Monday, May 4, 2009

South Jersey Dining Out Event on June 2

UPDATE (6/1/09): Andreotti's Viennese Cafe has posted its gluten-free menu for the June 2 dining event. The menu includes a tasting menu and artisanal gluten-free breads.

UPDATE (5/21/09): The Tortilla Press has posted its gluten-free menu for the June 2 dining event on its website. All of the appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts will be gluten free.

Five southern New Jersey restaurants will be offering celiac-friendly menus at a special one-night dining event. On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, Joe Palombo's Mirabella Cafe and Andreotti's Viennese Cafe in Cherry Hill, The Tortilla Press and Blackbird in Collingswood, and blueplate in Mullica Hill will showcase "made-to-order" cooking without gluten ingredients. To avoid cross-contamination, the chefs will be making their kitchens entirely gluten free for the evening. Mark Smith, owner/chef of The Tortilla Press, told me that the goal of this event is to show all guests - whether or not they are on a special diet - just how delicious gluten-free foods can be.

Joe Palombo's Mirabella Cafe is a trattoria-style Italian BYOB boasting the perfect marriage of the unique and familiar in Italian cooking with a casual European atmosphere.

Andreotti's Viennese Cafe combines the freshest ingredients available in an eclectic Country French/Northern Italian menu with old-world charm.

The Tortilla Press is a Mexican-influenced BYOB offering meats and accompanying side dishes familiar to the American palate, but seasoned with the clean, savory flavors of Mexican herbs and sauces.

Blackbird is an upscale casual 70-seat BYOB that features chef Alex Capasso's signature Franco-Italian cuisine with hints of Asian influence.

Blueplate, also a BYO restaurant, offers creative culinary innovations that combine New American and French cuisines in a cozy atmosphere.

The participating restaurants already are familiar with preparing gluten-free menu items. Back in March, I wrote about the many dishes (and tortilla chips) at Tortilla Press that are safe for diners on a gluten-free diet. On May 5, Mirabella Cafe will be hosting a cooking class featuring a gluten-free menu.

Dinner reservations can be made with the individual restaurants through their respective websites or by phone.

  • Mirabella Cafe - (856) 354-1888
  • Viennese Cafe - (856) 795-CAFE
  • The Tortilla Press - (856) 869-3345
  • Blackbird - (856) 854-3444
  • blueplate - (856) 478-2112
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