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…
April 2nd, 2010
I took off with Paula last Monday and we drove, north, in the State of Delaware. Thank God I went with her because she is a native of the State and knows the ins and outs of all roads in the state, especially Wilmington and adjacent towns.
One store that I have been meaning to visit is called Everything but The Kitchen Sink. I have been on their e-mail list since last year when I saw that they were offering a gluten free cooking class.
When I started this blog, I really wanted to visit the places I was going to be blogging about. It is the only way to really express my honest opinion. It, definitely, is my judgment.
The Kitchen Sink offers a unique shopping experience. It is one of those must stop shops for everything; the store lives up to its name.
The Kitchen Sink is located at 425 Hockessin Corner, Hockessin, DE 19707. The Tels. are 302-239-7066, or 800 731-7066. The website is www.thekitchensink.com. The owner is Missy Lickle, but I did not meet her. I met Suzanne Edgar, who is the Manager. I told her that I wanted to write about the store and she graciously told me I could wander around and take pictures, as well.
The Kitchen Sink is in the Brandywine Valley, minutes away from Centreville, Greenville, Winterthur and Longwood Gardens. This area is called Hockessin and even though it is a little bit of a trip for us here at the Delaware Beaches, it is not a bad drive and definitely, a change of scenery. Driving time is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Hockessin is in New Castle County, Delaware and its chief industry is mushroom farming.
The Kitchen Sink opened in 1977, when its owners purchased an old hardware store that had stoned walled bins for grain and coal storage. Since those days the store has grown both in size and popularity. It has a second floor loft, where railcars were onced winced up to dump the coal below.
The store looks beautiful. On the first floor you will find the bridal and gift registry; beautiful china, crystal, silverware. Not only for the bride, but for yourself, as well. Crisp linens for the table, kitchen gadgets; everything you can imagine to prepare a fabulous meal.
On this first floor, it is also where you will find their “kitchen”. Yes, they offer cooking classes. The second cooking class will be Monday, April 12th at 6:00 p.m. and the cost will be $60.00. Please call the above telephone number to reserve your spot. This class will be Journey to Asia, which will include exotic dishes made just for you by their local chef, Nanek Oei, who is back from Indonesia. The menu for that class will consist of Pumpkin & Coconut Milk Soup, Crab Meat Fried Rice and Crispy Wontons with Ground Pork and for dessert you will learn to make Tapioca Pears with Bananas in Coconut Milk. Please check the website above mentioned because you will be able to see what a beautiful website they have and read about their story. A schedule of cooking classes and events is also posted on the website.
On Thursday, 4/8 from 10 to 6 p.m., Friday, 4/9 from 10 to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, 4/10 from 10 to 3 p.m. there will be a Silver Restoration Event. You may bring your silver for a free estimate on repairs. Silver, brass, copper, pewter, nickel and gold are all professionally restored. More info? Please call 302-239-7066.
On the second floor of this special store is a corner just for children. You will find Christening dresses, silver baby cups, stuffed animals, puzzles, games and wind-up toys.
Another corner will be one designated for personalized stationery. A wide selection for every occasion. An InScribe calligraphy machine will be able to turn an ordinary invitation to an extraordinary and unforgettable one.
The Bed and Bath coner is especially popular at this time of the year since a bedding sale is under progress until 4/3. Pamper yourself with a soothing sachet, slippers, or an elegant pillow. Or, maybe fine soaps, lotions and body oils.
Looking for garden gadgets, pottery and whimsicals for your yard? It is also found upstairs, at the Kitchen Sink.
So many beautiful things for the home. A wide assortment of rugs were hanging from the railings.
So, if you are looking for something special or just a relaxing way to spend a day, visit this store. You will definitely find something to lift your spirits here; indulge, spoil.
Have a great Easter Week-end!! Enjoy the weather…Talk to you later…
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