June 24th, 2015
Eating Gluten Free at the Delaware Beaches has been getting easier and easier as the years go by. Restaurants have decided that offering gluten free dishes is in their best interest. So many people are being diagnosed with celiac disease and the only treatment at the moment is to follow a gluten free lifestyle.
Having followed a gluten free regimen in my household for many years, I know how wonderful it is to find restaurants where you can completely feel at ease when ordering a meal. Not to be afraid of contamination. Hey, it does happen.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the restaurants at the Delaware Beaches are doing an amazing job in creating dishes for those that have to eat gluten free.
Last night, friends got together to try The Cafe on 26, located at 84 Atlantic Avenue (Rt. 26) in Ocean View, Delaware. Tel. 302-539-2233. Website? http://www.thecafeon26.com. Find it on Facebook and Twitter. This restaurant is 99% gluten free. Please mention that you have the allergy and they will tell you what Not to order. Probably just a couple of things, really.
Ocean View is located a couple of miles west of Bethany Beach.
We decided to try it yesterday. I was also giving Allyson some info. regarding my experiences eating gluten free. What to do? Hidden glutens, etc. etc.
What a pleasant surprise! First, Christie, our Server was so good. And funny too. We arrived super early. Yes, it was going to be an early dinner for all.
The Cafe on 26 has a full bar. They open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday: Lunch from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and dinner from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. On Sunday they are only open for dinner from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.
After a few drinks we ordered salads: Everything that we ordered was Gluten Free!! Note: Menu changes daily.
On the left, a Classic Caesar Salad with Romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, garlic crouton and a Caesar Dressing. On the right, a Summer Salad with spring greens, mandarin oranges, dried bing cherries, seasonal local berries, red onion, cucumber, apples and candied walnuts with a citrus basil vinaigrette.
 
My Spinach Salad was delicious. I had them take out the Queso Fresco….not eating cheese at the moment. Baby spinach, bacon, mandarin oranges, red onion, almonds slivers and a bacon vinaigrette dressing.
Our entrees:
Stuffed Flounder…Fresh flaky flounder filet stuffed with all lump crab imperial and topped with their imperial sauce. Side dishes of mashed sweet potatoes and broccolini.
Their signature dish was the Potato-Romano Encrusted Salmon. Scottish Faroe Island Farm Raised Salmon, encrusted with potato, Romano and Parmesan Cheese, then topped with Lump Crab, and a dill and cream reduction. Side dishes of sauteed zucchini and squash and a Tabouli salad.
My Duck Breast was awesome. Tender and juicy. Pan seared then finished in the oven and complimented with a dried cherry port reduction. Side dishes of mashed sweet potatoes and grilled asparagus.
Another order of the Potato-Romano Encrusted Salmon, but with side dishes of sauteed green beans with carrots and toasted almonds and a Quinoa Salad.
For dessert an order of their Chocolate Cheesecake. Love chocolate? This is the one and Gluten Free!! Dense and rich just like a cheesecake should be.
Relax and enjoy. TTYL
May 22nd, 2015
“Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.” orson wells
Arriving at the beach with much anticipation. So many places to dine. Casual atmosphere at the Delaware Beaches so don’t despair you will find just the perfect place. Whether you want lunch or dinner the restaurants are all ready to serve you….Summer 2015 is officially starting this Memorial Week-End and the gates have opened and if you have already been out and about, you know exactly what I mean.
Striper Bites is located at 107 Savannah Rd. in Downtown Historic Lewes, Delaware. Tel. 302-645-4657. Website? http://www.striperbites.com.
Happy Hour at the Bar is a must at Striper Bites. Mingle with the locals or make a friend or two in Lewes. The service is great and the prices are affordable.
Plenty of seating choices. Near the bar, or, if you want to have more of a private setting there are booths and cozy benches and tables.
 
