Viva L'Italia!

Today's post is written by guest blogger Heather Stern, a longtime celiac advocate and volunteer, who shares her gluten-free finds from her recent trip to Italy.

Imagine for a moment starting everyday with an espresso and gluten-free pastry, spending afternoons eating pizza and gelato, and finding restaurants around every corner where the staff knows exactly what you mean when you ask for gluten-free pasta (or senza glutine/sono celiaco). This paradiso exists. This is Italy.

I originally planned the timing of my trip around one of Jovial Foods’ gluten-free Italian cooking getaways, but quickly found that most of their pricing was not very flexible for a solo traveler. So instead, I created a list of ideas (based on blogs, articles and history lessons over the years) and hoped that my instincts and smart phone would culminate into one great adventure.

Day 1: I started in Rome, where I stayed at an Airbnb around the corner from the Pantheon (and 10 glorious steps away from the gluten-free bakery/shop Pandali).  This shop quickly became a part of my daily routine where I attempted to try every item they offered. My “Welcome to Rome” twilight tour to managed to keep the jetlag at bay, especially with the stop at Della Palma, a gluten-free-friendly gelateria. For dinner we found a charming restaurant named Pantharei that offered gluten-free pizza and pasta options from their little alley-way nook.

Wonderland Bakery has gluten-free sweets

Day 2: I began the day with a tour of Cinque Terre where the friendly staff were not so well versed in gluten free options; luckily, trains in Italy actually carry gluten-free snacks and I found (through the magic of Google) a delicious veggie and pesto sandwich snack from Lunch Box in Vernazza and a few sweet treats from Wonderland Bakery in the town of Monterroso.

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.

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: Hard Cider Edition

One of Germany’s best-known ciders, Bembel-With-Care has just landed in three U.S. cities, including Philadelphia. For the stateside launch, Bembel-With-Care has introduced three fizzy flavors: Apfelewein Pur, a classic all-natural dry apple cider; Apfelwein Kirsch, a tart apple-cherry all-natural cider; and Apfelwein Cola, a sweet caffeinated cider infused with cola. All are gluten free and made with 100% fruit and not-from-concentrate juice.

Bembel-With-Care can be found in Boston and New York City in addition to Philadelphia. Locally, it's available at Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St., 267-909-8814) and at all three Tria Cafes in Philadelphia as part of their weekly Sunday School menu. The ciders will launch in additional cities and states in the coming months, including Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio.

Long known for its beer scene, Philadelphia is experiencing a boom in locally crafted gluten-free hard ciders. Later this summer, Original 13 Ciderworks will set up shop in the Kensington section of Philadelphia  (1526 N. American St.) offering Sir Charles American Pub Ciders and house brand heirloom ciders as well as perries (made from fermented pears) and meads (honey wines). The tasting room will have gluten-free food offerings.

Kurant Cider, currently operating a tasting room out of Free Will Brewing Co. in Perkasie (410 E. Walnut St., 267-354-0813), has designs on opening a cidery in Fishtown (436 E. Girard Ave.) in a few months' time.

Targeting the end of 2017, the owners of Hale & True Cider Co. plan to open a cidery and tasting room in the Bella Vista section of Philadelphia (613 S. 7th St.).\

Cinder doesn't produce its own ciders, but the Rittenhouse Square bar (1500 Locust St., 267-761-5582) offers a variety of domestic and imported brands. There are several gluten-free food options as well, including mussels, salads, and charcuterie and cheese boards.

The annual Pour The Core hard cider festival returns to the  Philadelphia Navy Yard on Saturday, October 21. Expect to sample ciders from many local and regional makers in addition to national brands like Woodchuck, Strongbow and Magners. Tickets are available for online purchase.

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!

Chick-fil-A Debuts Gluten-Free Bun Nationwide

After a successful pilot program last year in several U.S. markets, Chick-fil-A this week added a gluten-free bun option at restaurants nationwide, While individually packaged and certified free of gluten, guests will be required to assemble their own sandwiches to reduce risk of cross-contamination, as Chick-fil-A kitchens are not gluten free. The bun is served in a clear wrapper.

Chick-fil-A's new bun is made with ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth and is lightly sweetened with molasses and raisins. (The full ingredient list is not yet posted on the company website). The bun has 150 calories and costs an additional $1.15. My son tried the grilled chicken on the gluten-free bun and thought it was excellent; the soft bread didn't crumble at all. Initial reviews posted by followers of the Gluten Free Philly Facebook page are favorable as well.

Included in the fast-food chicken chain's current list of no-gluten-containing options are the grilled chicken filet, grilled nuggets, Waffle Potato Fries, Grilled Market Salad and Side Salad and most (but not all) dipping sauces and dressings. Most outlets prepare the fries in dedicated fryers, but customers should speak with a manager about food preparation and handling of all items prior to ordering.