September 28th, 2011
“Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.” orson welles
September is my favorite time of the year, but I am not sure about this September. It seemed that all we have gotten are clouds, rain, and fog. It looks like we are going full blast ahead with the Second Season.
As I was walking around Rehoboth Beach yesterday I noticed that the beach was so empty. A solitary man looking for “treasures”, another one fishing, even thought I did not know where he had gone.
The north end of the Rehoboth Boardwalk was totally deserted.
Hey, I am not complaining; I was looking forward to this since the beginning of August. The town all to myself. No meters and time for the “ladies that lunch”.
In the 1945 edition of Etiquette, Emily Post referred to luncheon as “generally given by and for women, but it is not unusual especially in summer places or in town on Saturday or Sunday, to include an equal number of men. The result? The term “the ladies that lunch”. It was the ladies’ light meal. And, men that chose to “lunch” were considerate “effeminate”. Times have changed, haven’t they?
I am not kidding myself. I love lunch or dinner. On this particular day, 4 of us got together for lunch; 2 Debbies, 1 Jody and myself. We chose the Summer House Saloon. Really, it is known as the Summer House. An institution as far as a gathering place, saloon, or “taverna” style eatery and watering hole in Rehoboth Beach.
The Summer House was established in 1977. For years, it has been owned by the Big Fish Restaurant Group. I have written plenty of times about Big Fish Grill in Rehoboth. I thought I better write about them; don’t want them to get jealous. Popular, crowded and consistent.
This Group owns 6 restaurants, one seafood market and one seafood wholesale company.
The Summer House is located at 228 Rehoboth Ave., right in the heart of the Avenue. Tel. 302-227-3895. Website? www.summerhousesaloon.com. It opens 7 days a week. Mondays through Saturdays for lunch at 11:30, Sunday’s Brunch at 11 a.m. and dinner every day at 4 p.m.
I am glad that Jody suggested we had lunch there. The reviews are mixed; but mostly they are on the positive side.
We sat near the bar. No, we did not have any spirits. We were so busy chatting that our server had to come back a few times. It always happens that way.
It also happened that we all ordered salads. Trying to work out the pounds gained eating all that summer grub.
The Chopped Salad is a standard at Summer House. Very good. It has fresh chopped chicken, greens, cabbage, calamari, carrots, cucumbers, tomato, eggs, mushrooms with a garlic ranch dressing.
The next salad was the Baked Goat Cheese & Mesculine Greens, topped with grilled chicken. The warm goat cheese was at the bottom and the rest of the greens, dried cherries, candied pecans and the lemon thyme vinaigrette followed. It was delicious, especially when you took bites that included the warm goat cheese.
All caught up, content and happy to have seen each other finished a very nice afternoon.
Note: Summer House, just as Big Fish Grill and the rest of their restaurants, are on my top list of eateries that are fully aware of customers with food allergy concerns. They have menus for practically every food allergy, so please do not hesitate to visit the website above mentioned and you will see everything listed on the right hand of the site, including all their specials.
Have a great day!! Talk to you later….
September 26th, 2011
I almost forgot to tell you about my casual lunch at BruLe, which is a bistro and a wine house in the Pineapple Grove Art District of Delray Beach.
It was in July and Rosalyn and I had just returned from the Norton Museum in West Palm Beach, where an Exhibit called Out of This World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television was underway until 9/11/11. It was great.
The Norton Museum of Art is located at 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Tel. 561-832-5196. Website? www.norton.org.
Another Exhibit was From A to Z: 26 Great Photographs from the Norton Collection is still going on until October 16th. That was great too.
Also, until October 9th is Striking Impressisons: European Prints from the Museum Collection.
And, The Art of War in East Asia will be on exhibit until November 13th.
It was hot and we were hungry. I had not had lunch at BruLe, so, why not? The address is 200 NE 2nd Ave. Right at City Walk in Delray. The tel. is 561- 274-2046. Website? www.brulebistro.com.
In the above mentioned website you will be able to check their menus. They open for lunch and dinner.
They had a great selection of wines being that it is also a wine house.
We ordered 2 salads. Rosalyn ordered the Arugula Salad with candied pecans, green apple, bleu cheese and red onion and a house vinaigrette.
I ordered their Market Salad which had baby greens, assorted veggies and a white balsamic vinaigrette. Then, to finish it off I topped it with grilled chicken.
Both salads were delicious on such a hot day.
I think BruLe has a very diverse menu that will agree with most of its customers. Can’t wait to have dinner next time.
Order at the counter, take a seat and they will bring your order to your table.
Note: Carryout is available. But, if you would like delivery, then call The Delray Delivery Dudes at 561-900-7060. Visit their website, www.delraydeliverydudes.com. Their hours for delivery are: Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Have a great day!! Talk to you later…
September 20th, 2011
I visited this restaurant in July. The menu probably has changed since then. At this time of the year they will be offering a dinner package that goes with Terror Behind The Walls. You see, this restaurant is located right across Eastern State Penitentiary; the subject of my previous post.
You will find Jack’s Firehouse Restaurant at 21230 Fairmount Avenue, Philadlphia, Tel. 215-232-9000. Website? http://www.jacksfirehouse.com.
It is open for lunch, dinner, and they also serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
I found the restaurant by chance with Michael. Checking out Eastern State Penitentiary and then looking for something to eat. I later found out that there were mixed reviews. On that particular day, we had a perfectly nice lunch on a hot day, sidewalk seating, overlooking the prison.
Jack’s is located in a 19th century firehouse. Bar, entertainment, patio dining, al fresco.
We were brought bread, muffins and a raisin nutty bread.
Michael ordered a portobello sandwich with Swiss cheese. It came with French fries. It was a good size sandwich and the portobello was juicy and well seasoned.
I had the soup of the day. It was a cold tomato soup with basil and a hint of lemon. Thicker than a gazpacho. It was perfect for the weather.
A salad and I was perfectly content.
Note: If you would like to take advantage of the dinner package offered during the Terror Behind The Walls, please make sure to call the restaurant. It is a set price including the ticket for the tour. You will have to pay in advance. In their website you will be able to see the full menu for that particular package.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later…
September 17th, 2011
I am welcoming this change in the weather like you would not believe. It is so gorgeous and crisp; makes you want to get up and do something.
If you are spending time this week-end at the beaches, you will hear the roar of motorcycles up and down Coastal Highway (Rt. 1). They are mainly heading towards Ocean City, MD, where the Delmarva Bike Week is presently taking place.
The other day I went to have lunch at Liquid Assets. This restaurant, bar and beautiful bodega is located at 94th St. & Coastal Highway. Tel. 410-524-7037, website? http://www.ocliquidassets.com. I think this is the perfect opportunity to write the post on L.A. since just as it opens for lunch, it is also open for dinner.
I took my sister in law, Susie, on this outing. I wanted her to see how different it was. Don’t have one in our Delaware Beaches.
It has a bistro atmosphere with different choices for dining. You may choose to stay in the package goods section where you can see the comings and goings of patrons, and at the same time have a quiet dining experience.
You can also sit at the bar, or decide to dine in their separate dining room, which might be more intimate. The feel of it is, definitely, more like a wine cellar.
Susie and I decided on a corner table in the middle of the package goods store.
Diane was our waitress and she turned out to be very knowledgeable about the menu and very friendly, as well.
Usually, I do have their Pan Roasted Mussels. I truly love them and even though I have had very good ones in other restaurants; these, at L.A. are totally #1.
But, I decided to have something else. I went with their L.A. Burger. It was made with Creekstone Farms beef, with a traditional cucumber and red pepper relish, bibb lettuce, Denhay English Cheddar, and thick cut fries on a Kaiser roll. Temperature? Medium rare.
As you can see from the pictures, it was a very generous portion. How I ate it? I don’t know. To tell you the truth I don’t know why I even dare to question this since I have always been able to finish all my food.
It was juicy, well seasoned and I really did like the addition of the bibb lettuce.
Susie had their Deluxe Grilled Cheese. This sandwich is always on their menu and it is very popular. Applewood smoked bacon, sliced apples, cheddar, spinach, pane dolce and thick cut fries.
Great combination of flavors for this time of the year. We had to open it so that you could see what it looked like inside.
Liquid Assets has an extensive wine collection, as well as plenty of spirits. As I walked around a few caught my attention.
Then, one in particular. It was a Vodka called Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In large letters it also said Gluten Free.
This vodka is handmade in Austin, Texas by Mockinbird Distillery. It has been in the press lately, as well. It has the designation of being the First Spirit to be Made in USA Certified. If you visit their webiste, www.titosvodka.com, you will find very interesting info., including the press releases from Buy American Challenge, WSJ, Martha Stewart, NY Times and CNN Money.
Liquid Assets also has catering, and the availability to hold private parties in the restaurant.
By visiting their website, above mentioned, you will find their menus, including their cheeses, their martinis and their beer list. Throughout the year they hold events and interesting specials, as well. You can even share your lazy dog photos with L.A.
Lazy? Don’t want to cook? They have carry-out.
You can find them on Facebook and Twitter.
Have a great day!! Talk to you later….
September 15th, 2011
Finally, I was able to make it to Blue Moon. I love being able to visit those favorite restaurants that make our Delaware Beaches a dining destination. In the summer? Well, I have told you before, Rehoboth gets crowded; I wait for the Second Season to really enjoy our most sought after eateries.
It was last Sunday evening when we chose Blue Moon for a special dinner with my sister in law, Susie. She had come for her usual 24 hour visit to the beach. That’s all she ever stays; a swim, a restaurant, maybe pick up some popcorn and off she goes back to Baltimore.
Blue Moon is located at 32 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-227-6515. Website? www.bluemoonrehoboth.com. Only 2 blocks from the beach on this trendy street, which is full of restaurants and shops.
You cannot miss Blue Moon, blue and yellow colors, patio full of customers having a drink, either waiting for the entertainment to begin or for their reservation.
Besides being a restaurant, patrons also enjoy Blue Moon for its entertainment. You can visit the website above mentioned for a complete schedule. Last Sunday, Pamala Stanley was entertaining. She is a well rounded performer and very popular at the beach.
The building is a Victorian beach house from the turn of the century. It opens 7 days a week at 5:30 p.m. On Sundays brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
If you are here during the week you might be able to get in without a reservation, but, you really should make one, anyway. The restaurant, itself, is not very big. Tables are in close proximity to each other.
I had high expectations. Blue Moon’s cuisine is innovative and diverse. The restaurant is very well aware of gluten allergies. Even though it is a busy restaurant, they do take the time to accommodate customers with food allergy issues.
First on our table was the bread. And, immediately a treat was placed on the table. Dates stuffed with a bit of cheese and wrapped with an apple wood cured bacon. I completely forgot to take a picture. They were so good. Nothing like the combination of that salt and sweetness at the same time.
Drinks and appetizer were then ordered.
Susie ordered a salad of Artisanal Lettuces with strawberries, toasted almonds, goat cheese, lemon, and a bee pollen vinaigrette. Beautiful colors, fresh and light.
My husband, who is usually the “particular” one ordered something he had been dying to have for some time; the Seared Cage Free Foie Gras with sweet pear, brioche, hazelnut butter and a vanilla gastrique.
Foie Gras is duck or goose liver that has been fattened; this one was free range (natural feeding).
The presentation was gorgeous and he thought it was rich, buttery and delicate.
Kathryn was our waitress and I decided to take her suggestions on this evening.
She told me that the Fried Green Tomatoes was a signature appetizer for the Blue Moon. They were amazing; herbed sheep’s cheese, onion, compote, pesto and a balsamic drizzle. A unison of flavors.
Some say that fried green tomatoes are a “southern thing”, but others think that they are linked to Jewish immigrants. Not sure, though.
For our entrees our choices were:
When my sister in law comes to the beach, she will choose seafood. So, for her entree she chose Porcini Dusted Halibut with spatzle, roasted mushrooms, tatsoi, pine nuts, brie fondue, and a blueberry gastrique. Bueberry? It was perfect. She loved it; perfectly cooked.
My husband decided on the Pan Seared Pacific Ling Cod with a potato-lump crab hash, smoked bacon, sweet corn, and a lobster beurre blanc. I had the opportunity to steal a bite and it really melted in your mouth. Very good and nicely seasoned.
Once again, I went with Kathryn’s suggestion of the Seared Duck Breast, with goat cheese gnocchi, almond, arugula, honey gastrique, caramelized cippolini, cherries and yes, figs!! Fell totally in love with it. Deboned, crispy and cooked medium to rare (pink in the middle). Great suggestion.
I really did not want or need any dessert. I asked Kathryn’s what would her suggestion be if all I wanted was something to finish my meal; a little light.
She thought the Tres Leches would be a good one. Upon seeing it I decided that another lap around the block would be the only thing to do the next day. It was delicious. Tres Leches is a popular Latin dessert. The main component being a sponge cake. Blue Moon added its own unique touch.
My expectations were totally met and exceeded. It was a delicious meal, in a beautiful setting with family…priceless!!
Blue Moon always sends you home with a little sweet ending…
Talk to you later…
Note: Our service was good; but we decided that our waitress was very busy on Sunday. I just thought that at times we had to get someone’s attention to get more wine or water…a little off there. Otherwise, it was perfect.
September 9th, 2011
Bethany’s flowers were gorgeous. As I walked around town today, they were still looking so good even though we have had some extreme weather lately. I have to congratulate the person in charge for all her work. I know she is there pretty much every day early in the a.m.
It was quiet in town, the playground was empty and there were just a few people shopping. That will soon end tonight since tomorrow Bethany is hosting its Annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival. It is on the Boardwalk and branching out to some of the adjacent streets in town. The show is from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. A juried art show, including live music and a silent auction. It is sponsored by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce. It is free. More info? Please call 302-539-2100 or visit www.bethany-fenwick.org.
I was with my friend, Debbie, and since we got hungry we decided to go to DiFebo’s located at 789 Garfield Parkway (Rt. 26) in Bethany. For reservations you may call 302-539-4550 and for carry-out, please call 302-539-4914. Their website is www.difebos.com and you can also find them on Facebook as DiFebos Restaurants. DiFebo’s is open year-round.
It was, practically, one year ago since I stopped to have lunch there. It was way past the lunch hour, but there were still customers having a late lunch.
Our waiter, which by the way was very attentive, experienced and friendly, brought us some hummus and flat bread. This is a traditional hummus, but I could detect a hint of lemon. Very smooth. The flat bread was delicious.
For my lunch I orderd a House Roasted Beet Salad. It had fresh beets, arugula, walnuts and apples. When I see beets on a menu I do order them. I love them and these ones were very good. A perfect starter.
Then, I also ordered the soup of the day. They had just finished making a tomato soup. It was lighter than a bisque; perfect on a cloudy day. A little Parmesan cheese finished the presentation.
Debbie ordered the Arugula & Blue Cheese Salad. It had a balsamic vinaigrette, pears, and walnuts. She decided to top the salad with a salmon.
Debbie and I were happy with our lunch. A little coffee, more chatting and then it was time to go.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later…
September 6th, 2011
Definitely, this post is not for Vegans or Vegetarians. You really have to love beef when you decide to have dinner at a steakhouse. It is not that you could not find something else, besides beef, to eat there; vegetables, salads, soups and seafood. It is just that if it is not your thing, then don’t bother.
1776 Steakhouse has been in existence at the Delaware Beaches for many years. But, since 2007 they have been under new ownership. And, it is a good thing. This restaurant was so popular for many years. It was the place to go if you wanted a good solid steak. I had not been since they changed ownership. The truth? Last time I did not have a good meal. That simple
So, the other night when the family decided that it was going to be a steak night, we chose 1776. I was curious and so were they.
1776 is located on Highway One (Rt.1) at the Midway Center. Right in the same shopping center as the movie theater. Tel. 302-645-9355. Website? www.1776steakhouse.net.
The decor of a steakhouse is a little more formal with subdued lighting. Someone said “they are manly”. Who knows? But, they all follow the same decor. 1776 was no different.
Two entrances; one directly to the bar and a more casual atmosphere. The other, being the main entrance, went into the dinning room.
1776 has plenty of parking available. People enjoy eating at the bar before or after catching a movie.
Our waiter was John Purple. He has been working at 1776 for many years and knows the menu well. He was attentive and very friendly.
Warm bread with two types of butter suddenly appeared. One was a whipped butter and the other a honey and basil butter. I love it when the bread is served warm.
Michael decided to have the Baked Brie as an appetizer. The Brie was wrapped in puff pastry and served with sliced apples and grapes and a raspberry champagne reduction. This appetizer was delicious, but, very filling. The combination of fruit, reduction, cheese and pastry was perfect. Good for sharing. Or, even as a meal with a salad.
I decided to order their Mixed Field of Greens. It had apple smoked bacon, dried cherries, walnuts, crumbled gorgonzola with a maple vinaigrette. It was light and fresh, which was good because a steak is a heavier meal.
We had ample time to enjoy a drink and the appetizers before making our entree choices. The entrees at 1776 come with a starch and a vegetable. The steaks are cooked to the preference of the diner.
For his main meal Michael decided to have the Delmonico. He chose it to be blackened. Temperature? Medium rare.
Delmonico steaks are delicately marbled. It is a boneless sirloin. Usually, a Delmonico is about 2 inches thick. The sirloin is a cut from the rear back portion of the animal. The top sirloin is the best.
My husband eyes were set on a filet mignon. He chose a 6 ounce filet, rare. The filet mignon is a steak cut from the tenderloin. It is the most tender cut of beef; also the most expensive.
I decided on the New York Strip, medium rare. The strip steak is known internationally as a club steak. It is cut from the short loin. Particularly tender but not as much as the ribe eye or tenderloin. Can be sold with our without the bone.
All of us decided that the three steaks were delicious; tender, juicy with excellent taste. Happy to have come back to 1776 on that night when we all wanted a solid, good steak.
Too full to enjoy dessert, we decided to get our bill, pay, and take off with our doggie bags.
Note: Even though 1776 Steakhouse is a traditional steakhouse, it does have very good seafood, as well. I have heard that the scallops are very good. Maybe next time. They open for lunch and dinner.
Sharing a meal…best if it is with family…priceless!!
September 1st, 2011
Lately I have had this love affair with burgers. It is part of the summertime grub. A new “burger joint” has just opened in Rehoboth Beach. It is the perfect location because it has plenty of parking. So, Michael and I decided to check it out and taste it ourselves.
Jake’s Wayback Burgers is located at 19324 Lighthouse Plaza. Very visible from Rt. 1, which is the main route in and out of the beaches. Their website is www.waybackburgers.com. In it you can check out their menu. You can even order from your nearest location and once your order is completed you can pick it up.
Jake’s Wayback Burgers first opened in 1991. Here, in Rehoboth Beach, they opened a few days ago. Their hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Every month they will be featuring their “burger of the month”, as well as the “shake of the month”.
So, for having just opened, we were surprised that there was a line at the register. We thought we would be the first ones to discover them.
I decided to order one of their signature burgers which was the Big Jake’s Cheeseburger with all the trimmings. I also added their in house made potato chips.
They asked for our names; our order would be brought to our table.
My burger was big, juicy and perfectly cooked. I like my burgers medium, but you can request them to be cooked whichever way you want to. The chips were light, not greasy and so warm. Very good.
Courtesy of the restaurant, we were brought some of their French fries. They were crispy and tasty.
Michael had a junior burger which was, actually, a very good size as well. But, when I tasted his malted milkshake I died. It really was so good. Just a taste is all I had. I wanted some more; no way. I already knew I would be paying for getting one of their bigger burgers. I had to order it, in order to write this post. You know how it is.
The term “wayback” came to mind as in way back when. The milkshake was served in those old fashioned containers used when I was growing up.. And, it was thick, creamy and cold.
Jake’s Wayback Burgers also has turkey burgers, marinated chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, salads and specialty sandwiches. The majority of the customers were ordering the burgers, though.
It is great to have more choices at the Beaches. We welcome them and wish them much success.
Note: You can find them on Facebook and Twitter as Waybackburgers.
Have a great day!!…Talk to you later….
 
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