April 16th, 2016
Temperatures are cool but definitely it feels like spring is in the air. The evenings are perfect to enjoy a Moqueca. Say what? Okay, look at the entree….it is served at Lula Brazil located at 234 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Tel. 302-212-2755.
The Moqueca is a seafood stew. It is made with a fragrant broth of coconut milk, dende oil, which is Palm Oil, mixed peppers and onions served with rice. My table enjoyed it with mixed seafood; fish, shrimp, mussels, clams and calamari. If you like soups and stews, this one is a winner.
Meg Hudson is the owner of Lula Brazil, which is going into its second year. The restaurant has been received well by locals and visitors. I was talking to Meg and she said that she had arrived at Fortaleza many years ago and fell in love with this beautiful area, which is one of Brazil’s largest cities. Fortaleza attracts tourists from other parts of Brazil and also from overseas. The reason is its beaches and the party atmosphere. It has rolling dunes and quaint fishing villages, as well. She never forgot it. Life continued and almost two years ago, she opened Lula Brazil, decorated with the bright colors of Brazil.
Lula Brazil is bigger than you think. It has a large bar area in the back and also it has outdoor dining, as well. At night dancing put on your dancing shoes because this place gets hot hot. Summer 2016 promises to be a very good year for Lula Brazil. At the present time they are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. Friday, from 4 p.m. until 1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. until 1 a.m. Reservations are accepted, but you may also walk in.
The night I visited Lula Brazil, Carlos was in the kitchen and Jack was our server. A few drinks to start and for me a Shrimp Ceviche. I love when you can taste the lime in the ceviche.
Fried Yucca with grilled sausage. The vinaigrette veggies gave a kick to the sausage and yucca. The farofa or yucca flour is used as a condiment. This one served was perfectly cooked and not greasy at all.
The Moquequinho de Caranguejo or Crab Soup had a different twist to the more traditional crab soup. It had coconut milk.
Grilled Fish with Black Beans & Rice, farofa (yucca flour) for condiment, as well and grilled veggies.
A Mixed Grill with Picanha, Sausage and Shrimp. Picanha is a cut of beef popular in Brazail. In the U.S. you can find it as top sirloin cap.
For dessert a custard is a favorite of mine. It was velvety smooth and the surprise of coconut inside.
There are events already in the calendar at Lula Brazil. You can check what’s going on by visiting the Facebook Page or http://www.lulabrazil.com.
And remember that Lula Brazil has plenty of space to hold parties. Just give them a call.
Bom Apetite!!
January 31st, 2016
“Wine is meant to be with food – that’s the point of it.” julia child
It is January at the Deaware Beaches and it should a little quieter. And it is, don’t get me wrong. But these beaches have become year round resorts. No longer just for summer residents, people have been moving to the Delaware Beaches in large amounts. Years ago living in Bethany Beach meant that once Labor Day Week-End came around, only abou 500 of us would be left behind. I liked it like that but the towns had to grow just like anything else.
I was meeting on Thursday with a few friends from Ocean City, Maryland. This was a good mid point to meet. But, we also found out that 99 Sea Level, a new restaurant that opened this year at the also newly opened Marriott Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, was considered very good with a perfect location, as well. 99 Sea Level is located at 99 Hollywood St., Bethany Beach, DE 19930 Tel. 302-539-0299 The restaurant is open at this time of the year, Wednesday through Sunday. Wednesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Website? http://www.99sealevel.com.
99 Sea Level is inside the hotel on the same level of the hotel’s Reception.
It is too cold to sit outside but this summer make sure to stop by and grab outdoor dining which is oceanfront by the Boardwalk.
The lobby of the hotel is so pretty and make sure to notice the chandelier designed and built by glass blower, Jeffrey Auxer, from Berlin, Maryland.
Every Thursday 99 Sea Level offers a Wine Society Dinner. You can choose to be part of the dinner or you can eat from the regular menu. We decided to go with the wine dinner. Ms. Donna Serafini who is the Director of Operations was going to be our Wine Sommelier.
