News & Notes: October 5, 2018

Before I get down to business, I wanted to let you know that NBC10 Philadelphia will be featuring Gluten Free Philly in a two-party story on dining out with Celiac Disease on Monday's 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts. Set your DVRs if you can't catch it when it broadcasts in real time. The stories should be posted to the station's website shortly after they air.

(Photo Credit: Corinna V.)

(Photo Credit: Baltimore Gluten Free)

Trader Joe's has several new gluten-free products in stores. The new Crispy Quinoa Stars is a quinoa and rice cereal sweetened with cane sugar and honey. There's also a butternut squash pizza crust and a spinach & kale crust in the frozen section. (Thanks, Corinna V.)

(Photo Credit: The Impulsive Buy)

Though not up on its website, Udi's Gluten Free has introduced two new breads: Hearty Sprouted Grains and 7 Seeds & Grains.

At long last, the new gluten-free pretzel rods from Snyder's of Hanover are making their way into supermarkets. I picked up a bag at Wegmans in Cherry Hill.

News & Notes: September 7, 2018

Barilla has launched a line of one-ingredient legume pastas, made with chickpeas or red lentils. The pasta is available in four varieties - Red Lentil Rotini, Red Lentil Penne, Chickpea Rotini and Chickpea Casarecce - all of which are certified gluten free. They retail for $2.99 each and can be found at Amazon.com and select retailers nationwide

Trader Joe's new Almond Butter Cocoa bars are squares of gluten-free oat-and-rice-flour based chocolately dough, sweetened with fig paste and filled with almond butter.

This fall, Canyon Bakehouse introduces two English muffin options: Original and Honey Whole Grain. The Original variety comes in a pack of five and can be found in the freezer section, while the Honey Whole Grain comes in shelf-stable packaging. You can download a coupon here.

Goodie Girl Cookies' new gluten-free Birthday Cake sandwich creme cookies will be available this fall at Whole Foods markets and Amazon, while the returning, seasonal Caramel Apple cookies - with crunchy toffee and apple bits - will be at Bed Bath & Beyond. There's a downloadable coupon at the company's website.

Krusteaz has added a cinnamon swirl crumb cake and muffin mix to its gluten-free line.

Acadia brings a bit of New Orleans spice to South Philly (824 S. 8th St., 215-922-7200). Gluten-free options are noted on the menu; avoid fried items due to possible cross-contact. There are Sunday brunch options as well that include gluten-free shrimp and grits as well as waffles made in a dedicated iron.

News & Notes: March 2, 2018

Hoping to turn around its reputation for "holey" bread, Udi's Gluten Free has sought to improve two of its best-selling loaves. The Multigrain and Soft White Sandwich breads have larger slices and a softer texture. The Multigrain variety is sold in 12-oz. loaves, while the white comes in 12- and 24-oz. versions.

In addition to puff pastry dough, Schar is also importing several other gluten-free frozen items to the U.S. this year, including kaiser rolls and pain au chocolat pastries. Like Schar's croissants, the pastries are made with certified gluten-free wheat starch, which is more commonly found in gluten-free products in Europe. You can read about certified gluten-free wheat starch at Schar's website as well as Gluten-Free Living and Gluten Free Watchdog; consuming products with certified gluten-free wheat starch is a personal decision for those with Celiac Disease; such products are not appropriate for those with wheat allergies.

Available in Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Toasted Coconut varieties, Simple Mills’ new gluten-free soft-baked cookies are made with whole-food ingredients like almond flour, honey and coconut sugar. They have no refined sugars or preservatives. Each package contains eight cookies and retails for $4.99.

RP’s Gluten-Free Pasta is rebranding to become Taste Republic. The new Taste Republic pasta line will continue to be certified gluten-free, Kosher, and include fresh pasta favorites such as fettuccine, fusilli and lasagna as well as new items like plantain linguine. Look for the new line to be on retail shelves by May.

Locally, Snap Custom Pizza has opened its newest location in Jenkintown (1621 The Fairway, 215-935-6348), where guests can order custom-made gluten-free pizzas.

Turning Point just opened another southern New Jersey location in Moorestown (1690 Nixon Dr., 856-840-6167. The local breakfast/lunch cafe chain offers a gluten-free menu.

IndeBlue has closed its original location in Collingswood; its Philadelphia outpost in Midtown Village (205 S. 13th St., 215-545-4633) remains open.

