September 15th, 2009

Without any fixed direction we ended up at the Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware….Late in the Afternoon….The Blog is Quiet….The Pictures Say It All….

September 14th, 2009

The Events Never Stop….Read On…

You think that because the summer is pretty much over, that all my beach towns are going to take a rest, but the events on this coastal area just keep on going.

Lewes, Delaware

Until September 30th – Exhibit of Coastal Landscapes of SW England by Amanda Haskins at Peninsula Gallery, located at 520 E. Savannah Rd. in Lewes.  Website is www.peninsula-gallery.com. Tel. is 302-645-0551.

September 16th – Workshops by English artist, Roger Dellar at Peninsula Gallery, located at 520 E. Savannah Rd. in Lewes.  Website is www.peninsula-gallery.com and the tel. is 302-645-0551.

Roger Dellar is arriving Sept. 16th and will give a series of 3 day workshops and 1 day workshop as follows:

Sept. 21st – Portraiture (any medium) with a live model provided.

Sept. 22nd – Sept. 24th – For oil painters

Sept. 29th – October 1st – Color/Perspective/Still Life (any medium)

October 6th – October 8th – For water color painters

Roger Dellar’s interest is studying people in their natural environment.  He is an elected member of The Royal Institute of Painters in Oil, the Pastel Society and the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Color.  Please call for more information or to request a sign up sheet.

September 20th – Race – The Seashore Strider Running Club’s 5th Cannonball 5K Run, 1 Mile Walk at Lewes Historical Park at 8:30 a.m.  For information, contact Tim Bamforth at tim@seashorestrider.com or visit the website www.seashorestriders.com for more information on this particular race.

September 21st – 7th Annual Lower Delaware Autism Foundation Beach Classic Golf Tournament at BayWood Greens Championship Golf Course starting at 10:0-0 a.m.  Field of 128 golfers, Scramble Format.  For information go to www.ldaf.com.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

The meters are still in effect through September 20th.

September 15th – Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary of Sussex County Fundraising Event at Saketumi.  It is called Shelter is Served.  Saketumi is located at 18814 Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-645-2815.  Reservations are suggested.  Saketumi will donate 15% of the evening’s proceeds from 5 p.m. to help construct the Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary.

September 16th until October 21st. Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Rehoboth Art League, located at 12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Pt.2  For more information please call the League at 302-227-8408 or email educator@rehobothartleague.org  There is a fee for this class.

September 17th until September 20th – Polkamotion by the Ocean.  This is the 6th Annual Polka Festival celebration in Rehoboth Beach at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave.  For details go to their website www.rbpolka.com.

September 19th – Cuddle Bone Casting at the Rehoboth Art League, Children’s Studion. 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. There is a fee for this class.  The League is located at 12 Doods Lane in Henlopen Acres. For more information, please call 302-227-8408 or email educator@rehobothartleague.org.

September 19th – Adult Pottery “Fall Fest Platter” at the Rehoboth Art League from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, please call the League at 302-227-8408 or email educator@rehobothartleague.org.   There is a fee for this class.

Through September 23rd – Exhibit – “Rays Every Heart Observes By Oceans Through Heaven” by New York Pop Artist Olan Montgomery at Gallery 50, located at 50-A Wilmington Ave.  For more information visit the website www.50contemporaryart.com.

Movies At Midway – Theater #14 – Until September 24th and sponsored by the Rehoboth Film Society is the screening of The Hurt Locker.  Please visit the website www.rehobothfilm.com or call 302-645-9095.  The times are 1:05 p.m, 3:35 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.

Ocean View, Delaware – Near Bethany Beach, Delaware

September 19th – Paws of Tomorrow has a “Dog Day” from 11:00 a.m. until 2 :00 p.m. at Tidbury Creek Park, 2233 South State Street, Dover, Delaware.  It will be a day of playing and pampering for your pooch to support and help a great cause.  The proceeds will benefit Kent County’s First Dog Park.

