News & Notes: May 31, 2013

Ocean City shorebirds can order breakfast and lunch off of the gluten-free menu at Arlene's on Asbury (624 Asbury Ave., 609-399-3639). Notable breakfast options include pancakes, French toast and breakfast sandwiches. The kitchen keeps a separate toaster for gluten-free breads.

At the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel in Atlantic City (Boston Ave. and The Boardwalk, 609-347-7111), Patsy's Trattoria serves gluten-free spaghetti.

Vino Volo is at PHL's B/C Connector (above) and
three other airport locations (Photo courtesy Vino Volo)

If you're biding time at Philadelphia International Airport or looking to bring food onto the plane, another dining option besides Legal Sea Foods is Vino Volo, with four locations (B/C Connector, D/E Connector, Terminal B - Gate B9 and Terminal A West - Gate A17). Among the gluten-free items on the current menu are all of the "Small Bites" without bread, roasted chicken breast salad, braised pork tacos, and chickpea & chorizo chili. While not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, the general manager tells me that the staff does their best to minimize cross contamination. Vino Volo is also looking to source a gluten-free bread to complement the cured meats, cheese plate and salmon rolls.

Noodles & Company's pad Thai dish

The Noodles & Company chain has planted its flag in the area with a location at the Concord Mall in Wilmington (4737 Concord Pike, 302-477-1018). There are nine noodle dishes on the gluten-free menu that can be made with either gluten-free fusilli or rice noodles, along with three salads. A second Delaware spot is coming to the Christiana Mall in Newark.

New American Vernick Food & Drink on Rittenhouse Square (2031 Walnut St., 267-639-6644) can accommodate gluten-free guests. The menu changes frequently, but look for most of the fish choices to be safe. (Thanks to reader Sara T. for the tip.)

Reader Jared G. let me know that many items can be prepared gluten free at The Library 2 steakhouse in Voorhees (306 Rt. 73 N., 856-424-0198)

After recently opening in Collegeville (121 Market St.), The Lite Choice is set to dish out its gluten-free soft serve dessert at a second Philadelphia location beginning today (1428 Walnut St.). The new locations have gluten-free cones, cookie wafers for sandwiches, and dedicated blenders.

NBC10 reporter Nefertiti Jáquez was profiled in the latest "Dishing With" segment, posted on Tuesday.

Ian's has unveiled new packaging across its entire product line and introduced several new allergen-friendly options. Coming soon are fruit- and sausage-filled Pancrepes and Supreme French bread pizza.

Because all of the products at Trader Joe's are sold under its own name, you never know when something new is coming out. So it came as a surprise when reader Hope D. wrote on the GFP Facebook page this week that TJ's now has a gluten-free version of its Joe-Joe's creme-filled sandwich cookies. These are made with chocolate wafers and vanilla creme and sell for $3.99 a box. Fingers crossed for a peppermint variety come winter!

Just in time for the summer grilling season, local meats purveyor Dietz & Watson has launched a line of all-natural chicken sausages. The seven varieties are Buffalo-style, Jamaican jerk, Asiago spinach, Andouille, Santa Fe-style, Italian, and Oktoberfest Black Forest recipe brats.

If you're shopping at Wegmans, "look to the cookie." The Cookie Connection's pillowy black-and-whites are available in the bakery section by the three-pack for $6.99. They are worth every calorie.

Spots are filling up quickly for Be Well Philly's Boot Camp on Sat. June 8 in Philadelphia. At this women's-only health and fitness event, I'll be speaking at the "Gluten Free Guide" session. Tickets are available online.

CHOP's children's celiac support group will be meeting for dinner at Pasta Pomodoro on Mon. June 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 856-782-7430 for reservations.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

Dishing With ... Nefertiti Jáquez

NBC10's Nefertiti Jáquez
(Photo credit: Joseph Kaczmarek) 

When there's breaking news in the Philadelphia area, you'll frequently find Emmy-nominated reporter Nefertiti Jáquez on the scene. Jáquez joined NBC10 in January, but's she's a familiar face to Delaware Valley news watchers, having worked at FOX 29 from 2007 to 2009. In our latest "Dishing With ..." profile, Jáquez talks about a few of her favorite restaurants for dining gluten free, a typical (busy) work day, and the person she'd most like to interview.

