February 16th, 2014
When I was younger Sundays, did not mean a thing. As I matured, I found that Sundays are magical. It is that day of the week where you can just relax, cook outdoors, read a good book….it is your own time. No worries. Monday is the next day, and you will worry about that when it gets there.
Visiting the Island of Culebra off Puerto Rico….Laid back Caribbean Island. There is a slower time. It is so scenic. The sounds of the waves is all it takes to put you to sleep under a palm tree.
When visiting Culebra, and I will tell you more about it in a later post…..lunch at the Dinghy Dock is very relaxing. At dockside. It is located outside the Dewey Draw Bridge on Calle Fulladoza. Tel. 787-742-0233. Locals mingle and Dinghy Dock serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
 
Entering Dinghy Dock and sitting at dockside….it is an open air restaurant with full bar, serving American and Puertorican food.
The view of the anchored boats and of the fish expecting a treat from your table.
A full bar and grab a table, please. Remember, you are on island time…..no rush.
It was the perfect place to stop for lunch after touring the island with family. On our table the following was ordered.
Beef Fajitas
Two orders of the local bean burritos.
And after I had been eating lechon asado (roasted pig), morcillas (blood sausages), pastelillos (turnovers), plantains….it was time to eat fish. So, my sushi grade seared tuna hit the spot!!
No dessert for us….we were completely satisfied.
Visiting Culebra….priceless!!
January 11th, 2014
My usual suspects and I decided to follow the trail of many who have discovered that a new restaurant has opened in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Fins Ale House & Raw Bar is located at 19269 Coastal Highway, or Rt. 1. Tel. 302-227-3467.
Fins Ale House is the newest sibling of 2 other restaurants in Downtown Rehoboth Beach: Fins Raw Bar located at 243 Rehoboth Avenue, and Claws Seafood House.
The restaurant opens for lunch at 11 a.m. and stays open until 1 a.m. It has plenty of parking and even though parking is pretty much accessible at this time of the year in all Rehoboth Beach…in the summer, it will be a totally different scene. So, keep Fins Ale House in mind when visiting Rehoboth Beach and want fresh seafood, raw bar, American fare and gluten free items. And, for those young ones, there is a kids’ menu, as well.
When we entered the restaurant the feel I got was of a fish house in the south. Open bar, lots of wood…a place where friendly chatter accompanies fresh seafood, and drinks.
There is another dining room adjacent to the bar area if you prefer so.
I love oysters at this time of the year. Cold outside and cold, salty oysters are my favorites. I decided to get one of each to try them. On the board, there were the choices of the day. On my plate and clockwise are the oysters.
We all decided on the House Salad, which by the way, was delicious and refreshing. We are all trying to keep our New Year’s resolutions, if you get my drift.
Debbie had fried oysters on her salad.
Jody had fried shrimp on hers.
And mine was just the plain House Salad.
That’s all we had but we will be back for more….Talk to you later.
October 25th, 2013
What makes a good restaurant? To me, those 5 key ingredients do not fail: Quality of Ingredients, Culinary Competence, Service, Ambiance, and Price. The ingredients should be the best money can buy. The culinary competence …the new chefs at Bramble & Brine are bringing to the table traditional fare with fresh ingredients prepared with innovative ways..sounds good, right? The restaurant just opened, but it is already the talk of the town. The service should be attentive; not intrusive, always anticipating the customer’s needs. The ambiance should be tranquil and relaxing, conducive to great conversation. And, the prices should reflect the establishment…restaurants in Rehoboth Beach are known for serving quality food. Jody and I found that these fit the bill at Bramble & Brine.
 
Jody and I are usually on the same page. We love finding new places to eat or just taking a road trip to check out Southern Delaware. Bramble & Brine is located at 315 Rehoboth Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Tel. 302-227-7702. Website? http://www.brambleandbrine.com. You can find them on Facebook as The Bramble and Brine. Open every day, except Wednesday.
I loved the idea that I had not read one single review. First impressions were good. The building looks fantastic and the renovations had been ongoing for months. The owners are Megan and Joe Churchman, locals who are undertaking the big task of feeding all of us with discriminating palates in Rehoboth Beach. The town is known for its culinary excellence….it is actually a foodies’ destination.
Megan greeted us with a big smile and introductions were made. Bramble & Brine does accept reservations. We arrived early so we could take plenty of photos.
The Bar is located as you enter the restaurant with views to Rehoboth Avenue.
Vintage chandeliers, roses in the designs, a soft, yet cottage style decor with unassuming good taste…Bramble & Brine is Shabby Chic; elegant but not opulent.
 
We started with bread and a rosemary butter…a little sparkling water, as well.
Our server gave us some suggestions and I am glad we took them. We started our dining adventure with a Savory Pumpkin & Sunchoke Pate. It had crispy speck, parmesan and thyme crisp, and a balsamic caviar. The bacon was so thin and crispy and the balsamic caviar was delicious.
I love calamari. These were different. They were Smoked Calamari with shaved artichoke, radish, lemongrass and squid ink dressing, grape oil and a pistachio dust. Really great combination of flavors.
Jody ordered a Chestnut Smoked Ricotta Salata. It had beets, cucumbers, pea tendrils, micro basil, bread and butter pickle dressing.
For my entree I ordered the Pan Seared Halibut with sage brown butter, artichoke, celery-scented couscous salad. The halibut was crispy on the outside and perfectly seasoned, as well. The couscous salad was particularly good too.
Jody’s entree looked amazing. It was a Seared Butternut Squash Filet with squash trio puree, crispy taro root, grilled rapini, and a mushroom demi.
For dessert we chose French pressed coffee and Bramble & Brine Churros with Chocolate Sauce for sharing……a perfect ending for a perfect evening. Just the right amount of sweetness!!
The Second Season in Rehoboth Beach brings plenty of events and festivals. Bramble & Brine is open and waiting for you. Let me know how you like it. Talk to you later.
October 12th, 2013
The beginning of a Nor’ Easter, along the Mid Atlantic Seaboard, did not deter Jody and I from driving from Rehoboth Beach to Ocean City, Maryland. Along the way we picked one of my usual suspects in Bethany Beach, who is always ready to come along for a dining experience. But, wait a minute…it was Debbie’s birthday!!
Rain, wind, and not too many on the road…we made it to Liquid Assets located mid town, at 9301 Coastal Highway, in Ocean City, Maryland. Tel 410-524-7037. Website? http://www.ocliquidassets.com. There is no other restaurant up and down the Delaware and Maryland beaches that compare to Liquid Assets. It is a package goods store, a bar, a restaurant….serving delicious food. Sit among the bottles of wines or choose a more quiet ambiance in their separate dining room. We sat among the sofas, and the bottles of liquour.
It was our evening and chatting away we began our dining experience with a beautiful presentation of a cheese board. Midnight Moon, Goat Cheese, and Gouda were our choices.
It is that time of the year when pumpkins are in every recipe. They are also in drinks….The Great Pumkin’ Martini at Liquid Assets looked so gorgeous. A sip of it told me that it could go down very smoothly. It had Spice Liqueur, Fireball Whiskey, Cream, and 43.
 
A few small plates of scallops.
The roasted veggies were a hit!!
The beets had a wonderful flavor!
The best Pan Roasted Mussels Bar None!! Chorizo Sausage, Shallots, Garlic & Grilled Bread!! How yummy is that? I can attest to this because ever since I had them at Liquid Assets, I have tried mussels at every restaurant. I have been wanting to see if they measured up to Liquid Assets’. I have found good ones, but not amazing ones!! It is one of my favorite dishes and once again I requested a spoon so I could finish the broth!! Look how gorgeous they looked.
Dessert was a Flourless Chocolate Brownie, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and creamy chocolate sauce…..This dessert was Gluten Free!! Dense brownie full of flavor.
Note: Ocean City’s Restaurant Week starts on Sunday 10/13 until Sunday 10/27. One price, 2 weeks!! Check participating restaurants, menus, and info. at http://www.oceancityrestaurantweek.com/ocmd-food-restaurants.
Have a Good One!!
October 10th, 2013
 
Cathy and I decided to stop for something to eat at one of the most popular restaurants in this coastal town…Henlopen City Oyster House. It is located on 50 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-260-9193. Website? http://www.hcoysterhouse.com. Open for lunch and dinner…no reservations.
It was surprising to see Rehoboth Beach so crowded on a Tuesday night. Almost no parking…can you believe it? It is a thing of the past when Rehoboth Beach used to roll up its sidewalks until the following season. No way…this is a year-round resort. Very vibrant, offering its visitors and residents something to do, practically every night of the week.
I love this restaurant….it never disappoints. Fresh seafood, salty oysters, beer, specialty drinks, and wine.
A Fruit and Nut Salad offered sliced apple, five spice pumpkin seeds, candied walnuts, dried cherries, bleu cheese, and a while balsamic dressing. A substantial salad full of flavor.
I love beets and their Roasted Beet salad contained sunflower seeds, pickled radish, feta cheese, mixed greens, drizzled with a balsamic reduction. Very good!!
The Herb Grilled Maryland Rockfish was ordered by Cathy and it was grilled and lightly brushed with an herb olive oil, served with her choide of seasonal veggies and braised kale. Seasoned to perfection!
I ordered the Sesame & Spice Seared New Zealand Hapuka Seabass with spicy coconut green bamboo rice, lobster mushrooms, zipper peas, grilled long beans, and a cashew curry sauce. All those combinations gave this dish an array of flavors that were truly delicious.
Even though the desserts can be tempting at Henlopen City Oyster House, we were very satisfied. Perhaps another time.
Talk to you later….have a good one!!
August 21st, 2013
We went for a little bit of a more upscale Chinese dining….it is still a very casual place…Han Dynasty is located at 3711 Market St. in Philadephia. The telephone is 215-222-3711. Website? http://www.handynasty.net.
The cuisine at Han Dynasty is known as Sichuan. “Sichuan” , previously known as Szechwan, is a province in the West of the Southern Central Region of China.
This restaurant serves food family style. It is perfect for sharing and they do open for lunch and dinner.
You can eat at the bar or sit at the tables. It does get crowded. Our server was CJ and he was great with his recommendations.
Han Dynasty packs a lot of heat in its dishes. The level of heat for each one is on the menu. But, if you want a little milder or hotter, don’t be afraid to ask because they will be more than happy to oblige.
And this is what we ordered:
The Dumplings in Chili Oil were spicy and perfect for an appetizer.
I thought this particular entree had tofu, but I am not sure if they forgot and gave me an extra order of Stir Fried Lamb in Hoisin and Oyster Sauce. It was good and I did ask for a number 5 in the heat level.
The Pork Long Hot Pepper Style were stir fried and included shredded long hot peppers. Full heat!!
CJ told us that the Salt & Pepper Shrimp were very good. We did try them and they were very light and had just the right amount of salt, pepper, and heat.
And, I loved this vegetarian dish of Bok Choy with Black Mushrooms!!
No dessert was necessary, just a long walk along the streets of University City.
Please note that if you do have a gluten diet they will be able to modify some of the dishes.
Talk to you later.
July 27th, 2013
 
Lucky if you are visiting the Delaware and Maryland beaches on this gorgeous week-end!! No humidity, bright blue skies and perfect temperatures. If you are driving from Virginia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland and surrounding areas, you are probably going to take Rt. 50 East. And, you will probably be stuck in traffic. The beaches are at their height of the season and that’s what happens.
A tip!! Stop at The Big Owl Tiki Bar in Kent Narrows. Take Exit 42, no matter which way you are going. The actual address is 3015 Kent Narrows S., Grasonville, MD 21638. Tel. 443-827-6523. Website? http://www.thebigowl.com. It opens every day of the week for lunch, dinner, coffee, and drinks. They do have live entertainment. For example, tonight, Saturday, 7/27, Levi Stevens Duo will be playing at 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. and The Big Money Band will be playing on Sunday, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. You can check the schedule on the website above mentioned.
The Big Owl Tiki Bar literally sits on the water. Gentle breezes, and an awesome scenery as you watch the fishing boats go by.
Michael and I stopped for a bite to eat on the 4th of July week-end. Yes, we were crazy enough to be on the road and to also be stuck just like I told you. But a little detour made our trip certainly more enjoyable.
We both had the fish tacos. They were grilled, moist, and totally delicious.
The Big Owl has a following and it gets crowded, but that is part of the fun.
They have Happy Hour all day on Monday. Then, Tuesdays through Thursday, the Happy Hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
I think you will certainly like it!! So, have a great week-end!
June 10th, 2013
It might be a little quieter in the Village by the Sea, at this time of the year, but by no means is Delray Beach, Florida, and other towns in Palm Beach County rolling up their sidewalks!! This is the time of the year to enjoy these unique towns.
Delray Beach, Florida, is a dining and vacation destination all year round. It has been voted the Most Fun Small Town in America and just recently #1 on the list of best beaches in Florida, out of 10 beaches awarded this designation. The idea of eating outdoors is so enticing; it sets the mood for the evening. And, in Delray Beach, most restaurants have outdoor dining available. With that in mind, my post begins.
Vic & Angelo’s is a restaurant known in South Florida for serving delicious, rustic Italian cuisine. Two locations:
Palm Beach Gardens at 4520 PGA Blvd. in PGA Commons. Tel. 561-630-9899.
Delray Beach at 290 East Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-278-9570.
Both Vic & Angelo’s restaurants serve lunch and dinner daily. They also offer Happy Hour every day, as well, at the indoor and outdoor bars. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday. Please visit http://www.vicandangelos.com.
 Delray Beach Vic & Angelo’s is all about enticing culinary options this summer. These “sister” restaurants are owned by talented restauranteur and entrepeneur John Rosatti. The Summer Tasting Menus allow diners to customize their choices.
These restaurants in South Florida are doing exactly what restaurants do at the Delaware Beaches in the “off-season”. They offer great values, delicious food, and amazing atmosphere at a time of the year when you can kick back and relax.
Through September 30, 2013, Sunday through Thursday, for lunch and dinner, both eateries are offering diners two, three-course Summer Tasting Menus, for $25 and $35, per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
These terrific menus allow diners to choose one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert, from either menu, which include salads, pizza, pasta, seafood, chicken, and veal dishes. Diners who opt for either prix fixe menu, may also add a bottle of Coastal Vines Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir, for $15, per bottle.
The $25, Three-Course Prix Fixe Menu: Diners can choose one appetizer (Angelo’s Salad, V & A Caesar, Fried Calamari); one entree (Pizza Orginale, Cappellini al Telefono, with fresh mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes, Fusilli with crumbled sausage and broccoli rabe, Chicken Milanese; or Grilled Shrimp or Tuna Cobb Salad); and one dessert (gelato or sorbet).
The $35, Three-Course Prix Fixe Menu: Diners can choose one appetizer (PEI Mussels al Forno, Grilled Calamari, or Spinach Salad); one entree (Shrimp Penne alla Vodka, Chicken Piccata with artichoke hearts, Chicken Marsala with wild mushrooms and sweet pea risotto, Veal Milanese, Wild Salmon with mixed veggies, or Four-Cheese Pear Tortelloni with truffle cream sauce); and one dessert (house-made tiramisu or cannoli).
The restaurants will also be offering their traditional a la carte menus, for lunch and dinner, daily, along with their brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday.
So, what are you waiting for? Whichever menu you choose this season…..you will be feasting on refreshing salads, soul-satisfying house-made pastas, crispy thin-crust pizzas, fresh fish and seafood, and enticing veal and chicken dishes.
Vic & Angelo’s has a full bar, with indoor and outdoor seating, offering over 100 wines from all over the globe, as well as fifteen vintages by the glass, and nifty signature cocktails.
Bon Appetit!! Talk to you later.l
 
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