February 17th, 2010
This Village by the Sea is pretty busy this week, so I think it would be best to give Delray Beach its own spotlight.
Delray Beach is really a South Florida destination. It has everything you would want in a beach town. Plenty of restaurants, unobstructed beaches, hotels, art festivals, shopping, it’s within 30 minutes to 2 airports, driving distance to universities, schools (private or public), golf courses, major tennis facilities, and not too far from international museums, as well. Another big plus for Delray is that it is a great town for walking, biking or jogging.
The following information is given to you with my “good seal of approval”. The businesses I am going to talk to you about have my approval because I have dealt with them in the past. They are in Delray and just in case you need them, here is their information.
Real Estate
I have dealt with Tauriello & Co. for a long time and they have been my realtors since the first property we bought there. If you are looking for property or planning on renting in Delray Beach, please visit www.tauriello.com. They are advertising on my blog so all you have to do is click on their name on the right hand side of the blog or you can click on the left side of the blog where it says Delray Beach Real Estate. Once you are in the website please go Under the Staff Locator where you can click on John Merryman who is a realtor with Tauriello, specializing in beach properties. You will find information on how to contact him. John has new listings, that might be worth your time. Tauriello is a trustworthy real estate company that has served this community for many years.
When we finally decided to buy property in Delray, one of the things that made it so attractive is how fast you get there from any of the airports in the Mid Atlantic States. When I fly from BWI, in Baltimore, it only takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. It is so convenient that you can just go there for the week-end.
Interiors
Anita Jennings Designs is another company that I have used in the past. Anita is also advertising on my blog and you can access her website right there on the right hand side. Anita is bi-lingual and she is available for any of your decorating needs, whether is just one room or your whole house. She is a good listener and takes pride in her personal service.
Property Manager
So, once we got the property and decorated it, the next step was to get a Property Manager. I have known Michael from Beach House Management for about 7 years now and he has been a life saviour in many ways. I wrote a post right after he started advertising on my blog and if you would like to read it just go on the Archives on the left hand side of the blog for the month of January and scroll down to 1/7/2010. You can access his website by directly clicking on it, right on the right hand side of this blog.
Lots of Happenings in this Village by the Sea, so, What’s Going On?
Thursday, February 18th – American Orchid Society – Wine and Music in the Gardens – $25 for non members and $20 for members. It is a wine and jazz event, as well as a live and silent auction to benefit Orchid Mania South Florida and their work with Pediatric Aids.
For tickets please call Susan Wayman at 561-404-2031 or e-mail swayman@aos.org. The American Orchid Society is open every day from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and they are located on 16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446. Just off of Jog Rd.
Thursday, February 18th – It is a Post Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting. Free gifts for all ladies attending!! Men are also invited. Location: Old Vines, Wine & Spirit, 900 E. Atlantic Ave. #3, from 5 until 7 p.m. More info? please call 561-276-2076 or visit their website www.oldvinesdelraybeach.com.
Thursday, February 18th – Music in the Grove – Gyorgy Lakatos – Gypsy Guitarist. Location: Pineapple Grove Art District, from 6 until 9 p.m. in front of City Walk, 200 NE 2nd Ave. For more info. please call 561-279-1380, ext. 36.
Thursday, February 18th – Free Film Screening – The Ramen Girl – Directed by Robert Allan Ackerman and featuring the late Brittany Murphy. Location: The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens on 4000 Morikami Park Rd., Delray Beach, FL 33446. Just off of Jog Rd.
Showcasing Japanese culture and lifestyle, the Consulate General of Japan in Miami and the Morikami are presenting an evening of film screening and food tasting. Enjoy a free tasting of ramen noodles prepared by Chef Uemura, the offical chef of the Japanese Consulate; insights about ramen and Japanese food culture.
The film is about an American slacker abandoned by her boyfriend in Tokyo and finding her calling in an unlikely place….. Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday. For more info. please call 561-495-0233, ext. 235. Please visit the website www.morikami.org, because you might be able to sign up on line.
Friday, February 19th – Community Art Mural Party at Kevro’s Gallery, Studio & Art Bar Oasis, 166 SE 2nd Ave. in Delray Beach. Tel. 561-278-9675. Website is www.kevroart.com.
