Taste of Tuscany (sort of)

The Olive Garden's gluten-free menu has been suggested by a number of people. I wasn't in a rush to try it, since feedback from other celiacs who have dined there wasn't positive, but a gift card and curiosity prompted a visit.

I checked the menu online before going in and saw that it included salads (sans croutons), penne pasta with two choices of tomato-based sauces, and four types of meat and salmon entrees. The non-pasta entrees are low-carb, served with vegetables on the side. I arrived at a local Olive Garden already disappointed that the chain's famous garlicky breadsticks were not available in a GF version, but otherwise resigned to the limited menu.

Gluten-free: It's what's for breakfast

I got my gluten-free breakfast fix this past weekend with a couple of bagels produced by Pennsylvania wholesaler Sweet Note Bakery. Mine were purchased at Mount Laurel Bagels & Bakery. The everything bagel with cream cheese was delicious! I also tried the plain version, which was good too. Both required toasting to soften them up a bit, which was recommended by the a staff member who lives gluten-free.

In the few days since my visit, Sweet Note announced they are now delivering to The Bagel Spot on Kings Highway in Cherry Hill. In addition to these spots and the two Bagel Talk locations previously mentioned on this blog, these gluten-free bagels are sold through The Kibitz Room in Cherry Hill, Maidenhead Bagel Co. in Lawrenceville and Blue Plate in Mullica Hill.

Where will they show up next?

Pop goes the gluten

A popular eatery in Collingswood has introduced its new gluten-free initiative and is holding a celiac awareness fund raiser today to kick things off.

Well known in South Jersey for its grilled cheese sandwiches, The Pop Shop on Haddon Avenue is now offering gluten-free bread for its sandwiches and French toast, as well as GF chicken fingers and fries. The family-friendly restaurant has installed a dedicated fryer for serving its customers with celiac disease and gluten-intolerance.

The Celiac Sprue Association of South Jersey had scheduled a breakfast meeting at the restaurant this morning to show their support. I have yet to sample the fare and have heard mixed reviews. Although some customers have dismissed the food as "greasy," the place has earned a legion of dedicated fans who enjoy the extensive menu of basic American fare. It includes breakfast, burgers and shakes.

The Pop Shop's grilled cheese sandwich was featured on the Food Network's "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" back in 2008. The celebrity chef visited the store for the show's taping, and lost a grilled cheese challenge to the shop's cooks. That's gotta say something, right?!

Ravioli to go go

Ravioli was my absolute favorite pre-celiac disease food. It was completely unobtainable when I was first diagnosed more than 14 years ago.

In the last couple of year, great strides have been made in the GF frozen pasta department. Two New Jersey companies produce the only GF frozen (or fresh) ravioli that's easily obtainable in some grocery and specialty stores. They both made microwavable meals and ready to cook versions. Yum!

Beginning on a Sweet Note

There are several varieties of frozen GF bagels available in grocery stores, but a freshly baked bagel would be so nice.

Luckily, such a GF product does exist and will be available at the Collingswood Farmers Market, starting this Saturday. The market runs 8 a.m. to noon near the PATCO rail station.

Fresh bagels are being brought to Jersey via Sweet Note Bakery. The company typically sells its products by wholesale to stores in Philadelphia and its suburbs in Pennsylvania. According to its website, the bakery's products are available in the Garden State only in Collingswood and will be sold at the Amaranth Bakery stand, close to the police station.

Appetite for Awareness? Yes, please!

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is hosting its annual Appetite for Awareness event on Sunday in Philadelphia. This is an awesome smorgasboard of gluten-free goodies.

I attended last year's event and loved every minute of it. It may have been the first time in 13 years I walked into a room full of food and could eat EVERYTHING!

There are a bunch of Philly-area restaurants cooking for the crowd and offering plentiful samples of their wares. Most are based in the city, but Jersey is well-represented. The participating restaurants include BRIO Tuscan Grille (Cherry Hill), Casona of Collingswood (Collingswood) and Pasta Pomodoro Ristorante Italiano (Voorhees), which is where I once enjoyed a very tasty dish of freshly-made GF raviolis.

There's also a children's area with kid-friendly foods and entertainment, a GF beer garden, chef demonstrations and lots of swag. Last year, I went home with a resuable grocery bag stuffed with free GF breads, snacks and coupons that were not left unused.

The cost of admission may be pricey for those on a tight budget, ($50 in advance, $75 at the door for adults) but it's worth the expense. For more information, follow this link to the NFCA website: http://www.celiaccentral.org/a4a/