Paws of Tomorrow will have some of their adoptable dogs there.  If you are interested in a specific dog from their website, please contact them so they can arrange for the pet to be there.  Contact information is through e-mail at info@pawsoftomorrow.com  Their tel. is 302-604-4701 but only use the phone if it is absolutely necessary.  It is faster by e-mail.

Fenwick Island, Delaware

September 19th – The Delaware Coastal Clean-up. 9 a.m. until Noon.  Sign up and receive a t-shirt.  The delaware Coastal Clean-up is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean-up, and a part of the world’s largest annual clearing of trash from coastlines and lakes by volunteers.

The Clean-up spans Delaware’s 97 mile eastern coastline and it includes river and ocean shorelines, as well as wetlands and watershed areas.  45 sites in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex County are targeted this year.

For more info. call Joanna Wilson at 302-739-9902 or register on line at www.dnrec.delaware.gov.

September 19th – Freeman Stage at Bayside, 31750 Lakeview Dr. in Selbyville, 4 miles west of Fenwick Island at the intersection of Rt. 54 and Rt. 20.  100 Years of Broadway from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.  Clear Space Production’s new version of 100 years of Broadway.  All time favorite Broadway tunes by the region’s most talented artists.  For more information please call 302-436-3015.

Ocean City, Maryland

Big week-end for this town with the arrival of Bike Week.

September 17th until September 20th – Please go visit their website because there are so many events. http://www.delmarvabikeweek.com.  Motorcycle industry leaders gather with more than 200 vendors and 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts for rides, fun, games, contests and free concerts.

As part of the Bike Week in Ocean City, the Surfrider Foundation will be holding a raffle for 2 O.C. Surfrider Foundation Bike Week surfboards (black and orange).  They will have for sale 2009 Bike Week Tees as well.

This organization was formed to heighten the awareness of the residents of Ocean City as well as visitors, of the fragile and beautiful enviornment.  Many programs and scholarships are awared.  For more information please go to http://www.surfrider.org/oceancitymd/   Location will be at Winter Place, 6737 Blue Ribbon Rd. and at Seacrets on 117 West 49th St. in Ocean City.  Volunteers are needed.

September 19th – Is Maryland Coast Day – Festival – Free – At Assateague State Park after the International Coastal Clean up, which begins at 9:00 a.m. by the National Seashore entrance. 

The festival at the Assateague State Park will be from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.  There will be food, live music, arts and crafts and animal exhibits.  There will be the release of a rescued loggerhead turtle.

Coast Day is sponsored by Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Town of Ocean City, Choptank Electric, Red Sun Apparel, Sun Signs and artist Kirk McBride.  For more information please contact the Assateague Coastal Trust at 410-629-1538.

What a week!! Have a great time!!

September 13th, 2009

Another Monday Night Football Season is about to start in the United States….I Hope You Are Ready….

Monday Night Football originally aired on ABC and it ran from 1970 until 2005.  After 60 Minutes on CBS, it was the second running prime time show in the U.S.

It was one of the highest rated; mostly male viewers.  Then Monday Night Football moved to ESPN in 2006.  It can be seen in Canada, in most of Europe, in the UK and in most of Australia.  There is even a Spanish language version on ESPN Deportes and on ESPN International in Latin America.

It is a big night for all viewers interested in American football and many gather to cheer their teams.  It is a weekly get together with different houses hosting parties on Monday nights.

I am including some recipes that will make your Monday nights easier to enjoy when all those foodies arrive at your door.

The following is a recipe from Carolyn Roehm, who writes books on the proper way to entertain.  It is almost like a fondue because you dip crusty bread in it. Not as deep, though.

Pecorino Cheese Baked with Honey and Walnuts

1 lb. Pecorino Toscano (if not found, just buy the Pecorino)

1/2 cup Honey

15 Walnut Halves

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.  Put honey and walnuts in a small bowl.  Slice the pecorino 1/2″ thick and placed in a baking dish, slightly overlapping.  Bake for about 5 minutes but check it because it should be slightly runny.  Pour honey and walnut mix over the cheese.  Serve with crusty bread.

For a large crowd double it and adjust baking time.

