“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious” ruth reichl
I first wrote about The Grove Market in 2009. This was before I had incorporated photos in my posts. Having photos is wonderful because, we, humans, are so visual. The scenery, the colors, always create an impact in our minds.
A few weeks ago I had guests and we were on the go from the moment they arrived. On Friday evening we met my friend, Cindi, and her husband in West Ocean City and from there we took to 12402 Saint Martins Neck Rd., Bishopville, MD 21813. Tel. 410-352-5055. My guests had no idea where we were taking them. Then, the first impression of the place was the photo above taken. What would you say about this tiny place on a country road not far from Ocean City?
My friend’s husband told them to please choose the cheese pizza because it was the best. They were like….really?
Inside what you will find is a small bar, only beer and wine is served at The Grove Market. And only about 10 tables. We sat in the back of the building.
As you can see, very simple, funky and also whimsical.
The pizza story is not way off. At some point it was a pizza place. The breadsticks served are from the pizza recipe from those years long ago. It was a fish market too.
There is a protocol to get a reservation. You call, if nobody answers leave the message with the time of the reservation and day. And, give another time as well or day. If Leslie calls you and tells you I only have this or that, please take it. This is a special place. The food is outstanding.
Cash only. Depending how much wine or beer you drink the cost will vary. Between $100 and $120 per person to be on the safe side. Be prompt, and you cannot linger. The place is small and others want to experience what you just had.
I have mentioned before that there are 5 ingredients for a good restaurant; quality of ingredients, culinary competence, service, ambiance, and price. The Grove Market has all those. You’ll see when you go.
John McDonald is chef extraordinare. In a very small kitchen he creates unique dishes full of flavor. Many years ago he owned The Garden Gourmet in Rehoboth Beach. He is a wine connoiseur, as well. He truly is excellent and so nice.
Here is our group. Patrick is Leslie’s brother and he is such a character. The restaurant does not have a menu. First the appetizers, then the dinner, then dessert. Out loud so the group of tables in the back need to pay attention. When Patrick danced the Macarena, I knew we would have a good time.
So this is what we had:
Appetizers:
Please have in mind that even though the menu changes here and there, they continue to have many favorites all the time.
Crab Remick was ordered by Cindi. I have had it before and at this time of the year the crabmeat is superb.
Our friend, Jody, ordered the Beef Stroganoff….served with no noodles.
Patti ordered the Cream of Crab Soup. Thick and full of crab, with a hint of Sherry.
And I ordered a salad that could have been shared.
Wine was ordered. But, I was a designated driver so nothing for me.
Now dinner…..Patrick came out again, veryl lively to announce their offerings. A few of us already knew what we wanted. Practically, we always order their duck. A Delaware duck, no less. It was roasted to perfection wih a semi-sweet sauce and chutney. Ross and I did not want to share with anyone and the bones were clean at the end.
Cindi had the lamb. If I had not had the duck that would have been my other choice. It looked fantastic.
Another excellent choice that is usually on the menu are the scallops. Jody ordered them and look how perfectly cooked they look. See the breadstick on the side of his plate. This is what I was talking about at the beginning of the post. How they have kept the pizza dough recipe and added as a bread.
Our friend, Patti, ordered the crabcakes. No fillers just tremendous lump.
Some entrees came with the side dish of cucumbers, onions, breadstick and potatoes. The others had it already on their plates.
A few desserts were ordered. The portions at The Grove Market are healthy ones. But, it is always good to order a few.
The Bumbleberry is a pie of a mixture of berries. There is no such thing as a bumbleberry. It is usually on the menu.
And also, usually on the menu is the Chocolate Silk Pie.
The story goes like this….Do you remember the movie Runaway Bride? It was mostly filmed in Berlin, Maryland. Not far away from The Grove Market. Apparently they were looking for a restaurant to feed their crew and stars. The Grove Market fed them through the duration of the filming.
I can go on an on talking about a restaurant and its food. But, it is the people that share your meal that make it priceless!!
Give it a try. Let me know on my AboutMyBeaches Facebook page how you rate your experience. Until then, Summer 2019 continues.
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It just opened about one month ago, but already some of my friends are becoming habitual frequenters to this new place to eat in West Ocean Cit, Maryland at 12611 Ocean Gateway. It is right next to West O Bottle Shop. Tel. 410-213-7020. Website? http://www.hornandshelloc.com.
It is a casual place. Come as you are. It is serving Small Plates, Crafted Signature Sandwiches, Daily Soups, Greens, Oyster Shooters…a Shell Bar!! Desserts!!
Arriving for a quick lunch, Cindi and I ordered oysters. Salty and cold!!
We decided to eat Tapas stye; choosing from their Shares & Tasters Small Plates. An order of Beer Brined Wings…Brined and grilled and then dunked in the fyer to finish. We wanted them well done! We chose the Mojito Glaze.
Black Skillet Corn Bread was dense, rich and warmed on the Pit. It was served with 3 housemade spreads on the side…savory butter, sun-dried tomato pesto, and cheddar cheese spread.
Our third taster was K.H. Beef Plank…Paper thin, super rare Pit Beef, pickled red onion, greens, shaved parmesan, chimichurri, and crisp bread.
Thanks Nikki for your suggestions and for taking care of us so well.
Talk to you later.
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“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ruth reichl
The Grove Market never changes, which is a good thing. That’s why we love it!! Located at 12402 St. Martins Neck Rd., Bishopville, Maryland, 21813 Tel. 410352-5055 The Grove Market is funky, small and you will not find another restaurant like it in Delmarva. In the summer, it opens every day at 5 p.m. Leslie is the owner. Her brother, Patrick helps. But, tonight Lisa was taking care of us. Please note that there are no credit cards accepted so bring cash or a check.
How to make a reservation. It can be tricky. That’s for sure. When you call to make a reservation make sure you have a few dates available and times. If you have to leave a message do so and be specific. Leslie will call you back and either she will say yes or you might have to pick another day or another time.
The Grove Market is small. I think about 7 tables and maybe a couple of stools at the bar. This restaurant is very popular.
At the helm of the tiny kitchen is John McDonald. John is from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and he is a well known chef and wine connoisseur. He makes his ingredients come alive and your taste buds will immediately start dancing.
There is an extensive wine list. No written menu; everything is recited from memory. Their menu changes practically every day.
Seated in the back porch with only 3 tables we were chatty with our fellow diners. Not enough time to write the description of our dishes…but take a look at the photos.
Drinks and the appetizers followed:
I only wanted a small wine cup. That’s what I got.
Crabmeat Remick
Fried Green Tomatoes topped with shrimp. I have a thing for this dish. I will order Fried Green Tomatoes in every restaurant that serves them. These were superb.
Our table full of Roasted Ducks. This is the most amazing entree. One of their most popular. It is a Delaware duck, roasted to perfection with a semi sweet sauce, accompanied with chutney.
Our Roasted Duck came with the side dish of the Grove Market’s Mash Potatoes and their famous breadstick, which is made out of the dough that was in the pizza recipe when many years ago pizza was served.
Well, I needed more photos of the entrees that Lisa had so perfectly recited. Here is where our fellow diners come into play. Could I take photos of your food? I have a blog with photos. They were great and immediately caught on to the fact that they could not touch their food until I had taken the pictures. Thanks so much for being so gracious. This is what our Maryland diners had for dinner. By the way, they are repeat customers.
The Tuna
The Stuffed Flouder with Smith Island Crab Meat.
The Scallops.
The Crab Cakes…Smith Island Crab Meat.
“We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.” david mamet
The Bumble Berry is a pie of a mix of berries.
And, if you like chocolate….then, the Chocolate Silk Pie should be ordered.
Sharing a meal with friends is always priceless…the chat, the laughs and the friendship. Cannot wait to go back!
Note: The Grove Market is also a smoke house so when there is smoked fish for an appetizer you might want to order it.
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The beginning of a Nor’ Easter, along the Mid Atlantic Seaboard, did not deter Jody and I from driving from Rehoboth Beach to Ocean City, Maryland. Along the way we picked one of my usual suspects in Bethany Beach, who is always ready to come along for a dining experience. But, wait a minute…it was Debbie’s birthday!!
Rain, wind, and not too many on the road…we made it to Liquid Assets located mid town, at 9301 Coastal Highway, in Ocean City, Maryland. Tel 410-524-7037. Website? http://www.ocliquidassets.com. There is no other restaurant up and down the Delaware and Maryland beaches that compare to Liquid Assets. It is a package goods store, a bar, a restaurant….serving delicious food. Sit among the bottles of wines or choose a more quiet ambiance in their separate dining room. We sat among the sofas, and the bottles of liquour.
It was our evening and chatting away we began our dining experience with a beautiful presentation of a cheese board. Midnight Moon, Goat Cheese, and Gouda were our choices.
It is that time of the year when pumpkins are in every recipe. They are also in drinks….The Great Pumkin’ Martini at Liquid Assets looked so gorgeous. A sip of it told me that it could go down very smoothly. It had Spice Liqueur, Fireball Whiskey, Cream, and 43.
A few small plates of scallops.
The roasted veggies were a hit!!
The beets had a wonderful flavor!
The best Pan Roasted Mussels Bar None!! Chorizo Sausage, Shallots, Garlic & Grilled Bread!! How yummy is that? I can attest to this because ever since I had them at Liquid Assets, I have tried mussels at every restaurant. I have been wanting to see if they measured up to Liquid Assets’. I have found good ones, but not amazing ones!! It is one of my favorite dishes and once again I requested a spoon so I could finish the broth!! Look how gorgeous they looked.
Dessert was a Flourless Chocolate Brownie, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and creamy chocolate sauce…..This dessert was Gluten Free!! Dense brownie full of flavor.
These National Food Holidays are getting crazy…yesterday was National Pretzel Day. I hope you took my advice and tasted the Crab Pretzel from Woddy’s in Dewey Beach, Delaware. Don’t worry…it’s on their menu all the time. Next time.
Today is another day and another National Holiday Celebration on a gorgeous day in Delmarva. Happy National Prime Rib Day!! Just the tought of a juicy prime rib can get my mouth to water. The marbling on a prime rib gives it the designation…and taste too.
Less than 2% of all beef produced in the U.S. will earn the prime designation. This is the highest quality; with USDA designation being the most desirable.
Fager’s Island is located at 200 60th St. in Ocean City, Maryland. Tel. 410-524-5500. They open all day long. Brunch, light fare, fine dining…plenty of events all year long. Website? http://www.fagers.com
Since 1976 Fager’s has been serving one awesome and delicious Prime Rib. If you are at the beaches during the fall, winter and spring…check out their prime rib nights. To me, it is the best prime rib. Cooked to order, with seasonal side dishes and shaved horseradish…
Had to share it!! You’ve got to try it!!
Note: Fager’s has a full menu…please check out the website. And also please note that Fager’s is one of those restaurants that take care of customers with food allergies….very aware of those with gluten allergies and sensitivities.
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