Friday, February 19th through Sunday, February 21st – Cabaret at the Crest Theatre, Old School Square. Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. Tickets are $42.00. It is the National tour of Tony Award winning Musical “Welkomen!, Biennevue!, Welcome!” Location 51 N. Swinton Ave. For info. please call 561-243-7922 ext. 1 or visit the website www.oldschool.org.
Saturday, February 20th – Green Market on SE 4th Ave. just south of Atlantic Ave. from 8 – 1 p.m. Local produce and baked goods.
Saturday, February 20th – Chili Cookoff – During the Green Market, SE 4th Ave. just south of Atlantic Ave. $10 to participate. 10 a.m. until noon. For more information please call 561-276-7511.
Saturday, February 20th until Sunday, February 28th – It is the 2010 Delray Beach International Tennis Championship – Delray Beach Tennis Stadium & Tennis Center. It is the only ATP tournament in the world with ATP Champions Tour event and ATP World Tour event in the same week. The address is 201 W Atlantic Ave.. For information please call 561-330-6000 or visit the website www.yellowtennisball.com.
Saturday, February 20th until Tuesday, February 23rd – ATP Champions Tour – The 8-Player, 4-Day ATP Champions Tour event will feature John McEnroe and other tennis icons. Info? Call 561-330-6000 or visit www.yellowtennisball.com.
Sunday, February 21st – The Sunday Sleuths Book Group – Murder on the Beach Bookstore, discussion of “Child” by Tom Rob Smith, 3 p.m., at 273 Pineapple Grove Way. For more information please call 561-279-7790 or visit their website www.murderonthebeach.com.
Busy little beach town….You can do as much or as little as you want.
Enjoy the rest of the week….Talk to you later…
February 15th, 2010
Some week ago, before the winter storms started hitting our beaches, I wrote a post on Silver Lake and now its Lake Gerar’s turn.
I hope that when you come to our beaches, you get the opportunity to relax and walk around the towns. This post is about Rehoboth Beach, and if you live here you probably have gone past the different lakes that are adjacent to the ocean.
I some times take everything we have here for granted but writing about the area has made me aware of how lucky I am to live at the beach. Even when I go away for a few weeks, I know I am home the moment I cross over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. It is like I can breathe again. No congestion, plenty of water and expanse views.
Lake Gerar, Silver Lake and Lake Comegys are the 3 fresh water lakes closest to the ocean than lakes anywhere in the country. They are, definitely, the crown jewels of Rehoboth Beach.
Apparently these lakes were not always appreciated by its citizens; at some point, years ago, trash was dumped into Lake Gerar. The lakes were ignored, not only here but all over the country. Environmental conservation has changed all that.
Over the years, both Lake Gerar and Silver Lake have been partly fresh water and partly salt water lakes. The ocean was not washing over the lakes, it was that the inside levels of the lake got higher and higher.
Lake Gerar was one of the first places I visited when I came to live here many years ago. The lake is perfect for taking a break, for reading, having a coffee or just to absorb its natural beauty; very peaceful.
These 3 lakes are the only freshwater lakes in Delaware. They are natural and unique. They are the havens for many species of birds during their migration. And, they have added to the rich diversity of the region is so many ways.
Please enjoy them and for the homeowners that live on these lakes, I hope they continue to act responsibly.
Have a great day and talk to you later….
Note: Information for this post was taken from http://www.saveourcityrehoboth.org/sola3.html
February 13th, 2010
I had to go and check this store out after I was the recipient of several presents at Christmas time.
Bella Luna is located on 127 Rehoboth Ave., right on the Avenue. The tel. is 302-227-0267. The website is www.bellalunatic.com and the e-mail address is bellalunatic@gmail.com. The owner of the store is Janice Elder and Bella Luna is about 6 years old.
Well, this store is predominantly for women; young and old. But, if a gentleman comes to buy a present, he will not be intimidated. Plus, Mugg, who has been working at the shop for about 2 years is very friendly and ready to tell you about the products they represent.
You know, if you live in Rehoboth Beach, you are always driving up and down the Avenue. I had noticed the yellow awning, but to be honest I thought the store was catering to a younger crowd and therefore I just kept on going.
I had met Janice before and told her that I really wanted to come and take pictures and talk about the store. Downtown Rehoboth Beach is such a nice place to go shopping, even if it is window shopping; interacting with the shopkeepers is a real treat. It’s relaxing, and on a sunny day, it is beautiful.
Bella Luna is fully stocked and at first I got a little overwhelmed since there is so much to absorb. But, once you are in the store you will appreciate all the little corners Janice has in her store displaying all those neat items; the birthday corner, funny cards and cocktail napkins are an example.
Not only Bella Luna has touches for your summer house, but it has beautiful candles, lotions, scents, jewelry, scarves and purses.
Mugg took care of me the other day and she graciously explained how Janice always tries to find a perfect balance with her merchandise and at the same time appeal to a diverse taste with her unique findings.
The shop has about 7 artists represented throughout. Hanging from the walls are original pieces of art.
And, the following are some of the designs you will find:
Lalo Treasures – Jewelry. Orna Lalo started this company in 1990. She was inspired by flora and fauna and has been creating her work for over 20 years. A graduate in art and fashion design, she currently divides her time between her home in Israel and the company’s factory in Bulgaria. Her first store opened in Tel Aviv in 2006. Then, in 2007 a new shop opened in Eilat. Boston came after that and 3 booths in Sofia, Bulgaria inside the main shopping mall, as well. Her website is http://au.lalo-treasures.com.
Hotcakes Design – Jewelry. This company is owned by Caramia Visick and it began in 2000. Inspired by vintage Bakelite, the designs are modern. Their carved resin jewelry is hand cast from molds of Caramia’s design. All jewelry is made to order in their studio in San Francisco. Her website is http://hotcakesdesign.com.
Purses with a Past – These are colorful purses made from vintage materials. The designer is Michelle Cooley from Annapolis, Maryland. These purses can be given to a couple, a graduate or they can become a collector’s item. Even the cards, describing the purses and materials are vintage cards found by the designer.
Maruca Design – Handbags. This company is from Boulder, Colorado. Very unusual and progressive textiles are used; jacquard woven fabrics. Each bag is cut and sewn by hand just like when the company started in 1991.
About 13 years ago, I was in Steamboat Springs, CO and I bought one of these bags. I still have it and thought the bohemian look and celestial designs were so much fun. The website is http://www.marucadesign.com.
 My "Vintage" Maruca Bag Pacifica – Perfumes, soaps, candles and body butters. This company is owned by Brook Harvey-Taylor. Website is www.pacificaperfume.com. Her manifesto is “Love what you do and do what you love. Great waves make for great days. Don’t follow trends, follow your heart. Invest in a new world and keep ties to the old one.”
If you are a fan of any of the above mentioned lines, then, now you know that Bella Luna carries them and remember No Sales Tax In Delaware!!
Talk to you later and Happy Valentines Day!!!
February 12th, 2010
If you are ready to get out and shop, the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach are having great sales this week-end. You can visit their website http://tangeroutlet.com/rehobothbeach/coupons and you will find what each store is offering, plus printable coupons.
Some of the sales that caught my eye were:
Aeropostale – Donate your old jeans, any brand or size, including children until 2/14, and you will receive 25% off a new pair for each one you bring. Donations will go to local shelters in the area. In addition, Aeropostale will be sending 100,000 of the donated jeans to those in need in Haiti.
Ann Taylor – Take an additional 40% off your entire purchase until 2/16. There are other sales going on in the store.
Banana Republic – Print coupon until 2/15. Up to 40% off.
Bass – Buy one and get 2 free on selected items until 2/17.
Brooks Brothers – From 2/12 until 2/22 receive 70% off all Fall and Winter Clearance and 25% off all basic new arrivals.
Izod – Until 2/16 they will be having a triple discount sale.
J. Crew will be having a tremendous sale until 2/15.
Kate Spade will let you take 40% off the entire purchase until 2/15.
There are hundreds of stores so go on the site and check it out.
Lewes
Friday, 2/12 and Saturday 2/13 – Venetian Carnival Vernissage featuring the paintings of Anita Peghini-Raber. This event will take place at Preshy’s Restaurant located at Midway Shopping Center, 18585 Coastal Highway, #14. Tel. is 302-645-8300.
A Vernissage is the start of an art exhibition. It means, varnishing in French. This is so because at official exhibitions, artists used to give a finishing touch to their works by varnishing them.
This event is the opening celebration with Italian music, wine and food.
A Finissage, with a Carnival Costume Contest for the best 3 characters, will be held on Monday, February 15th from 5 to 7 p.m. An event for all ages.
A Finissage is the ceremonial ending of art exhibitions.
The info. on Vernissage and Finissage was taken from http:/en-wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernissage.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach Mardi Gras – Laissez le bon temps rouler!! Let the Good times Roll!! – February 12 until February 16th – 10 Restaurants are getting ready for New Orleans cuisine, Cajun Cooking and Bourbon St. beverages. There will be Mardi Gras parties, live music and an abundance of beads and more beads.
The participating restaurants are: Dogfish Head Brewery, Dos Locos, Finbar’s, Hobos, Irish Eyes, Mariachi Rest., Pig + Fish Rest. Company, Purple Parrot Grill, Porcini House, Rehoboth Ale House. For more info. on this event and addresses of the restaurants, please call 302-227-2772 or visit http://www.downtownrehoboth.com/downtown_happenings/gumboinformation.htm.
There will be no Gumbo Cook-Off this year, but don’t worry because there will be plenty of the new Orleans signature breakfast called beignets, Po’Boys, Cajun Etouffe and much more Creole food.
Saturday, 2/13 – Second Saturdays Destination Art Walk – Visit downtown Rehoboth art galleries from 2 – 5 p.m. There will be receptions and much more. Please visit www.mosaicrehoboth.com. Mosaic was founded in 2008 to bring recognition and support to the emerging art scene in Rehoboth Beach.
Ocean City, Maryland
Friday 2/12 through Sunday, 2/14 – 27th Annual Seaside Boat Show – This event is held at the Ocean City Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway. See over 300 boats, including sail, pontoon, inshore and offshore, wave runners, boat accessories, arts and crafts, insurance and finance reps. Everything you could possibly want to find out regarding “boating life”.
Important – Please note – Proceeds go to the area youth programs known as the “Boat Show that works for Children”. Admission fee. Friday 11 – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Near Delray Beach, Florida, in the town of Boyton Beach
Art-Sea Living Fine Art and Trunk Show – Location 1628 South Federal Highway, Boyton Beach. Saturday, February 13th from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday, February 14th from 12 noon until 5 p.m. – Stop by and meet local artists, watch beautiful demonstrations, enjoy a glass of wine and artistic conversation. Lots of original art, prints, one of a kind pieces and jewelry. This is their only Fine Art Trunk Show of the Season.
Please call 561-737-2600 for more information or visit their website www.art-sealiving.com. Art-Sea Living offers Fine Art & Fun Art Classes and also a Kid’s Spring Art Camp from 3/23-3/26 and 3/30-4/2.
Delray Beach, Florida
Through Sunday, 2/14 is the 11th Annual Garlic Festival at Old School Square Entertainment Pavilion on 51 N. Swinton. Garlic chefs’ competitions, entertainment and more. $12 per day admission.
Saturday, 2/13 – Green Market – Every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at SE 4th Ave., just south of Atlantic. Local produce and baked goods.
Saturday, 2/13 – and Sunday 2/14 – Artists in the Park from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Veterans Park located at Atlantic Ave. and the Intracoastal. This event is sponsored by the Delray Beach Art League.
Saturday, 2/13 – Exhibit – Seashells – Sandoway House located on 142 South Ocean Blvd., a couple of blocks south of Atlantic Ave. on A1A.
It is great to see that events and activities will be going on as we dig out from all the storms we have had here at the Delaware and Maryland Beaches.
Have a great week-end!!! Talk to you later….
February 11th, 2010
Comcast was here even though they could not promise me anything this morning. I was so nice; not upset or frustrated that they decided to make my stop the last one of their route. They really looked tired.
I have pictures of the different storms we have had but, you know what? I am finished with the snow. It is getting old. I am looking forward to an Easter Pet Parade in Delray, green grass, clear beaches, the awakening of Spring and Summer. So, the following pictures are a reminder of better days to come:
 Dog Days of Summer  Spring!!  Fresh Seeds  Easter!!  Figs Growing!!  Paradise Island  Puerto Rico  Nantucket  Pacific Highway, California  Malibu, California  Captiva, Florida - The whitest sand  Beautiful Rehoboth Beach
The perfect pairings with Spring and Summer could be:
Rum Collins
2 ounces white Puerto Rican rum
1 fresh lime, halved
1 tsp. sugar
Soda Water
Squeeze half a lime and drop into a highball glass. Add and dissolve sugar.
Add ice cubes and rum.
Stir and fill with soda water.
Rum Martini
2 ounces white Puerto Rican Rum
Dash of dry vermouth (to taste)
1 fresh lime peel
small white onion or stuffed olive
In a cocktail shaker, stir rum and vermouth with ice and pour.
Add twist of lime peel and onion or olive.
This can also be served on-the-rocks.
Rum Sour
1 1/2 ounces dark Puerto Rican rum
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 tsp. sugar
Orange slice
Maraschino cherry
In a cocktail shaker, shake rum, lime juice and sugar with ice cubes.
Strain into sour glass and garnish with orange slice and cherry.
Cruzan Swizzle
1 bottle (4/5 quart) St. Croix rum
4 ounces fresh lime juice
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) sugar
1/2 tsp. Angostura bitters
3 cups crushed ice
Pour all ingredients in a large pitcher and mix well with swizzle stick, until pitcher frosts.
Serve, unstrained, in a tall glass
It serves 6.
Note: Dark Puerto Rican rum can be used instead of St. Croix rum.
A Salsa Cruda should carry you over until dinner:
Salsa Cruda
1/2 large garlic clove
1 large jalapeno pepper
1/4 medium onion
1/4 cup of cilantro leaves, chopped
1 1/4 cups unpeeled ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup black beans
Peel garlic and chop. Cut pepper in half and remove seeds and ribs, then chop.
Peel onion and also cut into small pieces.
Mix all ingredients. Serve at room temperature or if made ahead, just place in the refrigerator.
Note: You can also chop the vegetables in a food processor.
It will make about 2 cups. Serve it with your favorite chips, on top of a baked potato, over a salad, add chopped avocados. Really, whatever makes you happy.
Remember to enjoy it and make it your own.
See you soon…..
February 9th, 2010
My last post; it seems I wrote it weeks ago, but it has only been 4 days. That’s a long time when you have been posting every day. I don’t know what happened, but I am still not connected to the internet. My neighbors are, though, and I do have cable.
Oh well, Comcast should be coming tomorrow, but we are getting another snowstorm tonight so I will have to see. I am presently using the computer at the Internet Cafe inside JavaByte Cafe and Mailbiz Express located at 4590 Highway One (Coastal Highway), Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Before I even started my blog, I was the type of person that would check my e-mail every so often. Progressively, I checked it all the time; almost like I thought I would be missing something if I didn’t. Not having been able to get on line these past few days have been like going through withdrawal. I have had feelings of frustration, and to top it all I have been housebound. Finally, we got plowed but then with a state of emergency in place, there was no reason to go anywhere.
What is Cabin Fever? It is a term used for claustrophobia caused by being confined due to the elements or by something else. It was first recorded in 1918 but I found out in Wikipedia that it might have been used as early as 1906. Some of the symptons which I actually had, are restlessness, irritability (my husband can attest to that one), laughter, and excessive sleeping. Back in 1820 there was a reference to a fever, common in Ireland, from eating watery potatoes during wet years. I can tell you that my problems are not going to be eating watery potatoes, but will be from eating the whole refrigerator.
My dog, Addy; do you know how hard is to take a small dog outside to do his or her thing when the snow is taller than the dog? Poor Addy, yesterday she disappeared in the snow and I went to get her and I completely lost my shoe. It is somewhere in my yard. No wonder she runs the other way when I start putting my jacket and boots on.
I think is time for a little, visualization? I remember that years ago in a Weight Watchers class they talked about this technique, where you close your eyes and visualize you are in a place that you have loved. Then you control your breathing; inhale and slowly exhale. It does work and I can remember, to this day, that in that class I visualized I was in the island of Vieques; off of the island of Puerto Rico. A gorgeous beach with the sun hitting that blue water and just my husband and I there.
So, as the next storm approaches, and all our beaches are at a standstill, I long for Spring and those Dog Days of Summer.
And then, as I complain about the weather, the roads, cabin fever and no internet, I have to stop and think of those less fortunate people that have been having a very tough time this winter. Having vented; I feel so much better.
Why do I eat so much when I am confined? Boredom? I should not be because I have plenty to do. Let’s see, back to visualizing…bathing suits…Oh no!! A nightmare!!!
I will try to talk to you soon; but if it takes a couple of days is because Comcast could not make it. I do have some pretty good pictures of the storm but cannot get them from this computer.
Got to go because I have to go to that White Sale at Giant….Milk…Eggs…and Bread….
Note: If you are in South Florida, and in the town of Delray Beach, enjoy it even it is a little cooler….Think about us…I am visualizing, sitting outside watching those beautiful palm trees do their thing….
What’s Happening in Delray Beach in the next few days? Here it is:
Thursday, 2/11 – Music & Art in the Grove – Pineapple Grove Arts District from 6 – 9 p.m. Location: 200 N.E. 2nd St. Claire Long with hits from the 50s and 70s plus artists and their work outside City Walk.
Thursday through Sunday, 2/11-2/14 – Is the 11th Annual Garlic Festival at Old School Square Entertainment Pavilion on 51 N. Swinton. Garlic chef competitions, entertainment and more. $12 daily admission.
Saturday, 2/13 – Green Market – Every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at SE 4th Ave., just South of Atlantic. Local produce and baked goods.
Saturday and Sunday, 2/13-2/14 – Artists in the Park from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Veterans Park, located at Atlantic and Intracoastal. Fine art exhibit and sale sponsored by the Delray Beach Art League.
Saturday and Sunday, 2/13-2/14 – Exhibit – Seashells – Sandoway House located on 142 South Ocean Blvd. a couple of blocks south of Atlantic and A1A.
February 6th, 2010
“Palm Trees, Ocean Breeze
Salty Air – Sun Kissed Hair
that Endless Summer
take me There….
While preparing for the impending blizzard, I decided that having lunch at Surf Bagel would be the thing to do on a gray day like Friday. You could feel it in the air. Groceries stores were packed; customers buying the necesssary staples for a snowed in week-end.
I only found out about Surf Bagel this past December when one of my sons got a bagel sandwich for breakfast. It was delicious, so I put it on the back of my mind for a future post on this blog.
Back on October 25th, I wrote about Ocean Side Pizzeria in Fenwick Island, and the substance of the blog, besides that establishment, was that all coastal towns have beach eateries. They are dependable and we all love them. In that same post I mentioned a few of the other beach eateries that I have enjoyed in the past. For example in Ocean City, Maryland you will find Tommy’s Sub on 28th St. and Coastal Highway, also in Ocean City there is Anthony’s, and how can I forget the hamburgers and milk shakes at Hodad’s located on Newport Ave. in Ocean Beach, California. Growing up in Puerto Rico the place to go was El Gaucho Burger on Ashford Ave. Their Cubanos and Media Noches were tremendous.
So, to that group of beach eateries, I have to add Surf Bagel.
Surf Bagel is located at 17382 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE. It is at Five Points, between Best’s Ace Hardware and the Rock Pile. The tel. is 302-644-1822. The website is www.surfbagel.com. Hours of operation are weekdays from 6:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 7:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
It is a colorful place greeting everyone with that big surfboard displaying their name. Surf Bagel? The Vitella brothers are natives. Dave combined his love for surfing and bagels and the rest is history. He then invited his brother, Tom, and this beach eatery has continued to thrive.
During the so many years of surfing, a constant has been bagels; fuel for the body. You know a bagel is a bread product, usually shaped by hand into the form of a ring. It is first boiled for a short time in water and then baked. It comes out dense, chewey, with a doughy interior and sometimes a browned and crispy exterior.
The basic roll, with a hole design is hundreds of years old and besides providing for a more even cooking and baking of the dough; the hole is used to thread string or dowels through groups of bagels, allowing for easier handling.
It was invented before 1683 in Poland, for Lent, and in the 16th and first half of the 17th centuries it became a staple of the Polish national diet.
Surf Bagel is bigger than you think. Plenty of seating to eat in but they do a big business with their carry-out service. They offer business deliveries to lcoal establishments in the Lewes area, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but only during the week. You may fax your order to 302-644-8214. There is a $25 minimum. Another service they provide is catering and you may call ahead for a variety of party trays.
Surf Bagel is very involved in the community, sponsoring sports events; the wall pictures and trophies can attest to that.
Bagels are only part of what you can get in this beach eatery. There are breakfast sandwiches, subs, cheese steaks, pastries, wraps, salads, daily soups, all natural smoothies, coffees, and even a kid’s menu.
Today I chose one of their Tubular Wraps; the Flyin’ Hawaiian Wrap, which had grilled chicken, onions, pineapple and peppers, sauteed in Surf Bagel’s own Teriyaki BBQ sauce, topped with tomatoes and their 3 cheese blend.
While I was waiting for my wrap which really took no time at all, customers kept coming in. A gentleman was sitting by himself enjoying his lunch and I started talking to him. His name was Tom Vitella, one of the owners. He was so nice and gracious and he told me that they had been in the business for about 6 years. Where have I been? Too many places to discover in all these beach towns.
My wrap arrived and I will tell you that it was a messy one but it was worth it. Come on, some things like this wrap, or corn on the cob or ribs you have to get your hands dirty. Look at the picture. I hate to admit it, but I ate the whole thing. The sauce was not too thick and not too thin, perfectly seasoned.
 Flyin' Hawaiian Wrap Inside the restaurant I felt like it was Summer, but then I opened the door and reality set in.
It reminded me that I still needed to get some salt for the driveway….Talk to you later….
Note: Information on Bagels was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagel.
February 4th, 2010
And you wonder, “Is there life before coffee? Are you kidding? There is no life before coffee, but, certainly there is life after coffee!!!”
There is nothing better than a good cup of coffee in the morning; and on a cold wintry afternoon, it warms your soul. That is what I am doing right now. Writing my post with a cup of coffee at my side. Believe me, I am no Barista, but I do prefer a full bodied cup of coffee.
There are coffee shops everywhere. It is a new culture. I used to just drive through and get my watery cup of coffee, here and there. But, it seems like in the past few years I have to park at a coffee shop and I better have my terms in check like “latte”, “macchiato”, “breve latte” “con panna” or “without panna”. You really want to know what you are doing because if you are a coffee drinker and you ask for a “chai latte” you are probably going to get tea.
What is a Barista? You see this word when you are ordering coffee at a coffee shop; the name of the person mixing the coffee, as well. If you are visiting a coffee shop in Italy you will probably encounter a uniformed bartender called a Barista. In Italy, a Barista is a trained mixologist, familiar with both alcohol and coffee based drinks. A mixologist specializes in creating new drink combinations and is knowledgeable about the composition of alcoholic drinks. It is usually treated as a respected specialist, just like a wine stewart or a somelier. A somelier is a wine expert; specialized in the restaurant side of the wine industry. A Barista is expected to have a working knowldege of all the different blends of gourmet coffees offered.
The premier professional coffee school in the world today is the American Barista & Coffee School (ABC’s). It started in 2004 and no other school has been able to match it, with 700 students from 47 states and 40 countries who have already graduated. This past August, ABC’s expanded to the international arena with an affiliate school in Beijing, China.
International and national competitions put the Barista to the ultimate test.
So, now I can tell you where I went yesterday.
A friend told me that she had heard that the new Barista Cafe in Lewes was pretty good. I have been meaning to stop by and in the late afternoon, I did.
Barista Cafe is located at the Mariners Plaza, 17644 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. Tel. 302-703-2340. Website is www.LewesBaristaCafe.com. You can also find them on Facebook.
I met the owner, Laurie Bucka. She is not new to the food business and she opened Barista Cafe 6 months ago.
Barista Cafe is bigger than you think. I also thought I was going to encounter just a coffee shop, but what I found was a very welcoming coffee shop/restaurant offering, coffee, mochas, lattes, cappucinos, breakfast paninis and sandwiches, omelets, salads, wraps, paninis, specialty sandwiches, soups and some baked goods.
Laurie told me that at this time of the year they are open from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. As the season wakes up then they will have extended hours.
Something to have in mind is that Barista Cafe has free delivery and you can also place your order on line at the above mentioned website and pick it up or have it delivered.
Laurie also told me that almost everything is made in-house. One of her favorite salads is the Cranberry Walnut, which is a fresh spring mix topped with grilled chicken, craisins, glazed walnuts and goat cheese served with balsamic vinaigrette. There is also a Southwest Chicken Panini, which has grilled chicken, monterey jack, pico de gallo, fresh avocado and chipotle mayo. A breakfast panini that caught my eye was the Sussex County Scramble, which has eggs, white American, local scrapple and grape jelly.
I think this could be one of those places that locals and natives alike can come to use as a “meeting place”. It has comfortable seating and bar tables. There is also easy parking, which right now is not a big deal but at the height of the season is a welcoming sight.
I will probably see you there…soon. Talk to you later…
Note: Information regarding Barista and ABC’s was taken from www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-barista.htm, and http://coffeschool.org.
 
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