The following 2 recipes came from a Florida book called Recipes to Remember.

Meatballs With Burgundy Sauce and with Sweet/Sour Sauce

2 lbs. ground beef

1 cup soft bread crumbs

1 beaten egg

1/4 cup Burgundy wine

2 tbsps. sliced green onion

1 tsp. salt

dash of pepper

Mix all ingredients with fork.  Shape into 1 inch balls.  Brown and cook in large skillet.  Drain.  Refrigerate meatballs until time to serve.  Heat and split them in two chafing dishes and pour Burgundy Sauce and Sweet/Sour Sauce over them. 

Servings: 4 dozen meatballs

Burgundy Sauce

4 tbsps. sliced green onions, 1 cup margarine and 1/2 cup of Burgundy wine.

Cook green onions in margarine until tender.  Add burgundy wine and simmer 5 minutes.  Pour over hot meatballs.

Sweet/Sour Sauce

Combine 1 jar (10 ounce) chili sauce with 1 jar (8 ounce) grape jelly.

Heat in saucepan.  Pour over hot meatballs.

At this time of the year, recipes with pumpkin will start to show up.  This recipe came  from Joan and it is a very good dessert.

Pumpkin Bars

Duncan Hines yellow cake mix

1/2 cup melted butter

4 eggs

1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin

1 cup evaporated milk

1 1/2 tsps. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 – 1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup soft margarine

Remove 1 cup from cake mix; set a side.  Mix together remaining cake mix, melted butter and 1 egg.  Pat into a 13″ x 9″ pan; set aside.

Mix pumpkin, remaining eggs, evaporated milk, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar; pour over first layer in pan.

Stir together reserved cake mix, sugar, cinnamon and soft margarine; sprinkle over pumpkin layer.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 – 50 minutes. Cool, cut into bars and serve.

Note: Information on Monday Night Football was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monday_Night_Football#Overview

September 13th, 2009

Beauty Salons, Beauty Salon Spas…So many to choose from…In Fenwick Island, Delaware, there is….Hair Daze….A Hair Salon…

Hair Daze is located at 7 Village of Fenwick in Fenwick Island.  Tel. 302-539-4372 or 302-539-4374.  Their hours of operation are: Mondays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m.  No credit cards are accepted.  Cash or personal checks, are.  Walk-ins are welcomed.

Hair Daze is strictly a hair salon.  They only do shampoo, color, cut and styling.  They have several product hair lines for you to purchase, as well.

The owner of the salon is Ellen and she is one of the stylists along with Sherrie and Colleen.  Angela will take your appointment and will also call you beforehand to remind you of it.

If you are coming from the north, the salon will be right before the intersection of Rt. 1 (Ocean Highway) and Rt. 54, at the Village of Fenwick.  If you are coming from the south, you will pass the mentioned intersection and it will be on the left hand side.  There is plenty of parking.

It is not a big salon but it is decorated very cute with nice colors on the walls.

The person that cuts/colors my hair is Colleen and I have known her for over 20 years.  She gave my children their first haircuts and cuts my husband’s as well.  Over the years we have become friends.  What I like about this salon is that you are there for the sole purpose of getting your hair done and their prices are very reasonable, once you start comparing them to other salons in the area.

So, if you have been thinking that you need a change, just try them out and see what you think.

Writing about hair reminded me that many people think that beauty salons and beauty salon spas are the same.  Both offer hair treatments, including cuts and coloring, nail care, tanning and make up application.  There is a difference, though.  That would be the setting.  Spas are known for their peaceful surroundings, and some beauty salons are too, but a lot of them just want to see as many customers as they can possibly fit in.

When you go into a spa, they make you feel like you are the only client they have, and stay as long as you want.

Following are the different types of spas:

The most common is the Day Spa and it will offer massages, facials and body treatments.  Sometimes, they will offer manicures and pedicures also.

The Salon/Spa is a combination of beauty salon and day spa.  it offers beauty services and spa services but they should be separate so you can benefit from the tranquility of a spa.

