Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jack, Too

UPDATE (6/30/09): The Phillies recently updated the concessions guide on the team's website to list the locations where the items can be found: the gluten-free hot dogs and snacks continue to be available at the South Philadelphia Market behind Section 128, while Redbridge beer is sold at the concession stand by Section 139 (near the Schmitter), behind Section 204 on the Pavilion Level, behind Section 323 on the Terrace Level, and the Brewerytown stand on Ashburn Alley. In addition, Bull's BBQ in Ashburn Alley, run by former Phils outfielder Greg "The Bull" Luzinski, has gluten-free food. The meat products, barbeque sauce, cole slaw and beans are gluten free. Since sandwiches are sold at that stand, I suggest checking it out first to see if there's a risk of cross-contamination.

UPDATE (4/29/09): As of this writing, hot dogs on gluten-free buns are available at the concession stand behind Section 128. However, I'm told that treats from Good Eatz will be added there soon. A Gluten Free Philly reader has advised that Redbridge beer is available at the stand behind Section 202.

UPDATE (4/19/09): Gluten-free items are available at the South Philadelphia Market concession stand behind Section 128 on the main concourse of Citizens Bank Park.

UPDATE (3/30/09): The cookies (and perhaps other items) will be provided by Good Eatz.

The Philadelphia Phillies are set to defend their 2008 World Series crown starting with a nationally televised contest Sunday night at home against the Atlanta Braves. Aramark, the food concessionaire for the Phillies' Citizens Bank Park, has announced additions to its menu for 2009 that apparently include gluten-free hot dog buns, cookies and pastries. Last year, Aramark sold Redbridge beer at the stadium throughout the season and offered several gluten-free items at a celiac awareness event during a game last summer. However, this year would mark the first time these foods would be offered at every home game. I will update this post with additional information on the menu items and their availability at the ballpark as it becomes available.

Riding High on Still Riding Pizza

While the celiac community has embraced Uno Chicago Grill's introduction of gluten-free pizza to its menu, similar options at mom-and-pop pizza parlors in the Delaware Valley are limited. A Connecticut company, Still Riding Pizza, offers an option for local pizzeria owners. It has developed a partially-baked gluten-free crust for use by restaurants, whose employees are trained to prepare and bake the pizzas using trays and cutters separate from other menu items.

To date, the only restaurant in the Philadelphia area offering Still Riding Pizza is Main Line Pizza in Wayne, Pennsylvania. If you are interested in having your local pizza shop carry Still Riding Pizza, you can provide the restaurant's contact information to the company and it will follow up with the owner. I've eaten Still Riding Pizza at Main Line Pizza and at Carlo's Gourmet Pizza in Marlboro, New Jersey and think it tastes great, more comparable to wheat pizza than any other gluten-free pizza I've tried. In addition to servicing restaurants, Still Riding also sells its crusts directly to the public through its website.

April's NFCA Monday Meet-Up at Little Fish

Little Fish, a seafood BYOB in South Philadelphia, will be the next restaurant featured in the Monday Meet-Up, sponsored by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. The event will take place on Monday, April 20, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Guests can order from the Little Fish chalkboard menu, which will list available gluten-free dishes. In December 2008, Little Fish was named by Bon Appétit magazine as one of the country's Top 10 Seafood Restaurants.

As part of the program, the participating restaurants donate a portion of the dinner checks to the NFCA in continued support of celiac awareness. Reservations for the event should be made through the NFCA.

'Appetite for Awareness' Set For September 30

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) has announced that its 6th anniversary celebration will be held at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on September 30, 2009. The event, known as "Appetite for Awareness," aims to raise awareness and funding for celiac disease by featuring Philadelphia-area chefs, assisted by doctors from the region, cooking gluten-free meals.

The NFCA has retained the involvement of more than 35 restaurants by working with each to develop an alternative gluten-free menu and have their kitchens certified by NFCA’s gluten-free kitchen protocol training program. The event also will feature music, wine, gluten-free beer, an auction and raffle. The VIP reception, to take place on the arena floor, is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the main event on concourse level set for 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ticket information will be posted soon at the event website.

We attended the event in 2008 along with about 1,400 others and had a fabulous time. (Last year's event raised $340,000 for celiac awareness efforts.) In addition to samples offered by local restaurants (The Capital Grille's gluten-free lobster mac-and-cheese, anyone?), there were dozens of food manufacturers, distributors and stores providing samples, product information and discount coupons. For example, Whole Foods introduced its gluten-free vanilla cupcakes at the event before rolling them out to stores, while Schar handed out loaves of its bread and packs of hazelnut wafers to guests.

Seasons 52 Fresh Grill Opens at Cherry Hill Mall

Today marks the grand opening of Seasons 52 Fresh Grill, located at the newly renovated Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The casual grill and wine bar, which serves lunch and dinner daily, has developed a gluten-free menu that changes every season. The Spring 2009 listings can be found at my Restaurants post under "American." The Cherry Hill location is the first outpost for this Darden Restaurants concept beyond Georgia and Florida.