Friday, February 17, 2012

News & Notes: February 17, 2012

The Gluten Free Philly staff made it to The Tomato Bistro in Manayunk last Sunday to check out the restaurant's homemade gluten-free pizza, and the rave reviews are indeed justified. The Fig pizza in particular was amazing. Keep reading for details on the next Gluten-Free Supper Club event at the Bistro.

Pizza is indeed plentiful this week. Zavino Wine Bar & Pizzeria (112 S. 13th St., 215-732-2400) is the newest Center City restaurant to serve gluten-free pizza. The restaurant uses a certified gluten-free crust and pulls from separate toppings and sauce.

Tosco's
 in Pennsburg (824 Main St., 215-679-0650) - up in northern Montgomery County - also serves gluten-free pizza.

Leo Tucci's Pizza in Cherry Hill (1400 Berlin Rd., 856-795-1223) is using Conte's gluten-free pizza shells and will use separate sauce and cheese on request.

Lara W. let me know that South Philly's Le Virtu (1927 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-271-5626) serves gluten-free pasta.

The original Pad Thai varieties at Manayunk's Chabaa Thai Bistro (4371 Main St., 215-483-1979) are naturally gluten free.

Pure Tacos' Center City location at 1935 Chestnut St. is shooting for a early April opening.

Chef Daniel Stern has opted to close University City restaurant MidAtlantic on February 24, but gluten-free service is available at R2L (50 S. 16th St., 215-564-5337), his eatery atop Two Liberty Place in Center City.

The Inquirer reports that the Peace A Pizza location in Wayne (522 W. Lancaster Ave.) soon will be converted to a Melt Down Grilled Cheese sandwich shop. Melt Down's original location in North Wales has gluten-free bread.

Chef Daniel Dougherty and the catering staff at the Bala Golf Club (2200 Belmont Ave., 215-878-3555) is GREAT-certified and can prepare gluten-free menus. Reader Jamie Y. recently co-hosted an all-gluten-free event there that featured pigs in blankets, sliders, crab cakes, sushi, risotto parmesan balls and an Asian station.

The new Whole Foods Market in Glen Mills (475 Wilmington-West Chester Pike) is slated to open on March 14.

The gluten-free/dairy-free granola from Metropolitan Bakery that I wrote about last month is now available in 12-ounce bags.

Woodchuck Hard Cider has expanded its Private Reserve Line with the addition of the world’s first Belgian White-style hard cider. According to the company, this limited-run Belgian White "presents a delicate aroma and taste, mirroring the Belgian tradition of a coriander and orange peel profile, laced with the complexity of apple notes and classic Belgian beer yeast." It is 5.5% alcohol by volume.

Hawthornes, a South Philly beer boutique (738 S. 11th St., 215-627-3012), carries Dogfish Head's Tweason'ale and all three New Planet beers. Thanks to Amanda M. for the tip.

Pinocchio's Restaurant in Media (131 E. Baltimore Ave., 610-566-7767) now has Tweason'ale on tap. (Thanks S.M.)

The Tomato Bistro will host the next Gluten-Free Supper Club event on Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. There will be two options (total is for two people including tax and tip; if you're flying solo, you can just pair up with another guest when ordering): $52 includes any gluten-free variety of pizza, two salads, soups or small plates, one dessert, and non-alcoholic drinks; $70 includes the same courses with four alcoholic drinks. Small plates include a Mediterranean plate, bruschetta, Aztec shrimp and mussels; salads include salmon, Waldorf, Caprese and Cobb; soups are tomato bisque and vegetarian chili; and there's a flourless chocolate torte for dessert. Tweason'ale and Doc's Framboise hard cider will be among the adult beverage options. The restaurant also has a private parking lot for up to 20 cars. To reserve a spot, email reader Daria.

You can still enter my latest Goodies Giveaway of a Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery prize pack. Just follow this link for all the details.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael
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