June 22nd, 2016
Hi there. Here I was this past week-end when the weather was glorious. It is what I love the most. Playing on the beach with my family. Well, there is another thing I like to do just as much and that is eating. I am Sophia and I am a new foodie in town. Looking for places that kids are welcomed and not rushed. It is the beach, afterall, you should come here to relax and chill out.
Half Full is the restaurant that we went to eat the other night. It is in Lewes, Delaware, located at 125 Second St. Tel. 302-645-8877. It is open from Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m.and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. Website? http://www.halffulllewes.com.
My Grammy and my Mom were there too. Half Full is celebrating their first year in this location. I guess it is about my age. I just took my first steps and this is a milestone. I am growing up. Everyone has been laughing and clapping at my way of walking. I will master it and then they will be sorry because I will be all over the place.
At Half Full you order at the counter and then they will bring you the food at the table. Our table, and this is a tip from me to you, was inside.
It was a corner booth. It is perfect for little ones like me. You can also eat outside on their porch but my Mom thinks this is the best one. There is also a high table that I have sat before. Yes, I do get around.
Some of you might think I should be home in bed but to tell you the truth it was not late and I also took a late afternoon nap. So I was ready for some tasting.
The first thing we ordered was the Cold Board.
It is a composed salad of two cheeses, sopressata, roasted red pepper and tomato, Kalamata olives, which I so love, and garlic sauce. I am not into the garlic sauce but I love everything else. You can tell by the photos by Grammy took.
 
Two pizzas were ordered. These pizzas are thin and crispy. They are sooooo good. You are going to love them and so will your children.
In the background the pizza was Have It Your Way….you customize it. Tomato sauce, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes and Kalamata Olives. That was my Mom’s.
 
In the foreground my Grammy’s was The Lobster & The Leek…Canadian lobster, creamy leek confit, cognac tomato sauce. My Grammy said she had forgotten how good these pizzas were. I totally agree with her. They were yummy!!
It was an early evening in Lewes. The town was quiet. Stay tuned for my next post.
Night Night!!
November 3rd, 2015
“A retaurant is a fantasy-a kind of living fantasy in which diners are the most important members of the cast.” warner leroy
Crust & Craft opened in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, about 4 weeks ago. Pretty impressive to see this locale transform itself into a really nice looking place. And, the food, pretty awesome, as well. The address is 18701 Coastal Highway. Tel. 302-313-5029 Website? http://www.crustandcraftde.com.
You can find Crust & Craft on Facebook! Please note that it will be opening this week-end for lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.
My friend, Cathy and I arrived very early. By the time we left every seat on the house was taken with the exception of one table.
Some pizzas were coming out of their oven….you can customize your pizzas!!
The menu is divided into Hearth…Bruschetta. Then, Ocean which are starters from the sea. Continuing with Earth which are seasonable veggies. Fire means 12″ wood-fire pizza and finally Stone which is their housemade pasta.
Our strategy was to order more than a few dishes tapas style.
From the Hearth we ordered the Roasted Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, Pecorino, and Balsamic. I don’t know what it was but the combination of the roasted squash and the rest of the ingredients on that toasted bread was perfect.
The Ocean brought us Wood Roasted Octopus, Olives, Potato, Oregano, Jalapeno, Lemon Maionese. The octopus was tender and had a definite wood roasted flavor.
Earth…the Beets, Ricotta, Greens, Poppy Seeds, and a Lemon Vinaigrette. Loved it! The Lemon Vinaigrette gave it a bit of a tangy taste.
Stone…The Pumpkin Zucca, Mushroom, Squash, Sage, Brown Butter, Peccorino, Pumpkin Seed….This dish was excellent. The pasta absorbed the pumpkin flavor. It was one of my favorites of the evening.
Of course we did not need any dessert but we did have it….Choco Tacos made out of Pizzelle, Mascarpone Semifredo, and Nutella…..Decadent, so much so that Cathy and I took off for the Rehoboth Boardwalk to walk off this one.
 
