News & Notes: November 2, 2018

Green Giant Fresh has expanded its fresh vegetable offerings with its new gluten-free Vegetable Meal Bowls, available in the refrigerated produce section at grocers nationwide at a suggested retail price of $3.99 per bowl. Each bowl includes a 100% fresh vegetable base with sauces and seasoning packets, The line includes six varieties:

• Buddha Bowl: featuring crumbled sweet potato, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, roasted chickpeas and tahini sauce
• Burrito Bowl: containing crumbled cauliflower and ancho-chipotle pepper black bean sauce
• "Fried Rice" Bowl: featuring crumbled cauliflower, carrots, onions, broccoli and teriyaki sauce
• Pad Thai Bowl: featuring carrot noodles with peanut-flavored sunflower butter sauce
• Ramen Bowl: containing butternut noodles, crumbled cauliflower, carrots, onions, broccoli, roasted edamame and ramen seasoning
• Rancheros Bowl: featuring crumbled sweet potato, cauliflower, kale and green chili sauce

California Pizza Kitchen has added two new gluten-free cauliflower thin-crust pizzas to its line of frozen pizzas. One is Artisanal Style Cheese, the other an Uncured Pepperoni, Mushroom and Sausage pizza. Speaking of CPK, the restaurants are phasing out the rice-flour pizza crusts but are still offering five certified gluten-free cauliflower pizzas. (Thanks to Baltimore Gluten Free for the tip.)

I'm still searching for the new Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake ice cream from L.A.-based Coolhaus. The seasonal flavor made with pumpkin and cream cheese ice cream and a gluten-free graham cracker crust swirl. The company's website has a downloadable coupon.

Cheesecake Factory at Home is a new line of gluten-free refrigerated puddings that will hit stores early next year. These layered puddings come in four flavor combinations:

• Vanilla Fudge Duet: creamy vanilla bean pudding over dark chocolate fudge sauce
• Chocolate Black-Out: rich Belgian chocolate pudding over dark chocolate fudge sauce
• Salted Caramel Delight: creamy salted caramel pudding over rich caramel sauce
• Cake Batter Strawberry Royale: creamy cake batter-inspired pudding over a sweet strawberry puree

Mi-Del has two new gluten-free seasonal cookies: Snowflake Snickerdoodles and Snowman sugar cookies.

Trader Joe's is always adding new gluten-free products. Among the latest are blueberry and everything bagels, as well as a pie crust.

The Philadelphia area has seen lots of gluten-free-friendly restaurant openings of late. Today is the debut of Eddie V's Prime Seafood in King of Prussia (670 W. DeKalb Pike, 610-337-7823). The kitchen has a gluten-free menu that includes many traditional seafood and steakhouse options.

In Fairmount, the new Thirsty Dice (1642 Fairmount Ave., 215-765-2679) is a board-game cafe featuring more than 800 games to choose from. The menu is designed by the good folks at Fox & Son and includes gluten-free corn dog lollipops, French bread pizza and mac-and-cheese.

The area's newest Shake Shack opened last week in Midtown Village (1132 Chestnut St., 215-709-2702). All full-service locations offer gluten-free burger buns.

Out on the Main Line, all-gluten-free Real Food Eatery (4040 City Ave., 267-969-3565) opened late last month and is serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Denim American Bistro is a new BYOB in Cherry Hill (213 Kresson Rd., 856-520-8114) offering a dedicated gluten-free menu with separate cookware and preparation.

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen recently shuttered its Cherry Hill and Princeton locations, leaving only a local outpost in Springfield, Pennsylvania.

This Sunday in State College is the Central PA Gluten-Free Expo, with more than 50 vendors participating in the event. You can get more details in my Tuesday post.

The Victoria Freehouse in Old City (10 S. Front St., 215-543-6089) is hosting a four-course gluten-free Fall cider pairing dinner next Saturday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Four British ciders will be paired with seasonal cuisine. For the menu and to purchase tickets ($65 per person), visit Brown Paper Tickets.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is hosting a Thanksgiving-themed children's support group meeting on Sunday, Nov. 11 at its King of Prussia Specialty Care Center (550 S. Goddard Blvd.) from noon to 2 p.m. Turkey and drinks will be provided along with a fall-themed children's craft. Attendees are asked to bring a gluten-free side dish to share. RSVP via email to CHOP with the number of children and adult attending.

In case you missed it, NBC10 Philadelphia recently featured Gluten Free Philly in two stories: one on Celiac Disease and another on the Gluten Free Philly app. You can download the app in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael