News & Notes: February 2, 2018

Trader Joe's leads the way this week with even more gluten-free products on store shelves. For starters, there are two new organic, gluten-free pastas: black bean rotini and red lentil sedanini, both selling for $2.99 a package. The new churro bites, made with corn meal and brown sugar, are $2.49 per bag, and the oat cranberry flaxseed cookies are $2.99 for a six-cookie package.

Namaste Foods is branching out from its traditional gluten-free baking-mix roots to introduce single-serve microwaveable cake cups. They come in three flavors: Dark Chocolate Cake, Yellow Cake and Cinnamon Sugar Cake.

Locally, the big story this week is the impending closure of gluten- and allergen-free Sweet Freedom Bakery's location in Collingswood (577 Haddon Ave., 856-869-7322) on Feb. 18. The bakery's original Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr outposts are unaffected and it's business as usual there.

The newest area Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar opens in Newtown on Monday, Feb. 5 (2865 S. Eagle Rd., 215-944-8469). Gluten-free options are noted on the dinner menu.

JuiceFresh in Rehoboth Beach (37385 Rehoboth Ave., 844-584-2366) is the area's newest all-gluten-free business. In addition to juices and smoothies, the cafe offers soups, salads, muffins, power bars and more.

Many of the items on the Thai side of the menu at Thai Burger Cafe in Pitman (13 S. Broadway, 856-582-0424) are gluten free. This includes pad Thai, all fried rice and curries and several soups and appetizers.

Pittsburgh's gluten-free Aurochs Brewing continues its eastern expansion. In addition to Farmers Keep (10 S. 20th St.), Aurochs' Blonde Ale and Session IPA are now available in Philadelphia at Beer Heaven (1100 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.), The Bottle Shop (1616 E. Passyunk Ave.), Moore Beverage (601 Moore St.) Campo's (214 Market St.) and Rybrew (2816 W. Girard Ave.), The Foodery in Phoenixville (325 Bridge St.) and Rocko's Beverage in Media (4 State Rd.)

Kensington's Original 13 Ciderworks (1526 N. American St., 215-765-7000) is serving items from its winter menu and has expanded its gluten-free options, including the addition of a sandwich bun and dessert. The kitchen maintains a dedicated fryer. The pub is offering a dinner package on Valentine's Day - almost everything on the menu is gluten free and the package includes a three-course dinner, cider pairings and a bottle of Sweet Nothings Chocolate Cherry Cider for $75 per couple.

Whole Foods recently opened its newest area store in Exton (175 N. Pottstown Pike, 610-423-6360); as of March 14, the Ambler location will be relocating to 1111 N. Bethlehem Pike.

The Rachel Way gluten- and dairy-free food pantry at the Plymouth Meeting Mall (500 W. Germantown Pike, 484-404-5293) is hosting a kids' cooking class tomorrow at 1 p.m. to celebrate Valentine's Day (register here). The event is free but monetary or gluten-free food donations are appreciated.

Have a great weekend and Fly Eagles Fly!!!

- 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!

Year of the Dog: Celebrate a Gluten-Free Chinese New Year

With the Chinese New Year beginning on February 16 - it's the Year of the Dog under the Chinese Zodiac cycle - one way to celebrate is by eating Chinese cuisine, even if it's more Americanized than traditional. Fortunately, the Delaware Valley has a number of Chinese restaurants that can accommodate gluten-free diners.

There aren't many options in Philadelphia's Chinatown proper, though the rice rolls at Nom Wah Tea Parlor (218 N. 13th St., 267-519-2889) are gluten free. Elsewhere in the city, gluten-free menu options are available at Beijing in University City (3714 Spruce St., 215-222-5252) and DanDan in Rittenhouse Square (126 S. 16th St., 215-800-1165). DanDan has a sister location in suburban Devon (214 Sugartown Rd., 484-580-8558).

P.F. Chang's gluten-free Spicy Chicken

National chain P.F. Chang's and its fast-casual sibling Pei Wei have long offered gluten-free menus for their guests. P.F. Chang's, which has area locations in New Jersey (Atlantic City, Marlton, Princeton) and Pennsylvania (Collegeville, Glen Mills, Plymouth Meeting, Warrington) even has an incredible chocolate flourless cake for dessert. Pei Wei has regional outposts in Cherry Hill and Moorestown, New Jersey and Philadelphia (Fairmount) and Springfield.

One of the top options in the northern suburbs is Yantze Gourmet in Lansdale (2333 Welsh Rd., 215-361-7600). The gluten-free menu there covers everything from soup to noodle dishes to protein entrees.

In New Jersey, Shangri-La in Cherry Hill (100 Springdale Rd., 856-428-5866) has gluten-free soy sauce and Bordentown's Jade Island (969 Rt. 206, 609-324-7200) prepares several chicken, shrimp and beef dishes gluten free. Peking Wok in Mt. Laurel (127 Ark Rd., 856-866-2350) is a reader favorite.

Delaware has several Chinese restaurants that offer gluten-free preparation, including Potstickers Asian Grill in Newark (1247 Churchmans Rd., 302-731-0188) (which has a gluten-free menu) and Confucius Chinese Cuisine in Rehoboth Beach (57 Wilmington Ave., 302-227-3848).

For more Chinese and Asian options, be sure to download the Gluten Free Philly mobile app for iOS and Android devices, with more than 1,600 area gluten-free-friendly businesses listed. Search by cuisine or neighborhood, make reservations and more.

News & Notes: January 19, 2018

Real Good Foods' new gluten-free, low-carb Real Good Pizza is made with preservative-free parmesan chicken crust instead of traditional flour. It comes in Three Cheese, Pepperoni, Supreme (Sausage, Pepperoni & Veggies) and Breakfast (Bacon, Pepperoni & Sausage) flavors in 5-inch and 7-inch varieties.

