April 6th, 2010
On April 2nd I wrote a post for my blog on a store in Hockessin, Delaware called Everything but the Kitchen Sink. You can see that post if you scroll down to that particular date. It was, as I described it, one of those must stop shops; the store had everything imaginable for the home, brides or just for your own pampering.
Next to that store was a restaurant called The Back Burner. The Kitchen Sink and The Back Burner are owned by the same owners but they are completely different businesses.
The address is: 425 Hockessin Corner. Tels. 302-239-2732 for the To Go Shop and for reservations 302-239-2314. The website is www.backburner.com. Hours of operation are Mondays through Saturdays from 9:30 – 7:00 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hockessin is in the Brandywine Valley, minutes from Centreville, Greenville, Winterthur and Longwood Gardens. Definitely, upstate from the Delaware Beaches.
Paula and I decided to have our lunch there and our choice for seating was in their Cafe. There is another part of the restaurant where the seating is more traditional. The Cafe is very relaxed; ordering at the counter; the lunch will be brough to your table. It was a busy place.
The Back Burner offers gourmet food to go; fresh and frozen. They also have a very good selection of domestic and imported cheeses.
Catering is available as well as gift baskets.
One of the soups that is prepared daily at The Back Burner is the Pumpkin Mushroom Soup. Just remember, this area is known for their mushrooms.
I decided to have the Caesar Salad with grilled chicken on top. It had Romaine Hearts tossed with their house-made dressing, Asiago cheese and herb croutons. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the dressing was light.
Paula had their Cafe Salad. This salad had baby mixed greens, bleu cheese, dried cranberries, grape tomatoes and spiced walnuts served with balsamic vinaigrette.
The salads were pretty big; we were not complaining, we cleaned our plates.
Some of the sandwiches on the menu looked appetizing. Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with roasted eggplant, zucchini, squash, red pepper, onion, and brie cheese on a toasted brioche bun. The Meatball Grinder had hand crafted meatballs served on a steak roll with their home made tomato basil sauce and finished with Provolone cheese. The Carolina Pulled Pork had apple cider braised pork shoulder, crispy onion strings, pickle, served on a toasted brioche roll. All sandwiches are served with their house-made chips, fruit and a pickle.
There were side orders available as well as a kids’ menu. Affordable? You bet. All their offerings were between $3.50 and $9.00.
This restaurant is definitely not near any of the Delaware Beaches. It is also not off of 1-95. But, it was so nice to spend the time with Paula, visiting other areas. That’s what my blog is all about.
Oh, I almost forgot. The Cafe has bottled beer and wine available.
Visit their website for complete info. on menus, catering, etc. etc.
Have a great day!! Talk to you later…
March 25th, 2010
Once again, I will have to repeat that some say passion is your key to success and others say that if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life.
It was late in the afternoon, and you know how pretty it was. I felt like I wanted a cup of coffee. Since I was near Lewes I ventured into Notting Hill, which is a coffee roastery. But it is more than a coffee shoppe, read on…
Nobody was in the shoppe when I came in and it was around 4:15 p.m. They were closing at 5 p.m.
In a few of my past posts I have mentioned the winning dispositions of some business owners. You know from the moment they look at you that they are friendly; a smile says it all. And, that is just what happened when I met Amy Felker who is the owner and roaster of Notting Hill. I only met her briefly but that is all it took.
She has been known to say “Most people don’t like what they do, but I love what I do”. That is her passion!
Notting Hill is located in the center of Lewes, Delaware, right on 124 Second Street. Tel. toll free 888-99-Latte or 302-645-0733. Website is www.nottinghillcoffee.com. E-mail address is amy@nottinghillcoffee.com.
Notting Hill started with a partnership but since 2003 she has been the sole owner and roaster.
She roasts herself every single bean. You know, coffee roasting is a chemical process by which flavor components are either created, balanced, or altered in a way that augments the flavor, acidity, aftertaste and body of the coffee.
A lot of Amy’s flavors and all of her blends are owned by her; they are unique and you will not find them anywhere else.
So, after Amy roasts her beans then they are bagged. All bags are stamped by her and her staff. Notting Hill distributes wholesale, as well. Amy can make thousands of different beverages at the shop and more than 135 different types of coffee are on the shelf. She really runs the day to day operation of the shoppe.
Depending on the year, she can sell 25,000-40,000 lbs. of coffee.
Coffee has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. Business and coffee go hand in hand. It is a favorite around the world and has been for a long time regardless of how or where it is served.
That tiny bean is responsible for the employment of thousands of people.
Notting Hill is a very warm and cozy coffee shop. But there are so many other delectables sold here. You should know that just like the coffees, all baked goods and soups and sandwiches are baked or cooked in the shoppe.
The shoppe opens at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. During the summer season there will be extended hours.
Some customers come for specific baked goods like the Blueberry Puffing Muffin, which is like a blueberry muffin inside a pastry. Just check the picture yourself.
Another favorite is the Ooey Gooey which is a long twisted cinnamon pastry with cinnamon and sugar. I did not see one, but I can see it being similar to a Spanish churro, if you have ever had one, except this one is twisted.
You can find cookies, muffins, scones; everything that goes well with coffee. But, coffee is not the only beverage served here; there are smoothies and blended iced teas, as well.
There is a great assortment for the tea drinker. Loose teas to be bought to take home or just to be enjoyed sitting in one of the tables inside the shoppe, while you read one of the newspapers available for the customers.
On the Board you will find an Espresso Menu, as well as a Menu consisting of the daily offerings. Another small board will announce the Organic Java of the Day. And a third board will be a Cocoa Menu with all kinds of cocoa drinks, even sugar free ones.
The whole time I was there, Linda, who also works at Notting Hill was busy getting ready to close for the day, but customers started to come in and she graciously took care of them.
As I was sitting sipping my coffe I started to remember the Puerto Rican coffee that was always so well known, and all the coffee plantations around the island, now Paradores or Inns. Some of the coffees from Puerto Rico are Cafe Yaucono, Cafe Crema, Cafe Rico, Cafe Pilon, Yauco Selecto and Cafe Alto Grande. Puerto Rican coffee is rich and full-bodied.
A few things worth mentioning are: Some of the coffees available at Notting Hill are bird friendly, Smithsonian certified and Rainforest Alliance certified.
You should really visit the website above mentioned. You can place orders, check what they have besides coffee and most of all get a sense of what Amy is all about.
If you are visiting our Delaware Beaches check this shoppe out. Their new omelette in a muffin will be making its debut soon.
As Notting Hill gets into the month of April they are so excited since April 30th will be their 20th anniversary. Congratulations!!
That’s all for tonight…See you and talk to you later….
March 10th, 2010
Once again, I am realizing that even though writing this blog gives me an opportunity to share my views and opinions; likes and dislikes, I am also learning a lot.
For example, you already know I like to eat and experience new foods; I am not scared to taste something that I have not eaten before. That is something I have shared with my family.
So, yesterday, Tuesday, I wanted something different. And, I can tell you that I was so surprised to find out that there is a restaurant in Rehoboth Beach called Lily. It is Thai Cuisine. I am also surprised that Sharon (one of my friends) has not told me about this restaurant. I wonder if she even knows. She is a local and a native. You know, the ones that were borned and raised in Rehoboth Beach. And, the ones that would know that Lily is located where the Canyon once called that space home, probably 30 years ago.
What is the essence of Thai cooking? Its characteristics depend on who cooks it, for whom it is cooked, for what occasion, and where it is cooked. Its dishes can be refined and adjusted for all different tastes.
Thai cooking is unique. It differs from Chinese and Indian cuisine even though they have greatly influenced Thai cooking. You can identify it because it incorporates all 5 tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and spicy.
Basically Thai food should be thought of as a blending of tastes and textures within each individual dish and the whole meal.
Lily is located on 10 N. 1st Street, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. is 302-227-3348. E-mail is Lilythaicuisine@gmail.com. There is take-out available. Hours of operation are: Mondays through Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Sundays 11:30 until 9:00 p.m.
The restaurant is between Nicola Pizza and Adriatico. If you have been to Rehoboth or live here you know where these places are. Lily is small and comfortable, but most of all, casual. The tables are very well spaced. There is a bar but at present they do not have a liquor license. Probably by the summer. You may bring your own bottles of wine, beer, liquor. They cannot open them for you but they have openers and wine glasses available. Of course, there is no corking fee.
Lily opened a little over a year ago. Lily, the owner, was the main chef at another Thai restaurant in Rehoboth. There is also Chef Jason. I did not meet either one of them. My main contact was Alex, my waiter. When I called, I asked if they were aware of gluten allergies and Alex said they were; to come in and they would point out the dishes my husband could eat.
