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