March 15th, 2015
I am crushed that Fried Green Tomatoes…..not a Southern dish. That they, apparently, entered the American culinary scene in the Northeast and Midwest, with a link to Jewish immigrants. I love them and when I see them on menus, I do order them. Having been in Charleston, I tasted them everywhere I could. But, let me tell you that, here, at the Delaware Beaches, we have some pretty awesome ones served at our local restaurants.
Looking forward to my fig tree this year. Not just to eat figs off the tree but to also prepare my Fried Green Tomato, Fig, Bacon, Corn Stack….It is my own recipe; not begged, borrowed, or stolen. You can get the recipe by clicking on the month of August of 2013 on the archives of AboutMyBeaches and scrolling down to the 11th.
In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware:
FINS ALE HOUSE & RAW BAR on Coastal Highway. I just had these the other day. They were delicious and hopefully, they will keep them on the menu.
BLUE MOON located on Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. This is a signature appetizer. The fried green tomatoes are served with herbed sheep’s cheese, onion, compote, pesto and a balsamic drizzle. Definitely, a blending of flavors.
In Bethany Beach, Delaware:
PATSY’S RESTAURANT in Downtown Bethany Beach. Her fried green tomatoes are topped with roasted red pepper/Vermont cheddar cheese spread with fresh basil pesto and balsamic reduction.
Cape Charles, Virginia’s Eastern Shore:
AQUA AT KINGS CREEK MARINA in Cape Charles serves a Fried Green Tomato BLT Salad…smoked bacon and mixed greens, tossed with a roasted tomato vinaigrette.
Historic Charleston, South Carolina:
TBONZ in Historic Charleston had these great fried green tomatoes….they went in my burger.
SOUTHEND BREWERY & SMOKE HOUSE, located in Downtown Charleston had never had anyone topped their pizza with fried green tomatoes. Of course, pimento cheese was included. The pizza did not wow me here. But, the combination of pizza and fried green tomatoes was pretty good.
LOWCOUNTRY BISTRO, located in Historic Charleston has a great Ambrose Farms Spinach Salad….an addition of Fried Green Tomatoes made it just perfect.
A.W. SHUCK’S – We stopped here with our Culinary Tour (post in the making)….the praline butter on the fried green tomatoes was delish.
TOAST, located on Meeting St. had their fried green tomatoes with sweet pepper relish.
The following recipe is soooooo good. You can serve it with roast beef, chicken, or even in a sandwich. It takes some time to make but once in the jars you can store them for a long time. Give it as presents to special friends.
MERRYMAN’S GREEN TOMATO PICKLE
1 peck (8 quarts or approx. 20 lbs of small green tomatoes
6 red peppers
12 large onions
5 tablespoons celery seed
5 tablespoons mustard seed
1/2 gal. cider vinegar
3 lbs. light brown sugar
1 cup salt
Slice the tomatoes and onions very thin. Cut peppers into thin strips. Place alternatively (some tomato, some onion, some peppers) in layers in a large bowl, sprinkling salt over each layer.
Let mixture sit for several hours or overnight to draw out liquid.
Squeeze the pickle dry and place in a large kettle. Pour vinegar, sugar, mustard seed and celery seed over pickle.
Cook slowly until onion is clear and tomato is almost transparent. One to two hours. Check and stir often.
Place in sterilized jars and seal.
Note: It is usually served in my house during the Holiday Season. It is an old Merryman recipe.
Have a good one!!
September 14th, 2014
I am not one to have every day that most important meal…breakfast. But, when on vacation, I love it. Find a local restaurant, eat like the locals.
Even though Hotel Cape Charles had coffee and light breakfast, after a walk around Downtown, we decided we wanted something more substantial, shall we say?
Cape Charles Coffee House is located at 241 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles, VA 23310 Website? http://www.thecapecharlescoffeehouse.com. The building was from 1910 and, originally, it was the Cape Charles Bank.
Our orders of pancakes…..adding fried eggs.
Traditional French Toast…
The BELT is what caught our attention. It was a classic BLT, except that when adding a fried egg….it becomes a BELT. Cindi and I had the same. I liked Cindi’s better. I would have preferred the rye toast…well done. The combination is so good that the BELT is my new “customized” sandwich for breakfast.
Have a great day, wherever you are!!
September 8th, 2014
“Inspired by a full moon rising over the coastal wilderness of Virginia’s Barrier Islands.”
Strolling Downtown Cape Charles took Cindi and I to this whimsical looking shop. Moonrise Jewelry is located at 22 Strawberry St., Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tels. 757-678-0055, toll free, 866-338-9109. Website? http://www.moonrisejewelry.com. It opens 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Sundays, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Moonrise Jewelry started in 2002 and since then it has been featured in magazines across the U.S. Their jewelry is sold in boutiques, galleries, resorts, and jewelry stores….you can also buy online.
All jewelry is handmade. This studio is a testament of their beautiful work.
