July 8th, 2010
Located in the middle of Dewey Beach, Delaware is Two Seas. On one side the Atlantic Ocean and on the other, the Rehoboth Bay.
The address? 1300 Coastal Highway, (Van Dyke Ave. and Coastal Highway), Dewey Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-227-2610.
No website and not a lot of advertising; but as usual, word of mouth is the best advertising. On Facebook? Well, of course, isn’t everybody? Well, almost, since I know a few that refuse to get into it.
I have been wanting to go to this restaurant for some time. I am almost embarrass to tell you that it has been 22 years since I have been there. Yes, 22 years ago I was coming out of my pre-natal class and had dinner there. Some things never change. Good food is always on my mind.
Two Seas opened 24 years ago and it has had a few renovations and additions since then. Same location, though.
It has parking which is a welcome relief at this time of the year. You have to climb a few steps; no elevator.
You are in for a treat if you decide to visit Two Seas.
This restaurant has those 5 key ingredients that make a restaurant. Quality, culinary competence, service, ambiance and price.
Ingredients should be the best money can buy. Culinary competence, well the chef should out do himself, the service should be very attentive but not intrusive, the ambiance should also be relaxing, and the price should be reasonable.
Two Seas has an extra ingredient; a view on the roof top, with a bar, tables for tapas, drinks, appetizers and happy hour.
The roof top menu is a little bit different from the main dining room menu, but not much.
The restaurant is attended by the Carr family and their staff. Friendly and again, very attentive to your needs.
Guess what? Gluten free menu for those on a gluten free diet.
The main dining room was crowded; but comfortable and the decoration throughout the restaurant was “coastal chic”.
After the drink order was taken I could not wait to taste some of their offerings.
My starter was a Crab Chowder. It was New England cream style with Maryland Crab. It had a hint of nutmeg. Very good.
An order of oysters is always a must, if available. Good review, as well.
The Baked Brie was warm with fresh basil pesto, vine ripe tomato and toast points. It was good for 3 or 4 people and very nice.
For the main event I had their signature dish: Sweet onion crusted Red Snapper, oven baked and served with Madeira sauce. The onions were caramelized and the sweetness complemented the fish.
Another entree ordered was the Pan seared Rockfish. Served over corn and bacon hash and finished with an avocado, cilantro sour cream. I had a taste of it and it really had such a good flavor. The mixture of the bacon hash and the avocado and cilantro gave it such a different taste. I love those types of combinations.
The next entree was the Crab crusted Halibut, which was finished with a lemon buerre blanc. Also different, being that it was crusted with crab.
No dessert was ordered because I had made Flan and it was waiting at home.
I still cannot believe I had not been to that restaurant in so long. But to tell you the truth, and in my defense, the building does not look like a restaurant.
Anyway, as usual I took a lot of pictures and you just have to try it yourself. Last night, the sunset was priceless!!
I am not kidding I cant’ wait to go back. It is great when the unexpected surprises you in such a pleasant way.
Note: Two Seas is available for private parties.
See you later…..relax…you are at the beach!!
July 5th, 2010
Four of us for dinner with no reservation. That was our dilema. Where to go in Boulder with so many restaurants within walking distance, on Pearl Street.
We decided to to to Jax, located on 928 Pearl St. Tel. 303-444-1811, website http://www.jaxfishhouseboulder.com.
It was crowded. The time 6:30 p.m. Jax is not big but they can fit a lot of people. Busy, a little noisy but that is the way you want this fish house.
The first thing we saw as we stepped in, was the Raw Bar. Up to about a dozen varieties of oysters, clams, chilled crabs and lobsters are flown every day.
We had a certain amount of time in which to order and eat since we were on our way to the Boulder Theater to see guitarist Jesse Cook.
Our waiter was amazing and I am so sorry I did not get his name. He was a professional.
We were a party of 4. We started with 3 dozen oysters. Salty, and very cold, just like we like them.