Alex was very attentive. His background is Ukranian and Polish but grew up in Belarus. He has been here for 4 years and goes to school. He made suggestions and told us that the heat level in the dishes could be adjusted. Some dishes were not spicy, at all.
The first dish that attracted my attention was an appetizer called Larb Gai. It was ground chicken breast tossed in lime juice, red onions, Thai herbs and fresh mint. It was refreshing, right amount of heat and pefect for sharing.
For a small restaurant, they have quite a variety of dishes on their menu, including dinner specials.
I decided to have the Roasted Duck Curry. This dish was spicy and I thoroughly enjoyed. It was slow roasted honey boneless duck, pineapple chunks, tomatoes, young bamboo strips, hot peppers in red coconut curry and basil. It came in a bowl with a side dish of white rice. Very well seasoned and beautiful colors. Immediately, your senses are revived; spice and color.
If you like Curry then Lily has seven of them. Coconut, Panang, Green, Red, Yellow, Masaman and Wild.
My husband had the Pad Thai. There was a choice of chicken or shrimp. He chose shrimp. This is Thailand’s Signature Dish. Pan fried noodles, bean sprouts, red tofu, eggs and ground peanuts. We asked to take the peanuts out; some times, believe it or not, they have a dusting of flour. This dish was not spicy at all so he requested some of their hot spices. Alex pointed out the 2 hotest ones and they were hot. My husband enjoyed his food, as well.
Sorry, but I forgot to take pictures of the entrees; their presentations were worthy or a photo or 2.
Lily has desserts but I will have to come back for the Sweet Mango and Sticky Rice, topped with coconut cream. Mangoes are not good this time of the year. You want juicy and sweet ones for this dish.
And for all, who like to introduce children to new things, Lily has a kids menu for children under 10; crispy chicken, fried crispy shrimp, beach fries (never leave those if you are at the beach) and kiddy fried rice.
I really enjoyed Lily, saw a friend there that had heard about it, as well, and I am definitely going back. There are too many dishes to try.
Talk to you later….
Please note that information on Thai Cuisine was taken from www.templeofthai.com and from http://thaigrocer.com/aboutthaifood.html.
February 26th, 2010
On Thursday, the cold weather kept everyone in sweaters in Delray. When it gets chilly, watch you. The sky was so blue, though; it really should have been warm.
So, what do people do on a day like that? After the usual daily routine of exercising, what better way, if you find yourself on vacation, than to have lunch at one of the restaurants on the very busy Atlantic Avenue in Delray.
Even though it was colder than I would have liked it to be, we sat outside at the very well known Tramonti. This restaurant can get very busy. It is not big. I like it that way. Plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. Reservations are, definitely, a must during the height of the season.
Tramonti is located at 119 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444. Tel. is 561-272-1944, Fax is 561-272-1704. The website is www.tramontidelray.com. The restaurant opens for lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and then dinner starts at 5:00 p.m. Take out is available but only for pick-up.
If you have visited Tramonti and have liked their sauces, well, they are available for purchase on the premises. They are sold in 26 ounce jars for $8.00 each and the choices are: Marinara, Braciola, and Arrabbiata.
Marinara: It comes from the Italian word sailor; marinaro. The sauce does not contain seafood, as some people might think; it was made in Naples for the sailors when they returned from the sea.
Braciola: This sauce is simmered for hours to capture the flavor of pork, sauteed onions, wine and herbs. Perfect for pasta dishes or meats.
Arrabbiata: Is a light marinara or red Italian sauce that is given an extra spicy flavor by adding hot peppers to the sauce. Arrabbiata translates to “angry mood”, but it will be an angry sauce that will delight your taste buds.
It was sort of a late lunch, the one we had at Tramonti. Giorgio was our waiter and he was very outgoing and enthusiastic. He did not care if others joined our table after some time; sitting outdoors is the best.
My husband had one of the specials of the day which was Risotto al Forno, which was risotto with squid in its own ink. It was delicious. I know; I took a bite or two. It reminded me when my grandmother, Mamota, used to make rice with squid in its own ink and the color was so dark. Fantastic.
I had a salad. The Spinaci Gamberi which was a salad of baby spinach, pine nuts, grilled shrimp and oranges. The combination with the oranges was unique. No dressing was necessary. A little pepper and a little parmesan cheese complemented the dish so well.