I would like to thank our server, Brittany, for taking care of us in such a speedy way. Her recommendations were on target. Loved everything we ordered.
I almost forgot to tell you that Crust & Craft partners with local farmers and craft beer artisans….Congratulations and wish you much success. We will be back!! Have to try the pizza.
See you soon!
 A Little Bit of This A Little Bit of That
October 29th, 2015
It was warm, it was sunny, we probably could have eaten outside. Arriving with my partner in crime, Cindi, to Fat Fish OC located at 12703 Sunset Avenue, Unit 7, Ocean City, MD 21842. Tel. 410-390-5006. Website? http://www.fatfishoc.com.
You can find it on Facebook as Fat Fish OCMD….please Like the page because Fat Fish is very active on FB and also they are opening other restaurants….you might not want to miss out on all the specials coming up as the Second Season continues at the beaches. Hey guess what? They do deliver. Fat Fish opens at 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
The restaurant is not big. It is so cute and very local, indeed.
Meet Joe, the owner, as he was getting ready to chow on the daily special…Today’s Bruschetta Burger. I saw with my own eyes. 1/2 lb burger, pesto, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil on a brioche bun.
But, get a little closer…you want to get a good look at it, don’t you? Here it is. Yum!!
Cindi ordered the Blue Crab Tacos. Their tacos are well known and one of the most ordered items, as well.
And I ordered the Fat Fish Sandwich…Tempura battered tuna and shrimp, wasabi, mayo, red onion, lettuce, tomato and cilantro crema. Look how beautiful it looks. First I ate the shrimp and then followed with the sandwich. Awesome indeed!
Would you like to check the menu? Please visit http://www.fatfishoc.com/menu/
So now you know about this great local place. Worth the trip.
August 16th, 2014
Parking!! Plenty of it and easy access from Coastal Highway or Rt. 1 in Rehoboth Beach. The Pickled Pub is located at 18756 Coastal Highway. Tel. 302-645-5444. Website? http://www.pickledpigpub.com.
Start your luch with a Moscow Mule.
Order cheeses from the Cheese Board…it changes daily. Just to wet your appetite.
My Cuban Press was as close to a Cubano as you can get in this neck of the woods….Smoked pit ham, shredded pork, pickles, Swiss cheese, Dijon and a pressed panini roll.
Pub Fish & Chips….the Chef’s catch will be house battered, a traditional tartar sauce, fresh lemon, slaw and pickle. Lightly breaded, well seasoned but not overly salted.
It is crowded out there…week-ends at the beach are very much so year round….
The Pickled Pig Pub offers parking, spirits, salads, soups, sandwiches….and very good dinners, as well. It opens daily at 11:30 a.m. Very casual. Oh, I forgot; prices are reasonable.
June 4th, 2014
There are 27 participating restaurants in one square mile in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. That’s pretty impressive!! This is the perfect week to try restaurants in Downtown Rehoboth that you had not even thought about trying before for whatever reasons. There are great deals going on….and, you still have time because this event is ongoing through Friday, June 6th.
I have to give a shout to Rehoboth Beach Main Street, the sponsor of this very popular event. I was so thrilled to find out that I had won a $25 gift certificate to be used during the week. It came just in time because I used it on Tuesday, June 5th. Rehoboth Beach Main Street draws attention to the downtown district. It is the heart of Downtown Rehoboth Beach, bringing to this charming seaside community so many events for the entire family. For more info., please visit http://www.downtownrehoboth.com.
It is going to be 5 years in July since I started this blog. I have lived at the Delaware Beaches for so many years, that I do consider myself a “local”. A blog is a “diary” of sorts. The writer puts out his or hers experiences. I do love promoting the Delaware Beaches. So, I have been doing just that; reviewing restaurants, finding the best corn, the farmers’ markets, activities, and events, and the usual bla, bla, bla….
One evening, a month or so ago, I was on Wilmington Avenue when the lights and front of a restaurant caught my attention. I am sorry to say that I had not heard about it, but, I kept it on the back of my mind, after reading the menu. It would be an interesting one to try. Guess what? They have been in Downtown Rehoboth Beach for 3 years!! What kind of a local am I?
Shorebreak Lodge was the destination of one of my usual suspects, Debbie, and I, on Tuesday. We had not read any reviews…we were going with no preconceived ideas. How perfect was that?
Shorebreak Lodge is located just 133 steps to the Atlantic Ocean, on 10 Wilmington Avenue. Tel. 302-227-1007. Website? http://www.shorebreaklodge.com. Of course, I forgot my camera which was unusual, the iphone would do, I hoped.
Even before I tasted any of the food, I liked Shorebreak. We live at the beach, it is a laid back casual atmosphere; the one visitors come to experience. I was drawn to Shorebreak, then, when I tasted the food…I decided I could not wait to go back again.
It is called Shorebreak Lodge because the owners are surfers…Montauk, NY, a favorite spot. The location is practically on the beach….shorebreakers are found at the water’s edge.
Debbie and I decided to sit at sidewalk….with the big windows next to us.
 
Infused water, iced tea and a little atmosphere to start our evening. The service was attentive and not obtrusive.
Shorebreak Lodge can sit up to 70 customers. The menu changes constantly, bringing customers the fresh ingredients of the day. The food is not complicated….food allergy concerns? Please let them know.
The Roast Beets, Bucheron and Lentils….I love beets and so does Debbie. The combination of colors and flavors enhanced our tastebuds.
At times, and depending how they are cooked, octopus can be a little tough, but not on Tuesday. My Grilled Octopus “Romesco” was very flavorful and tender.
The Hake (Cape Cod), en papillote, with bacon chutney, carrot n’ fennel was presented beautifully and tasted just as good as it looked.
And the Surf n’ Turf of braised short ribs and sea scallops….I loved. Risotto accompanied the short ribs, which by the way melted in your mouth. Always a fan of scallops, these were cooked and seasoned to perfection.
Our selections for sweet endings were:
The strawberry puff pastry shortcake. Strawberries are in season, so we had to.
The Avocado and Coconut Milk “Creme Brulee”….first time seen it on a menu, so, we had to….and by the way, it was awesome. It was so good to be able to distinct the avocado and coconut flavors.
Very pleasantly surprised….so now you know…let me know how your experience is. Check it out when visiting the Nation’s Summer Capital.
March 12th, 2012
Today I was looking for a place where we could have lunch right on the beach. Deerfield!! That’s where we headed to. The restaurant? Oceans 234, located at 234 North Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Tel. 954-428-2539 Website? http://www.oceans234.com.
I had forgotten that it is Spring Break for many. The beaches in Deerfield Beach were very crowded; surfing, beach volley ball or just getting a suntan were the activities of the day.
It takes about 15 minutes from Delray Beach to Deerfield Beach. I like to go on A1A; a most scenic route.
Oceans 234 has indoor seating, as well, but, who would want to sit inside? It is right on the beach; a little boardwalk connects other restaurants on that block. Full view of the longest pier too.
We had a very nice table and our waiter was friendly and attentive.
We first ordered some calamari. Usually they are fried; but because of the gluten allergy they just sauteed them. A roasted pepper relish and a honey balsamic glaze accompanied them. Sorry, my plate became such a mess. They were so tender and perfectly cooked.
I just wanted a burger. A Black Angus Burger, char-grilled, sourdough flour-top, adding sauteed onions and mushrooms. Fries!!
Now, the next one was a first for all of us. A Crab Cake BLT!! I have never seen this on the menu. Check the picture out!! It looked fantastic and it tasted delicious. Jumbo Lump, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, remoulade sauce on toasted bread.
If you are visiting the area, definitely, stop, at least for lunch like we did. Talk to you later.
Note: Oceans 234 has a sushi menu and a sushi bar.
February 7th, 2012
My day started with a trip to Belle Glade. What was I doing there? Guess what? If you want fast service from the Florida DMV, it is the best location. From Delray Beach it is a hike; probably about an hour give or take a few more minutes. 95 North to Exit 68, turn left and keep on trucking.
The sugar cane fields extended for miles and miles. Years ago Puerto Rico had so many sugar cane fields, so I actually enjoyed seeing them.
Then, I kept thinking…what happened to the sun? I have yet to see it. Prior to coming to Florida everyone said how gorgeous it was and la la la and more la. It was pouring rain.
What else but think about a late lunch? A suggestion from the peanut gallery. How about the Whale’s Rib in Deerfield Beach? Kept on driving. Did not matter at this point.
The Whale’s Rib is located at 2031 NE 2nd St. (by the beach), Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Tel. 954-421-8880.
If the Whale’s Rib was good enough for Guy Fieri, of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives then it was going to be great for me. I love all those well known eateries by the beach. Casual, fun, and unique.
The restaurant is all wood with plenty of plaques adorning the walls. Lots of license plates donated by customers. The Delaware tag caught my attention. Didn’t they know that they are worth money? Others, were vanity tags.
 