Then, there is the Destination Spa and this is an overnight experience.  This particular spa should be chosen for an improvement in your lifestyle and health.  Professionals will give lectures and there will be spa services, exercises and spa cuisine.

The Resort Spa is a guest amenity at a particular resort.  It can be a good thing when you are going with someone that loves tennis or golf.  You can both do your thing.  The Resort Spa will offer spa treatments and wellness along with spa cuisine.

The Urban Hotel Spa is usually at a city hotel.  It will offer everything from treatments to cuisine.  Prices will be higher since they are usually located at luxurious facilities.

The Club Spa is at a fitness facility or club.  This one will offer spa services on a “day-use” basis.

The Medical Spa or medi spa requires doctor’s supervision.  Probably, because this spa will offer laser resurfacing and Botox injections in addition to European facials and massages.

The Cruise Ship Spa – Yes, it is on a cruise ship.  It should have fitness, wellness and spa cuisine.

The Mineral Spring Spa will have in its location, natural mineral, thermal or seawater.  They will be used in hydrotherapy.

Lately, in some airports, you will find the Airport Spa.  You can get a sample of treatments like a chair massage or oxygen therapy.  You can do this in between flights.

As you can see there are so many to choose from and some are more expensive than others.  Not only for women anymore, but for men, as well.

Summer is pretty much over so maybe one of these spas will be perfect to get yourself back into shape. 

By the way, the word “spa” means “a mineral spring”.

Note:  Information of the differents spas was taken from http://www.beautystaffs.com/body-care/Spa_types.asp

September 12th, 2009

The Cultured Pearl….in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware….A great name for a Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar….

This Asian inspired restaurant is on its way to becoming a legend in all my beach towns; from Lewes, to Ocean City, Maryland.  I find someone I know almost everytime I visit the Cultured Pearl from these beach towns.

Rob and Susan are the owners of the Cultured Pearl.  Susan started the restaurant in 1993 and its original location was on Wilmington Ave., in Rehoboth Beach.  I really enjoyed going there and it was very cozy.  So, at first, I was not sure how I was going to react to being in a new location.  They have been there now for a couple of years, and I have been there for dinner many times. 

This new location was not only going to be the home for the Cultured Pearl, but the whole building was envisioned as a “mall” with the restaurant on the top.

The address is 301 Rehoboth Ave. in downtown Rehoboth Beach.  Tel. is 302-227-8493 and the website is www.culturedpearl.us.

Yes, these are “the shops at the Pearl”.  I will be reviewing them at some point, but my interest at this time is the restaurant.  Years ago this was the location of Quillen’s Hardware Store, whose business serviced the town of Rehoboth Beach for many years.

In trying to keep true to the traditions of Japanese architecture, they have incorporated in the decoration, bamboo, flowing water, koi and live birds.

As you walk into the “mall” you will see stores on either side.  The reception desk for the restaurant is on the first floor.  John is usually there to greet you.  You will give your name and then you will be escorted upstairs or if you need an elevator, that is available as well.  If you are going just to the bar for a drink or to wait for someone, you may just go up the stairs where you will be passing some really pretty cockatiels.

The Cultured Pearl has a great atmosphere and it is very cozy, whether you are sitting at the bar or the sushi bar or the main dining area.  If you happen to be there on good weather and are lucky to be seated outside, you are in for a treat.  The rooftop area, as it is called, has a “lake” effect with koi below you and gazebos on top.  Rehoboth Beach looks so pretty at night and you definitely will have an advantage point from the rooftop.

The restaurant can accommodate private parties.  Is your company trying to host a presentation?  Then, their special room is equiped with panels and monitors and separate music system for that sole purpose.  Menus can be arranged to suit your needs, as well.

There is always something for everyone on the menu.  You don’t have to have sushi in order to really enjoy it.  During the year, they have specials and brunches.  And, a carryout menu is available.  That tel. is 302-227-4217.  The best way to find out all this information is to go on their website, which by the way, it is very informative.

As I mentioned before in other posts, when I go to a Sushi restaurant, I like to sit at the sushi bar.  On this night, the bar was crowded, even though it was a Sunday, and it was funny to hear all the questions asked to the chefs, like; do you cook sushi at home, what is your favorite roll, etc. etc.  It gets everyone talking and putting their two cents in.