Stephen Starr's Philadelphia restaurants have long been accommodating for gluten-free diets. I was able to gather (and have linked to) the current gluten-free menus at Pod, Jones, El Rey, Continental in Old City, Butcher & Singer, Buddakan, Barclay Prime and Alma de Cuba; others, like Morimoto, The Dandelion and Talula's Garden, have lists on site. Note that some restaurants, like Buddakan, do not have dedicated gluten-free fryers; if you're considering ordering fried items, be sure to check with management in advance or when you arrive.

Registration for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's annual Celiac Disease Education Day on Sunday, March 25 is now open. The 13th annual event will take place from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Colket Translational Research Building on CHOP’s campus. Children in attendance are provided the opportunity to attend interactive age specific lectures and to learn through play with CHOP child life specialists. Complimentary gluten-free meals are provided, and attendees can sample gluten-free products from several vendors. I'll be at the Beyond Celiac table, so feel free to stop by and say hello.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

With the updated Gluten Free Philly app for iOS and Android devices, find more than 1,600 area gluten-free-friendly businesses on the go, search by cuisine or neighborhood, make reservations and more!

News & Notes: February 16, 2018

They're not yet on the company's website, but Promise Gluten Free now has baked-in-store sourdough breads. (The Ravitz ShopRite stores in southern New Jersey currently have them on sale for $5.49.) The breads are shipped par-baked and frozen, then baked off in the supermarkets in their own bags to avoid cross-contamination; you'll have to slice at home. There are four varieties in all: Rustic White, Rosemary & Olive, Rustic Seven-Seed and Seeds & Fruit. So far, my son has tried the white bread and really liked it. It's more soft than crusty, but tastes especially good after being toasted.

The company making my favorite gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, Tate's Bake Shop, has introduced two more gluten-free flavors: Oatmeal Raisin (which are also sold at Trader Joe's under the store's own label) and Coconut Crisp.

Schar has introduced a chocolate-covered version of its popular Honeygrams cookies, made with dark chocolate and honey. Also coming soon from the company is a puff pastry dough.

The Jewish holiday of Purim begins the evening of Feb. 28 and of course that means noshing on filled hamentaschen cookies. Katz Gluten Free has a full complement of flavors - chocolate, apricot, raspberry, prune and poppy - available for online ordering. Support Gluten Free Philly and use promo code WELCOME20 using this link for 20 percent off your order.

Locally, Bryn & Dane's is serving up gluten-free wraps, salads and smoothies at its just-opened outpost in Malvern (615 Morehall Rd., 610-296-5555).

In Manayunk, Jamaican-Korean The Spicy Belly (3847 Terrace St., 215-482-2095) maintains a dedicated gluten-free fryer and uses a rice flour base for most items. The Korean and jerk wings, shrimp curry and pork belly lettuce wraps are some of the gluten-free items served.

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Botto's Italian Line in Swedesboro (1411 Kings Hwy., 856-467-1570) has a large number of gluten-free options, including pasta (prepped separately), meatballs (made with gluten-free breadcrumbs) and sausage.

Further south in Vineland, Maplewood III (200 N. Delsea Dr., 856-692-2011) offers an extensive gluten-free menu that includes appetizers, pasta, entrees and desserts.

Jersey Mike's opened a location in Reading (3225 N. 5th St., 484-869-8559) earlier this week. Guests can order subs on Udi's gluten-free rolls at all Jersey Mike's locations nationwide.

Fox & Son is testing a fried gluten-free "Oreo"

This week, the all-gluten-free Fox & Son at Reading Terminal Market in Center City Philadelphia (51 N. 12th St., 215-372-7935) is offering - wait for it - fried gluten-free "Oreos" using Trader Joe's gluten-free Joe-Joe sandwich creme cookies. Based on early feedback, the owners are considering adding the treats to the menu permanently.

Another 100% gluten-free restaurant, Westmont's Heart Beet Kitchen (29 Haddon Ave., 856-240-1106) announced this week that it will be opening a location in Ocean City this spring. The address has not yet been revealed.

Turning Point announced a Summer 2018 opening for its newest Pennsylvania location in Newtown (2841 S. Eagle Rd.). The local breakfast/lunch cafe chain offers a gluten-free menu.

Studio Movie Grill will open a second Philadelphia-area location at Willow Grove Mall, likely sometime later this year. The first, in Upper Darby, offers gluten-free burger buns.

