June 2nd, 2018
When we share a meal with friends, it is so much more than food (really?)…and, when we share it with girlfriends, and for purposes of this post, like the Swirl Girls, then it is really priceless. Some of us have known each other for years while others, are getting to know each other very fast. Here we were trying to figure out which table would be the best one. Right after Memorial week-end we had the place to ourselves since we arrived early. We did not want a big table. We like to be cozy in order to get that conversation going. The group had just gone to watch the Book Club, if you get my drift.
The majority of us had not yet dined at Our Harvest. This restaurant located at 1106 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, DE 19944, opened last year. Every day, at 5:00 p.m., you can come in and experience a way of eating that has become so popular in the U. S. Telephone is 302-581-0377. No reservations are accepted. The website is http://www.ourharvestde.com.
As the season progresses please have in mind when you would like to eat. You have to have a plan because it gets crowded at the Delaware Beaches. If you arrive and there is a wait, you could have cocktails, relaxing in their bar or in any of the very comfortable leather sofas.
There is an open concept kitchen. You really can see how the kitchen is running. I have to tell you that I probably should have come to try Our Harvest last year. I love their sister restaurant, Liquid Assets, in Ocean City, MD, and I did not want to like this one more. Guess what? They are completely different.
The menu was presented and our server knew the menu well. She explained the concept of eating small plates and shareables. At that moment all we wanted was some wine. Having watched the Book Club, wine was very much consumed by the characters. It was time to relax. The wine that you see at the table was from South Africa. A full bodied Merlot called Immortal Hero.
At first you are a bit overwhelmed because you, actually, do not know how much to order for the table. And, we all have our likes and dislikes. We managed to do a good job and we were all very pleased with how the evening was progressing. Could not believe Jane Fonda looks that good at 81… I know, I know.
We all decided to have a small plate to start our dining experience. Every time I see the offering of a Grilled Caesar Salad, I order it. Years ago I had it at a restaurant in Hagerstown, Maryland. Since then, a few have gotten close at how good that one tasted so I wanted to see how this one would be, more so because it had Boquerones which are white anchovies. They are very mild and usually they are marinated in vinegar. It gives the salad a kick. I will have to say that this Caesar was excellent.
Others ordered the Salt Roasted Beets & Two Cheeses. Served on a wooden plank it had whipped ricotta, Stracciatella, local greens, black pepper and beet vinaigrette. Stracciatella cheese is produced from Italian buffalo milk in the southern Italian region of Apulia. They use a stretching and shredding technique. This particular small plate could have been shared by two people.
We ordered the Spring Harvest Flatbread. A crispy crust filled with local peas, ramps, morel mushrooms, local asparagus, ricotta, gruyere mornay, green garlic pesto and crispy capers. Ramps are a special type of wild onion, found in eastern Canada and U.S. And a Gruyere mornay is a bechamel sauce that has Gruyere cheese added to it. It was delicious but to tell you the truth we probably ordered too much. Not that we did not eat it, by the way.
“Friendship is a delicious meal to be shared off one large plate.” So, we decided to order our large plates. This particular dish I truly loved. It was called the Vegan Feast. It was a whole wood fire roasted head of cauliflower, benne cashew crumb, and a lemon garlic vegan aioli. At first we thought it was cheese but it was the benne cashew crumb. Cashews are lower in fat than other nuts. You can find online a lot of recipes for this vegan seed.
A very popular dish at Our Harvest is a whole Amish air chilled chicken…Arnold Palmer brine, (sweet tea and lemonade brine chicken, I believe), wood fired with lemon and rosemary. Liquid Assets has an amazing chicken, as well. Both chickens are completely different and delicious in more ways than one. We ordered TWO.
Needless to say, no need for dessert. We decided that definitely we would be back. Thanks to our server and also to the hostess that so graciously explained to me how the restaurant worked.
And so I end my post with this quote from John Lanchester….”Hospitality is central to the restaurant business, yet it’s a hard idea to define precisely. Most, it involves being nice to people and making them feel welcome. You notice it when it’s there, and you particularly notice it when it isn’t. A single significant lapse in this area can be your dominant impression of an entire meal.”
Until next time….
September 2nd, 2015
One Castal has just celebrated one year!! For my friend, Shelley, and I it was a new find. The restaurant is located at 101 Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) in Fenwick Island, DE 19944. Tel. 302-537-4790. Website? http://www.onecoastal.com
We had heard a few people talking about it and everything they said was good. So, on Monday evening we decided to try it. One Coastal accepts reservations. It is good to make them because the restaurants has about 10 tables, plus you can also have dinner at the bar. It is casual, come as you are. Also, there is parking available.
The staff was so friendly we were immediately feeling very good about the place. It has an open kitchen so you can see the comings and goings of a busy eatery.
Make sure to visit the website above mentioned to learn more about what One Coastal is all about. Hours of operation will be changing as of Monday September 7th. The second season begins in earnest at this time of the year at the Delaware beaches. They will close Monday and Wednesday. Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday 5-9 p.m. Saturday 8-Noon and then 5-9p.m. Sunday 8-Noon.
