News & Notes: December 7, 2012

Fette Sau, named New York City's Best BBQ by Zagat voters since 2009, has set up shop in Fishtown (1208 Frankford Ave., 215-391-4888) as part of the Stephen Starr empire. All of the smoked meats are gluten free (the rub contains coffee, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, garlic powder and black pepper), as are the potato and broccoli salads, baked beans, coleslaw, sauerkraut, pickles and all three table sauces.

Old City Irish pub The Plough & The Stars (123 Chestnut St., 215-733-0300) notes gluten-free items on its menus, as does Mi Lah Vegetarian near Rittenhouse Square (218 S. 16th St., 215-732-8888).

The Station Bistro in Kimberton (1300 Hares Hill Rd., 610-933-1147) serves gluten-free shrimp primavera at lunch and dinner, among other options noted on the menu.

Also in the suburbs, Kennett Square's Bite of Italy (847 E. Baltimore Pike, 610-925-2762) offers gluten-free pasta and other options are listed on the menus.

Previously on my "Where to Eat and Shop" list was Basil Leaf in Newtown (2808 S. Eagle Rd., 215-968-7505). The French-Vietnamese restaurant recently converted to a 100% gluten-free environment, so everything on the menu - from the spring rolls to the hoisin sauce - is safe. Basil Leaf is now part of GIG's Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program.

Mexican restaurant La Calaca Feliz is a welcome addition to Philadelphia's Fairmount section, as I wrote in Tuesday's review, with the fish and pulled pork tacos standing out.

Reader Leah J. let me know that Camp Green Lane, an sleepaway camp in the foothills of the Poconos, can accommodate gluten-free campers. The kitchen at the Montgomery County camp, which runs a seven-week overnight session, has separate cookware, utensils and the like and serves comparable meals.

Carlow Cookery in Doylestown (432 N. Main St., 215-489-2677) is hosting an intro-level gluten-free cooking class on Tuesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. On the menu is Pizza with San Marzano Tomatoes, Sausage and Caramelized Mushrooms; Stuffed Pork Chops with Apples and Mustard Glaze; Quinoa and Fennel Pilaf; and Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting.  The class is $45 and online registration is available.

Wegmans markets are now exclusively featuring gluten-free versions of European holiday favorites made by Schar: Panettone (Italian Christmas Cake), Chocolate Chip Panettone (Chocolate Chip Italian Christmas Cake), Fantasia (Yellow Cake), Cioccolini (Double Chocolate Cookies), Fior di Sole (Ring Cookies) and Spekulatius (Spiced Windmill Cookies).

Have a great weekend!

- Michael