Friday, October 15, 2010

News & Notes: October 15, 2010

I was happy to publish a guest restaurant review for this week's feature, and the timing was fortuitous. Reader and Philadelphia Gluten-Free Supper Clubber Adriana Z. wrote about the group's recent meal at Adsum in a week in which the restaurant received lots of good press. Food critics at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia City Paper also found much to recommend.

In restaurant news this week, contemporary American Za Restaurant in Pennington (147 West Delaware Avenue, 609-737-4400) notes gluten-free items on its lunch and dinner menus.

Gluten-free pizza and pasta are available at Medford's Illiano Cucina Mediterranea (200 Tuckerton Road, 888-748-4765).

Reader Annsley K. let me know that the chef at Olive on Third, a newish Italian in Philadelphia's Society Hill section (516 South 3rd Street, 267-519-9498), is knowledgeable about celiac disease and can easily accommodate gluten-free dietary requests.

Currently served in bottles at Northern Liberties' Swift Half Pub (1001 North 2nd Street, 215-923-4600) are Redbridge, Original Sin Pear Cider and Magners Cider.

New to the list of gluten-free friendly caterers is Jack Kramer's Catering in Philadelphia (4217 Chestnut Street, 215-662-5300). Operations manager Brian Miller, who has a family member with celiac, told me that the caterer can prepare gluten-free foods for corporate and social events. The company will be participating in the Appetite for Awareness event on October 24.

Gluten-free breakfast choices have increased with the introduction of a couple new items. First, Glutino has debuted glazed original and chocolate donuts, six to a box. Look for them in the frozen food section of supermarkets and health food stores.

Smart Ones, made by Heinz, has added a Cheesy Scramble with Hashbrowns frozen dish. It's made with scrambled egg whites and Monterey Jack, cheddar and reduced-fat mozzarella cheeses with a side of potatoes.

October 24 stands to be a busy day in the local celiac community. In addition to Appetite for Awareness, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is hosting area benefit walks. One will be along the Camden waterfront, where "Team Celiac" will be participating. The three-mile walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Readers can register for the walk or make a donation. The other will be at Bucks County Community College in Newtown starting at 10 a.m. Advance registration is recommended.

A new book for children called “Mommy, What Is Celiac Disease?” is available exclusively at Wegmans through December 31, 2010. Katie Chalmers’ book grew out of personal experience: she learned in 2007 that she had the disease and, after having her children tested, learned that her daughter Morgan has it too. The book is available at Wegmans for $11.16 (a 20 percent discount of the list price) and will be carried in the Nature’s Marketplace area of the store, where gluten-free foods are sold. Chalmers will sign books at Saturday, October 30 at Wegmans in Mount Laurel from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday, October 31 at Wegmans in Malvern, also from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Enjoy the weekend and root on the Phillies!
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