The menu is divided into Eat Your Greens, Little Snacks, and the Main Event.
I started with a cold cucumber, lemon basil soup. So light and so delicious. You could defintely taste the 3 main ingredients.
A Kale & Brussels Salad for Shelley…sunflower seeds, diced apples, avocado, and pomegranate seeds tossed lightly in a homemade white balsamic dressing.
A Main Event entree for Shelley of halibut which was seared with toasted coconut rice, fresh pineapple salsa and homemade lemon basil aioli. For her side she chose green beans.
I decided on 2 Little Snacks. Well, the portions were very generous to say the least. Look at my plates.
The Scallop App…blackened with mango cucumber salad and a mint apple cider reduction. Perfectly cooked and seasoned.
Fried Green Tomatoes topped with lump crab, hollandaise and a sprinkle of Old Bay. Loved them!
No dessert was necessary, we were perfectly satisfied.
One Coastal has had a geat season and are looking forward to meeting you soon. Let me know how you like it.
Talk to you later….have a good one!!
March 14th, 2014
30 degrees did not stop us from getting together in the Quiet Resort of Fenwick Island, Delaware. Our choice of restaurant for Thursday evening was The Flying Fish, Cafe & Sushi Bar. I visited this restaurant when it had just opened and I loved it then. It was personal, with a cozy atmosphere. Could it be possibly better? It was!
The Flying Fish is located at The Village of Fenwick, 300 Coastal Highway, Unit 7, Fenwick Island. Tel. 302-581-0217. Website? http://www.flyingfishfenwick.com
I think part of the charm of The Flying Fish is that everyone is truly happy to see you as you step inside. The staff is attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu.
Cindi and I arrived early…within half hour the place was packed. We decided that the evening should start with the Flying Fish Saketini…cucumber vodka. Very smooth.
An order of Marinated Seafood which had squid, octopus, crabstick, scallop, and shrimp, marinated in just enough of their sesame lime ceviche oil and tossed with a bits of field greens. This salad had great taste and once it gets warmer at the Delaware Beaches, it could be the perfect salad for a hot summer day.
I wanted a plain House Salad. Full of flavor it had a combination of beautiful veggies with a miso honey sesame dressing.
So many rolls to choose from but Cindi decided that the Mobster Lobster Roll would be the one. This roll has spicy tuna, jalapeno, and tempura bits roll, draped in thin avocado and topped with chunks of lobster salad. This is an awesome tasting roll.
I have not had Sashimi in some time, so my choice was the Sashimi Sampler. Just the right amount, fresh and so delish.
The table next to us was having a feast. There were only 4 people. I was not stalking them but politely asked them if I could take the photos. They obliged.
I had to have them…..I am talking about Mochi. This is a Japanese dessert made from pounded sticky rice with an ice cream filling. The dough is soft and fluffy. Flavors like mango, green tea, strawberry and more.
Pretty soon the Delaware Beaches will be coming into their own. It will be their time to shine. As you arrive for your vacation or if you live here….stop by. You will not be disappointed. Hope you like it.
Talk to you later.
October 1st, 2013
The partners in The Flying Fish had only opened the restaurant 2 weeks ago when Shelley and I stepped into Fenwick Island’s newest dining adventure.
The location? The Village of Fenwick, 300 Coastal Highway, Unit #7. Tel. 302-581-0217. The website will be up soon. Dinner is served every night from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Lunch is served on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Noon until 3 p.m. Carry-out is available.
This spot at The Village has been transformed into a very neat restaurant, where customers chat with each other at ease.
So, here we were, Shelley and I ready to eat sushi, except Shelley does not eat sushi; she really does not eat anyhting raw…if you are like her, do not despair. Before you even go inside the restaurant, the menu is outside. Check it out.
A House Salad of organic field greens with cucumber, yellow pepper, radish, tomato, and carrot. It was finished with Lisa’s (partner) homemade miso honey sesame dressing and their wasabi croutons.
Then, Shelley ordered the Filet of Beef Negimaki….thin sliced beef wrapped around fresh spring onions and marinated in their homemade ginger hoisin sauce and flashed seared.
And, this is what I had, which by the way was their recommendation. Great choice!!
The Bangkok Dangerous – Flash fried tuna and salmon roll topped with a unique muddled pepper blend, lump crab, spicy mayo and their special sweet and spicy Bangkok sauce. On the photo, it is the middle roll.
The Mobster Lobster Roll – A spicy tuna, jalapeno, and tempura bits roll, draped in thin sliced avocado and topped with chunks of lobster salad. The rolls were served on the same plate. Yum!!
Shelley wanted dessert…a muffin with coconut, ginger and oranges hit the spot.
The food was so good, the prices were very reasonable….and the service was great!!
The Village of Fenwick was quiet when we left…quaint, as usual.
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