June 22nd, 2010
I was coming back from the Division of Motor Vehicles, after spending about 2 1/2 hours there. I was just saying to my friend, Trish, not too long ago, how efficient the DMV has been since they opened their new building in Georgetown, Delaware. She had told me her husband was there for hours; I just did not believe her until it happened to me.
Anyway, I was coming back to Rehoboth on Rt. 9, when I saw Good for You Market. I decided to stop because I had never been there and I had heard good things about it.
Good for You Market is located at 28841 Lewes-Georgetown Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. Tel. 302-684-8330. E-mail Address goodforu@comcast.net. Website www.weknowyum.com.
From Rt. 1, going west, it will only take you about 10 minutes or less. You cannot miss the building since it is very colorful.
Good for You Market began in 2006 as a market garden farm selling directly to restaurants and at area farmers markets. The rest is history and what you will find now is a beautiful food market. It combines everyday items with great gourmet ones as well.
The market has artisan cheeses, organic produce, grass-fed meats, specialty meats and poultry, dried fruits and nuts in bulk, international gourmet foods, organic coffee beans, ethnic specialties, traditional grocery items, and household cleaning and laundry items, as well. There is a Sandwich and Juice Bar.
The store holds cheese classes and the next and last one available until September will be on July 10 at 1:00 p.m. The subject? What Goes Around Becomes a Rind: Exploring the Outside of The Cheese!
“We’re so focused on the inside: we often forget the fascinating outside. This is the time to appreciate what goes into the outer edge of the wheel. Join the Good for You Market Cheesemonger as he explains the makeup of the beautiful outer edges of the cheese. You’ll learn all about washing, rubbing, rolling, bruising, and wrapping. In other words, how the cheese wheel ends up with that nice coating of wine, chocolate, wood ash, herbs, grape leaves, or straw patterns. They will prove that sometimes, “A rind is a terrible thing to waste!” Some rinds are edible and make a flavorful addition to broth, stock, soup, and sauces.”
For more information, please give them a call to the above telephone number.
Following is a Sangria Recipe, courtesy of Good for You Market:
1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
1 Lemon cut into wedges
1 Orange cut into wedges
1 Lime cut into wedges
2 Tbsps sugar
Splash of orange juice or lemonade
2 Shots of gin or triple sec
1 Cup of raspberries or strawberries
1 Small can of diced pineapples (with juice)
4 Cups Ginger Ale
Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine.
Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds, if possible), pineapple, then add sugar, orange juice and triple sec.
Chill overnight.
Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving.
Note: If you would like to serve it right away, then use a chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice. However, remember that the best Sangrias are chilled around 24 hours in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to really marinate each other.
Enjoy!!
Talk to you later….you know I will….
June 21st, 2010
In a matter of 48 hours, from last Friday until Sunday, there was a drive, a stay in a hotel, International Food; Italian, Lebanese and Mediterranean, Austrian, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, American, and let’s not forget The Wedding and lots of dancing.
It is that time in my life when I am being invited to weddings. Some of my friends’ children are getting married. So much fun to hear all the planning that takes place for such an event.
Off to Washington on Friday and this is how the week-end started.
Stuck in traffic. Why do they have to blow the horn and cut me off? What’s the matter with people? It must be that, here, at the Delaware Beaches we really don’t get those traffic jams. Well, in the summer there is an exception but throughout the year we come and go with no problem. No lines either. I get a little impatient to say the least.
I arrived at The Latham Hotel located on M Street. Cute little boutique hotel in the center of the action in Georgetown. It was Friday and you could tell people were getting ready to start the evening.
The rooms at The Latham are not very big but they are well appointed.
I decided that dinner was not going to be for another few hours so appetizers at a little side street restaurant near the Canal could tie me over. The name? Il Canale. Italian was spoken here. I just answered in Spanish. Close enough. The restaurant surprised me. The oil and garlic served with dipping bread was very sweet. I was told that they boil the garlic in the oil and that gives it that sweetness. The beef carpaccio was very good and so were the mussels.
Later that evening it was time to have dinner. I chose Neyla because it was suggested it had superb Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine.
It was crowded. One of the appeals of this type of cuisine is that you can order many dishes and share. The Falafel was a hit. Several more orders were requested. My main dish was Branzino which is a European seabass I really like; it was moist and very nicely seasoned.
Our waiter was from Morocco and very friendly and efficient.
The restaurant was good but I did not love it.
Taking a walk after dinner with friends was a treat; checking the stores and the people. Wait, what happened was that all of a sudden I realized that I had not heard anyone passing me by speaking in English. I was fitting right in with my accent. It felt good. I was looking at my friends, who only spoke English, like they were foreigners. Amazing, isn’t it? But then, at the same time, I thought that speaking two languages was not enough.
Saturday, morning:
Walking by the canal was beautiful. Lots of runners, joggers and people just enjoying a hot summer morning.
Then it is time to find a cute place to eat breakfast. I like foods that are different and if I am in an area that is known for their international food, I am then going for it.
I found Leopold’s by Caddy’s Alley. It was Austrian. Outdoors seating was perfect. This restaurant has a full bar and it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
To tell you the truth the breakfast was not that great. The menu looked better for dinner.
Walking by the Canal the Mule-Drawn Barge was taking people for a ride. This is sponsored by the C & O Canal. It is the C & O Canal National Historical Park. A series of locks had to be opened for this barge to go through.
The locktenders were responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of liftlocks.
How does lock work? Liftlocks raised and lowered boats to overcome changes in elevations. A boat heading downstream enters the lock. Mules are unhitched and the locktender closes the upstream gates. The locktender opens the downstream paddles. Water flows out and the boat is lowered. With water levels equal, the locktender opens the downstream gates. The mules are hitched and the boat moves on.
I could not believe I was thinking about food again. Well, just something. It was very hot in Georgetown and as I was walking I saw a restaurant called Zed’s – Ethiopian Cuisine. It was located on M Street.
I only had time for a few appetizers. I ordered Kaisa which is a mild Ethiopian cheese, Beef Zizi Tibbs which are beef strips with a red chili pepper sauce and Mushroom Inguday Tibbs which were sauteed mushrooms with onion, a special sauce with a touch of chili pepper.
Again, I was not thrilled with my choices but I was glad I tried them.
Finally, I went to the wedding ceremony. It was beautiful. The bride was glowing. The parents and sisters were so proud and happy. All of us were witnesses to such an important event in her life.
When the band started playing everyone got up to dance. This band was the back-up band for Wilson Picket who died in 2006 and was buried in Louisville, Kentucky. He was an American R & B/rock and roll and soul singer and writer. His hits? In the Midnight Hour, Land of 1,000 Dances, Mustang Sally, Funky Broadway, among others. I believe the band’s name is the Midnight Movers. They played and we danced all night.
One more bite to eat before going to bed on a busy Saturday night in Georgetown. It was Vietnamese across The Latham and I cannot even remember the name. Good and a lot of food. No idea Vietnamese cooks use a lot of collard greens in their dishes.
Sunday Morning. Please, coffee before driving back home. But, wait, how about breakfast?
A stop in Annapolis, Maryland, will do the trick. Again, it was crowded and hot. Annapolis is beautiful any time of the year. On Sunday there was a bright blue sky.
I ended up at The Kitchen on Randall Street. It was small but it had a courtyard, where I enjoyed breakfast.
I had scrambled eggs but the best part of my dish was the smoked Rockfish. It was so good and I could have had more.
The other breakfast ordered was eggs benedict and they were good also.
I cannot believe I have eaten my way for 48 hours. Don’t worry I paced myself, and watched the carbs.
I knew I was in Delaware when I came upon the following scene.
And then I found myself on the top level of the Cultured Pearl, eating sashimi and overlooking Rehoboth Avenue on a very balmy evening….
I am exhausted…talk to you later….as usual….
June 19th, 2010
“Fathers like Mothers, are not born. Men grow into Fathers and fathering is a very important stage in their development.”
I was coming out of a parking lot, when out of the corner, a family was passing me by. Single line, Mother leading the way and Father watching their backs.
I could not believe it, but what a tender moment!! I knew those 2 pictures were going on the post.
We celebrate Dad. Not only our fathers, but all men who have acted as father figures in someone’s life; Uncles, Stepfathers, Grandfathers, Adult Male Friends and even Big Brothers.
The first Father’s Day was observed on 6/19/1910 in Spokane, Washington.
In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day. But, it was not until 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
So, I wish the best to all of those Fathers that serve as role models to all children. Thanks so much!!
Have a Great Week-End and, of course, A Wonderful Father’s Day!!!
Talk to you soon, as usual…..
June 18th, 2010
I have a friend, and her name is Trish. The othe day we took off and went on a road trip that pretty much ended at J. Conn Scott. She is fairly new to the area so I was giving her my undivided tour.
J.Conn Scott has its Main Showroom at 6 East Church St., Selbyville, DE, 19975. Tel. 302-436-8205. Website: www.jconnscott.com.
On fashionable, Baltimore Ave., in Rehoboth Beach, they have a “Showhouse”. The address is 27 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-227-3780.
J. Conn Scott is a family business. They were established in 1924. A solid reputation, customer service, and the best furniture available has made this company what it is today.
Their main showroom in Selbyville is massive; huge. You can fine furniture from traditional to coastal. Rugs, accesories, art, antiques, vases, lamps are part of the many items available for all our decorating needs.
The “Showhouse” in Rehoboth is beautiful, as well. It gives the visitors to the Rehoboth area ideas and inspirations. Richard changes that “Showhouse” every Tuesday.
I really can talk about this company with ease because years ago when I moved to Rehoboth Beach from Bethany Beach, Richard helped me. I laughed because at the time he told me that he would go into some of his customers’ homes and they still had everything in the same spot he placed them originally. Well, I just told him the other day that everything is in the same place in my house, as well. I think that’s a compliment, really.
J. Conn Scott’s employees let you walk around their showroom at peace. Need help? Then, they are there to help you with your choices and decorating needs.
You might not think you need a decorator. I think some are a bit intimidating. But, they can actually save you money in the long run. A decorator has more experience and could prevent you from making costly mistakes. Decorators have put together so many rooms; probably more so than you. Therefore, their experience is invaluable. Some times it can be the difference between a pretty room and a room that will make people’s jaws drop. In the end, it will be how comfortable you are in making choices.
Let me show you what this Showroom is all about:
I have just shown you part of this 35,000 square foot showroom. It is pretty impressive and to get the full effect, you really have to visit the store.
Richard told me that so many items are coming in every day. They deliver; you just have to tell them where.
Have a great day…..and week-end too….
June 17th, 2010
It’s interesting how when the town of Berlin, Maryland is described, it is mentioned that is like traveling back into the past. It’s not just back into the town’s own past history but also my own.
I have mentioned that this is where my children spent their primary school years so believe me when I tell you that Berlin became my home, as well. And, every time I visit, I cannot help to reminisce.
Berlin is in Worcester County. The town is west of Ocean City, Maryland and dates back to the 1790s.
This is another of those towns where the citizens have worked hard to preserve its history and charm. The renovations of the town and its historic preservation are, definitely, a cooperative effort.
Restaurants and shops line Main Street in Berlin. This town is well known. The movie industry loves it. Two major motion pictures have been filmed here. In 1998 Runaway Bride with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts and in 2001 Tuck Everlasting with Sissy Spacek, Ben Kingsley and William Hurt.
I decided to visit Tada on Wednesday because it is the perfect place for what I was looking for. A wedding gift. I figure that Patty and Blair would be able to help me since they knew the bride.
TaDa is located at 18 N. Main St., Berlin, MD 21811. Tel. 410-641-4430. Website is www.blairelizabeth.com.
The mother and daughter team that owns this beautiful store? Patty Falck and Blair Elizabeth (Blair Falck Parsons). Yes, she got married.
Coming into TaDa at this time of the year gave me the same impression as when I visited in the Fall. The beautiful colors, now even brighter as the summer season is upon us. The displays are perfectly located. Only someone with an artistic eye could put them together in such a way.
Patty is an artist. She paints for her store but accepts custom orders. Her painted glassware has a following.
Blair is also an artist; designing and making her own jewelry. Mother and daughter are definitely a team.
TaDa has something for everyone. Wether you are looking for home accents, a gift for someone close, art, tableware, they have it.
It was a Wednesday and all of a sudden the store was packed. Patty and Blair were so at ease talking to everyone. The customers really engaged them in conversation. And, that’s what I love about shopping in the local stores in all of our towns; you get to know their owners.
This store is always on my “must stop shop”, and it still takes my breath away.
Have a great day….it’s beautiful out…
June 16th, 2010
“Hobos is described as Eco-Global. It celebrates the subtle simplicity of street food from around the world.”
It definitely had cooled down at the Delaware Beaches. The breeze was just great and I felt like going out to dinner. My son called and asked me if I still cooked since I was always going out to dinner. How else am I going to let you know how our restaurants are doing at the beaches? Tomorrow, yes, manana, I am staying home.
But on Tuesday evening, it was time to go and visit Hobos. This restaurant is located at 56 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-226-2226. E-mail is info@myhobos.com. Hobos is on Facebook. The owner and Chef is Gretchen Hanson.
Hobos brings pleasant memories for me. Last year, around this time, Gretchen had opened her restaurant. It was there that I came up with the idea of writing this type of blog. As she explained to me her concept and ideas; where she was coming from and I was asking about gluten free dishes; back and forth with the conversation; I decided to write about the beaches.
So as I approached the restaurant, it definitely looked good. The flowers were in full bloom, the tiny lights and the al fresco dining, just complemented the type of night, here at the beaches. This is what we, residents, locals, and natives, live for at the beach. The casualness of living along the coast.
Hobos was comfortably crowded. In their al fresco dining there are plenty of tables. Tonight we were all so lucky because across the street, at Aqua Grill, Holly Lane was performing so the music was great, adding already to a very nice evening.
It was so nice to see Dawn again. She works at Hobos and took care of us. Always making the right suggestions regarding what to order. Gretchen came to the table and proceeded to mark the gluten free items on the menu, which to tell you the truth, almost all of them were. I could hear other people asking the same thing so, other customers were eating gluten free last night.
Hobos is able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, celiac (gluten free), and people with other food allergies. It is great to see how a lot of the restaurants in our area are being so sensitive to their patrons with food allergies.
Hobos has a wide a variety of dishes in its menu. Gretchen’s cooking is full of flavor and spice. She is not afraid of a little bit of heat here or there. It gives her dishes just the right kick.
I was checking the restaurant. It has really come into its own and has become very popular. I have to give Gretchen credit because I was watching her interact with her customers, including us. She made sure she went to every table and just stayed long enough to make friendly chat; to make sure we were all happy with our orders, always with a smile on her face.
The indoor dining area is very cozy. Hobos’ decorations have a Mediterranean style. There is a full bar, as well.
We started with a Crab Artichoke and Brie Dip. The mixture of the 3 flavors was a great combination. The crostini, well, of course they were that good because they were fried!!
 Crab Artichoke and Brie Dip Then came the Seaweed Salad with Cucumbers. Refreshing, a little spicy and I loved it!!
One main entree was the Chile Glazed Halibut with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa. The halibut was perfectly cooked and the glaze and salsa also gave this dish a litle kick. It came with mashed potatoes which were very good, as well. Then I took a bite of the thinly sliced yellow and green zucchini. It was so fresh and it tasted like butter. Well, that is when Gretchen said that the squash was zephyr zucchini.
 Chile Glazed Halibut with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa Zephyr zucchini is a hybrid summer squash. It has great flavor and texture; buttery and nutty. It’s color is buttercup yellow and light green ends. Hobos’ zucchini was organic.
The other dish ordered was Scallops with Red Curry and Asparagus. This was a large entree and it was just as delicious. Again the little heat played a game with your tastebuds.
 Scallops with Red Curry and Asparagus Check the website for their menu and to see upcoming events. Gretchen keeps Hobos busy.
Unfortunately, we did not have dessert. The freshly brewed coffee was very good with a great flavor.
Baltimore Street, where Hobos is located is a street lined with trees and if you decide to dine here, I think you are really going to enjoy it.
Talk to you later…you know I will….
Note: Remember that Hobos is a dog friendly restaurant for well behaved dogs.
June 15th, 2010
Even though I have had a place in Delray for some time, I really did not know where to go for tiles. South Florida is full of businesses that are into tiles but I did not want to make a career out of checking them out. I like to make those decisions fast; I know what I like.
My contractor, Dan Palmer, suggested I went to D & B Tile in Delray Beach. So off I went to check them out even though what I really wanted to do was sit on the beach. It was hot!!
D & B Tile is located on 781 South Congress Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33445. Website is www.dbtile.com. Fax: 561-278-7621. Tel. 561-272-7022.
For over 50 years this family business has been in the tile business. It is considered one of the largest privately owned tile distributors in the United States.
With more than 40 manufacturers, the company imports from Italy, Spain, South America and the Far East.
Besides Florida, they service other parts of the country with 9 locations; providing tiles to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
D & B Tile donates tiles and materials to Habitat For Humanity, The Jack & Jill House Children’s Center, and the Trojan House, built by high school students. They also hold charity golf tournaments to benefit the James Jr. Fund at Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital.
Walking into this tile company was, at first, a little intimidating. So many choices, colors, materials, accents. But, then I met Cherie Arbogast. She is in Sales and Design at D & B.
Cherie was so easy to talk to and immediately showed me different samples. We talked about the space, grout, backsplash, etc. In no time I was finished. She also let me take tile samples in order to match them to the countertops, which was a big help. If you are in need of tiles, definitely, I would recommend her at D & B Tile. Her direct line is 561-843-6523.
Have a great day and talk to you later….
June 14th, 2010
What is it about cupcakes? Afterall, we have all been eating them since we were kids. That’s it!! It is not that they are now a little more fancy and even bigger, the idea is the same though. The little cake with a lot of icing.
Yes, I get it. Cupcakes universally evoke our childhood. They are so easy to eat. Definitely easier than a piece of cake. You know how busy we all are; we can really eat them as we are walking or driving from one place to another. Just like eating a hot dog, a hamburger, or a pretzel.
I have even heard that cupcakes are replacing some wedding cakes. I don’t know about that but you never know.
I remembered that the last time I was in Delray, a cupcake store was about to open. On this trip I had to check it out.
It is Cupcake Couture, a Sweet Boutique and it is located at 328 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483. Tel. 561-276-2334. Website is www.cupcakecoutureusa.com.
The owner of Cupcake Couture is Pam Joyner, Cupcake Curator. Her e-mail address is pam@cupcakecoutureusa.com. Their motto? “Life’s short…eat dessert first!”
Unfortunately, the day I stopped by she was not there yet but her employees were very gracious and answered my questions.
The store is colorful. It appeals to young and old. The walls are completely decorated with cupcakes and candy. The displays are full of all that old fashion candy.
The store bakes the cupcakes in-house. As I was talking to the ladies working the store, they were bringing them out.
The key to a good cupcake is that it is freshly baked.
The cupcakes have names like Donatella Vanilla, Jimmy Choo-colate, Christian Louboutinilla, Cocoa Chanel, Red Valentino, Oscar de la Raspberry, Dolce & Banana, Ives Saint Lemon, Donna Karrot, and so many more. They are all listed with their descriptions on the website. At the present time, the website is being worked on but you can definitely get its menu.
There is also an assortment of classic breakfast flavors that change daily.
One thing that immediately attracted my attention is that Vegan or Gluten-free cupcakes are available upon request. Minimum is 1 dozen and please allow at least 48 hours notice. They also have sugar free cupcakes.
Besides cupcakes this Sweet Boutique offers gelato, soft drinks and coffee.
There is plenty of seating available and even flat screen t.v.s that look like ovens in pink and green.
The store had plenty of customers late in the day but in the evening, as I passed by again, it was definitely crowded.
Cupcake Couture could be a good place to get something for a host or hostess or anyone, for that matter. The cupcakes will be a conversation piece.
Please note that they also offer custom cakes. The store is also available for rent for that special party in someone’s life. If you need more information please contact them at the above telephone number.
Have a great week!! Talk to you later….
 
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