News & Notes: November 2, 2012

Aqua, a Malaysian and Thai restaurant on the east side of Broad Street in Center City Philadelphia (705 Chestnut St., 215-928-2838), has a gluten-free menu that features several noodle dishes. The owner, Vickie Chung, is familiar with appropriate food preparation.

Marrone's Pizzeria in Ardmore (2744 E. County Line Rd., 610-642-9567) now serves gluten-free pizza using Still Riding's crusts.

Also with gluten-free pizza is Fino's Pizza in Philly's Germantown section (6784 Germantown Pike, 215-844-1188).

Reader Samantha M. let me know that Collingswood's Indiya (612 Haddon Ave., 856-858-0020) lists gluten-free options on its menu.

Pei Wei's new Sriracha Chicken (PRNewsFoto/Pei Wei)

The newest featured dish from Pei Wei Asian Diner, Sriracha Chicken, is gluten free, as is the version made with shrimp.

The Bards Irish Bar near Rittenhouse Square has discontinued its gluten-free menu, at least for now.

New at Trader Joe's markets is a gluten-free three-cheese pizza with Roma tomatoes. The 11-oz. pie is made on a rice-flour crust with provolone, mozzarella and Manchego cheeses and sells for $4.99.

In the freezer case at most other markets is a new line of breakfast bakes from Bob Evans. The three microwaveable varieties - sausage, egg and cheese, bacon, egg and cheese, and meatless Southwest - are mixed with hash browns and are baked, not fried.

In case you missed it due the storm, on Tuesday I announced a Goodies Giveaway for dinner at The Pop Shop in Collingswood. The prize includes dinner entrees for four guests. (The Pop Shop has gluten-free grilled cheese, chicken fingers, fries and more.) You can enter here now through Sunday.

Speaking of The Pop Shop, the restaurant will host a fundraiser to benefit the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness on Thursday, November 15. When you bring this flyer and dine in for any meal that day (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.), the restaurant will donate 15% of your total check to the NFCA.

Also on the calendar is a fundraiser at the Iron Hill Brewery in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. Present the special voucher at dinner on Monday, November 12 and the restaurant will donate 20% of your food bill to the NFCA. Iron Hill has extensive gluten-free menus for adults and kids.

This being election season, I'm in the running for Writer of the Year at the Philadelphia-area food-and-wine blog Epikur. Please vote for me at this page, with much thanks. No registration or login required to vote - just three mouse clicks and you're done.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael