News & Notes: July 7, 2017

The makers of Veggie Fries and Veggie Tots has expanded with its frozen line with new gluten-free Veggie Rings, a healthier alternative to traditional onion rings. The protein- and fiber-rich product is a blend of cauliflower, navy beans, and onions coated with a gluten-free breading. Veggie Rings will be available in the frozen aisle of select retailers, including Wegmans, Giant, Kroger, Market Basket, Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Jewel Osco and Lucky’s Market.

The new Cauliflower Rice Bowl at Zoës Kitchen

Fast-casual Mediterranean chain Zoës Kitchen, with 13 locations in the tri-state area and hundreds more in 13 other states, has launched its largest new menu roll-out in eight years. Guests can pair their kabobs with one of the new gluten-free sauces - Greek Tzatziki, Italian Salsa Verde, Israeli Skhug and Moroccan Harissa - and can add their favorite protein to the new Cauliflower Rice Bowl. All gluten-free options are noted on the menu.

True Food Kitchen's Inside-Out Quinoa Burger

True Food Kitchen is opening its first area location in King of Prussia (239 Mall Blvd., 484-751-1954) on July 19. The health-forward menu, which lists gluten-free selections, changes seasonally.

The Cheesecake Factory's newest dessert happens to be gluten free. It's a combination of cold brew coffee cheesecake and flourless chocolate cake topped with coffee mascarpone mousse.

News & Notes: January 28, 2011

I've thrown in the towel and concede that winter has defeated me. Of course, no one can see the towel as it is buried somewhere under the piles of snow outside my house. On the bright side, though, Phillies pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in a mere 16 days from now.

With Spring comes Passover and, as I wrote this week, there are new gluten-free cereals, baking mixes and even matzo-style crackers that should be readily available when the holiday rolls around. Typically, Passover products begin trickling into markets about a month ahead of time, so I expect that these and other gluten-free items will first show up in mid-March.

Virtually the entire menu at Fort Washington's new Mexican restaurant Cantina Feliz (424 South Bethlehem Pike, 215-646-1320) is gluten free. In addition, the BBQ Chicken Huarache and the Cantina Wedge Salad can be made gluten free if ordered without the Cabrales blue cheese, according to executive chef Tim Spinner. The grouper used for the Baja Fish Tacos is battered with rice flour and coated with a plantain and nacho crust, and the fryer is 100 percent gluten free. For dessert, there's the Mexican Chocolate Crema (sans malted milk mousse) as well as assorted ice creams and sorbets.

Sampan, a pan-Asian restaurant in Center City (124 South 13th Street, 215-732-3501), now has a gluten-free menu. Just be sure to ask that the fries accompanying the filet mignon be pan-fried in clean cookware and not deep-fried (or request another side).

Ry's Bagels' second location in Glassboro (800 North Delsea Drive, 856-270-2575) has Udi's bagels.

I've added a link to the current gluten-free menu for Tinto in Center City on my restaurants page.

All Marathon Grill locations in Philadelphia serve Green's Discovery gluten-free beer, while Fairmount's Lucky 7 Tavern (747 North 25th Street, 215-232-7736) and Chelsea Tavern in Wilmington (821 North Market Street, 302-482-3333) have Redbridge beer.

Updating some earlier product mentions, Feel Good Foods' chicken dumplings are now sold locally at Water to Go in Pennsauken, $7.49 for a box of eight. They steamed up nicely in a skillet and tasted great. The dumplings need to be tended to in preparation so that they don't stick to the pan; just follow the directions on the package.

Ian's onion rings are now at Whole Foods, and on their way there are Kim & Scott's soft pretzels.

Look for Utz's new Rice Crisps at your local market. The brown rice tortilla chips come in three varieties: Sea Salt, Sweet Chili and Salsa Fresca.

Schar broke ground this week on its new gluten-free production facility in Gloucester County. The plant is set to be online in March 2012 and will turn out, among other items, bagels. Thanks to reader Mark M. for the heads-up.

Don't forget to join the new Gluten Free Philly Facebook page and follow my Twitter feed for late-breaking information. Have a wonderful (hopefully snow-free) weekend!

News & Notes: November 5, 2010

Located within shouting distance of Pennsylvania Dutch country, the Delaware Valley is none too far from the home of many snack-food companies. Following the lead of Snyder's of Hanover, regional purveyor Bachman has intro'd a gluten-free pretzel, the proceeds for which will support autism research. As I wrote this week, the company's gluten-free Puzzle Pretzels are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.

Congratulations to reader Martha L., the winner of the last week's Live Gluten Freely giveaway. Readers suggested a bunch of different restaurants as their favorites - check out the comments to see if yours made it.

In restaurant news, The Capital Grille in King of Prussia (236 Mall Boulevard, 610-265-1415) will open for business on Monday, November 8. The steakhouse has other area locations in Center City and Cherry Hill.

The Bottle Shop, a new craft beer store in South Philadelphia (1837 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-551-5551) has Woodchuck cider and beers such as Estrella Damm Daura and New Grist.

The new Philadelphia Gluten Free Ravioli Pasta Company has begun taking orders on its website. The company's gnocchi and cheese, spinach, mini and rice-breaded raviolis will also be available soon at their storefront in Media. The pasta is certified gluten free by the Celiac Sprue Association.

Jason's Deli in Willow Grove, which offered Udi's gluten-free bread for sandwiches, has closed.

Sports fans interested in catching a Nets or Devils game up the road at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey can now eat gluten free there. The concessionaire, Centerplate, now offers gluten-free sausages and hot dogs served on The Grainless Baker's buns, garden and Caesar salads, packaged gluten-free snacks, and Redbridge beer. The gluten-free location is situated on the main concourse between Sections 5 and 6.

The research-and-development team at Ian's Natural Foods apparently has been working overtime. The company will be launching onion rings that are free of gluten, dairy, eggs, soy and nuts.  They will be available in January 2011, and have already been picked up nationally by Whole Foods.

The new (4th) edition of Triumph Dining's Gluten-Free Grocery Guide ($21.95) has been released, listing over 30,000 brand-name and store-brand gluten-free products at grocery stores across the United States. Through December 7, Triumph is offering free standard shipping on all of its products, which include the Grocery Guide, Restaurant Guide and Dining Cards. Use code SB868N at checkout.

This month's Amazon Grocery sale items are posted, and there are a few gluten-free products listed. Add an additional 15% savings when combining the instant rebates with a Subscribe & Save order.

• Pamela's baking mixes: Save 5% with code PAMMIXES
• Bob's Red Mill baking supplies: Save 15% with code BOBS2OIO 
• Mrs. Leeper's pasta products: Save 25% with code LEEPEDD5 
• ThinkThin bar variety packs: Save 20% with code THNKNOVE 
• GlutenOut products: Free shipping with orders of $50 or more and free 2-pack of pizza with orders of $100 or more (Subscribe & Save not available)

Thanks to those readers who have supported Gluten Free Philly through Amazon.com purchases that originate from my blog.

Have a great weekend!

CORRECTED: The original version of this post incorrectly noted that The Capital Grille won the "People's Choice" award at the recent Appetite for Awareness event. It was The Palm for its gluten-free crab cakes.