Their signature jewelry is:
Orchid Blossom Jewelry. One of a kind blossom. The orchid flowers are preserved in a durable resin coating.
You can buy orchid pendant clips and attach them to your favorite necklace.
Or, you can also buy a full necklace with the orchid permanently attached to it. The necklaces are gorgeous, and unique.
 
“Reel” Fish Leather Jewelry is made from salmon, perch, and carp skins discarded by the canning business. The skins are made into leather and dyed in a tannery. The exotic scale pattern is unique to each piece. The cuffs can be worn just as simply as you want….you can mold it to your wrist.
Or, you can buy the cuffs with pearls, crystals and natural stones embellishments to make it a little fancier. Definitely, a conversation piece.
Please visit http://www.moonrisejewelry.com to learn more about Moonrise Jewelry. Have a wedding coming up? They have brides, bridesmaids, flower girls, groomsmens gifts….they can be customized. Give them a call.
Besides their signature jewely, Moonrise Jewelry designs and handcrafts earrings, necklaces and bracelets, all unique to them. Right in their studio in Cape Charles, Virginia.
Their packaging is just as unique, showcasing the “orchid”.
Have a great day!
September 7th, 2014
My friend, Cindi, and I have never met strangers. It ended up being that the owners of Best Nest in Downtown Cape Charles were originally from the Bethany Beach and Selbyville…Delaware area. Small world. We arrived at the store because we wanted to say hi to someone from back home. Best Nest is located at 7 Strawberry Street, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 757-331-4437. Website? http://www.bestnest.net. You can find them on Facebook as Best Nest Home Furnishings.
This is a fairly new location for them….but the store already looked so pretty and it felt like it had been there forever. They open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Sundays by appointment.
John and Nikki are the owners and they offer many years of experience to their customers. Their projects can be large or small, and both are very comfortable working with a variety of budgets, tastes and personalities.
The store offers furniture, art, accessories, linens and rugs. At times just an accessory here or there can really define a room.
If you are in need of home staging, or might want to rearrange what you already have to give you a better flow, please give them a call or stop by.
Please visit http://www.bestnest.net if you would like to read some of the testimonials and also to see photos of many of their projects.
The weather felt better today….don’t you think? Have a good one.
September 6th, 2014
No noise and no crowds in Cape Charles as the Second Season gets underway. Checking out the shops in Cape Charles this week was part of our adventure. Cindi and I found Drizzles, located at 16 Strawberry St., Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 321-747-3042. Website? http://www.drizzlesolives.com. It opens Monday through Saturday (Close Tuesdays) from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Sundays from Noon until 5 p.m. You can find Drizzles on Facebook. You can also order online.
Drizzles has been opened for 4 years. Besides infused vinegars, and olive oils, the shop has salts, and sugars.
You can also find peppercorns from around the world.
The best part is that you can taste before you buy. You can relax, sit, and think which of them you liked best.
Lately, I have been hooked on infused vinegars. I, at times, reduce balsamic vinegar….I love that you can drizzle it over fruit, salads, fish, chicken, pork, and beef. Very versatile. What I loved about the vinegars I found at Drizzle was that they were thicker than any others I have tried. Almost like a true reduction.
I bought Fig, Cucumber Melon….doesn’t that sound good? And Grape Passion, which goes well on avocado.
It is a great store, stop by say hello and let your tastebuds do the talking.
Please note that Drizzles carries specialty foods, cookbooks, and single bean coffees.
Have a good one!!
September 5th, 2014
We, definitely, cleaned up well, if I should say so myself!! After a day of kayaking in the hottest day of the summer, we were going out to dinner. And, I was the designated driver.
Aqua we chose, because everyone we asked said to go to Aqua. Beautiful views, tranquil setting….
Located at Kings Creek Marina, 900 Marina Village Circle, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 757-331-8660. Website? http://www.kingscreekmarina.com/dining/aqua.asp. Aqua opens for lunch and dinner.
Even though some were dining indoors, we decided to eat on their deck. It was just after sunset and there was a nice brezze. Our table was comfortable, so we sat to chat, know each other better, and enjoy a nice dinner.
Drinks were ordered, of course. So quickly, these women went with the flow; staging the table.
When the bread was brought, it was still so warm. I must admit that it was very good.
The following is what we ordered:
Seared Dragon Tuna…wasabi and sesame dusted; with seaweed salad and lime soy-dipping sauce.
Fried Green Tomato BLT Salad…Fried green tomatoes, smoked bacon and mixed greens, tossed with a roasted tomato vinaigrette. Yum!
A 16 ounce Prime Aged Ribeye was also ordered with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and house steak sauce.
Shrimp & Grits…simmered in low country sauce with chipotle pepper, onions, peppers, Andouille sausage, tomatoes, garlic and celery, served over cheese grits.
Colossal Scallops were jumbo and seared, served with lobster risotto, steamed broccolini and buerre blanc.