We sat on the back room and Chynel was our server. She was friendly and gave me great recommendations, even though, I knew exactly what I was ordering.
A few beers and iced teas were ordered.
I love conch. Their conch chowder is made in-house. Very well seasoned and plenty of conch.
My husband decided on the stone crabs. I know a lot of people love them. I am probably one of the few that don’t. I just think they don’t have that much taste. Blue crabs fan all the way, that’s who I am.
The rest ordered the Dolphin Key West Sandwich with Thousand Island Dressing, Purple Cole Slaw and Swiss Cheese. Chynel told me to order it blackened. It really was delicious; moist and not salty, which was great.
 
Chynel told me that Guy Fieri ordered the same sandwich but his was fried. He also had the Whale Fries and Oysters Rockefeller. A twist to these oysters is that they are served with tomatoes on top.
I saw an order going by of Fried Grouper Fingers. They were huge. Chynel told me she has never seen anyone being able to finish that dish.
Whale’s Rib is a locals hang-out. You will get fresh seafood, that’s for sure.
October 6th, 2011
Dear Cultured Pearl:
Hi, it has been some time. No, I have not moved. You know how it is, being that you are so popular, I had to wait until the visitors had gone home, the meters have been put to sleep and Rehoboth was into its Second Season.
I almost went on Monday. I had friends from Colorado visiting. Then, I forgot that it was locals night. I knew you would be packed and thought that specials rolls needed to be ordered; I did not want to wait. I know, I know it is a great deal; 3 rolls, edamame, miso soup for $13. Actually, a great deal.
 Sushi Bar - My Favorite Place to Sit Anyway, we chose to visit on Tuesday and have a more relaxed dinner in order to catch up on our lives.
Angie was our server. She was very friendly and throughout our meal she was attentive.
We had Miso, sashimi, sushi and rolls…all very good. I always have my favorites. Three of us ate more “family style” while the other, being my husband, had his own all to himself. It is great that you are very aware that some of your customers have food related allergies. Having gluten free soy sauce is nice. We don’t have to carry our own.
At times I am able to take a lot of pictures of our food. On that night I had to rush since they were diving into everything they ordered.
Crunchy – Eel, avocado, tempura bits, spicy sesame, and eel sauce.
Spider – Tempura, sofshell crab, cucumber, avocado, lettuce, and natural tobiko.
One of my favorites and I know different restaurants prepare this roll in different ways; yours really is a standout; the Firecracker. Tuna, salmon tempura maki topped with spicy mayo, fresh jalapeno slice, jumbo lump crab and sriracha dot. It has a distinct flavor in every bite and the combination of that heat and crab and fish is delicious.
My husband had eel sushi, baby octupus and smoked salmon sushi.
Last year I learned that not all wasabi is the same. Real wasabi is sold in root form. It is usually freshly grated before served. It is delicate, delicious and different from what the majority think of wasabi. The other wasabi served is pretty much horseradish, mustard and food coloring. I am glad you have it fresh all the time. On this picture, the fresh wasabi is on the left.
My friends ordered Miso Soup. That is also one of your best. I have tried in many other restaurants but yours is so well seasoned and hits the spot every time.
A favorite of mine are scallops sashimi. So fresh and eating them along with a thin slice of lemon is all the better. We had them sashimi, as well, but like I said I was not fast enough with the lense.
For dessert we ordered mochi. Glutinous rice is pounded to make mochi. Then, it is filled with ice cream. Flavors vary like, strawberry, chocolate, mango, green tea. Our ordered arrived and I thought they were somewhat different. They looked like little golf balls.
The ones served in the past were flatter. I do agree that the ice cream melted quickly. Angie told us that these ones are better quality and the ice cream stays firm. I liked the other ones better but that did not keep me from eating them, either.
Thanks for a nice evening…the purpose of this post. Having dinner with my old friend (and our husbands), is always a treat.
Note: Cultured Pearl is located at 301 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-227-8493. Website? http://www.culturedpearl.us.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on “locals night” at this time of the year. And, check the website because there are upcoming events and entertainment on the calendar.
I almost forgot; Thursday is Noodle Night – $10 for selected noodle dishes.
Another beautiful day in the Delmarva Peninsula!! Enjoy!!
 
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