I have had over the years traveled to Spain. It has been some time, though. I love it for many reasons. My family has its origins in Spain, later coming to Puerto Rico. I am laughing as I am writing this post because I keep saying in my mind “The Rain in Spain stays Mainly in the Plains”. Don’t ask my why. Just silly.
Ocean City, Maryland, is not far from Rehoboth Beach. During the summer it can take you some time to get there. The traffic nowadays is unreal. But off we went to meet Bob, and Michael, who have been dying to introduce me to Spain Wine Bar & Restaurant located on the 8th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 13 St. Louis Ave. It is Bayfront and the restaurant has the whole top floor. Incredible views and gorgeous sunsets.
This is the first anniversary of its opening and it has been received so well. There is nothing like Spain in OC. I knew that I was going to have tapas and I think our group also wanted to eat that way. You get to taste plenty of small plates; some offerings you may like more than others. We had a great seat by the veranda.
Reservations are a must at Spain. Maybe later in the Second Season in our beaches you may be able to get a table without a reservation but I think you should make it.
That gorgeous looking drink you see above was Mar Azul (Blue Ocean)…Vodka, coconut rum, Blue Curacao, pineapple, lime and coconut cream. Super refreshing.
The first tasting was the Gazpacho. Yellow tomato, cucumber, onion and Sherry vinegar. I really love Gazpacho. It is prepared differently in many regions in Spain. Spain’s rendition with the yellow tomatoes was delicious and one of my favorite dishes of the evening.
The next dish is also a favorite of mine. In Spain the Boquerones are very popular. They are white fresh anchovies marinated in olive oil and vinegar. You don’t find them often here, except maybe just plain on top of a Caesar Salad. Of course I had to order them and introduce my fellow diners to them.
Another very typical dish eaten in tapas and often made at homes for guests, as well is the Tortilla Espanola (potatoes). I liked the one served at Spain. A little different to the ones I have had before but nevertheless very good.
We all were tasting the dishes ordered and having a great time along the way.
The croquettes came in made with Jamon Serrano, a creamy bechamel sauce, garlic aioli and pimenton. The combination of all those ingredients was perfect. A little salty, the sauce, the everything.
You have to agree that the Charcuterie ordered was just awesome. The Jamon Serrano was from Sierra, dry-cured….black Iberian pig.
Mixed Marinated Olives served warm.
I order Pulpo or Octopus every time I see it on a menu. The pulpo served at Spain was not a favorite. I think it lacked flavor, and was a little tough. Served with too many potatoes.
Loved the Roasted Heirloom Carrots. Idiazabal Cheese, red pepper aioli and crumbled marcona almonds. Worth trying, for sure.
The 18 Hour Pork Belly was so tasty and full of flavor. Cranberries, sherry reduction and pickled finger chilies. Another awesome tapa.
The Scallop Risotto is a signature dish. I was so interested in the other dishes that only had a little taste. I thought the risotto was a little dry. My opinion.
Have you ever heard that if you are eating at a good restaurant and you see hamburger on the menu, you should order it? I have plenty of times. Bob is a Burger Connoisseur and a Mustard Lover. So here is his Burger which he loved. I guess we did not have enough to eat. Mind you, that was all to himself.
The Olive Oil Cake was our dessert, served with vanilla ice cream. Olive oils are also used for desserts. Imagine that? It has become more popular in recent months. It is moist and so delicious. Next time you see it, please give it try.
As you can see we tried a little bit here or there but there is so much more to try still. I saw the Paella coming out. It looked great. It takes a bit of time to cook but there is also plenty to drink.
Until next time remember that AboutMyBeaches has a FaceBook page and is on Instagram, as well.
Good Food, Will Travel. Don’t let a bit of distance hold you back.
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Up until a few minutes ago I had not realized that the blog I started in 2009 is celebrating 13 years of sharing my thoughts on finding out about events, restaurants, reviews, where to shop and what to cook for dinner today. http://www.aboutmybeaches.com
No photos at the beginning until I caught on how important photos are to all of us. We are so visual.
The first post was about McCabes Gourmet Market in Bethany Beach. No longer McCabes, times have changed. Great store that we all loved for many years. Their Queso (Mexican Cheese Dip) Recipe is on the website. Click on it and put it on the Search.
My second post was Agave. The ever present Margaritas, the Avocado Martini, music, best chili, guacamole and so on.
