News & Notes: May 30, 2014

Photo/Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority

With the unofficial summer season in full swing, the Jersey Shore is the place to find many gluten-free-friendly restaurants. In Atlantic City, the legendary Dock's Oyster House (2405 Atlantic Ave., 609-345-0092) serves gluten-free crab cakes by request.

Salt Ayre Bistro in Ventnor (7309 Ventnor Ave., 609-428-6952) notes gluten-free options on its menu. Items include shrimp & grits, seafood paella and BBQ pulled chicken.

In Ocean City, the cash-only Sandwich Bar (3255 Asbury Ave., 609-741-9888) offers Udi's bread, gluten-free burger buns and fries from a dedicated fryer.

First Draft: Steadfast Beer Co.

By Chris Betz

Steadfast Beer Co., based in Albany, New York, uses only gluten-free ingredients and ensures that their brewing process is free of cross-contamination. Steadfast's depiction of Sisyphus on every bottle shows that they recognize brewing a great gluten-free beer is a challenge. They've chosen a compass to represent the brand "as a nod to finding one’s bearings and a sense of direction amid a lifestyle change that can be dizzying and discouraging." Amen to that.

News & Notes: May 23, 2014

The just-opened Flat Iron sports bar/dance club in South Philadelphia (26 E. Oregon Ave., 215-465-1901) has a gluten-free menu featuring salads, pizzas and burgers. Angry Orchard hard cider and wine are the the gluten-free drink options. The fries are prepped in a dedicated fryer, while pizza is cooked in an oven where the bottom rack is specifically used for gluten free pizza. For protocol, the cooks change their gloves, use a dedicated cutting board and utensils.

In Cheltenham, Pita Pocket (582 Cottman Ave., 215-663-2828) offers gluten-free falafel. The menu is kosher and halal.

Chex and Balances

After swapping out barley malt for molasses in most of its Chex varieties several years ago, General Mills made one of its most popular breakfast cereal lines accessible for gluten-free eaters. Now the company has extended the Chex brand to oatmeal. New are three flavors of gluten-free instant oatmeal: Original, Maple Brown Sugar and Apple Cinnamon.

The ingredients are simple, with no high fructose corn syrup or preservatives:

• Maple Brown Sugar: Whole Grain Oats, Sugar, Salt, Natural Flavor
• Apple Cinnamon: Whole Grain Oats, Sugar, Dried Apples, Cinnamon, Salt
• Original: Whole Grain Oats

The Maple Brown Sugar and Apple Cinnamon flavors are sold in six-pouch multipacks and as part of a six-pouch variety pack (two of each flavor plus two Original).

Designed for recipes or stove-top preparation, Chex's Gluten-Free Original Quick Cook Oats are sold in a 16 oz. pouch.

The Chex oatmeal products, which are certified gluten free, will begin shipping next week and should be in markets nationwide starting in late June. Pricing has not yet been announced.

News & Notes: May 16, 2014

Mumbai Bistro has branched out of Center City Philadelphia and into the suburbs, Philly.com reports. The Indian restaurant recently opened in West Chester (18 S. Church St., 484-887-0114), where the buffet and table-service menus list gluten-free options.

There's no shortage of gluten-free pasta options in Wilmington: Cafe Napoli (4391 Kirkwood Hwy., 302-999-7553), Cafe Mezzanotte (1007 N. Orange St., 302-658-7050) and Cafe Verdi (12A Trolley Square, 302-656-5411) all offer it. (At Cafe Verdi, the pasta can be prepared using separate water upon request.)

Reader Cheryl F. let me know that Capt'n Chucky's Crab Cake Co. has a gluten-free version of its award-winning Smith Island Crab Cake, which is available "to go" at all locations (Newtown Square, Chester Springs, Trappe, Blue Bell, Colmar, Yardley and Wilmington). Most stores also stock gluten-free New England Clam Chowder.