Tramonti has an extensive menu. It is pricey, but the food is prepared so well. I have eaten there a few times and has always been very good.
Yesterday the restaurant staff was a little nervous because, since it was cold, everyone that had reservations for outdoor seating wanted to come inside. I don’t know what they ended up doing because there was no way everyone was going to fit inside. All I heard was that no more reservations were being accepted for yesterday’s evening.
A few of the dishes that caught my attention were: Profumi Mediteranei which is baby octopus with celery, fresh garlic, olives, extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juuice, Spaghetti in Cartoccio Areo Special which is baked spaghetti with shrimp, parma proscuitto in a cognac cream sauce, wrapped in foil, and the Coniglio Cacciatore Alla Polenta which is farm rabbit braised in lightly spiced madeira wine sauce with Tuscan Polenta. The Cernia Nera dish is a local black grouper Livornese style with olives, onions, capers, and tomato sauce. There are plenty more dishes to satisfy a variety of taste buds.
Tramonti has a Sunset Special that is available from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The cost is $24.95 per person with no substitutions. There is a choice from several appetizers and a choice from several main courses, as well, for that price. A soft beverage and American coffee is included.
Even though I have tried a lot of the restaurants in Delray, now that I am reviewing them on my blog, I am paying a little bit more attention to my waiter, noise level of the restaurant, attitudes, and of course, the food.
Believe me, I like to cook so when I go out to dinner I want to relax. I don’t have to have a fancy dinner, I just want good food with the best ingredients; prepared for me like I am the only person at the restaurant. I want personal attention.
Tramonti has been here for some time and all you have to do is drive or walk past the restaurant to see a bustling restaurant in action. Italian is definitely spoken at Tramonti.
Go ahead, try it and let me know. I want to hear what other people think.
Note: The information for Arrabbiata Sauce was taken from www.wisegeek.com and the information for Marinara Sauce was taken from www.italianchef.com.
See you….company coming this week-end. Have not seen Maru and Lolo for a very long time. Looking forward to showing them Delray Beach.
Talk to you later…..
February 6th, 2010
“Palm Trees, Ocean Breeze
Salty Air – Sun Kissed Hair
that Endless Summer
take me There….
While preparing for the impending blizzard, I decided that having lunch at Surf Bagel would be the thing to do on a gray day like Friday. You could feel it in the air. Groceries stores were packed; customers buying the necesssary staples for a snowed in week-end.
I only found out about Surf Bagel this past December when one of my sons got a bagel sandwich for breakfast. It was delicious, so I put it on the back of my mind for a future post on this blog.
Back on October 25th, I wrote about Ocean Side Pizzeria in Fenwick Island, and the substance of the blog, besides that establishment, was that all coastal towns have beach eateries. They are dependable and we all love them. In that same post I mentioned a few of the other beach eateries that I have enjoyed in the past. For example in Ocean City, Maryland you will find Tommy’s Sub on 28th St. and Coastal Highway, also in Ocean City there is Anthony’s, and how can I forget the hamburgers and milk shakes at Hodad’s located on Newport Ave. in Ocean Beach, California. Growing up in Puerto Rico the place to go was El Gaucho Burger on Ashford Ave. Their Cubanos and Media Noches were tremendous.
So, to that group of beach eateries, I have to add Surf Bagel.
Surf Bagel is located at 17382 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE. It is at Five Points, between Best’s Ace Hardware and the Rock Pile. The tel. is 302-644-1822. The website is www.surfbagel.com. Hours of operation are weekdays from 6:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 7:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
It is a colorful place greeting everyone with that big surfboard displaying their name. Surf Bagel? The Vitella brothers are natives. Dave combined his love for surfing and bagels and the rest is history. He then invited his brother, Tom, and this beach eatery has continued to thrive.
During the so many years of surfing, a constant has been bagels; fuel for the body. You know a bagel is a bread product, usually shaped by hand into the form of a ring. It is first boiled for a short time in water and then baked. It comes out dense, chewey, with a doughy interior and sometimes a browned and crispy exterior.
The basic roll, with a hole design is hundreds of years old and besides providing for a more even cooking and baking of the dough; the hole is used to thread string or dowels through groups of bagels, allowing for easier handling.
It was invented before 1683 in Poland, for Lent, and in the 16th and first half of the 17th centuries it became a staple of the Polish national diet.