The Chester County GIG support group will meet on Thursday, March 1 at the Whole Foods in Exton beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting includes a store tour.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

(This post contains affiliate links.)

With the updated Gluten Free Philly app for iOS and Android devices, find more than 1,600 area gluten-free-friendly businesses on the go, search by cuisine or neighborhood, make reservations and more!

Jersey Mike's Subs Introducing Gluten-Free Rolls Nationwide

I can report exclusively that after receiving positive reviews in several test markets, Jersey Mike’s Subs is introducing gluten-free sub rolls at all 1,300-plus U.S. locations beginning Dec. 4. Jersey Mike’s has partnered with Udi’s Gluten Free after testing the bakery's sub rolls in several markets, including stores in Denver, Los Angeles and West Palm Beach.

“The idea of offering gluten-free rolls came from a franchisee whose daughter had celiac disease,” explained Michael Manzo, Jersey Mike's Chief Operating Officer. “Before going national, we decided to try a pilot in several markets and we are happy to report success: customers loved the taste and they were excited to be able to eat a Jersey Mike’s sub sandwich again - or for the very first time.”

Gluten-free rolls from another company, Wild Flour Bakery, had been tested in the Philadelphia region, New Jersey and North Carolina as part of the pilot program. Manzo said that while many customers responded well to Wild Flour's version, which came proofed and were baked in house, from an operational standpoint it will be easier for stores to serve the Udi's product. (Locations that had been using Wild Flour rolls have already switched over to Udi's.)

To prepare for the national launch, Manzo said the company has produced an instructional video for employees and is training staff how to carefully incorporate the new product into sandwich preparation. The Udi’s rolls arrive at each store individually wrapped and fully baked. Because the packaging is not opened until the sub is ordered, Manzo says there is little risk of cross-contamination with other subs. Additionally, employees wear new gloves when handling the rolls and use dedicated knives and other utensils that haven’t touched other bread products. They also prepare each sandwich on parchment paper to avoid contact with gluten and will utilize separate condiment containers. Customers can request that toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes and onions be taken from stock in the stores’ walk-in refrigerators. Jersey Mike's is working with the Gluten Intolerance Group to obtain certification. The company is also considering adding a gluten-free dessert option.

The Udi’s roll can be used for most hot or cold subs on Jersey Mike’s menu (some contain gluten, such as Meatball and Cheese, Chicken Parmesan and Teriyaki Chicken). The additional charge for gluten-free sandwiches may vary from store to store, but is likely to be between $1 to $2 for regular sizes and $3 to $4 for giant sizes.

Jersey Mike's currently has stores in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

 

News & Notes: August 4, 2017

During our recent vacation in Spain, France and Italy, we discovered so many gluten-free options nearly everywhere we went, from restaurants and gelaterias to coffee shops and pharmacies. I'd venture to say that Western Europe is at least 10 years ahead of the United States when it comes to accessible and safe gluten-free foods - even McDonald's has gluten-free burgers in Spain and Italy (among other countries):

We found Kit Kat-like candy bars and chocolate-covered palmiers (elephant ears) in Barcelona:

Madeleines in Nice, France:

Brioche bread in Capri, Italy:

Back on American soil, Amy's Kitchen has debuted a number of new gluten-free frozen entrees, including a vegetarian paella bowl, pesto pizza and spinach pizza made with rice flour crusts, Mexican breakfast bake with black beans, bell peppers and roasted potatoes and a country-style breakfast bake with meatless sausage.

Reader Lesley F. recommended Caulipower pizza, which she purchased at a South Jersey ShopRite. She wrote that the crust was fluffier than most gluten-free frozen pizzas. Varieties include Margherita, Three Cheese, Veggie and plain crust.

Reader Christin S. suggests two area restaurants being added the growing number of listings on the Gluten Free Philly restaurant app: Victor Cafe in the Bella Vista section of South Philadelphia (1303 Dickinson St., 215-468-3040), which can make its protein entrees gluten free in addition to those noted on the dinner menu (and where the servers sing!) and Kitchen 519 in Glendora, New Jersey (200 E. Evesham Rd., 856-312-8629), which has a separate gluten-free menu.

The Elevation Burger locations in Collegeville (201 Plaza Dr., 610-831-1360) and Willow Grove (3945 Welsh Rd., 215-659-1008) now offer gluten-free burger buns for a $2 surcharge. (Thanks Brian H.) Other area locations can prepare burgers in lettuce wraps, while all have separately prepared fries.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

With the updated Gluten Free Philly app for iOS and Android devices, find more than 1,600 area gluten-free-friendly businesses on the go, search by cuisine or neighborhood, make reservations and more!

News & Notes: July 28, 2017

Better-burger chain Johnny Rockets has introduced Udi's gluten-free buns at all U.S. locations, including the two in this area: the Society Hill section of Philadelphia (443 South St., 215-829-9222) and Atlantic City at Bally's Casino (1900 Pacific Ave., 609-340-0099).

With the recent closure of Paesano's in the Italian Market, another gluten-free cheesesteak option in Philadelphia is Campo's in Old City (214 Market St., 215-923-1000), which prepares gluten-free orders separately.

The new Museum of the American Revolution in Old City (101 S. 3rd St., 215-253-6731) has several gluten-free salads and a soup available at its Cross Keys Cafe, as noted on the menu.

The Greene Turtle has opened its newest sports bar and restaurant in Middletown, Delaware (416 S. Ridge Ave., 302-376-7800.) There are now six locations in Delaware and one in North Wales, Pennsylvania, all of which offer a gluten-free menu.

Hot Dog Tommy's in Cape May (319 Beach Ave., 609-884-8388) offers gluten-free hot dogs with buns and fries.

Gluten-Free Standouts at the National Restaurant Association Show

Many of the 36 award winners at the recent National Restaurant Association in Chicago are gluten free - not surprising given the marketplace's growth. The 2017 Food and Beverage FABI Awards recognize innovative food and beverage products that make a significant impact in the restaurant industry. Some of these are sold in supermarkets, while others are only available at restaurants.

Gluten-Free Biscuit Sandwich from Kiki’s Gluten-Free Foods: The first frozen gluten-free biscuit sandwich now available in foodservice is a breakfast or lunch option for gluten-free consumers on the go. Individually wrapped in plastic to prevent gluten cross-contamination and available in a variety of options, these biscuit sandwiches can be microwaved from frozen or quickly baked and kept under warming lights for over an hour without getting soggy. You can order Chicago deep-dish pizza, ravioli, pita bread and lava cakes through the company's website.

Brazi Bites from Franz Bakery: Brazi Bites Brazilian Cheese Bread are crispy outside and fluffy inside. And because it uses cheese, eggs, milk and tapioca flour, it’s naturally gluten-free.

The Beyond Burger from Beyond Meat: The world's first plant-based burger that looks and cooks like fresh ground beef, The Beyond Burger is non-GMO, soy free and gluten-free, providing a way for consumers to reduce their red meat intake. Although completely plant-based, it cooks through like a regular burger with a better nutritional profile than ground beef,  including 20 grams of protein per serving.

Gluten Free Dough; Pizza & Hoagie Rolls Ready to Bake from Wild Flour Bakery: Artisan, small-batch and 100% yeast-raised, Wild Flour Bakery has created the only gluten-free pizza dough in the industry able to take the 900+ °F temps of wood, coal, gas or infrared ovens without parbaking or burned edges. The bakery's fresh, soft hoagie rolls are used at area Jersey Mike's shops.

News & Notes: April 14, 2017

Luna & Larry's new Coconut Bliss Cookie Sandwiches feature hemp seed and chocolate chip cookies sandwiched around coconut milk frozen dessert. The cookies are produced in a certified gluten-free facility and are made with organic sprouted brown rice and oat flours. The sandwiches are available in Vanilla and Dark Chocolate flavors.

Brazi Bites' newest variety of Brazilian cheese bread snacks is 3 Cheese Pizza, made with mozzarella, Cheddar and Parmesan.

Meltkraft, with Philly locations at the historic Reading Terminal Market (51 N. 12th St., 267-639-3309) and in Rittenhouse Square (46 S. 17th St., 215-687-4950), offers gluten-free bread for grilled cheese sandwiches. A shared grill is cleaned for gluten-free orders, which are prepared separately, Additionally, the staff uses clean utensils, new gloves and wraps the sandwiches (made with Taffets bread) in parchment paper to avoid cross contact.