A salad topped with a salmon cake was Whitney’s choice.
Wahoo was my dinner. It was one of their specials of the evening. It had a good flavor…mild. I would have cooked it a minute or so less. It was served over rice, fruit and broccolini.
We were perfectly satisfied, so no dessert was necessary. It was such a nice evening, full of entertaining conversation and laughs.
September 5th, 2014
I cannot believe that we were getting away from the Delaware Beaches and Maryland Beaches. When you think about it, visitors consider these beaches sleepy towns too.
My post for a couple of days have been from the get away trip to Cape Charles, Virginia. You know what was really good? That none of us had been there, so we went with no preconceived ideas. Perfect!!
The Eastern Shore of Virginia is full of small quaint towns. Some are more popular than others. And, believe me, people moving to this coastal area want it this way. The simplicity of these towns is the main attraction, along with beautiful scenery.
Cape Charles and surrounding towns have plenty of inns, and bed and breakfasts, but we decided to stay in Downtown Cape Charles at a boutique hotel called Hotel Cape Charles.
It is located at 235 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 757-695-3854. Website? http://www.hotelcapecharles.com.
Hotel Cape Charles has 22 rooms. They even have a few dog friendly rooms. So make sure you ask if you travel with your pet. The hotel is over 100 years old. It has been completely renovated….contemporary.
Our room was comfortable with a view of Mason Avenue, which is Main Street. A friend that saw this photo commented that the beds looked lumpy….no way. That’s just the way the down comforter looked. Some rooms are set up with cooking availability…we were going out to dinner. No cooking for us on this trip.
The Second Season in Cape Charles started immediately after Labor Day. We were there from 9/2 until 9/3. Already the town was quiet. Its serenity was palpable. Since we were staying right in Downtown Cape Charles all we needed to do was walk out from the hotel to stroll and unwind.
 
The streets in Cape Charles are wide. The beach just a couple of blocks away. Remember we are on the bay.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia was one of the earliest colonized areas in North America. The town of Cape Charles consisted of farmlands and wetlands. It became a railroad town when what is now the Bay Coast Railroad was constructed. Rails from the original tracks laid on the riprap jetty in 1884 by the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad to spend the night and dine overlooking the Chesapeake Bay still exist.
The homes are beautiful and many of them along the beach were homes belonging to shipcaptains.
Others reminded me of Historic Lewes, Delaware.
The park is spacious and with a bandstand.
The Art Deco Palace Theatre brings local, regional, and national talent to the area.
During the week only a few stores are open, and believe me, we visited them. More posts coming your way. During the week-end everything is open for now until the season really gets quiet in November. They told me that only about 200 permanent residents are in the area. I remember back in the 70’s when I came to Bethany Beach, Delaware, when there were only 500.
To learn more about Cape Charles, please visit http://www.capecharlesbythebay.com.
Events: October 10th through October 12th is The 22nd Annual Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival. For more info., please visit www.esbirdingfestival.com.
And, on Saturday, October 10th is the Cape Charles Fall Festival….Downtown!! More info? Please check http://www.capecharlesbythebay.com.
You want quiet….you got it….you want friendly residents and shopwowners….You definitely Got It!!
And, don’t mind my friends….we were so happy that we had the town to ourselves in the evening.
September 3rd, 2014
 
A quick get-away, with an old friend, Cindi, and new soon to be new friends, took us on a kayak expedition to Chatham Winery, near Cape Charles, Virginia.
We met for sustance before our expedition at the Machipongo Trading Co., located at 13037 Lankford Hwy., Machipongo, VA 23405 Tel. 757-678-005. Lankford Highway is also Rt. 13. Many of you travel this route throughout the year, mostly in the winter as you try to go south for warmer temperatures.
It is only 20 minutes north of the Bridge-Tunnel, and across from the Barrier Islands Center.
Introductions were made and we proceeded to order lunch. Our kayak guide, Brandon, was getting our kayaks ready while we had lunch.
This place was a great stop. And, surprise, surprise….it was charming and quaint. Wi-Fi available, as well, so make yourself at home, will you?
Looking around I found gluten free beer and cider!! They also offer local wines.
And I bought Machipongo Morning Coffee by local Coffee Roaster, Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Co. Cannot wait to try it.
Machipongo Trading Co. offers picnic provisions for any of your expeditions. You can also call ahead for carry out orders at 757-678-0005. Or, do like we did and enjoy sandwiches and paninis.
My Falafel Wrap was amazingly good with onions, spinach, cucumbers and tzatziki.
Since this was my first time with this group….I only took a few photos….did not want to scare them away. In the following posts, initiations had ended and they went with the flow.
Hours of operation for Machipongo Trading Co. are: Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Hungry while traveling Lankford Highway……this is a must stop for all kinds of goodies….healthy, not so healty (ice cream)…..and remember if you have a gluten allergy…..this is the place.
Have a great time!! Until next post.
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