Surf Bagel is bigger than you think. Plenty of seating to eat in but they do a big business with their carry-out service. They offer business deliveries to lcoal establishments in the Lewes area, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but only during the week. You may fax your order to 302-644-8214. There is a $25 minimum. Another service they provide is catering and you may call ahead for a variety of party trays.
Surf Bagel is very involved in the community, sponsoring sports events; the wall pictures and trophies can attest to that.
Bagels are only part of what you can get in this beach eatery. There are breakfast sandwiches, subs, cheese steaks, pastries, wraps, salads, daily soups, all natural smoothies, coffees, and even a kid’s menu.
Today I chose one of their Tubular Wraps; the Flyin’ Hawaiian Wrap, which had grilled chicken, onions, pineapple and peppers, sauteed in Surf Bagel’s own Teriyaki BBQ sauce, topped with tomatoes and their 3 cheese blend.
While I was waiting for my wrap which really took no time at all, customers kept coming in. A gentleman was sitting by himself enjoying his lunch and I started talking to him. His name was Tom Vitella, one of the owners. He was so nice and gracious and he told me that they had been in the business for about 6 years. Where have I been? Too many places to discover in all these beach towns.
My wrap arrived and I will tell you that it was a messy one but it was worth it. Come on, some things like this wrap, or corn on the cob or ribs you have to get your hands dirty. Look at the picture. I hate to admit it, but I ate the whole thing. The sauce was not too thick and not too thin, perfectly seasoned.
 Flyin' Hawaiian Wrap Inside the restaurant I felt like it was Summer, but then I opened the door and reality set in.
It reminded me that I still needed to get some salt for the driveway….Talk to you later….
Note: Information on Bagels was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagel.
February 3rd, 2010
Have you ever been to a town called Celebration, in Celebration, Florida (Orlando)? Well, this town was modeled after small American towns and neighborhoods from the early 1900’s. It is not that I want to live like in the early 1900’s. But the idea of living in a town or neighborhood where you can safely walk the sidewalks, talk to your neighbors from their balconies and walk into shops and post offices and become friends, brings nostalgic feelings to my heart.
I believe that towns like Lewes, Princess Anne, Oxford, Berlin, St. Augustine, Milton all of which are located in Maryland, Delaware and Florida have served as models for the above mentioned Celebration concept. One other town, Easton, Maryland, is a perfect example of small town living. With its charming streets, homes and businesses at close proximity to pedestrians, it lets people connect with one another.
Tuesday was a day for a road trip. It took Cindi and I to the town of Easton. We went to meet Susan, a friend that we had not seen for about 6 years. What kind of friends are we? I guess we just have been dealing with our own families, schools, businesses and even though we are only about 1 1/2 hours away, we just let those years slip by.
Cindi and I met in Georgetown, Delaware, and I told her I definitely would take her through the short cut. Well that did not happen since every field looked the same; covered with snow. We made it, though.
Easton, Maryland, just in case you don’t know about this town, is in Talbot County; its County Seat. Its location is at the headwaters of the Tred Avon River. Because of its rivers and creeks it is very popular with boaters.
I have been talking about this small town, but don’t kid yourself, this is a very well connected town. It does not roll its sidewalks at dusk either. Throughout the year it is the host of art festivals, including the very popular Waterfowl Festival. Easton is the home of chic shops, antique shops and restaurants. A wide variety of lodgings are available, as well, including the Historic Tidewater Inn.
The Avalon Theater is another place that should not be missed. It is a happening place. It is located on 40 East Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. Tel. 410822-7299. Website is www.avalontheatre.com. This theater brings you from Symphony to Bluegrass, Comedians to Art Festivals; really, entertainment for the whole family. It was built in 1921. Three world premieres opened at this theater, including “The First Kiss” with Gary Cooper and Fay Ray; filmed in Easton and St. Michaels. Please visit the website above mentioned for more information on the Avalon Theater and upcoming performances. They have their whole schedule up.
 Legal Spirits & Avalon Theater It was time to meet for lunch. Susan met us at Mason’s. This restaurant is located on 22 South Harrison St. in Easton. Tel. 410-822-3204. E-mail is masons@masonsgourmet.com and the website is www.masonsgourmet.com.
You can see from the pictures that this restaurant embodies the small town living. The charming house which was converted into the restaurant greets you with such warmth. One side of the house is the restaurant and on the other side; a more casual and lighter atmosphere. Coffee, gourmet chocolates, candies and wines are all available for purchase.