News & Notes: May 24, 2013

As Jimmy Buffett would say, "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere." As of today, it'll be time to eat at his newest Margaritaville restaurant, located at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City (1133 Boardwalk, 609-431-4100). Although it's not yet posted on the restaurant website, there's a gluten-free menu consisting of entrees, sandwiches (with buns), fries prepped in a separate fryer, desserts and beer.

Agno Grill's coconut-flour flatbread with fillings

The owners of Rittenhouse Square's Pure Fare are set to open their second all-gluten-free eatery nearby on May 29. Agno Grill (2104 Chestnut St., 267-997-4524) is styled as modern Mediterranean, serving items like flatbreads, baked falafel, quinoa tabbouleh and grilled, marinated chicken with harissa sauce. Thanks to reader Sherrie C. for the tip.

Readers Elly A. and Heather H. wrote me about New American Ela in Philadelphia's Queen Village section (627 S. 3rd St., 267-687-8512), where gluten-free options are starred on the frequently rotating menu. Heather recently enjoyed a kale salad with sautéed onions, green apples and whole mustard vinaigrette, a short rib entree with whipped mashed potatoes and broccoli gremolata, and strawberry-rhubarb cobbler (poached strawberries with cheesecake ice cream, minus the cobbler) for dessert.

Manakeesh Cafe, a Middle Eastern spot in University City (4420 Walnut St., 215-921-2135) has a gluten-free platter that's made up of hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel (fried in a dedicated fryer), fattoush and grape leaves.

Hearth, a new addition to the New Hope dining scene (7 E. Ferry St., 267-714-7400), is a BYOB featuring seafood and vegetarian selections. Gluten-free options such as baked polenta, salmon niçoise and tuna steak salad are noted on the menu, while others can be made gluten free on request.

5 O'Clock Brew Co. plans an IPA called "Blue Skies"

Speaking of the 5 o'clock hour, contributing writer Dori wrote this week about Philly's 5 O'Clock Brew Co. and New Jersey's Departed Soles Brewing Company. Both are finalizing plans to launch gluten-free beers in the area by the end of the year.

Amazon.com's gluten-free grocery sale is still live, ranging from up to 15% off Glutino and Pamela's products to up to 25% off Betty Crocker mixes (with a $6 instant coupon, you can get a six-pack of BC's yellow cake mix for less than $3 a box) and GoPicnic. You can get automatic free shipping with the Subscribe & Save option. (I get a small commission when you purchase items through the above links.)

Greensgrow Farms is hosting a gluten-free cooking class featuring Vietnamese cuisine, being held at noon tomorrow at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Philadelphia (2139 E. Cumberland St., 267-283-6787). Tickets are $35.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness are sponsoring a free celiac disease educational event and cooking demo on Tues. May 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill (1301 Springdale Rd.). Speakers include Dr. Anthony DiMarino, Jr. from Jefferson, the NFCA's Alice Bast and Jefferson dietitian Emily Rubin, while Pasquale Masters of Pasta Pomodoro in Voorhees will run a cooking demo and food sampling. Call 1-800-JEFF-NOW to register or use the online form.

Have a great holiday weekend!

- Michael

The Brews Brothers

By Dori Molozanov

The nationally recognized Philly Beer Week kicks off next week, and while there are no gluten-free breweries participating this time out, next year could well be different. Two area brewers are busy finalizing plans to slake the thirst of gluten-free beer drinkers.

News & Notes: May 17, 2013

Photo credit: Chickie's and Pete's

Although its famous Crabfries have long been gluten free, Philly-area sports bar titan Chickie's and Pete's has just put together a full gluten-free menu for its full-service locations that also includes all styles of wings, nachos and many seafood choices. The wings and fries are prepared in their own fryers. The chain has outposts throughout the Delaware Valley, with its newest spot slated to open this summer at the Tropicana in Atlantic City.

