August 21st, 2012
Saketumi is around the corner from my house, practically so. I love going there. It is hassle free, plenty of parking, the food is soooo good. When I go into the restaurant, Kim, the Manager is usually around. He is the friendliest person. I love to talk to him. He has so much to say and he is so interesting. The servers? Just as friendly, and very knowledgeable.
I usually just sit at the bar. Interacting with the chefs; checking out the dishes going out to the tables.
The other night I started looking at the different Sake that were available. There are basically 5 types of Sake. Each one requires different brewing methods.
Jumai-Shu is a pure rice wine; no distilled alcohol added.
Honjozo-Shu, at least 30% of rice is polished away; a small amount of distilled alcohol is added.
Ginjo-Shu, at least 40% of rice is polished away; with or without alcohol added. If the bottle is labeled Ginjo, it means distilled alcohol was added; if labeled Junmai Ginjo it means no alcohol was added.
Daiginjo-Shu, at least 50% of rice is polished away. Again, with or without added alcohol. If the bottle is labeled Daiginjo, it means distilled alcohol was added. If labeled Junmai Daiginjo, it means no alcohol was added.
Namazake is a special 5 designation for unpasteurized sake; incorporates all of the above mentioned.
Saketumi is located at 18814 Coastal Highway (Rt. 1), Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, 19971. Tel. 302-645-2818. You can find Saketumi on Facebook. They open every day of the week for lunch, dinner and drinks. If the weather is good, they might even have their rooftop available for drinks. Bento Box specials on Wednesdays.
I go there so much with my husband that they don’t even ask us what we want to drink. Gluten Free Soy Sauce? Of course, I don’t even have to ask.
Tanaka San is the Sous Chef. This man is an artist, carefully assembling each dish. I sit near his station so that I can watch him. He always gives us a complimentary treat to wet our appetites.
On Sunday, we stopped by to get a bite to eat. Usually, I have sashimi. Lately, I have been hooked on their lettuce wraps. But, on this particular night, I decided to try 2 appetizers that I have never even seen there.
Edamame Ravioli – Ravioli stuffed with edamame puree in a shallot broth. So light and so delicious. Very well seasoned and I really enjoyed them.
Roti is an unleavened bread. It is served in some of the Caribbean islands and in Indian cuisine. The next dish was Scallion Roti which were crispy pancakes filled with scallions with a spicy peanut/curry dip on the side, with a slight kick, just enough to get those taste buds dancing. Loved them, as well.
I had a garden salad…I don’t think you need an explanation….ginger dressing, the best!!
A dish of sashimi was ordered. Tanaka’s presentation was so elegant in its simplicity. So beautiful!! It tasted as good as it looked.
Just remember that there is plenty of parking!!
See you…have a good one!!
August 20th, 2012
I am back at the Delaware Beaches, but I am remembering that last week I was getting ready for an experience; whitewater rafting. For all of you that go to Colorado on vacation, please keep this post in mind because the company we dealt with was very professional. If you would like to experience the outdoors, Rocky Mountain Adventures is the company to call. It is a full service store. Trips are offered all through Colorado; even overnight trips.
 
Rocky Mountain Adventures is located at 1117 N. Highway 287, Fort Collins, CO 80522. Tel. 800-858-6808 or 303-493-4005. Website? http://www.shoprma.com.
We were driving to Fort Collins from Golden where my friend, Cindi, and I were staying with my longtime friend, Marisa and her husband, Dave, on Lookout Mountain. I think the trip took about 2 hours. I had no idea what to expect. Ignorance is bliss, at times.
The first thing I noticed on the building was a sign that said Home of Pigeon Express. I figured it was a name for a FeDex office or delivery business. Put it out of my mind since we needed to check in with Rocky Mountain Express. It seemed there were about 23 people that were going to be divided into 4 rafts, for an afternoon of whitewater rafting.
Instructions were to be given, but first you needed to have proper shoes. My friend, Cindi, decided to rent one of their booties. Then, a meeting outside to go over all the precautions, warnings, proper use of life jacket, paddles, etc. etc. All I kept thinking was that I did not want to turn over and be under the raft.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a real pigeon. I said to Cindi; remind me to take a picture or to find out what the heck is going on with the pigeons. Nobody said anything about them.
Off we went on buses with the self bailing rafts in the back. It took some time to get to where we were going to start our adventure.
The Cache la Poudre River is Colorado’s first and only designated National Wild and Scenic River. The rafting takes place in a pristine and protected environment. On this particular trip, we saw the damage done by the fires a few months ago. The river had ash in it. The trout is just coming back.
I wish I had had my camera to take the first pictures of our guide, Adam. You should have seen his face. It said it all; it was going to be a challenging day. And, I am sure he was not thinking about the rapids. We were novices, what can I say? Some said they had done this or that but we were beginners in all of this.
 
After definite instruction in paddling, etc. etc. I remembered how to paddle, I went to summer camps and canoed till I dropped more than a few years ago. Anyway, off we went down the river with Adam. Even though he had no confidence in us at the beginning, I decided to follow his lead and do whatever he told me to do; we all felt the same way. Survival? You got it!
Adam was an awesome guide. He shouted directions, relaxed, shouted again and we did it. I think he was surprised and proud too. We did excel, and became quite a crew.
  
Adam was also very good in explaining the vegetation, the trees and had plenty of information on the damage done by the fires. He was also pretty funny, taking the magazine out as pictures were taken. Then, he was all business again.
 
It was exhilarating, beautiful, and peaceful at the same time. There were some crazy moments, but we survived them.
When we reached our destination, Adam, proceeded to tell us that he wanted us to experience what we had just gone through. We were to float with the rapids on our back. Is that so, I thought? Okay, we were already so wet, anyway. There was a hesitation, just a bit, then, we followed him. The current took us down the river floating; then, we kicked and got to the side of the river. All soaking wet and the only guide that asked its crew to do this.
Adam and the other guides were very friendly and love the outdoors. Adam Alter is from San Diego. He also is a snowboarding instructor. I will let you know where he will be this winter in case you need someone like him.
On the ride back we had watermelon, and chatted with everyone. We all had a great time.
We wanted to have pictures taken with Adam, so here he is with us.
I had to laugh because as we were going down the rapids; so wet, I remember my friend Marisa telling me to take my camera……when was I supposed to be taking pictures?
And….what is the Pigeon Express?
I thought he was kidding. I asked Adam, what is going on with the pigeons next door? The pigeons work for Rocky Mountain Adventures!! This is a photography program using homing pigeons. Using Lycra backpacks, the pigeons fly the film of the rafting tours, on the Cache La Poudre River, back to their outpost in Fort Collins. They usually travel 20 to 40 miles.
When the pigeons are released in the Poudre Canyon, they “home” in on their loft and fly back in about 20 minutes. That’s why the pictures on the river are ready when you get back.
The pigeons are reliable; fun and really hard workers. They have been raised by the staff, are friendly and like to be close to home. Isn’t that incredible?
Here is Adam holding one of them.
And, here is their loft.
Thanks, Adam….it was so much fun…the rafting, the pigeons, and most of all…meeting you!!
August 19th, 2012
It is just right that floral aroma, the softness of its skin; biting into its juicy flesh, is just delicious. Peach season is July and August. Stores and markets are showing their best.
This recipe, actually serves 4 if served as a side dish. I served it as an entree, so it served only 2 with a little bit leftover. You can also have a good artisan bread to go along. But, to tell you the truth, it is just perfect by itself. Hope you like it.
Grilled Peaches over Arugula and Prosciutto
Prepare your grill. I have a charcoal grill so I let the coals go to a medium level.
3 medium halved peaches, pitted.
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 to 4 cups arugula
3 ounces prosciutto, torn
4 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (To toast them, place on a medium dry skillet until lightly toasted.)
Dressing:
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons champagne vinegar
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oi.l
Whisk the dressing ingredients and put aside.
Assemble arugula and prosciutto in a salad bowl.
Before grilling the peaches, use that 1 tablespoon of olive oil to smear the peaches so they do not stick. Grill them, turning here or there until golden, about 4 or 5 minutes. Cut into quarters. Toss gently with the salad, add dressing, finish it off by adding the pine nuts. Again, a gentle toss.
Serve and enjoy.
Remember to make it your own….a little bit of this a little bit of that.
Note: This recipe is gluten free!!
August 19th, 2012
Saturday was a great day to be in Rehoboth Beach. The weather was 82 degrees with just a few clouds. It was the perfect day to stroll through the Rehoboth Art League’s 39th Annual Outdoor Fine Art & Craft Show. This is the second week-end; Sunday is the last day.
The Rehoboth Art League is located at 12 Dodds Lane, Rehoboth Beach. Already plans are taking place for 2013. The League will be celebrating its 75 years. I remember taking my own kids for classes during the summer at the League. June 21, 2013 is the kick off week-end. Check the website for details and events http://www.rehobothartleague.org.
This year I decided to take advantage of the free shuttle from K-Mart on Coastal Highway in Rehoboth. From experience, I know how hard it is to park in Henlopen Acres, where the Rehoboth Art League is located. It was such a breeze. I highly recommend it.
You can either pick up the shuttle at K-Mart or at the Rehoboth Elementary School located at 500 Stockley St.
No hassle; the Jolly Trolley was super clean, air conditioned, and the driver had some great music playing. We were there in no time since the Jolly Trolley traveled through the bus lane.
The traffic on Coastal Highway was incredible on Saturday, so believe me, this was the easiest way to get to the Rehoboth Art League. The buses make the rounds; they come and go every 15 to 20 minutes.
The Rehoboth Art League looked so lively, with so many people walking around. The property is about 3 acres. Over 100 artists and artisans were showcasing their variety of mediums.
 
