August 9th, 2010
Cafe Azafran, Restaurant, Review, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Mediterranean Cuisine, Delaware Beaches
One of my friends was complaining about me wanting to go to Rehoboth for dinner on Friday night. Are you crazy, we are never going to find parking and on and on he went.
Oh, he said, I cannot believe you went into Rehoboth this way, you know under the bridge, etc. etc. Well, I never go this way, he continued, hmm, it seems easier, he kept on talking. Oh my gosh, look at the traffic on Rehoboth Ave. I knew it. Good luck finding parking. I just told him to stop complaining. I was even driving him. The other 2 in the car were quiet.
Our target restaurant was the new Cafe Azafran that had just opened on 18 Baltimore Ave. The original restaurant is in Lewes on109 Market St. and this new location was going to be following the same cuisine. The tel. is 302-227-8100. Website is www.cafeazafran.com.
The person that was complaining got a little happier when he saw the parking lot across from Cafe Azafran. Not bad, afterall. He treated for the parking and dinner. But, that’s the kind of friend he is.
Cafe Azafran is known for its authentic Mediterranean Cuisine. They also have Tapas for sharing, entrees, desserts and a full bar.
The restaurant is not just opened for dinner; it is also opened daily from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. offering breakfast, along with a very extensive Cafe Drink Menu.
Scones, croissants, yogurt loaf, baked oatmeal with milk or yogurt, Azafran Breakfast Sandwich, Frittata with Roll and bagels with toppings are among their morning offerings.
I was so surprise to the Dawn there. She was going to be taking care of us. She is the best.
We were hungry so immediately we started with:
Bistro Salad – This salad has French goat cheese, crisp jamon, baby romaine, croutons, tomato, with a sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. I really enjoyed it.
The special salad had beautiful tomatoes and also French goat cheese. Also very well received.
And, the Fresh Mozzarella and Roasted Peppers and Olives Salad was also very well liked.
For entrees we had:
Seafood Tarragona which was a bouillabaisse of shrimp, scallops, mussels, calamares, fish, hazelnut and almond Romesco in a saffron shellfish broth. I love soups and this was perfectly seasoned and just the right amount.
Rave reviews from the person that got the Flat Iron Steak. He said it was the best he had had. It had roasted mushrooms, fresh garlic-chive mashed potatoes, bleu cheese butter, and a fresh vegetable demiglace.
The friend that got the Azafran Jumbo Lump Crab Cake also thought her dish was delicious. Cafe Azafran is known for its crab cakes so I was not surprised. It had Catalan spinach, white beans, polenta and an avocado aioli.
The halibut entree was another success. It was accompanied by ratatouille.
We actually did not try any of the desserts but I know that they do have Tiramisu, Lemon Ricotta Napoleon and Crema Catalana which is a Spanish creme brulee, among others.
Anyway, as usual I have to mention that having dinner with friends, good friends, by the way, is the best. Really, it’s true, and you know it.
And that parking space? Right on the ocean block of trendy Baltimore Street, $15 until 2 a.m.
I will talk to you later…..
Tags: Affordable, Cafe Azafran, Delaware Beaches, drinks, entrees, Mediterranean Cuisine, rehoboth beach, Restaurant, Restaurants, review, Reviews