Wasa's new gluten-free crispbread will be offered in two varieties: Original and Sesame & Sea Salt. Both are made with potato and amaranth, along with rice sourdough. The crispbreads contain no lactose ingredients, are vegetarian and baked without palm oil, and packaged in convenient snack packs.

The company behind popular Australian yogurt Noosa has added new gluten-free flavors to its range. The two new Mates varieties are Coffee Chocolate Almond, which consists of blended cold-brew coffee yogurt as well as a mix-in of Guittard dark chocolate chips, coffee crunchies and sliced almonds, and Blueberry Walnut Granola, combining blueberry yogurt with gluten-free Purely Elizabeth ancient-grain granola and a sprinkle of currants and walnuts. The Classic line adds Blackberry and Raspberry Lemonade.

Contessa's Love Food Naturally line of frozen meals includes seven gluten-free varieties: Mandarin Orange Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Shrimp Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, Roast Pork Stir Fry and Mushroom & Asparagus Risotto.

Last time out I mentioned Annie's new gluten-free Cinnabunnies cereal. The company has another new gluten-free product out now: organic crispy snack bars, made with rice and quinoa crisps. They come in Original and Cocoa varieties.

District Taco, which originated as a food truck in the Washington, D.C. area, recently opened its first Pennsylvania location at the King of Prussia Town Center (100 Main St. - Suite 130, 484-808-2870). A Center City Philadelphia location will be coming later this year on Market Street East. All menu items except for the flour tortillas are gluten free. You can read fellow blogger Amanda's review of District Tacos over at The Gluten & Dairy-Free Review Blog.

Joining District Taco at the KOP Town Center in March will be Vitality Bowls, specializing in açaí and pitaya bowls. Gluten-free granola is available and there is gluten-free bread for panini (made on a separate press).

Though the fryer used for French fries is not gluten free, Jose Garces' popular Rittenhouse Square burger restaurant, Village Whiskey (118 S. 20th St., 215-665-1088), now has gluten-free buns.

Center Square Tavern in Swedesboro (120 Centre Square Rd.) is targeting an opening date by the end of January. Chef-owner Jim Malaby, who also runs blueplate in Mullica Hill, will have many gluten-free options on the menu; he has a child with celiac disease.

Facebook follower Amanda let me know that The General in Lafayette Hill (646 Germantown Pike, 610-234-6189) has a gluten-free menu that includes grilled wings, sushi, salads and a variety of entrees. Note that the French fries are not prepared in a dedicated fryer but gluten-free orders are handled separately.

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: January 5, 2018

Happy New Year to everyone! The first News & Notes post of 2018 highlights several new gluten-free items at Trader Joe's:

The Fruit & Seed Granola is also grain free (oat free), organic and vegan and is made with sunflower seeds, coconut, sesame seeds, dried cranberries, raisins, flax seeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds. Each 10-oz. bag is $3.69.

The Rice & Quinoa Hot Cereal is a blend of organic whole-grain brown rice grits and organic quinoa flakes, with each serving containing 42 grams of whole grains, 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per serving. Each 14-oz. resealable pouch sells for $3.69.

Trader Joe's also has a new gluten-free snack, Norwegian Crispbread, that's made with sunflower seeds, oats, sesame and flax and combined in a cracker-like crisp.

The My/Mo line of ice cream is adding a pint-size version with gluten-free sweet mochi rice dough bits, available in Strawberry, Mango, Green Tea, Chocolate and Salted Caramel flavors.

Birds Eye's new Veggie Made pasta line is gluten free and comes in the following varieties:

• Plain Penne Pasta made with Zucchini & Lentils (Original)
• Rotini Marinara Pasta made with Zucchini & Lentils
• Penne with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Pasta made with Zucchini & Lentils
• Rotini Alfredo Pasta made with Spinach & Lentils

The line is available in the frozen vegetable aisle at retailers nationwide.

Gluten-Free Road Trip: Aruba, One Happy Island

Poolside at the Aruba Marriott

The more things change, the more they stay the same. When we honeymooned in Aruba 21 years ago, I could hardly envision that if we returned it would be with kids in tow, let alone at the same hotel. Part of the "A-B-C" island chain off the coast of Venezuela (also comprised of Bonaire and Curacao), Aruba has fabulous year-round weather and is particularly popular given its proximity outside the Caribbean hurricane belt.

We joined many Americans from the Northeast U.S. last week who fled the frigid conditions back home for some sun and relaxation on "One Happy Island," as license plates in Aruba proudly boast. Though American Airlines flies direct from Philadelphia, we left and returned out of Baltimore on Southwest, whose fares were substantially less than American's. Our base was the Aruba Marriott in the Palm Beach resort area, located on the island's northwest coast. The hotel was one of several with small in-house casinos, while water sports are plentiful along the beach and there are off-road adventure tours as well. Mainly, though, Aruba is a place to unwind, whether by sitting poolside or wading in the sea.

The gelateria at the Aruba Marriott
(Photo Credit: Aruba Marriott)

I had emailed the hotel concierge in advance of our trip to see what options were available for our son on site. He referred me to the executive chef, who told me about the gluten-free section at the breakfast buffet, complete with dedicated toaster, cereal, bagels, donuts and muffins. In addition, the Starbucks at the Marriott has gluten-free egg sandwiches and marshmallow rice crispy treats, the pool bar serves salads and burgers with gluten-free buns, and the sundry shop sells gluten-free cookies and chips. There's also an on-premises gelateria with many gluten-free gelatos and sorbets (each flavor has its own scoop).