Get Serious

Bread SRSLY's Classic sourdough bread (Photo Credit: Bread SRSLY)

Quick - think of a food associated with San Francisco. Survey says: "Sourdough Bread." When I heard about Bread SRSLY, a small Bay Area business devoted to baking gluten-free sourdough loaves, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to order such an elusive find. I'm glad I did.

Bread SRSLY makes four kinds of gluten-free sourdough loaves - Classic, Seeded, Kale and Sweet Onion - along with sandwich and dinner rolls in a dedicated facility. In addition to being certified gluten free, all Bread SRSLY baked goods are also free of preservatives along with egg, dairy, nuts and other allergens. It's not, however, taste free.

Our Classic Three-Pack order ($35) was shipped out on a Tuesday and delivered two days later via Priority Mail. Since the bread arrived chilled due to the cold weather, it was ready to be sliced right out of the package. The thicker slices I cut from the first loaf were moist - evidence that it was freshly baked. (The company says the the moistness extends shelf life and helps the bread to rise over a 12-hour period; refrigeration will firm up the loaves and allow for thinner slices.) My slicing yielded 12-13 slices per loaf, which keep for about a week in the fridge or about a month in the freezer.

The bread was satisfying even without being warmed, but was superb out of the toaster (the recommended preparation), coated with a pat of butter. It's become our son's favorite for sandwich making. The starter, made with wild yeast, infuses the bread with that unmistakable tang associated with sourdough. The toasting accentuates the crispiness of the crust and softens the doughy interior.

While priced higher than other gluten-free breads, Bread SRSLY's small-batch sourdough loaves are a worthy indulgence, particularly if you're craving an chewy, crusty bread that can't be found at the supermarket.

New customers can use promo code WELCOMESRSLY at Bread SRSLY's online store for free shipping on their first order (a $5 savings).

Disclosure: I receive a commission from purchases made through the affiliate links in this post. However, I purchased the bread independently and the opinions expressed in the post are my own and are not affected by my affiliate relationship with Bread SRSLY.

Just Don't Call Them Hoagies

The new gluten-free rolls at Jersey Mike's Subs are baked
on dedicated pans to avoid cross contact.

With roots in central Jersey Shore towns, Jersey Mike's can be excused if the growing sandwich-shop chain refers to its signature products as "subs" instead of the Philly-centric "hoagies." Wherever you're from, though, you can order your next meal there on a gluten-free roll. Jersey Mike's Subs is introducing gluten-free rolls in its Philadelphia, New Jersey and metro New York restaurants as part of a three-month pilot program.

The proof-and-bake Tuscan herb rolls come from Colorado's gluten-free artisan Wild Flour Bakery and arrive as dough, baked fresh in store each day. The shops have dedicated pans for baking the gluten-free rolls, and team members wear new gloves when handling the rolls and use knives and other utensils that haven't touched other bread products when slicing them.

While meats and cheeses are sliced fresh to order, I suggest that gluten-free guests request that their sandwiches be assembled on paper (not on the counter directly) and with condiments and produce such as lettuce, tomatoes and onions taken from a fresh stash to avoid cross contact.  A list of allergens is posted at the company's website; currently, all of the cold cuts are listed as gluten free; on the hot side, only the meatballs, teriyaki chicken and chicken parmesan are not gluten free.

If you want to skip the bread entirely, any cold sub can be made as a "Sub in a Tub."

In southeastern Pennsylvania, stores in Horsham, Glen Mills, Phoenixville, West Chester and 30th Street Station in Philadelphia are slated to carry the gluten-free rolls. Cherry Hill, Cinnaminson, Glassboro, Hamilton, Marlton, Moorestown and Princeton are the designated South Jersey locations. All should have gluten-free bread available within the next week or two. Sandwiches made with the new bread option will cost an additional $2.

2016 Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo Recap

If the crowd at the first annual Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo in Oaks, Pennsylvania on Saturday was any indication, there was tremendous pent-up interest in having a gluten-free vendor fair return to the Philadelphia area.

More than 55 companies, restaurants and bakeries sampled their products and handed out information at the event, where I was one of the presenters. The entrance to the expo led more than 2,200 attendees to the stands of presenting partner Wegmans as well as the always popular Tonya's Gluten Free Kitchen, where Tonya and her family pleased guests with her fantastic gluten-free soft pretzel nuggets.

