtime Philadelphia favorite Tastykake has introduced gluten-free Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies. From the comments on my Facebook page, it seems that local Acme Markets are the only stores stocking them so far. There are eight cookies per box, $5.99 each. (Hat tip to reader Bethann S.) We've only tried the Chocolate Chip variety so far, and the consensus is that they're pretty good - they're not "soft-baked" but are chewy. Definitely worth a try. (UPDATED: A company rep confirmed that the cookies are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.)

Earlier in the week, I wrote about local meat purveyor Wellshire Farms, which produces gluten-free cold cuts and other delicacies.

In addition to offering a gluten-free menu, the management at Marmont Steakhouse in Old City (222 Market St., 215-923-1100) recently added an electric fryer used only to prepare frites (avoiding cross-contamination with glutenous fried items) along with Redbridge beer. Crème brûlée is available for dessert.

Although not new to the restaurant list, Joe's Crab Shack (locally in Lawrenceville and Wilmington) has listed all of its gluten-free items on a dedicated menu.

The Pie Lady Cafe in Moorestown (9 E. Main St., 856-778-PIES) can make any of its pies gluten-free by special order. The bakery bakes the gluten-free versions - with tapioca and coconut flours - separately. Thanks to reader Diana M. for the heads-up.

Back in January, I featured Snack Like a Local, a local company looking to offer healthier options - including gluten-free snacks - in area vending machines. The company just announced that it will be placing its first machine in Old City at Independents Hall, a coworking space and community.

Wegmans will carry new muffins and cupcakes from Doylestown's allergen-friendly Cookies . . . for Me? They can be found in the frozen-foods section and the bakery.

I'm happy to report that DeLiteful Foods in Lawrenceville, which was scheduled to close at the end of March, will remain open under new ownership.

Photo credit: Nicole's Special Diet Creations

Another barrier broken: Eco-Planet is coming out with gluten-free Pop-Tart-style toaster pastries, in Frosted Blueberry, Frosted Strawberry and Frosted Brown Sugar & Cinnamon flavors. Thanks to Gluten-Free Optimist Sandra, who directed me to a blog post up at Nicole's Special Diet Creations.

I plan to be off the posting beat next week, but will return in the beginning of April. Keep your restaurant and product tips coming to me via email, or post them at Facebook. For those of you planning to attend the CHOP Education Day on Sunday, please say hello.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome to the Machine

There's been a movement across the country of late to replace the junk food dispensed from vending machines with healthier fare. In Philadelphia, Meg Widholm aims to take this one step further. Her company, Snack Like a Local, plans as early as February to offer a diverse selection of snacks and drinks - including gluten-free ones - made in the tri-state area.

A computer programmer by trade, Widholm wanted to continue that work while helping local businesses flourish. "I was literally seeking a way to balance these and I saw a vending machine at the right moment and the concept struck me," she says.

No M&Ms, Cokes and Lay's potato chips here. Widholm intends to carry gluten-free items such as YC Chocolate confections, Fulton's Dairy lemonade, and products from The Greenwood Kitchen. The machines will include a "suggestion box" so that people can provide input and feedback on the snacks. Widholm is scouting locations now - salons, clothing outlets and furniture stores are possibilities - with plans to roll out as many as five machines at the start. The spots will be posted on the company's website and Facebook page.