Mason’s was established in 1966. By visiting the website you will find their history and what they are all about, including menus.
Today I had their Davon Crest Baby Green Salad with candied pecans, peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese and honey mustard vinaigrette. I then added fried oysters on top. Great presentation and taste. The honey mustard added the perfect kick to the salad.
Cindi had their Daily Deep Dish Quiche with baby mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette. This quiche looked beautiful. Cindi had been having a quiche craving so she was perfectly happy.
In French cuisine, a quiche is a baked dish that is based on a custard made from eggs, and milk or cream in a pastry crust. But I don’t think that a lot of people would know that even though it is considered a dish of French cuisine, it really originated in Germany. The word “Quiche” is from the German “Kuchen”, meaning cake.
Susan decided on the Chicken Salad Plate. It had also fruit salad and pasta salad on the side. Great presentation, as well.
Did I forget to tell you that today was Susan’s birthday? Yes, on Groundhog Day. We ordered a chocolate torte. Velvety smooth, rich and delicious. It went well with my espresso.
 Susan's Chocolate Torte Mason’s service was prompt, attentive and discreet. Kari, our server, let us catch up, knowing that we had not seen each other for a long time.
So, even though Easton is a little bit of a drive from the Delaware Beaches and Ocean City, Maryland, it is really worth visiting.
A Tip: The only suggestion I would have for Mason’s is that its staff should be informed about ingredients in their chocolates and baked goods in case a customer has a food allergy.
Note: Information of Quiche was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiche.
Enjoying a meal with friends is something that is priceless. Really, it is!!
Talk to you later…
January 28th, 2010
Where has time gone? It seems just like yesterday when we were celebrating the opening of a new restaurant in Bethany Beach. I say it this way because at the time I was living in Bethany. DiFebo’s opened 20 years ago. Yes, the year was 1989 and they have been serving the Bethany Beach area since then.
DiFebo’s is located at 789 Garfield Parkway (Rt. 26) in Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Tel. is 302-539-4550. For carry out please call 302-539-4914. The website is www.difebos.com. The Executive Chef is Ricardo Jimenez and you may e-mail him at ricardo@difebos.com.
Remember when I mentioned the group of friends called the Usual Suspects? Well I went to meet 2 of them; Debbie and Shelley. We decided on DiFebo’s because none of us had been there in a long time. I really don’t remember when I last ate there but I don’t have a reason why I have not been there in such a long time. It really has been years. Well, enough of that. I am glad we went because we all had an excellent meal.
Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed that it still looked the same. The dining area where we were directed was a little too dark, too many tables; I was not crazy about the decor; it’s just my own particular taste. I was not there for the decor so that did not matter much.
Sergio was our waiter. I noticed he had an accent. He told us he was from Chile and so I spoke to him in Spanish. He was nice and very attentive.
Last Tuesday there was a special going on; soup, salad, entree and dessert for $19.95. Debbie had the Chicken Marsala and Shelley had the Mahi Mahi with shrimp, asparagus and risotto. Sometimes, when restaurants offer these specials, their portions tend to be smaller. DiFebo’s portions were just the right size.
I chose their House of Greens which was a salad of field greens, classic balsamic vinaigrette and imported Parma cheese. Light and perfect for a starter.
My dish was not on the special but was very reasonable, as well. I had the Fresh Fish of the Day with Mussels en Brodo. The fish was Mahi Mahi and it was grilled over pan-roasted mussels gently poached in a saffron broth with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh spinach. Garnished with frizzled leeks. The word “en Brodo” means “in Broth”. All I can say is that it was delicious.
 Mahi Mahi with Mussels en Brodo The dessert that my friends chose was the bread pudding. I took a few bites and it was not too sweet and had just the right density.
DiFebo’s has plenty to choose from. They are open daily and even deliver. Their Lunch & Carry Out Menu, as well as their Dinner Menu can be found on their website above mentioned.
This family owned and operated restaurant has a unique feature for the beaches. They have Family Style Meals to Go. This catering menu is designed for parties of 10 guests or more. They have created affordable, hot delicious food that can go from their kitchen to yours; ready to serve. You can pick and choose your trays. Have them delivered or for pick up. You can even let them know if you are in need of a chaffing dish to keep the food warm. I have never used this service but I can imagine how popular this is, especially, at the height of the summer season. How convenient!!