My husband was with me and we started with the Edamame.  We like it warm and just with a little bit of salt.  I had the Miso soup and, let me tell you, theirs is the best.  Best taste and seasoned perfectly.  It is white miso, tofu, green onion and wakame seaweed.  Great combination.  For my entree, I wanted Sashimi Sara which was a chef selection of 15-18 pieces of sashimi (not cooked and no rice).  This particular dish included my miso soup.  My husband ordered the Japanese Bagel roll and for his sushi he ordered several pieces of eel.  Everything tasted so fresh.

This is one of those restaurants that have an awareness for people with gluten allergies.  They offer Teriyaki and Soy Sauce that is gluten free.

For my sweet ending, I had “mochi”, which is ice cream of different flavors surrounded by dough made of rice flour.  They are the size of a half dollar and the dessert was presented in a martini glass; so easy to share.  Just pop them in your mouth.

A few posts back, I mentioned that the perfect recipe for a good restaurant is quality of ingredients, culinary competence, service, ambiance and price.  This restaurant fits that bill perfectly.

September 11th, 2009

For the Health Conscious, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, you will find..GreenMan Juice Bar & Bistro

Today was a good day.  I had not seen my friend, Cindi, in some time.  She is moving back to the Delmarva Peninsula because she cannot forget the feel of the sand beneath her toes besides family and friends.

She stopped by and we decided to go to GreenMan for breakfast.  I had never been there but had heard about it and Cindi, had been there some time ago and had gotten one of their organic wheatgrass healthy shots.

GreenMan is located on 12 Wilmington Ave., in Rehoboth Beach.  Tel. 302-227-4909.

It is a Juice Bar and Bistro, but it is also an organic gourmet, little restaurant.

GreenMan is open for breakfast and lunch.  No alcohol is served and the restaurant is very dog friendly.  A take-out menu is available, as well.

It is the type of restaurant that is very laid back and casual, like a beach eatery should be.  It is very small, but comfortable and the food is healthy and refreshing.

I had coffee but Cindi had the GreenMan Fresh Juice Combo, which was a combination of kiwi, apple, pear, cucumber and spinach.  It was served on a tall glass with a little piece of pineapple as a garnish and at room temperature.  I sampled it and you could really taste the cucumber and spinach.  It was quite good.

Both of us had the same thing for breakfast, which was the Scottish Smoked Salmon, Local Tomatoes, Red Onion, Capers, Cream Cheese on Toasted Dark Pumpernickel.  It was excellent and we both agreed that we would have it again any time.

For such a small restaurant, there were so many things on the menu.

Following is a sample:

For the Breakfast Menu – 8 a.m. until Noon

Traditional Porridge: Organic Steel Cut Oatmeal with our own Lewes Dairy Milk or Soy Milk.  You could sweeten it with local honey, maple syrup or brown sugar.  Organic toppings like walnuts, almonds, pecans, dried cranberries, were available.

Waffles topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Quiche of the Day.

Homemade Creme Brulee French Toast with bananas or berries.  Now, this was different and we saw it coming from the kitchen and it looked fantastic. We gained a few pounds just by looking at it.

There were other items like a wrap, granola with yogurt and fruit, bagels and sides like links of local all natural organic turkey sausage.  The toast was pumpernickel or wheatberry.

Their Lunch Menu is from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and available are an assortment of fresh salads.  You can also make a salad a wrap too.

Some of the salads on the menu are: chopped, Caesar, soba noodle, Lebanese (Fattoosh), caprese, and barley tabbouleh.  To these salads you may add grilled chicken or tofu for a little extra.

There is no way I could mention, here, the amount of refreshments they have.  From Fresh Juice Combos with names like the Cantaloupe Kiss to Fresh Fruit smoothies with names like the Srawberry Seduction and the Healthy Elvis.

Their Tea Smoothies & More did not stay behind with names like Chai Love, Energy Elvis and the Green Hornet.