For dinner, I followed the suggestion of our waiter and had the special of Mahi Mahi. It had polenta, hearts of palm and the broth was well seasoned and delicious. The presentation was beautiful.
My friend ordered the Mississippi Skillet Catfish. You had the choice of blackened or fried. She chose blackened. On the bottom pancakes, andouille sausage gravy, onion rings and a side of the sausage. Great combination and never had seen it presented in such a way.
An order of Black Mussels was another dinner and the broth was so good that more bread was requested.
The Lobster BLT, had lots of lobster and house smoked bacon, citrus aioli, and arugula. Crispy french fries and cole slaw that got great reviews. So good in fact that he went a couple of days later with friends and they all had this entree.
Jax is offering Dinner Series with Chef Hosea Rosenberg. He was in Season 5 of “Top Chef”.
The first dinner is taking place on July 14th at 6:00 p.m. Only 18 seats are available per dinner. $100 per person. The theme? “As Fresh as it Gets”: The Pacific Northwest.
For more info. and reservations please check the website or give them a call.
Note: Jax has Happy Hour from 4 – 6 p.m. Dinner starts at 4:00 p.m.
I am back in Delaware so talk to you later…..
April 1st, 2010
Dewey Beach is a town that parties all summer long. It takes a rest after New Year’s and now that is well rested, it is opening more and more every week-end. This is what in store for this Easter week-end.
Friday, 4/2/10 – Happy Hour at the Rusty Rudder located on 113 Dickinson St., Tel. 302-227-3888. Happy hours will be on going from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a free buffet.
Friday, 4/2/10 and Saturday, 4/3/10 - It is the Delaware Music Festival. Venue will be Rusty Rudder located on 113 Dickinson Street, Dewey Beach, and the tel. is 302-227-3888.
The Delaware Music Festival will be celebrating its 8th year in Dewey Beach. There will be 30 Delaware bands on 4 Stages and No Cover!! To see what bands will be performing, visit http://www.deweybeachfest.com/demusic/fest. You will even be able to see performers listed by venue.
Sunday, 4/4/10 – Happy Easter!! – Also at the Rusty Rudder there will be an Easter Brunch Buffet from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. An Easter Egg Hunt, will start promptly at 2 p.m. More info? Please call 302-227-3888.
Happy Easter to all!!….Talk to you later….
February 24th, 2010
Where to get a hair cut when you are not sure where to go? Word of mouth is usually the best advertisement so our son directed my husband to Avenue Haircutters right on Atlantic Ave. I hope the men reading this post pay attention because this barber shop is a true and reasonable one.
Avenue Haircutters is located on 777 East Atlantic Ave., Suite A-5 in Delray Beach. It is right across from the Blue Anchor Pub in the Atlantic Plaza. The shop is towards the back of the Plaza. They have 3 barbers available.
As I was waiting for my husband I had to take a few pictures. Then, I started wondering about the pole that shows that you are in a barber shop. You know, it has red, white and blue.
Apparently, barber shops were places where men gathered, relaxed, read magazines and enjoyed each other’s company while also engaging on gossip, sharing jokes, talking about sports and politics, and debating the events of the day. I think barber shops are older than women’s hair salons so really they started all this before us.
Originally, the trimming and shaving, which by the way was a bit messy and painful; before the invention of the razor, was done at home and probably by a servant. Later on in the mid 19th century as towns were increasing and with the invention of the razor blade, barber shops were found on the main street of about every small town.
It may be helpful to know that the barbers and surgeons were once the same profession. Barber-surgeons were authorized to perform like a phlebotomist, who is the person drawing blood for analysis.
The barber shops were distinguished from other businesses by the red, white and blue striped pole out in front. The red and white were symbols of the blood and bandages of surgeons and the blue was added to make the pole resemble the American flag.
My husband got a really nice hair cut. And, as we were walking around the plaza, a gentleman came out of the barber shop and asked us if we were from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. His name was Butch Bradley and he was the owner of Avenue Haircutters. He had lived in Rehoboth and his barber shop was at the Midway Shopping Center on Coastal Highway. He had just been at the Delaware beaches and loves the whole area. We talked and it was so nice of him to have approached us. This is what makes these small towns so unique; a friendly conversation in the middle of the Plaza with someone you just met.
Then, we talked to Butch about Bethany Beach, Delaware and he proceeded to inform us that the owner of La Cigale, Francis Touboul, has a house in Bethany.
Well, since it was around 1:30 we then decided to have lunch at La Cigale and this is my next post. Being that it was a little cloudy, a little cooler and we were a little hungry we marched ourselves to La Cigale.
La Cigale has been in Delray Beach for a long time. It used to be right on Atlantic Ave., in the same spot where the new Seagate Hotel is now located. As renovations kept going on Atlantic Ave., it was so nice to know that this restaurant had opened in another location with plenty of parking and more space.
La Cigale is located on 253 S.E. 5th Ave., in Delray Beach, and near Atlantic Ave. At night you can spot the torches outside. Tel. is 561-265-0600. The website is www.lacigaledelray.com.
And the e-mail address is lacigalle@bellsouth.net.
We have been to the restaurant in the past; lunch and dinner. The restaurant is known to locals and natives alike.
When we entered the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was color. Immediately I felt good.
The tables were covered with tablecloths, very unpretentious, European, and a friendly staff.
I love mussels and once I saw them on the menu I knew that I was having them. They were Prince Edward Island Mussels with garlic, olive oil, tomato, basil leaves, white wine and a side order of pomme frites. They were so tasty and sweet, with that lite broth and perfect for lunch. I was even happier when I saw that they had placed a spoon for the broth. No way was I leaving that behind.
The pomme frites (French for French Fries) were perfectly cooked; crispy. Just the right size, as well, and I did not feel any guilt eating them all. Definitely, worth it.
My husband had the Calamari and Escarole sauteed in a white wine, garlic, olive oil and hot cherry peppers. That came with their soup of the day which was a white bean soup. I tasted both dishes; the calamari was tender, and the bean soup was rich and perfectly seasoned.
Then, we started talking to Francis, the owner. Can you believe he has had a house in Bethany Beach, Delaware for 20 years? He came from France, his first job in Bethany was at Gigi’s. Only locals would remember that one. And, has lived in Washington, as well. He was friendly, energetic and just the perfect host.
La Cigale has the perfect blend of Mediterranean food and you will always find the Coq Au Vin, the Beef Bourguignon; you know all those French dishes that make our mouths water.
One of those dishes, a dessert one and a favorite is the Creme Brulee. It is French for “burnt cream”. It is considered to be French, but the English and Spanish claim credit, as well.
At La Cigale the creme brulee was just the way I like it. The original; creamy and no other flavors added.
La Cigale offers Happy Hour from Mondays through Fridays from 5 until 7 p.m. Two for one drinks with complimentary hors d’ouvres at the bar only. Half price appetizers from their regular menu at the bar, as well.
The restaurant has capabilites for private parties. Please visit their website, above mentioned, because you can read about the restaurant, check the pictures and most of all look through the different menu proposals and hors d’ouvres selections for any parties you might want to hold at La Cigale.
If you are visiting Delray, try it and let me know how you what you think.
Note: I did not know that Francis Touboul, the owner of La Cigale also owns, Atlantique Cafe located on 777 E. Atlantic Ave. in the Atlantic Plaza, 561-272-1170 where this post actually started. As soon as I try it, I will let you know.
Yesterday I visited 3 places. Avenue Haircutters and La Cigale in Delray and then in the evening Michael R. McCarty’s in Palm Beach, which will be tomorrow’s post.
Information on the barber shop pole was taken from www.fashionencyclopedia.com and from www.wisegeek.com.
Until then……talk to you later….
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