Isabella’s, next door, is their sister restaurant. I will review that one at another time.
In the meantime, enjoy the good restaurants the Delmarva Peninsula has to offer……Until next time…
January 10th, 2010
For being the first week-end after New Year’s I was surprised to see that Rehoboth and Coastal Highway were crowded. I thought everyone would be pretty much worn out after all the shopping, partying, and eating.
Debbie and I were getting together for lunch. You remember her? She went kayaking with me this past summer in Fenwick Island and has been with me to some of the restaurants I have reviewed.
We ended up at Casa DiLeo on 721 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel 302-226-8660. The owner and Executive Chef is John J. DiLeo.
Casa DiLeo has been in the area for some time now. It has a big following and back in October they expanded their restaurant. This is the first time that I have seen the expansion and it looked good and certainly added more seating availability.
The hours of operation are: Mondays through Thursdays 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Any time that my friends and I get together for breakfast, lunch or dinner, we must drive the wait staff crazy. We just talk, might glance over the menu, and without missing a beat we keep on talking. We tell them to come back in a little while, many times. It’s just the way it is. But, isn’t it nice to be able to share a meal with best friends? I love it.
Casa DiLeo is a fullfledge restaurant, but I am going to be reviewing lunch time. That is why I went there today. My favorite room is really the first one when you come in. As I come in, the music is playing and I feel the welcoming atmosphere of a Italian trattoria. The colors, the prints; all add to that feeling.
A trattoria is an Italian style eating establishment, less formal than a restaurant, but more formal than a tavern. The service is casual, with the food being mostly regional and local.
Casa DiLeo has a full bar and a very good selection of wines, including the PortoVino Italian wines. Try them and let me know how you like them.
This restaurant has take out and delivery. The specialties are New York Style Pizza, Pasta, Subs, Calzone/Stromboli, Soup and Salads. For dinner, some of their offerings are: Chicken & Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken or Veal Marsala, DiLeo’s Homemade Chesse Lasagna, which is very good, DiLeo’s Homemade Meat Lasagna, which is also delicious.
I usually get the Greek Salad with their balsamic dressing. Both, Debbie and I ordered it today, but we added a slice of pizza for each of us. I had really forgotten how big their portions are. But, check the picture of one slice of NY Style Pizza. The salad was fresh, full of vegetables with a nice slice of Feta cheese on top.
Casa DiLeo has a wide variety of subs. From the traditional subs like Italian to the unique ones like Sausage Parmesan or Veal Parmesan.
The same goes for the Calzone and the Stromboli. Chef DiLeo has his own “Boli” like the DiLeo Boli which is ground beef, Italian seasonings, sauce and cheese.
Calzone? Stromboli? A Calzone is like an Italian turnover which is stuffed with tomato and mozzarella and possibly other ingredients like pizza toppings. The stromboli is a type of turnover filled with various cheeses, Italian meats and veggies. The dough is Italian bread dough.
Everyone has something to say about pizzas. Whether you like the thick or thin crust, I would have to say that Casa DiLeo has a pretty good one. They have non Premium Toppings like tomatoes, low fat cheese, mushrooms, onions, sausage, etc. and they also have Premium Toppings like Bacon, Spinach, Feta Cheese, Anchovies, Portabella Mushrooms and more.
The House Specialty Pizzas; Low Fat Veggie, Diablo Pizza (red devil-hot), Supreme (8 toppings), New York White Ricotta, Mediterranean which has feta cheese, Kalamata olives, spinach, artichokes, fresh tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil. I have had the Diablo Pizza in the past and really enjoyed it.
Casa DiLeo offers about 8 pasta sauces, so you have your pick from tomato sauce to Pomodoro (red) clam sauce.
We come to the sweet endings and how could you leave without having a Canolli with DiLeo’s homemade cream? Very popular and award winning is DiLeo’s Chocolate Mousse, and one of my favorite desserts is the Zabaglione with fresh berries. We did manage to leave without having dessert.
Zabaglione is a dessert made with egg yolks, sugar, Marsala wine or Prosecco and sometimes cream, mascarpone cheese or whole eggs. It is a very light custard.
And off we went, with a slower gait, but happy…
Another cold night in the beautiful Delmarva Peninsula…but I will talk to you later…
Note: Information on trattoria, Calzone, Stromboli and Zabaglione was taken from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/trattoria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/calzone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/stromboli_(food) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabaglione
 
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