There were food vendors, children’ activities and music.
On Sunday the Van Williamson Trio will be performing from 11 – 1 p.m. Marv Ashby and High Octane will be performing from 1 – 3 p.m.
At Noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. there will be a pottery demonstration, outside the Pottery Studio. On Saturday, Brenda was working on a piece.
There was also some face painting all day.
Their fig tree had fruit so I little tasting took place.
The Homestead which dates from 1743 is beautiful and tours are available, as well.
I stopped by to see my friend, Susan Gladstone. She is a potter whose studio The Happy Rock Pottery is located at the Celebration Mall Galleries at 20 Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.
 
Raku is her specialty; her booth is #53. Her tel. is 410-375-7120. Her e-mail is the happyrock@earthlink.net.
 
Then, I went looking for an artist that I met last year. Her name is Lynda Dahiell-Ohotnicky of Wahine Designs. Her home? Vieques, which is the island between Puerto Rico and the U.S.Virgin Islands. She is a designer/metalsmith. Her jewelry is handcrafted, and it is gorgeous. To know more about her and to see what she is all about, please visit http://www.wahinedesigns.com. Her booth is #5.
Last year I noticed the booth occupied by Martha Lechner Spak. She is from Potomac, Maryland. Her mediums? Fine Art, Photography, Designs. Check http://www.marthaspak.com.
I stopped to see Joy Davis of Joy Davis Jewelry Designs, who is a Wilmington, Delaware, native and a self taught silversmith. She had very unique pieces, as well. Her email address is jd2thesun@aol.com. You can learn more about her by visiting http://www.delawarebyhand.org/davis.shtml.
I met Lynne McKay today too. She has Whimsical Creations. She is an artist and interior designer. She lives in Rehoboth Beach. If you would like to talk to her, please call 302-381-5038.
  
Laura Hickman is a painter and a Delaware native with a multitude of accolades and awards to her name. She grew up in Bethany Beach and many of her paintings show her affection for this coastal, Southern Delaware town. I, particularly love some of her Bethany Beach’s alleys. Her travels have taken her to Italy, among other countries, where she has painted for years. If you would like to talk to her or schedule an appointment, please call her at 302-539-0494. Her website is http://www.laurahickmanfinearts.com. At the League, you will find her as you come in.
Kevin Fleming, photographer. There are not enough words to describe the talent of this artist. His photographs are awesome!! He has traveled the world for National Geographic and has been recognized as America’s Best Observer by Readers Digest. His studio is located at 239 Rehoboth Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. His tel. 302-227-4994. Website? http://www.kevinfleming.com. He is on booth #111.
 