The dining room is quiet and perfect for catching up with friends.
It is so funny because now that summer is here, we are all trying to eat as healthy as possible…..we do want to sit at the beach, if you get my drift.
The Striper Bite House Salad is one of my favorites. Make it a meal by adding chicken, tuna, rockfish, scallops, shrimp, salmon, lobster salad, or a crab cake. It is a mix of greens with artichoke hearts, roma tomatoes, olives, cukes, and red onions tossed in a delish vinaigrette and topped with toasted pine nuts and crumbled blue cheese.
Love it with Grilled Salmon…
Or if you love lobster…then, please order it!!
Striper Bites offers a traditional Lobster Roll…plenty of lobster tossed in light Dijon mayo and stuffed in a lobster roll.
The Striper Bite Club is their Signature Sandwich. Blackened Mahi Mahi served on a ciabatta roll with lettuce, tomato, and smoked applewood bacon with a Caesar Dressing. On the side? Depending what the side of the day….I had cole slaw which was very good, as well.
Have a great week-end!! Sunny weather, blue skies, low humidity…..perfect.
April 1st, 2015
If you are a resident of Lewes, you will probably be using your bike as a way to get around the Historic District. Debbie and I did not do that….we were probably going to take some leftovers home. Our destination on this gorgeous evening in Lewes was Nectar. This is the second anniversary for Nectar and Sara McKewon, Proprietor, has done an outstanding job in keeping the restaurant fresh, delicious, and comfortable.
The location is 111 Neils Alley in Historic Lewes. Tel. 302-645-5842. It opens from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. It closes on Tuesdays. Nectar is known for its amazing juices. You can make a selection of available ones or you can customize your own.
Stepping into Nectar you feel immediately at home. That has not changed since Sara opened 2 years ago. Debbie and I arrived early in order to be able to take photos. Take a peek….look how pretty it is.
Just until a week or so ago, Nectar was only open for breakfast and lunch. The addition of dinner had us all excited. So, here is what Debbie and I had.
Starting with a Fresh Fruit Mimosa and Kale Chips. I have done my own kale chips at home. These were all crunchy, with beautiful color.
Continued on our grazing mood….PB & J Meatballs. The peanut sauce was awesome. Pick them up with your hands or just be prim and proper and use your fork and knife.
Our next dish was the Cauliflower “Steak” – This is a Vegan Entree. So good, I cannot wait to have it again. The cauliflower is both roasted in the oven and finished in the frying pan. Served over rice pilaf with romesco sauce and topped with olives, capers and roasted tomato. Romesco sauce is a nut and red pepper base sauce that originated in the area of Tarragona in northeastern Spain.
I love roasted/baked chicken. So far in my travels, I have found a great one in Delray Beach, Florida, another on Ashford Avenue in Condado, Puerto Rico, and this Dogfish 60Min Baked Chicken at Nectar is out of this world. It is a 1/2 chicken baked in Dogfish Head beer with honey mustard glaze. Served with mac n cheeese and coleslaw.
Catch of the Day in Parchment was Monkfish…Steamed in parchment with lemon, capers, and dill. Rice pilaf and vegetables on the side….moist, well seasoned and glad I ordered it.
So, which one did we choose for our sweet ending? The Lemon Meringue Cheesecake or the Banana Fosters Pie? All desserts are made in-house.
 
The Lemon Meringue Cheesecake won!! It was sweet but not overly so…..great lemon flavor.
Hope you stop by Nectar. Let me know what you think. I am writing this post a few hours after our dinner. I think everything we tried was so appealing because the dishes were so simple, colorful and tasted so fresh. Keep up the good work, Sara. You and your staff made our evening tonight.
The beaches are ready for the season and so are all of us that call Coastal Delaware home!! Talk to you later.
 
March 28th, 2015
Are the boys coming? Approaching the Chef’s Table, (Sushi Bar)….Master Sushi Chef Shigeki Tanaka asked. Not tonight but two good friends from Ocean City, Maryland, are coming. Yes, Cindi and Ryan, were joining me for a little sushi and sashimi at Saketumi, located at 18814 Coastal Highway. Tel. 302-645-2818 Website? http://www.mysaketumi.com.
I have known Chef Tanaka for about 6 years since Saketumi arrived on the scene in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I have always taken the same seat at his Chef’s table. He is an artist and his presentation is incredible. To watch him work is mesmerizing. You can still talk to him the whole time, but his concentration will be on his preparation of your food.
For the Saki aficionado there is plenty to choose.
You will first be served a bit of marinated fish…cucumbers, rice vinegar and Mirin. Just to wet your appetite.
We ordered Seared White Tuna Tataki with Yuzo Citrus Vinaigrette and fried shallots, mango salsa and cilantro. On the right photo an order of Torched Tuna with jalapeno, red tobiko, chive, masago cracker, and spicy ponzu sauce.
 
My Sunset Roll had spicy tuna, eel, cucumber topped with salmon, yellow tail and sliced avocado with sweet goma and mild “chilie” oil. Scallop sashimi…I truly love. So delicate!!
Another Sunset Roll was ordered just like mine and an additional roll….Dynamite which is a baked Cali Roll, with spicy mayo, scallop, fresh crabmeat and masago on top.
The Chunky Monkey Roll is a popular one and also ordered by us. Fried banana, asparagus, eel inside. Topped with crunchy tempura flakes, eel sauce and masago.
There is a difference between fresh wasabi and what it is served as wasabi. On this photo, the fresh wasabi on the left, is delicate, somewhat sweet and and the same time spicy….so good. The usual wasabi (right) served at most restaurants is a combination of horseradish, mustard, starch and green food coloring. As you probably know, it is strong. Fresh wasabi is difficult to cultivate, and therefore, a bit more expensive. You have to request it and it will cost you about $2 extra but definitely worth it.
Saketumi has a menu that can accommodate everyone in your party. Love the Lettuce Wrap & Roll with sauteed ground chicken and peanuts.
On Sundays they offfer a Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Bento Box Special on Wednesday, check the website above mentioned.
If you have a gluten allergy….they do have gluten free soy sauce.
And if you do not wish to cook….order take out….it is great. No need to worry about parking any time of the year….they have a huge parking lot. Have a great week-end!!
March 14th, 2015
“Filled with mingled cream and amber I will drink that glass again. Such hilarious visions clamber Through the chambers of my brain–Quaintest thoughts queerest fancies Come to life and fade away; Who Cares how time advances? I am drinking ale today.” edgar allan poe
Those thoughts in mind brought my friend, Cindi, and I to Dogfish Head located at 320 Rehoboth Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Tel. 302-226-BREW. Website? http://www.dogfish.com. What in the world? A line to get in? It was noon on Friday, the 13th of March. Rehoboth Beach is crowded. Spring Break, and a destination to Rehoboth Beach.
 
An unveiling of Sick Cider…only 100 growlers….numbered, as well. The Cider was strong. Oh yes, we bought one….$20.
Growlers carry fresh beer from a brewery to one’s house. In the late 1800s and 1900s beer was carried from the local pub to one’s home by means of a small galvanized pail. Local lore has it that when the beer sloshed around the pail, it created a rumbling sound as the CO2 escaped through the lid, thus the term “growler” started. Growlers are filled straight from the tap and are sealed with a twist-cap.
Dogfish Head has a list of growlers….the restaurant was crowded, the Weekend of Compelling Ales and Whatnot was a sold out event as it is every year. This group was definitely ready. We were having lunch on the second floor. It was loud and lively!
 
The first floor is usually set up with tables, but for this week-end events the tables were taken out. On Friday the local brewers were going to get up close and personal with the guests. Later in the evening live entertainment until closing time.
This restaurant is a must stop when visiting Rehoboth Beach…..first, because the starting of the brewery has been a huge success. From humble beginnings to being nationally recognized. The food is good too!! The retail shop has souveniers for all those beer aficionados on your list.
You can tour the Dogfish Head in Milton, just up the road. Visit the website for the tour schedules.
Growler on our table….Namaste for Cindi. Namaste is a Belgian style white beer. It is made with dried organic orange slices, fresh cut lemongrass and a bit of coriander. A refreshing and thirst quenching beer!!
An order of the Pub Salad topped with woodgrilled salmon…and their “Midas Touch” vinaigrette. Very good!!
Cindi’s Woodgrilled Salmon sandwhich was also very well received.
A sweet ending of Ancho Chili Churro Bites…with dipping sauces of Mexican Chocolate, Nutmeg Creme Anglaise, and an Ancho Chili Honey with just the right amount of kick.
EVENT
Monday, March 30th is the Annual Benevolence Day, when Dogfish Head closes for the day and all employees help Habitat for Humanity!! Please visit http://www.dogfish.com in case you would like to sign up and help. Helping Habitat for Humanity at 621 and 625 Washington Avenue in Ellendale, DE 19941 at 9:00 a.m.
Rain has stopped and the beaches are warm tonight.
February 15th, 2015
Pizza is good any time of the day. On cold winter days it is even better. In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, we have various pizza establishments. Don’t get me wrong I have had them all over and over again through the years, but I keep coming back to Nicola Pizza. It is located in Downtown Rehoboth Beach with 2 locations: 8 N 1st St, which is their original location and on 71 Rehoboth Avenue, which is right around the corner. Tel. 302-227-6211. Website? http://www.nicolapizza.com. Besides pizza they have other great offerings, and plenty of specials throughout the year.
 
When having pizza at Nicola we usually go to their original location on 8 N 1st St. Like my kids say….it is nostalgic. We love the booths and the warmth of the restaurant. It is very popular year-round with summer visitors standing in line for quite some time.
Starting with a salad…this is their traditional salad with cheese, onions, and a peppercorn dressing.
I am so guilty of eating these fries….but I did not order them. Crispy with melted cheese…a little vinegar and what can I say….awesome!
I can honestly say that Nicola’s is my favorite pizza. There is something about that sauce, plus the fact that when we order our pizza, it always comes out just like you ordered it….well done!! Our choice of toppings? Sweet peppers.
PIZZA TRIVIA
3 billion pizzas are sold annually in the U.S.
A typical adult consumes 744 calories of pizza in a sitting.
Men are most likely to have pizza. I don’t know about that one.
Pizza provides approximately 27% of the total energy on the day consumed
An average slice of a medium sized cheese slice ranges from 220 to 370 calories.
Each American person eats about 46 pizza slices annually.
There are approximately 61,300 pizzerias in the U.S.
And last but not least….36% of American consider pizza the perfect breakfast.
Thanks Elite Daily for this useful info….Have a great Holiday Week-End.
February 15th, 2015
 
While we celebrate Groundhog Day in the U.S. on February 2nd, the French celebrate Fete de Chandeleur or Crepe Day!! Walking on Ashford brought us to the CrepeMaker, located at 1302 Ashford Avenue in Condado. Tel. 787-545-5138. Find easily on Facebook as CrepeMaker de Puerto Rico. In San Juan, they have 4 locations.
Visualizing the fact that at this time of the morning, the weather is warm with plenty of sun in Condado. Outdoor seating available but if it gets too warm for you, there is plenty of seating indoors.
The CrepeMaker was a pleasant surprise for us. So many types of crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also offer wine and beer.
I thank them for letting me take the photos. They were very busy.
At the time of our visit the majority of customers were getting the Breakfast fare….Better Cheddar, Florentine, El Rancho, the Western Crepe…you name it.
Waffles, topped with powdered sugar, cinnamon, bananas, strawberries, and whipped cream on the side. Nutella? They do have it.
My Very Veggie was totally awesome!! Marinated sun-dried tomatoes, sweet red onions, roasted red peppers, fresh baby spinach, basil, tomatoes, mushrooms, melted mozzarella and their signature pesto sauce. The crepe was crispy and perfect for that particular morning.
You can also find at the CrepeMaker soups, fresh salads, and crepe combo specials for kids.
Have a good one!!
January 26th, 2015
The aroma of Indian food; coriander, curries, dry red chillies, turmeric, fennel….sooo good. Only a few Indian restaurants in Delaware and one of them, Flavor of India, is located at 348 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Tel. 302-677-0121. Website? http://www.flavorofindiade.com. It is in the same building with a separate entrance from the Motel 8. Believe me, the restaurant is really good.
They are open 7 days a week. Dine in or take out.
Stopped to pick up some take-out and gave Tony the news that my husband, John, had passed away on August 31, 2013. He was truly shocked and could not believe it. John and I enjoyed eating at Flavor of India and also enjoyed talking to Tony.
I picked up Lamb Saagwala, which had lamb pieces and fresh spinach cooked in an Indian spicy herbal sauce. I also picked up some Lamb Pasanda, an authentic dish from northern India. In northern India the curries are thick and the gravies are very creamy. The basmati rice is awesome with a rich aroma…..you cannot find that rice in Rehoboth Beach…Flavor of India have their own connections.
In the past when dining in I have ordered the pappadom, which is like a flat bread. Sauces are brought to the table for dipping. You can also eat it by itself.
And dishes like the Goat Masala, which my husband loved. Most of the goat dishes have a bone.
And, Lamb Zafrani…one of my favorites.
I took home for dessert Gajar Halwa, which is mainly made with carrots….sweet and very interesting taste. Have had it before and still like it. Served warm.
The sense of taste is so acute and amazing….trying the foods from northern India with so many different spices, each hitting at the right time. So, if you have a craving for Indian food, or just want something different, go and visit Tony at Flavor of India. I keep telling him they should open a restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.
Note: Flavor of India continues to receive awards for being a true representation of Indian food with great service, delicious food, and reasonable prices. They are also aware of customers with gluten free allergies.
 
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