News & Notes: January 31, 2014

Credit: Posh Pop Bakeshop/Facebook

The Philadelphia region's newest gluten-free bakery debuts today in Haddonfield. Posh Pop Bakeshop (109 Kings Hwy. E., 856-428-7674) opens at noon with free mini cupcakes (one per customer) all day long. The bakery has relocated from its original site in central New Jersey. Cake pops and cupcakes are among the specialties there. According to the bakery's Facebook page, operating hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

The Yankee Doodle Tap Room at Princeton's historic Nassau Inn (10 Palmer Square, 609-688-2600) has gluten-free options for all meals, including pancakes at breakfast. The lunch and dinner menus are annotated with gluten-free and vegetarian selections. The kitchen advises that the wings are not prepared in a dedicated fryer.

Also in Princeton, Tre Piani (120 Rockingham Row, 609-452-1515) serves gluten-free pasta and has starred gluten-free options on its lunch and dinner menus, while Eno Terra in nearby Kingston (4484 Rt. 27, 609-497-1777) offers Italian-made gluten-free pasta.

Another landmark restaurant, this one in Newark, Delaware, has gluten-free options. The Deer Park Tavern (108 W. Main St., 302-369-9414), where I spent many a night as an undergrad at the University of Delaware, has a gluten-free menu. Note that the fried items are prepared in a shared fryer.

McGlynn's Pub, The Deer Park's sister restaurant in Newark (8 Polly Drummond Shopping Center, 302-738-7814; 108 Peoples Plaza, 302-834-6661) and Dover (800 N. State St., 302-674-0144) has similar gluten-free options, albeit with the same caveat about the fried items.

Philly.com reports that mod-Mex Cantina Laredo will open at the King of Prussia Mall this summer. While there's an outpost at Philadelphia International Airport, the mall location at the Court will mark Cantina Laredo's first full-service restaurant in the Philadelphia area. The chain marks gluten-free options on its menus.

The Couch Tomato Cafe plans a late summer opening for a new location in West Chester (31 W. Gay St.). Like the flagship in Manayunk, the new spot will also serve gluten-free pizza.

P.F. Chang's seasonal options for winter include one gluten-free selection - an orange ginger beet salad. The Asian fusion chain is currently offering a coupon for $10 off a $40 or more order.

Speaking of limited-time winter offerings, this month's First Draft beer column highlights several seasonal hard apple ciders from Woodchuck, Angry Orchard and J.K. Scrumpy's. Incidentally, Woodchuck has just released the newest flavor in its Cellar Series nationally in time for Valentine's Day - yep, Chocolate. “The use of crushed cacao nibs allowed for this cider to showcase chocolate’s true character,” says Cider Maker John Matson. “The infusion of the beans brought out those strong natural chocolate notes, without the sweetness found in a chocolate bar." Cellar Series Chocolate is pasteurized and featured in a 22 oz. bottle. Alcohol by volume is 6.9%.

The Center for Celiac Disease at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is hosting its 8th Annual Celiac Disease Education Day on Sunday, March 23. The event will feature:

• Speaker-led sessions about current celiac disease topics
• Breakout sessions to address age-specific needs and concerns related to celiac disease
• A chance to meet and talk to other families affected by celiac disease
• Children's activities
• Complimentary gluten-free breakfast, lunch and snack
• Gluten-free vendors displaying their products

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Pediatric Research Center, located at 3615 Civic Center Boulevard in Philadelphia. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. Free parking will be available in the Wood Garage. Registration is free and can be completed online.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

The Gluten Free Philly app for iOS and Android devices is now available. Find more than 1,300 area gluten-free-friendly businesses on the go, search by cuisine or neighborhood, and more!