4 Courses paired with beautiful wines. This dinner was $48.00. The bar was crowded and also the room was full with all of us expecting one delicious meal accompanied by the perfect wines.
The First Course was a Chickpea Vegetable Stew with pearl onion, fingerling potatoes and flatbread. The Wine? Firesteed Riesling from Oregon.
Between courses the staff made sure we were comfortable attending to our needs. We were enjoying chatting and catching up.
The Second Course was Warm Octopus…leeks compote, Peruvian Anticucho Sauce, Truffle Virgin Olive Oil. Anticucho, say that again? They say it is a name given by Peruvians to a very hot soup, prepared with a special pepper from the jungle. The Wine? Ferarri Carano Fume Blanc, a Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County, California.
The Third Course was a Veal Sirloin…yuca puree, carrots, and mustard peppercorn. It was paired with Edmeades Zinfandel from Mendocino County.
The Fourth Course…The sweet ending of Dessert was an Apple Upside Down with cinnamon, vanilla cake, and candy pecans. It was paired with Block Nine Pinot Noir from California.
It was a lot of fun…and lots of wine!! These dinners happen every Thursday. They will also have in February a Beer Dinner also pairing courses with them. You can check the website or visit them on Facebook for more information.
There will be a Super Bowl Party on the 7th!! And Valentine’s Day is around the corner, as well.
So the evening was over. I headed to Rehoboth Beach and my friends headed to Ocean City, Maryland, but not before we stopped in front of our favorite jeweler in Bethany Beach, Alice H. Klein of TKO Designs.
December 21st, 2015
Beautiful weather in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Walking the award winning, one mile Boardwalk is a past time for visitors and residents. At this time of the year is the perfect time to take a stroll with a friend or try to work out some of the food that has been enjoyed in our award winning restaurants. Rehoboth Beach is a dining destination and only a few hours from Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
There you see Jody and I walking off scrapple on Sunday morning!!
It has been quite some time since I last visited Henlopen City Oyster House located at 50 Wilmington Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-260-9193 Website? http://www.hcoysterhouse.com.
Henlopen City Oyster House is open daily. Lunch begins at Noon, Happy Hour at the Bar begins at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and Dinner begins at 5 p.m. Please note that they will be closing on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th.
This restaurant is serious about oysters, so if you like them please make sure that while visiting Rehoboth Beach you make a point to stop. One of my other friends came from Bethany Beach to have a bite to eat before Christmas. Cathy had one the beers on tap and I proceeded to have a glass of champagne.
After discussing the menu with our server, which by the way was excellent, we decided to start with some salads. The menu changes daily but there are some dishes that are always on the menu.
The Butternut Squash Salad had tuscano kale, quinoa, hazelnuts, pears, and pomegranate.
I love beets so I will always order them if found on the menu. Their Roasted Beet Salad is always on the menu. Sunflower seeds, sliced pickled radish, feta cheese, and a balsamic reduction. Loved the 2 color beets!!
Cathy decided on the Herb Grilled Carolina Wreckfish brushed with fresh herbs, and served with her choice of Mascarpone Mashed Turnips and Broccoli. Wreckfish are from the bass family. They have a big head with a big mouth. They are found in waters ranging from 140 feet up to 3,000 feet deep. Although they are found all along the East Coast, most of the commercial fishery operates over the Charleston Bump, located 80 to 100 miles southeast of Charleston, SC. It was mild and perfectly seasoned.
Even though Henlopen City Oyster House is known for oysters and seafood, they also have elk, wild boar and ribeye steak. In speaking to our server he said the Shiitake Encrusted Elk Rack was amazing. So no brainer…that’s what I had and it did not disappoint. Cooked just like it should be eaten it had an amazing taste. It was oven roasted, with miso acorn squash, chestnut wild rice, black garlic, and lemongrass cranberry. Not to be missed.
A sweet ending of Key Lime Pie for Cathy and I. It was good too. Just enough tartness and not overly sweet.
Have a good one….kick back and relax!!
December 14th, 2015
 
If you are in Charleston at this precise moment, SNOB is open for lunch. I went back to this popular restaurant having visited last February. I was intrigued by the fact that there is a new ownership since I last visited. Apparently everything is going well. Nevertheless, I wanted to try it for myself.
So off I went to 192 E Bay St. Tel. 843-723-3424 They are open 7 days a week. Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Dinner from 5:00 p.m. Reservations are accepted but for the Chef’s Table is first come first serve.
I sat once again at the Chef’s Table. This table, I believe has 6 seats. Usually, diners sit here because they are foodies and also get the opportunity to chat with others, more so if you are by yourself. You get a good view towards the kitchen.
Plus you get a little starter from your server….a small crab cake tasting.
Last February I had their signature dish. That is worth a try. Shrimp & Grits no less, with house sausage, country ham, tomatoes, green onions, on top of delicious Geechie Boy grits.
At the Chef’s Table this year: Steamed Local Clams with parsley, roasted garlic cream and grilled baguettes which were perfect for dipping into the broth.
The Beef Carpaccio looked beautiful, perfect for a light lunch…thinly sliced raw beef, capers, pecorino Romano, and grilled baguette.
And, the Grilled Carolina Trout did not disappoint….So moist and perfectly seasoned. It was served over roasted root veggies, wilted greens and drizzled with a golden raisin vinaigrette. If you like fish, this is a good one to try.
Please note that SNOB offers a Gluten Free Menu, so you will be able to have a nice lunch or dinner without any problems.
No dessert this time, I was perfectly satisfied.
Have a Good One!! TTYL
November 17th, 2015
My friend Debbie and I were spending the night at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware. You can see my post right before this current one. Hungry we were so off to the Chelsea Tavern we went. Arriving at the tavern so early…they told us they did not have tables available. All booked. But, they gave us a great table at the bar. One of those tall tables. We had a clear vision of the dining room. You see how that photo looks so empty, soon enough the whole restaurant was packed. At the bar…standing room only.
The Chelsea Tavern is located at 821 Market Street. Tel. 302-482-3333. Website? http://www.chelseatavern.com.
This tavern is another dining option if you are attending a play at The Playhouse or a concert at The Grand Opera House which is literally across the street.
Debbie and I were taking our time at grazing. The football games were going on the t.v.s and the beer was flowing. If you would like to see their beer menu, please visit http://www.beermenus.com/places/5089-chelsea-tavern.
The first thing we ordered was their Loaded Brussels. These were crispy brussels sprouts, with applewood bacon, scallions, topped with a beer and cheddar cheese sauce.
Continuing enjoying ourselves and then talking to people from Chicago that were in Delaware because their children were playing lacrosse…..we ordered an entree salad called the Quinoa & Beet Salad. It had mixed greens, toasted almond, portobello mushrooms, pickled beets, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and a sage-balsamic vinegar dressing. After the Brussels Sprouts it was a great cleansing palate salad.
Our server was spot on. His suggestions were all perfect. So, he suggested the Mediterranean Pizza. It had roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, baby spinach, artichokes, Kalamata olives, and a garlic oil and balsamic reduction. This pizza was outstanding. We ordered it well done. No guilt eating this whole pizza. The combination of toppings was delicious. The crust thin and crispy. Yum!
No dessert for us. It was time to cross the street and take our seats at The Grand Opera House where we met one of our other usual suspects, Paula…..she is my entertainment director. In concert Delbert McClinton. He is best know for his hit “Giving It Up For Your Love”. He is a Grammy Award winning recording artist and songwriter. His sax player was amazing.
The Grand Opera House is also known as The Grand Lady of Market Street. It opened in 1871 as a home for the Grand Lodge of the Masons. The Grand was designed by architect Thomas Dixon in the Second Empire style. Its facade is of cast iron adorned with Masonic images. In 1909, The Grand was for a short time converted into a regular stop on the vaudeville circuit, and then into a movie theater. In 1967 it closed its doors. In 1971 plans were unveiled to renovate the theatre to its former splendor. Today The Grand presents more than 75 shows each season. For more information, please visit http://www.thegrandwilmington.org.
That’s all folks!!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
November 10th, 2015
One of my pet peeves is that I hate to wait. More so, at restaurants. With so many popular restaurants not taking reservations at the Delaware Beaches, well, let’s say that at times it is a bit annoying. Not such a great way to start a post. But, keep reading because I am posting about one of my favorite restaurants in Lewes…Agave. It is located at 137 2nd St. Tel. 302-645-1232. You can find it on Facebook.
There are times that the wait at Agave is a couple of hours in the evening. If you do not mind, please then head to the bar and start having some of the delicious Margaritas and Martinis that they do offer. Otherwise, you can put your name down and come back later. Or, if you do not want to wait, then you know what else you can do. Maybe lunch might be a better idea for you.
If you arrive right at Noon you might find the restaurant looking like some of these photos. But soon enough it will be crowded. Originally, Agave was pretty small then an addition has given them more seating which is great.
So the other night when Sharon and I arrived for a little Mexican fare, we were surprised that our wait was only like 20 minutes. We sat looking at the gorgeous desserts…wondering if their famous Coconut Cake would be our choice for dessert. Or, Pot de Creme or Flan.
I do have my favorites. I started with their Mexican Chili. I truly love it. I don’t know if it is because it is made with beef tenderloin or not, but the flavor is so good. A rich broth, topped with queso fresco and a side of warm tortillas. On chilly night, it is perfect and pretty filling, as well.
Their Mango and Avocado Salad is also a must have if you like something a littler lighter. The mango and avocado is in a bed of bib lettuce, topped with bacon, queso fresco, pine nuts and a creamy pine nut lime dressing. Queso Fresco is a crumbled goat cheese.
Agave has a signature dish called Chiles en Nogada. It is always on their menu. I told my friend, Sharon, that she should have it. This is meat stuffed poblano chiles with cumin, cinnamon and azafran. A drizzle of a nut sauce with an addition of rice and beans.
These Chiles en Nogada is a sophisticaded dish most popular during Mexican Independence festivities. It incorporates the green, white, and red ingredients just like the colors of the Mexican flag.
A poblano pepper is a mild chile pepper from the State of Puebla in Mexico. When it is dried out is is called Ancho Chile. It is a most popular pepper grown in Mexico. The dish above has a light sweetness to it, perhaps the outcome of the combination of ingredients. Very good indeed.
We decided on the Coconut Cake for dessert but I had a reason for ordering it. First of all I have always heard that it is so good. I am not too much of a coconut cake fan but I wanted to compare it to another coconut cake that people raved about served at the Peninsula Grill in Charleston, South Carolina.
Last February while in Charleston everyone said we needed to try the cake at the Peninsula Grill. They said it so much that we made reservations. Great entrees, I posted on this website, and then came dessert time. This cake has 12 layers and they have been making it since 1997. There is even a trademark as Peninsula Grill Ultimate Coconut Cake. It weighs 12 lbs., and you can order it and be sent to you FedEx. Every night you take a glimpse at tables and for dessert you will find the customers do order it a lot. Here is a photo of my piece of cake. It reminded me of a Smith Island Cake.
Agave’s Coconut Cake came to the table and it was huge. And we, actually, ate it all.
Having had those two magnificent cakes I can tell you that I do prefer to have the individual layers on a cake, but the Agave’s version was definitely, more moist. I am probably not the best person to review a Coconut Cake, since I do like more tarts than cakes, but all I can tell you is that they were dense and full of flavor. Next time at Agave’s try it and if by chance you are visiting Historic Charleston, check it out there, as well. You decide.
Now, a lemon tart….love it!! The photo of the lemon tart is from the second dessert we had at the Peninsula Grill in Charleston.
Buen Provecho….Hasta Luego!!
November 3rd, 2015
“A retaurant is a fantasy-a kind of living fantasy in which diners are the most important members of the cast.” warner leroy
Crust & Craft opened in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, about 4 weeks ago. Pretty impressive to see this locale transform itself into a really nice looking place. And, the food, pretty awesome, as well. The address is 18701 Coastal Highway. Tel. 302-313-5029 Website? http://www.crustandcraftde.com.
You can find Crust & Craft on Facebook! Please note that it will be opening this week-end for lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.
My friend, Cathy and I arrived very early. By the time we left every seat on the house was taken with the exception of one table.
Some pizzas were coming out of their oven….you can customize your pizzas!!
The menu is divided into Hearth…Bruschetta. Then, Ocean which are starters from the sea. Continuing with Earth which are seasonable veggies. Fire means 12″ wood-fire pizza and finally Stone which is their housemade pasta.
Our strategy was to order more than a few dishes tapas style.
From the Hearth we ordered the Roasted Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, Pecorino, and Balsamic. I don’t know what it was but the combination of the roasted squash and the rest of the ingredients on that toasted bread was perfect.
The Ocean brought us Wood Roasted Octopus, Olives, Potato, Oregano, Jalapeno, Lemon Maionese. The octopus was tender and had a definite wood roasted flavor.
Earth…the Beets, Ricotta, Greens, Poppy Seeds, and a Lemon Vinaigrette. Loved it! The Lemon Vinaigrette gave it a bit of a tangy taste.
Stone…The Pumpkin Zucca, Mushroom, Squash, Sage, Brown Butter, Peccorino, Pumpkin Seed….This dish was excellent. The pasta absorbed the pumpkin flavor. It was one of my favorites of the evening.
Of course we did not need any dessert but we did have it….Choco Tacos made out of Pizzelle, Mascarpone Semifredo, and Nutella…..Decadent, so much so that Cathy and I took off for the Rehoboth Boardwalk to walk off this one.
 
I would like to thank our server, Brittany, for taking care of us in such a speedy way. Her recommendations were on target. Loved everything we ordered.
I almost forgot to tell you that Crust & Craft partners with local farmers and craft beer artisans….Congratulations and wish you much success. We will be back!! Have to try the pizza.
See you soon!
 A Little Bit of This A Little Bit of That
October 29th, 2015
It was warm, it was sunny, we probably could have eaten outside. Arriving with my partner in crime, Cindi, to Fat Fish OC located at 12703 Sunset Avenue, Unit 7, Ocean City, MD 21842. Tel. 410-390-5006. Website? http://www.fatfishoc.com.
You can find it on Facebook as Fat Fish OCMD….please Like the page because Fat Fish is very active on FB and also they are opening other restaurants….you might not want to miss out on all the specials coming up as the Second Season continues at the beaches. Hey guess what? They do deliver. Fat Fish opens at 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
The restaurant is not big. It is so cute and very local, indeed.
Meet Joe, the owner, as he was getting ready to chow on the daily special…Today’s Bruschetta Burger. I saw with my own eyes. 1/2 lb burger, pesto, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil on a brioche bun.
But, get a little closer…you want to get a good look at it, don’t you? Here it is. Yum!!
Cindi ordered the Blue Crab Tacos. Their tacos are well known and one of the most ordered items, as well.
And I ordered the Fat Fish Sandwich…Tempura battered tuna and shrimp, wasabi, mayo, red onion, lettuce, tomato and cilantro crema. Look how beautiful it looks. First I ate the shrimp and then followed with the sandwich. Awesome indeed!
Would you like to check the menu? Please visit http://www.fatfishoc.com/menu/
So now you know about this great local place. Worth the trip.
 
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