Another area casual-dining chain, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, will be adding Udi's burger buns to its gluten-free menu. The expanded menu is being tested for now in West Chester and will extend to Maple Shade in early June before launching company-wide in August. Iron Hill, which has locations stretching from Lancaster to Newark, Delaware, is set to open its 10th restaurant in Voorhees this summer. News of the addition was first reported by the Burlington County Times.

Collingswood's IndeBlue, a modern Indian restaurant that serves gluten-free items (even naan), is close to opening a second spot, this one in the Midtown Village section of Philadelphia (205 S. 13th St.). The target date is June 1.

If you've been wondering whether there are gluten-free options on any of the food trucks roaming around town these days, Gluten Free Philly contributor Dori has the answer in Tuesday's post, "Streets of Philadelphia."

Citronelle cake from Aux Petits Delices

Reader Daria D. sent along the latest e-mail newsletter from Aux Petits Delices in Wayne (162 E. Lancaster Ave., 610-971-0300), which has a photo I couldn't resist running here. The pastry shop, which has a number of gluten-free selections, recently designed a gluten-free wedding shower cake made of gold-dusted layers of lemon mousse and decorated with chocolate, mocha and almond macarons.

General Mills has issued a press release about the new Pillsbury gluten-free refrigerated pizza, cookie and pie/pastry doughs. The release relays the research done by the company in developing the doughs and also contains the news nugget that there may be as many as three more gluten-free Pillsbury products in the next year or so. (Can I get a show of hands for crescent rolls?) The Gluten-Free Living magazine blog has some info on the products' "stringent" manufacturing protocols, while General Mills has also posted ingredient and nutrition information on its website.

Stella Artois Cidre, a Belgian hard cider, is now available in 26 states, with nationwide U.S. distribution planned for next year. According to the pitch on the brewer's website: "The taste of red apple and peachy, apricot accents complement the subtle flavor of orange, giving it a refreshing taste with a pleasing wood finish." Cidre (pronounced "CEE-dra") is naturally gluten free, contains 170 calories and is 4.5% alcohol by volume. It's being sold in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles and in single 24-ounce bottles.

New York's Steadfast Beer Co. will soon have its two gluten-free beers distributed throughout New Jersey.  The company's new Golden Blonde Ale is brewed with sorghum, honey, traditional White Ale spices and a Belgian yeast strain, while aggressively dry and hoppy flavors define the company’s flagship Sorghum Pale Ale.

Meanwhile, Colorado gluten-free brewer New Planet Beer is expanding its national beer portfolio by two. The year-round Amber Ale has lightly toasted caramel notes and subtle citrus hints on the finish. The Belgian Ale, available April through August, has subtle spice and honey notes. Look for the new packaging for the entire line and new names for the existing beers: “Tread Lightly Ale” is now Blonde Ale; “Off Grid Pale Ale” is now Pale Ale; and “3R Raspberry Ale” is called Raspberry Ale.

I'll be among the panelists (and one of the few with the XY chromosomes) at Philadelphia magazine's second annual Be Well Boot Camp, a ladies-only health-and-fitness event on Sat. June 8 at the Drexel University Recreation Center in University City (3301 Market St.). Attendees can try a new fitness class, get access to the region's best doctors and trainers, have their strides assessed at a running clinic, pick up health tips at cooking demos, and talk to the experts at the Marketplace. At 11 a.m., there'll be a "Gluten-Free Guide" session, featuring Nancy Ginter of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, health coach Jennifer Fugo, and yours truly. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a happy hour to follow. Early registration is $25, with a buy-3-get-1 free offer for a girls' day out.

I've written two stories for the next issue of Gluten-Free Living magazine. Through Sunday, Gluten-Free Saver has a half-off deal for new subscribers: one year/six issues for $17, which starts off with the next issue (July/August). If you purchase through this link, You'll support Gluten Free Philly via a small commission.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael