September 21st, 2013
Usually the action is on Atlantic Ave., but early in the morning that was not the case. Too quiet!! Everyone was on the beach, as another beautiful day in the Village by the Sea was developing.
The full moon was still there, but the sun was definitely out. A little less humid than in the past couple of days. One person said “Fall is here”, I was already perspiring…maybe 85 degrees?
The early risers were getting ready for a little surf-fishing.
The others were exercising on the beach.
Me? I was just taking a walk and taking the beach in…the palm trees, the ocean breezes, and the salty air.
Groups were pouring into the beach….it was Beach Clean-Up in Delray Beach with Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful. For more info. visit http://www.keeppbcbeautiful.org.
They had trash bags, gloves, and a list of things to find. It was going to be a fun day on the beach for everyone.
Delray Beach is pretty big and there is room for everyone. The teams were assembling and games of volleyball were getting underway.
Having breakfast in one of the restaurants that are right on A1A is a favorite of many in the a.m.
Wow, the seagrapes are plentyful this year…next post.
Talk to you later.
September 21st, 2013
For 5 years I have looked for a gluten free pizza that would make my mouth water. I found it!! You know it had to be good when customers eating at The Couch Tomato in Manayunk were ordering it…they did not have a gluten allergy. In my family’s gluten free journey (celiac disease), I would say that you can pretty much substitute ingredients to make recipes just as good as any. Pizza? Well, that has been a different story.
The Couch Tomato has gluten free pizza that is truly delicious. Our choice was Bacon, Goat Cheese, Olive Oil, Caramelized Onions and Mozzarella. It looked and tasted sooo good.
The neighborhood of Manayunk has a Main Street lined with restaurants and boutiques. During any given day, customers enjoy outdoor dining in, practically, every restaurant.
The Couch Tomato is located at 102 Rector St., Manayunk, PA 19127. Tel. 215-483-2233. Website? http://www.manayunktomato.com.
The restaurant has a casual atmosphere, the staff is friendly, the food was very good, and the prices were reasonable.
Our choices, besides the pizza were:
Risotto Fritters – Vegetable and mozzarella fritters with a sweet fire roasted tomato sauce and pesto. They were crispy on the outside, the center was soft and perfectly seasoned.
Cheesesteak Bites: Sirloin, fried tortilla, caramelized onions and peppers, mozzarella and sharp provolone, and siracha ketchup. This was a big portion, perfect for table sharing…tasty.
The grilled Caesar was a salad that was thoroughly enjoyed….house croutons and topped with naturally raised chicken.
What’s Going on in Manayunk?
Kicking off Restaurant Week is the StrEAT Festival, Saturday, 9/21. Main Street will be lined up with Philly’s best food trucks from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Restaurant Week will be on going through October 5th.
Check out http://www.manayunk.com/signature-events/streat-food-festival-restaurant-week.
Saturday, September 28th is the 2nd Manayunk Tomato Trot, a 5K Trail Run, or Walk for LUNGevity. The Race will start at 4:30 p.m. First 250 registrant will receive a Free Manayunk Tomato Trot T-Shirt. The after party will be at The Couch Tomato where you can enjoy live music, free pizza, awards, and giveaways. Register at http://www.tomatotrot.com.
September 20th, 2013
They are always present in our thoughts…those friends, and family that have had breast cancer, in remission or in treatment.
Even little Lilly is “Styled of Pink”. I thought she was the perfect photo for this post. Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach does “Style of Pink” Campaign each year. The proceeds benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
Shop, save and help find a cure this year at Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach from until Friday, October 25th. Simply purchase a Pink Card Pack for $5 to receive $25 off at 5 participating stores. All discounts are taken on a single item and you can buy as many Pink Card Packs as you like.
Also available, is a digital pink style savings pass. For $10, customers will have an exclusive, unlimited use of the savings pass offering 25% off a single item at participating stores throughout the entire pink style campaign. This pass can only be purchase through http://www.tangeroutlets.com.
A portion of the card sales will benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. This partnership has raised over $60,000.
If you would like to learn more about the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, and attend events that are already on the schedule, please visit http://www.debreastcancer.org.
Have a good one!!
September 19th, 2013
Just as you find plenty of restaurants and art galleries in Delray Beach, Florida, you will also find many boutiques and small specialty shops, as well. From jewelry and accessories to homegoods, Delray Beach offers visitors a must do shopping experience.
So, as I waited for my friend, Danika and her constant companion, Prince Pierre, I strolled Atlantic Avenue. What got my attention was the handbag on the window and the necklace. Then I stepped in and met Arnona Cohen, who is the Manager at Unique Boutique.
Unique Boutique is located at 204 East Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Delray. Tel. 561-272-6654. The store is owned by Kaaren Beaton, who also owns stores in Naples and Cape Cod.
 
The shop has just enough…high end jewelry, handbags, shoes, and accessories.
Arnona and I were just shooting the breeze; nothing in particular. A little of her life, my life; pretty much a friendly chat.
The shops in Delray Beach stay open at night. Stroll them before or after dinner to pick up a little something from your trip to The Village by The Sea.
Check out the sale corner, as well.
Have a Good One!!
September 18th, 2013
The evening was balmy to say the least, and humid, and rainy….South Florida!! I kept hearing that they had quite a summer regarding the weather. Hey, welcome to the club. It seems everyone has.
Delray Beach is a vacation and dining destination. Up and down Atlantic Ave., and its side streets, you will find restaurants catering to discriminating palates.
Our choice on Wednesday evening was 32 East, located at 32 E. Atlantic Ave., Tel. 561-276-7868. Website? http://www.32east.com.
32 East has been part of the restaurant scene in Delray Beach since 1996. It is very popular, so if you are vacationing in Delray this winter, make sure you call for reservations.
She and I had never met but have connected here or there on Facebook. Face to face meeting tonight; I will have to say I am glad we did finally meet and it was way overdue. Along came Prince Pierre, with Danika.
 
Danika writes about Delray Beach. So, check her out at http://www.i-love-delray-beach.com, because there is a lot to learn about this Village by the Sea.
Part of the fun of eating in Delray Beach is that you can dine outdoors most of the time. We did so tonight since our dining 4-legged companion, Prince Pierre, could not, certainly, eat inside.
After much chatting, and Michael, our server, refilling our glasses, we decided to make our choices.
A Bibb Lettuce Salad with cucumber, celery, cilantro, scallions, sesame, pine nuts, and gala apple (my favorite apple), in Thai Chile Vinaigrette. Good, refreshing on such a steamy night in Delray.
Michael told us that the swordfish was so fresh, it would have been his choice. I was not sure…swordfish… not my favorite. But, following his direction I was totally impressed.
Saute of Atlantic Swordfish on wood roasted root veggies, fingerling potatoes, and red endive with butternut squash puree and Madeira wine, veal jus. The swordfish was moist and the veggies were a great addition; full of flavor.
The Oven Roasted B & E Chicken Breast, came out looking beautiful and full of color, accompanied with Vidalia onions and organic carrots on broccoli rabe, saute with huckleberry vinegar pan sauce. I believe the B & E stands for Bell & Evans. Their chickens are raised without antibiotics or growth hormones throughout their entire life.
A side order of Potato Puree….so good. But, to me it seemed more like a strata. I think, a winner!
No dessert was necessary, even though Michael tried….tempting, that’s for sure.
Talk to you later..a toast to new friends!!
September 16th, 2013
You know the locals are dancing in the streets….the meters are down and the favorite restaurants begin their Second Season Specials. Even Ocean City friends decided to make that “long” trip to Rehoboth Beach.
So, our choice for the evening was Lupo di Mare, located at 247 C Rehoboth Avenue, in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-226-2240. Website? http://www.lupodimarerehoboth.com. No reservations, just show up.
Lupo Di Mare is part of the group of restaurants owned by restauranteur, Matt Haley, and his company Sodel Concepts. Up and down the Delaware Beaches his restaurants are serving dishes full of flavor incorporating spices, fresh and healthy ingredients. His cuisine? Innovative!
Monday nights at Lupo you will find that your entire dinner will be %25 off!! So, there we were, Cindi, Ross, and myself.
The bar was small but cozy.
The selection of wines was extensive.
Our server was charming and new the menu so well. The bread was so good; a little sweet and the olive oil was smooth.
One of my favorite appetizers..I could have it daily…the Shaved Brussels Sprouts. Only 3 ingredients are added to the shaved sprouts: truffle oil, almonds and pecorino.
The prosciutto…always salty; love it! Perfect with the sweet bread.
For dinner a Chicken Parmesan – red sauce spaghetti, and mozzarella. Our server knew there was someone at our table with a food allergy. Suggestions were made…and a wonderful dish was enjoyed.
Cindi’s Salmon looked beautiful. Her exact words were “delish”.
And, my Braised Pork Bolognese was out of this world….I wanted that comfort food and I got it.
Cindi and I shared the Flourless Chocolate Torte…if you like chocolate, this, you will like.
So much to catch up, I think we forgot that we were closing the restaurant down. Perfect for photos….check it out.
Women & Wine at Lupo Di Mare on Tuesday, 9/24. For a great cause, the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation. http://www.capeeducationfund.org. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 7:00 p.m. Four courses for $39/per person, gratuity not included. Call Mike Dickinson at 302-226-2240 to reserve your spot or email him at mike@sodelconcepts.com.
It was 9:00 p.m. in Rehoboth Beach on Monday night….quite a different scene on the Second Season!!
Talk to you later.
September 15th, 2013
The City of Philadelphia has 4 great Catholic Shrines. Philadelphia is a city where the foundations for our right to freedom and religion were laid.
The Shrines are: St. John Neumann Shrine, St. Katherine Drexel Shrine, Miracolous Medal Shrine and St. Rita of Cascia Shrine which is the one I visited.
 
People visit churches and cathedrals for their own reasons. I am Catholic.
On Friday I visited the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, located at 1166 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA. Tel. 215-546-8333. Website? http://www.saintritashrine.org.
 
St. Rita is one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church. She is known as the “Saint of the Impossible”. She has an amazing answer to prayer. St. Rita was born in 1381 and died in 1457.
Even though she wanted to be a nun, in obedience to her parents she married. Her husband was not very nice, to say the least. But with prayer he, in time, converted and became considerate and God-fearing. They had 2 sons.
Then, her husband was murdered.
Around the year 1411, St. Rita entered the Augustinian Convent in Cascia. In the convent, her life was of charity, and severe penances. Her prayers obtained for others remarkable cures, deliverance from the devil and other special favors from God.
“So that she might share in the pain of His Crown of Thorns, Our Lord gave St. Rita a thorn wound in her forehead. It was very painful and gave off a disagreeable odor, yet she considered it a very great grace.”
At the age of 76 she died and people flocked to the convent to pay their last respects. Many miracles took place through her intercession.
Her body was preserved perfectly incorrupt for several centuries, and at times it gave off a sweet fragrance. At the beatification ceremony, the body of the Saint raised itself up and opened its eyes.”
The life and spirit of Saint Rita of Cascia is reflected in the statuary and art throughout the Shrine, which occupies the lower level of the church.
Upstairs is the beautiful and majestic church, built in 1907. Even though the actual church was closed, they let me in and told me to take my time. Look how pretty it is.
At the altar, a prayerful atmosphere encourages private and meditative prayer, always in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. This you do not see in most Catholic churches.
Have a great day!
September 14th, 2013
You would think that traffic would be a bit quieter these days. I could see that it would be hectic in July, but in September? I don’t think so.
These following photos were taken today and show a quiet time near the Delaware Beaches. Oak Orchard is located off of Rt. 24, and near Millsboro, Delaware. It has been the home of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe for over 2,000 years.
Residents enjoy fishing and boating and a very laid back lifestyle.
Today, Saturday, 9/14, the traffic was backed up on Coastal Highway going north from Bethany Beach to Rehoboth Beach. Therefore, I traveled the long Rt. through Millsboro, only to be detoured again. Which by the way I did not mind because the tranquility of Oak Orchard, on the Second Season, late in the afternoon was….priceless!
 Indian River Bridge at a distance 
Have a good one!
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