News & Notes: April 22, 2016

On Temple University's campus, Crisp Kitchen (1100 W. Montgomery Ave., 215-978-0482) can prepare gluten-free stir-frys with rice noodles and a choice of coconut curry, sweet & spicy mango or honey lemon ginger sauce. all salads dressing are gluten free as well.

Hatboro newcomer 58 York (58 S. York Rd., 215-672-8118) notes gluten-free options on its menu, including baked wings.

The new Trattoria Procaccini in Princeton (354 Nassau St., 609-683-9700) offers entrees made with gluten-free pasta, which is prepared separately in fresh water.

News & Notes: March 25, 2016

Firebirds' Sorrento Chicken Salad

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, with area locations in Collegeville (51 Town Center Dr., 484-902-1860), Chadds Ford )91 Wilmington-West Chester Pike, 484-785-6880), Moorestown (400 Rt. 38, 856-380-0604) and Newark (1225 Churchmans Rd., 302-366-7577), has launched its Spring Features menu, featuring seasonal gluten-free items Jalapeño Deviled Eggs, Maple Mustard-Glazed Duroc Pork Medallions, Chicken Sorrento Salad and Chile-Lime Grilled Swordfish. The Spring specials are available until May 3. The restaurant's regular gluten-free menu offers dozens of options, including a flourless chocolate cake for dessert.

The Angelo's Pizza locations in Berlin (2 Rt. 73 S., 856-768-7222) and Voorhees (2999 Evesham Rd., 856-528-2999) offer gluten-free pizza made with separate ingredients and bakeware. Each pizza comes in its own tray with a plastic cutter. (Thanks to reader Jared G. for the tip.)

Insomnia Cookies will be adding a vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookie to its menu beginning April 6. The cookies will be prepared in a shared kitchen, although employees will be trained to prepare them separately from other products, including using separate pans and utensils. The college-centric cookie delivery service has six locations in Philadelphia, one in Bryn Mawr, and one in Newark.

Goodies Giveaway: Canyon Bakehouse

If you're near a Target store, you're near Canyon Bakehouse's flavorful gluten-free breads. But don't look for them in the frozen section there. The Mountain White and 7-Grain breads are in the packaged breads area and can be kept on the kitchen counter for several days, yielding fresh slices for sandwiches. (Download a $1-off coupon here.)

Canyon Bakehouse's newest products are brownie bites and bagels, in plain and everything varieties. The company is offering three lucky Gluten Free Philly readers a sampling of its entire product line - full-size versions of each of its 10 products, from rosemary & thyme focaccia to deli-style rye to burger and hot dog buns.

To enter, follow the instructions below. Entries are being accepted through midnight Eastern on Monday, November 8. The winner will need to respond to a notification email and provide a U.S. mailing address. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

News & Notes: September 25, 2015

La Brea Bakery recently added two gluten-free sandwich breads - fresh, not frozen - to its product line. Its Gluten Free Sliced Multigrain Sandwich Bread has a nutty-tasting crust and a soft interior with notes of texture and flavor from flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and millet. The Gluten Free Sliced White Sandwich Bread has a thin crust and classic white bread flavor. The bread has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat per two slices. Both varieties are certified gluten-free by NSF International and are baked in a dedicated facility. The breads, which have a suggested retail price of $6.99 per loaf, will be available in the Philadelphia region at Acme Markets.

Angry Orchard this week announced the national release of its newest hard cider, Angry Orchard Stone Dry (5.5% ABV), the driest style in its core collection. According to the tasting notes, this new cider has a bright apple aroma, juicy flavor, and a clean, slightly puckering, dry finish. Stone Dry showcases an intricate balance between the sweetness and acidity of culinary apples and the tannins of traditional cider making apples. The cider makers chose specific apples to achieve this flavor profile, including French bittersweet apple varieties from Normandy, like Dabinett, Binet Rouge and Harry Masters Jersey.

CVS stores in the Philadelphia area have begun carrying Promise Gluten Free snack bars. The Chocolate & Marshmallow Biscuit Bar and the Yogurt, Fruit & Nut Bar come three to a package and are certified gluten free.

Trader Joe's is now stocking its seasonal Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix and has added a new Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Baking Mix.

Slice It Up Pizza in Havertown (925 E. Darby Rd., 610-924-9200) now offers gluten-free pizza and has a dedicated fryer for wings and fries. The kitchen also has gluten-free hamburger rolls for cheesesteaks and burgers. (Thanks Debbie G.)