Enjoy, relax, and have a good time!!
And how about dinner?
Crabs from Jimmy Lynn’s located on Rt. 1 in Lewes and corn from Freeman’s….my favorites!!
August 17th, 2012
The Town of Lewes, Delaware is located on the lower reach of the Delaware Bay. It is considered an ocean resort; the ocean is nearby at Cape Henlopen.
It seems summer has been flying by all of us. Our second season at the Delaware Beaches is just as good….soooo, hang in there. If you are visiting Lewes, this is what’s going on.
Saturday, 8/18 – Historic Lewes Farmers’ Market – 8 a.m. until Noon, at the Lewes Historical Society Campus. Please remember that no pets are allowed. Address? 110 Shipcarpenter Street. More info? Please visit http://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.
At 10 a.m. there will be a Cooking Demonstration by Plate Catering’s Head Chef, Jen Blakeman. More info. on Plate Catering? Please visit http://www.plate-catering.com.
 Cannonball House Saturday, 8/18 – At 3:00 p.m. at the Midway School #178, at the Lewes Historic Complex, Commander Timothy R. Dring USNR-Retired will present “Maritime Rescue along the Delaware Coast: The History, Stations, and Equipment of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the U.S. Coast Guard”.
Start at the Midway School at the Lewes Historic Complex, then, you are invited for a walk to the Lewes Life-Saving Station.
This is a free event and no reservations are required.
For more information, please visit the Lewes Chamber at http://www.leweschamber.com.
Saturday, 8/18 – Opera at the Beach – An Evening with Patricia Racette – 8:00 until 10:00 p.m. Soprano Patricia Racette, a leading artist at The Metropolitan Opera and the Washington National Opera has been called “one of the world’s best sopranos” by New York’s WQXR, will sing a program of operatic favorites and jazz and Broadway standards. A Touch of Italy Restaurant will dazzle the palate with a pre-performance reception of Italian appetizers and beverages. Location? Cape Henlopen High School Theatre. This event is in support of Coastal Concerts and The Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center. Tickets are $50 and $75, and can be purchased online at http://www.operaatthebeach.com. Doors will open at 6:30; performance will begin at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 8/19 – 4th Annual Greene Turtle Lewes 5K Walk/Run – 7:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. This is a benefit for the Cancer Support Community Delaware. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. with the 5K run/walk race starting at 8:15 a.m. Races2Run will manage the event and provide complete online race results. The event will begin at The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille located at The Villages at Five Points in Lewes. Walkers and runners will travel along a fast, flat course within the Five Points residental neighborhoods. For more info., and to register online, visit http://www.cancersupportdelaware.org.
The mission of the Cancer Support Community Delaware is to “ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community.”
Sunday, 8/19 – Yoga With Dimitra at the Lewes Canalfront Park, 211 Front Street. Please take your mat or towel. 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Tuesday, 8/21 – Chicks for Charity (Southern Delaware) Dinner at Fish On!, located at The Villages of Five Points, Lewes, at 6:30 p.m. Two delicious entrees to choose from along with appetizers and dessert. $25/person includes gratuity. Cash or check only, payable to Fish On! This August dinner will benefit “Alex’s Lemonade Stand”. There will be raffle items and 50/50 raffle. RSVP to gals4thegood@aol.com. Please, no calls to the restaurant. Chicks for Charity (Southern Delaware) is a charitable organization serving our community. To find out the connection to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, please visit http://www.chicksforcharity.us.
Tuesday, 8/21 – Summer Concert at Stango Park, 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., on King’s Highway, next to the Lewes Public Library. The performance will be by The Navy Band Sea Chanters. This is the United States Navy’s Official Chorus. A variety of music ranging from traditional choral to opera, Broadway, and contemporary.
Have a great time!!
August 16th, 2012
I love snowballs so much that when I first came to the Delaware Beaches to stay, I wanted to have a Piragua cart on the beach. Growing up in the island of Puerto Rico, snow cones were called Piraguas. Tropical flavors with the “Piraguero” shaving the ice. I loved tamarind and coconut. But, my favorite was cream. The carts were colorful and made out of wood. The new age carts are stainless steel. You could find piraguas in every corner.
 The typical scene in Puerto Rico. The piraguero selling his piraguas. I had read somewhere that there was a snowball place in Lewes. So off to Lewes I went in search for that refreshing summer delicacy that is loved by all.
The Snoball Shack is located at 110 New Road in Lewes. Tel. 302-604-4150. If you are driving north, from Rehoboth Beach, please exit right after St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, before the Nassau Bridge. Take the next right which is New Road and continue all the way into Lewes, until you are almost on Pilottown Rd. It will be on your left. It opens 7 days a week.
You will see thatch roof umbrellas and tables.
As I came in a gentleman and a young woman were chatting. I introduced myself. Lorreta and her family own The Snoball Shack. She runs this business.
Her father, Cliff, proceeded to tell me that they came from Baltimore to this area about 8 years ago. He was baffled about the fact that there were no snowballs anywhere close to Lewes. He would have to go to Millsboro where there was a lady serving them. I knew about this woman since we had also gone to her. One day, 3 years ago, he went to get his usual when a sign said that they were closing due to an illness. Right there and then, he bought everything they had.
The rest is history. The got their space on New Road and during that winter they learned and got a handle on how to serve snowballs. Cliff fixed the place up and gave it a complete new look. By the way, Cliff owns an home improvement company called Cliff’s Edge Home. For many years he also had his own home improvement company in Baltimore. His full name is Cliff Neal and his tel. is 302-422-5025.
We talked and talked about snowballs and what we liked best. If you are from Baltimore, Maryland, you have to put marshmallow on your snowball. That’s the way they do it in Baltimore and it is delicious. Oh, she also has ice cream; another tradition from Baltimore. Add it to your snowball.
Lorreta told me that they have 52 flavors. She even has some sugar free flavors, but she is not to crazy about them. Some flavors are traditional, while others are made with pure sugar cane and coconut oil.
She also mentioned that her chocolate flavor is soooo good. So, I decided to get a medium snowball, vanilla, chocolate and, of course, marshmallow.
I watched Lorreta alternate flavors and crushed ice and marshmallow to then finish it off with more marshmallow. She is already an expert on how much to put so as not to make it to thick or too thin. A spoon and I was good to go.
   
I stayed awhile, eating my snowball and chatting away, as usual.
My combination of flavors was perfect. Not overly sweet either.
On my first day back from Colorado, it was just the right treat on a hot summer day in Delaware.
Note: Lorreta also carries local produce; her own. Local brown eggs and local honey, and peaches, as well.
Talk to you later…have a good one!!
August 15th, 2012
It was time to say “until next time” to Colorado. After coming down from Rocky Mountain National Park, we decided to stop by Cuba Cuba and have our last dinner in Downtown Denver. My friend, Marisa, knows the owner and she said that it was the best Latin restaurant with awesome Mojitos in Denver.
Cuba Cuba is located at 1173 Delaware St., Denver, CO 80204. Tel. 303-605-2822. Website? http://www.cubacubacafe.com.
When I saw that Cuba Cuba was located on Delaware St., I started to smile. Delaware is where I live. The restaurant is in 2 historic homes. So quaint and very tropical.
The walls show their Latin style.
 
The Bar is popular. Cuba Cuba has an extensive offering of Rums. They also have Rum Flights. Martinis like the Cafe con Leche Martini and the Cafetini are also on the drink menu.
Mojito Happy Hour is Monday – Thursday from 5 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. My friends, Cindi and Marisa, decided to start with one of those Mojitos. They both agreed that they were delicious.
We were seated in their outdoor patio, which was shielded by a canopy. Perfect for dinner on a summer Colorado evening. There is indoor dining available, as well. A few tables are also set up at the bar.
The appetizers we ordered were:
Yuca Frita, which were hand cut cassava fries tossed in garlic mojo. Yuca is a root vegetable. It is starchy so you have to be careful how too cook it so it does not become too dry. I found this particular one a little to dry for my taste. I could not find the garlic mojo in them.
Mariquitas Cubanas. These were plantain chips with avocado mash and house mojos (garlic, mango/citrus). They were good and the mojos were delicious. I borrowed some of their mojos for the Yuca Frita.
My friend Marisa loves Ropa Vieja. She kept calling it Ropa Sucia. Too funny. She had had this entree at Cuba Cuba plenty of times so she was confident it was going to be sooooo good. The Ropa Vieja had shredded beef sauteed in tomato creole sauce, served with white rice, black beans and tostones. You could tell Marisa did not like it. First she likes her Ropa Vieja with ground beef. Secondly, she usually has had it served over the rice, and the tostones were too thick. I took a taste of the Ropa Vieja; not much flavor.
Latin food is one of the most flavorful; definitely there was a lot missing. It looked good but it left her disappointed.
I decided to order the Paella with calamari, mussels, mahi mahi and chicken. It also had Spanish chorizo. It was prepared with sofrito, saffron and Valencia rice. Bland and more bland. More saffron was needed, garlic, and possibly more sofrito. Paellas are also full of flavor. Sorry to say, this was, definitely, lacking flavor. You could have called this dish seafood, chicken and rice. But, not a paella.
When my friend was asked by our server how the dinner was, she decided to tell her. I chose not to say anything. I was enjoying my dinner with friends and that’s all I cared about.
Our server mentioned that there was a new chef. She also wanted to hear the comments.
Cindi, was totally happy with her Camarones al Coco. They were pan seared shrimp, sauteed with garlic, tomatoes, ginger, coconut milk and peppers, served over a potato mash.
For our sweet ending we ordered a Tres Leches to share. This dessert was excellent. Tres Leches is a cake, filling and topping, using 3 milks; whole milk, condensed milk and evaporated milk.
A decaf espresso, was the perfect ending to our meal.
After some time, and with the help of those mojitos……one might try to play bongos.
It was time to go home and pack; but not before we took pictures of others we met who were enjoying an evening with friends, as well.
Then, they took our pictures too. That’s what you do when on vacation….
Talk to you later…
Note: Cuba Cuba offers catering and has plenty of space for private parties.
August 15th, 2012
Monday was one of those days you do not want it to end. Still visiting my friend, Marisa in Colorado with my other friend, Cindi, we decide to take off for Fort Collins to experience an afternoon of whitewater rafting. It turned out to be an exhilarating time, which I will tell you on another post.
From Fort Collins we continued to Estes Park, which is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Village is quaint, full of shops and eateries. It is a destination for those who love the outdoors.
We were entering Roosevelt National Forest when the drive started to get even more gorgeous than before.
I was wondering if we would see any wildlife. Marisa was telling us about the Big Horn Sheep. She had only seen them one other time.
When I saw the sign describing the Big Horn Sheep, I took a picture thinking that’s all I would get to see.
Surprise, surprise. As we came up the road we saw the people just braking to a stop. Getting out with cameras on hand. Bikers stopping, as well.
There they were. Some by the road and some in much higher rocks.
 
The Big Horn Sheep has been Colorado’s State Symbol. The Rocky Mountain Bighorns are found only in the Rockies, above the timberline, in extremely rugged terrain.
They are known for their agility and perfect balance.
They are social; separated in 2 groups. The mature in one and the ewes, lambs, and young rams in another.
This particular herd we saw did just that. They were not very old. Only one seem to be more of a leader.
Social status is established by body and horn size.
Just beautiful and the perfect ending to a day full of excitement.
Tuesday was another day of exploring the Rocky Mountain National Park. I hoped to see more wildlife.
The Park was full of visitors on a beautiful day. As we were coming down the Park, the most magnificent Elk was there; almost like waiting for us. We all stopped to take pictures of this elegant and majestic animal who in some way knew he owned the Park.
   
Through my stay in Colorado I have taken so many pictures. Post are yet to be written…soon though.
Talk to you later.
 
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