At the time blogs were beginning to take place in our society. But, people would still smiled like saying: really? Blah, Blah, and Blah. The point of my blog was that I could put my two cents in about places that I have been to, my beloved beaches in Southern Delaware and beyond. Food, recipes and reviews. We all have different tastes, likes and dislikes but it was my diary sort of speak of. I can write when I want to and other times I just take a break and put tidbits on My Facebook page.
Since the beginning I have spoken of how good the corn is in Southern Delaware. I just took this photo the other day. White corn, but they have yellow and a mix kernel ones, as well. Freeman’s on Robinsonville Rd. in Lewes is the best. Every day it is picked and it is so fresh that you can eat it raw. I usually eat one or two ears like that. Amazing.
Lewes’ Lighthouses are something to see.
Strolling the Boardwalk day or night.
I have lived here for so many years. I am a foodie and love to eat and experience different cultures.
My blog continues and one of the best things that have happened since opening AboutMyBeaches is that I have learned so much about our area. It is not just the beaches, so much more depth. It has given my family a very nice life. I don’t take it for granted. I appreciate it.
Until then check my Facebook Page, and Instagram and stop here for recipes and information. It’s all good.
Love Crabs….these ones from Suicide Bridge.
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Run that by me one more time….Suicide Bridge? You’ve got to be kidding. No, it is true. Discovering our own backyards took us a few weeks ago to Suicide Bridge Restaurants in search for the best crabs you can find on the Eastern Shore. I mean it, the are.
It was a Thursday and the restaurant was crowded. I was totally impressed.
What a name and the fact that the bridge is small I was confused how anyone would commit suicide there. It is only 21 feet high. But, they have. The bridge was originally built in 1884. There have been about 6 suicides. Some shot themselves, others drove off and another one had second thoughts and was removed from the water. In any case there is a legend around Hurlock.
Our chase was for jumbo crabs. On our way there we called for a reservation and they said they had fat large ones. By the time we got there they told us they were just bringing Jumbos in and they would just have to sort them out. We can wait, we said. A Mai Tai, please while we are waiting.
These crabs could not have been more fresh.
We were sitting by the window overlooking the water and the crabbers coming in.
The restaurant can accommodate families, parties, and weddings.
A tourist bus from New York were having a blast eating crabs. You can have all you can eat or order by the dozen. Ours were going to be Jumbos, one dozen. These tourists were then going to take a scenic cruise for about one and a half hours on one of their Sternwheeler Riverboats. There are private charter cruisers as well.
Suicide Bridge Restaurant is located at 6304 Suicide Bridge Road, Hurlock, MD. Tel. 410-943-4689. http://www.suicidebridge.com
On their website above mentioned you may get directions. It is about an hour or so from Rehoboth Beach. Close to Easton, St. Michaels, Cambridge and Seaford. Totally worth it. Besides crabs they have a full menu.
The crabs were the best I have ever tasted. The restaurant opens Wednesday through Sunday.
The staff at the restaurant could not have been better. I have to give them a big shout.
I am still scratching my head wondering why I had never visited before. Locals have been going since its opening in the 1950’s.
All I can say is get out there and discover your backyard. There is so much to see and experience. I can honestly say that I cannot wait to go back.
AboutMyBeaches has a Facebook Page, check it out. Have a good one.
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The menu should be part of the entertainment, part of the dining experience. The 3 Cs “I like my food like my fashion: Casual, Classy, and with a Touch of Couture”.
And so our dining experience took us to The Grove Market, located at 12402 Saint Martins Neck Rd., Bishopville, MD 21813. Tel. 410-352-5055. This location is right outside Ocean City.
Crushed seashells pave the parking lot. Flags, a pizza sign, whimsical too. I believe the restaurant only has about 10 tables. And, yes, it is hard to get a reservation so give yourself about 2 weeks. Call, leave a message, give a few dates. If you like to eat late, I suggest you do so. Last reservation is at 9 p.m. Cash only. Checks accepted. It gets crowded in the summer. They only serve wine and beer.
Our reservation was at 8:30 a few weekends ago. This past Sunday, November 17th they closed until the beginning of May. For some of you it might be too late to eat but for us it was the perfect time to enjoy a relaxing dinner. John McDonal was the Chef Extraordinare, from Delaware, he works his magic in a very small kitchen. He has an amazing reputation and a wine connoisseur.
There is no menu. Out loud at your dinner table or if you are seated in the back it will be for the few tables to hear. You need to pay attention because they do offer a lot, both for the appetizers and the entrees.
You will find at the Grove Market quality in their ingredients, culinary competence because John MacDonald outdoes himself every time, service is personal and attentive. The ambiance? Well, you can see by the photos that it is a little quirky. Come hungry because they serve healthy portions. About $100 per person give or take.
The menu changes but they do have a lot of the customers’ favorites throughout the season.
Crab RemickNo Noodles Beef Stroganoff
I usually order the duck. It is a Delaware duck, roasted with a semi-sweet sauce and chutney. It is so good….only bones left on the plate kind of a dish.
On this particular night I let TC order it and I ordered a shrimp and crab dish. Crabs from Smith Island, no less, with a bit of Sherry and a slight kick to the dish. Yummy.
The breadsticks are a reminder that once upon a time this little restaurant was also a Pizza place.
I can honestly tell you that everything at the Grove Market is consistently good. Other dishes that are delicious are:
The Rack of Lamb
The Scallops
The Crab Cakes
There are several desserts to try but it seems that one of the most popular ones is the Bumbleberry Pie. There is no such thing as a Bumbleberry…it is just a mixture of berries.
Leslie, the owner, had time to chat on our visit which was great since in the summer there is, practically, no time.
It is a special place. Keep it in mind when you visit next season. You will not be disappointed.
Until next time…..Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Please check AboutMyBeaches Facebook Page.
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“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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A couple of weeks ago my friend, Sharon, and I stopped by Ish. This boutique is located at 3408 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842. Website? http://www.ishshop.com
The owner of Ish is Christina Lawson. A very dedicated and fun young woman who is taking this boutique to a different level. It is basically, a women’s boutique but she has a little bit for everyone….almost every woman could find something here for her, for the home, gifts and even for babies.
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Here is Christina with my friend, Sharon. It was the opening for the 2019 season. Ish is opening in a few weeks in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware at 403 Rehoboth Ave. Already, as I drive by the store in Rehoboth it looks like it is getting ready. The light and airy lifestyle of our beaches is something that will be seen throughout the store.
Make sure you check out the website because they do offer online shopping.
Look at some of the things we found at Ish in Ocean City.
Over the years I have always said that there is nothing better than the personal touch of a boutique. Stay in touch and keep because I believe the opening is the week-end of May 3rd.
Anyway, at least stop by and say hello. You will fall in love with her.
Until next time….I hope your Easter Sunday is grand.
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I got into not eating meat on Monday. Following the Meatless Monday campaign if you want to know. This is an international campaign nonetheless. It is just a way of not eating meat one day of the week to improve your health. This organization was founded in 2003. There is also a Facebook Page called Meatless Monday. To know more about it, please visit http://www.meatlessmonday.com.
A few years ago I was visiting my cousins on the island of Culebra. Gorgeous beaches, beautiful scenery. On the photo a look at Luis Pena from their balconies. One of the recipes they prepared was a Spinach Pie. Not only was it good, but it was so easy with 5 ingredients. The chopped frozen spinach I was buying for this recipe had a lot of water but I found a few months ago a spinach that is steamable and to tell you the truth it is so much better. You can get it in all supermarkets.
I have shared this recipe on my website before so I decided to do it again as I remembered that this summer, here in Rehoboth Beach, Sharon, Amantha, Debbie and I would have impromptu dinners on the beach. This is one of the recipes I took. You can eat it hot, warm, room temperature or even cold.
Recipe – Spinach Pie
1 package or bag of spinach – 10 ounces
1 block cream cheese. You can use the less fat one or regular one.
1 onion (Cut in chunks.)
4 eggs
1 cup Parmesan cheese
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease lightly a pie dish. I use a glass one. Let spinach defrost and squeeze it to get all the water out. Take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator and let it soften a bit.
In a blender put eggs, spinach, onion, and cream cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. I usually add just pepper since the cheese has plenty of salt. Blend. Pour into a pie dish.
Place in the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top to cover. The cheese will make a crust and will add taste to the pie. Don’t be shy and sprinkle on.
It will take another half hour or so to be ready. Test it with a knife and if comes out clean then it is ready. It should have a nice rich crust.
You can really use this spinach pie for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And even for an appetizer. I would cut in squares instead of wedges if that is the case.
When I joined my friends this summer for our Rehoboth Beach dinners, I think they loved it. Don’t you think? They are smiling!
Remember that these recipes are begged, borrowed, and stolen…..please make them your own.
Until next time!
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When we share a meal with friends, it is so much more than food (really?)…and, when we share it with girlfriends, and for purposes of this post, like the Swirl Girls, then it is really priceless. Some of us have known each other for years while others, are getting to know each other very fast. Here we were trying to figure out which table would be the best one. Right after Memorial week-end we had the place to ourselves since we arrived early. We did not want a big table. We like to be cozy in order to get that conversation going. The group had just gone to watch the Book Club, if you get my drift.
The majority of us had not yet dined at Our Harvest. This restaurant located at 1106 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, DE 19944, opened last year. Every day, at 5:00 p.m., you can come in and experience a way of eating that has become so popular in the U. S. Telephone is 302-581-0377. No reservations are accepted. The website is http://www.ourharvestde.com.
As the season progresses please have in mind when you would like to eat. You have to have a plan because it gets crowded at the Delaware Beaches. If you arrive and there is a wait, you could have cocktails, relaxing in their bar or in any of the very comfortable leather sofas.
There is an open concept kitchen. You really can see how the kitchen is running. I have to tell you that I probably should have come to try Our Harvest last year. I love their sister restaurant, Liquid Assets, in Ocean City, MD, and I did not want to like this one more. Guess what? They are completely different.
The menu was presented and our server knew the menu well. She explained the concept of eating small plates and shareables. At that moment all we wanted was some wine. Having watched the Book Club, wine was very much consumed by the characters. It was time to relax. The wine that you see at the table was from South Africa. A full bodied Merlot called Immortal Hero.
At first you are a bit overwhelmed because you, actually, do not know how much to order for the table. And, we all have our likes and dislikes. We managed to do a good job and we were all very pleased with how the evening was progressing. Could not believe Jane Fonda looks that good at 81… I know, I know.
We all decided to have a small plate to start our dining experience. Every time I see the offering of a Grilled Caesar Salad, I order it. Years ago I had it at a restaurant in Hagerstown, Maryland. Since then, a few have gotten close at how good that one tasted so I wanted to see how this one would be, more so because it had Boquerones which are white anchovies. They are very mild and usually they are marinated in vinegar. It gives the salad a kick. I will have to say that this Caesar was excellent.
Others ordered the Salt Roasted Beets & Two Cheeses. Served on a wooden plank it had whipped ricotta, Stracciatella, local greens, black pepper and beet vinaigrette. Stracciatella cheese is produced from Italian buffalo milk in the southern Italian region of Apulia. They use a stretching and shredding technique. This particular small plate could have been shared by two people.
We ordered the Spring Harvest Flatbread. A crispy crust filled with local peas, ramps, morel mushrooms, local asparagus, ricotta, gruyere mornay, green garlic pesto and crispy capers. Ramps are a special type of wild onion, found in eastern Canada and U.S. And a Gruyere mornay is a bechamel sauce that has Gruyere cheese added to it. It was delicious but to tell you the truth we probably ordered too much. Not that we did not eat it, by the way.
“Friendship is a delicious meal to be shared off one large plate.” So, we decided to order our large plates. This particular dish I truly loved. It was called the Vegan Feast. It was a whole wood fire roasted head of cauliflower, benne cashew crumb, and a lemon garlic vegan aioli. At first we thought it was cheese but it was the benne cashew crumb. Cashews are lower in fat than other nuts. You can find online a lot of recipes for this vegan seed.
A very popular dish at Our Harvest is a whole Amish air chilled chicken…Arnold Palmer brine, (sweet tea and lemonade brine chicken, I believe), wood fired with lemon and rosemary. Liquid Assets has an amazing chicken, as well. Both chickens are completely different and delicious in more ways than one. We ordered TWO.
Needless to say, no need for dessert. We decided that definitely we would be back. Thanks to our server and also to the hostess that so graciously explained to me how the restaurant worked.
And so I end my post with this quote from John Lanchester….”Hospitality is central to the restaurant business, yet it’s a hard idea to define precisely. Most, it involves being nice to people and making them feel welcome. You notice it when it’s there, and you particularly notice it when it isn’t. A single significant lapse in this area can be your dominant impression of an entire meal.”
Until next time….
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