The teas and organic tea lattes, the healthy shots, and the natural bottled beverages and sodas, were all refreshing choices and different from the everyday drinks.

Besides the salads, they have plenty of gourmet sandwiches, some of them with flat breads, others with whole wheat wraps, ciabatta, or multi grain.

Part of their lunch menu is also their Bistro Grills like the Free Range Buffalo Burger, the Ostrich Burger, the Naked Hippie, and the Eco-Chic, among others.  You really should visit this eatery, at some point, when you are in Rehoboth Beach.

Just as they are dog friendly, they are also kid friendly with a menu just for kids.

Every season, GreenMan gets known more and more and people are really enjoying this dining experience, here, in one of my beach towns.

September 10th, 2009

Cold, Windy and Rainy = Stew, Soup, or Potage

Even though I was going to write about a restaurant today, after the weather we have been having, all I want is a good, rich and warm soup and nothing else.

Every country and every region and culture has its soups and stews and you can make a soup out of anything.  The words vary from country to country and according to the language.

Here are a few recipes that will warm you up on a day like today.

Fresh Broccoli Soup

2 cups water

1 13 3/4 ounce can chicken broth

3/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 pounds fresh broccoli, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces (6 cups)

1 cup sliced, peeled carrot

1 medium sized onion, peeled and quartered

1/2 cup skim milk

1 tbsp. lightly salted butter or margarine

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

In a large saucepan bring water, chicken broth and salt to boil over high heat.  Add broccoli, carrot and onion; when boiling, reduce heat to moderate, cover pan and cook 15 to 20 minutes, until, broccoli and carrots are tender.  Put 1 cup of the veggies and hot liquid into a blender or food processor; cover and blend 40 to 50 seconds, until smooth; pour into a bowl. 

Repeat with remaining vegetables and liquid.  Stir in milk and butter until melted; sprinkle with pepper.

Makes 6 cups. 

Note:  You notice that is skim milk but if you want a richer and more caloric soup then use heavy cream or half and half.

Tomato Tortellini Soup

1 9 ounce package refrigerated tortellini – any flavor, cooked

2 10 1/2 cans of tomato soup

2 soup cans of milk

1 can diced tomatoes with basic, onion and garlic

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook tortellini according to package directions and cool a little bit.

Empty cans of soup, milk, and diced tomatoes in a 3 quart saucepan.  Stir well.  Add tortellini and heat. Do not boil.

Serve at once. Pass the cheese to be sprinkled on top.

Serve it with some good crusty bread.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Quick Sausage and Corn Chowder

1/2 lb. kielbasa, sliced very thin

1 cup diced onion

1 14 3/4 ounce can cream-style corn

1 20 3/4 ounce can cream of celery soup

2 cups of 1% milk

Over medium high heat, cook kielbasa and onion until onion is soft – about 5 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients and stir well. 

Season with 1/4 tsp. black pepper.  Bring to a boil, immediately reduce heat and cover.  Continue to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Makes 4 servings

Beans ‘n’ Beer ‘n’ Bacon Soup

1 cup dry navy or Great Northern beans

1 1/2 quarts water

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped carrot

1/4 cup chopped celery

1 1 lb. can tomatoes

2 tsps. salt (optional)

1/8 tsp tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. crumbled sage

1 cup beer, light or dark

3 or 4 slices of bacon

Wash beans and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and boil rapidly for 5 minutes.  Turn off heat and let soak for 1 hour.  Drain off liquid and cover with 1 1/2 quarts of warm water. 

Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery, tomatoes, salt, and pepper.  Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer.

Add crumbled sage.  Simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until beans are vegetables are tender.  Let cool slightly.  Lift out about 1 cup of beans and vegetables.  Blend remaining soup in a blender or food processor until smooth. 

Return soup to the kettle and add the whole cooked beans and beer. 

Simmer about 10 to 15 minutes. 

Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces.  Fry until crip and drain.

Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with crisp bacon bits.

 Makes 6 generous servings.

Note:  If you want to make this recipe faster then substitute the dry beans for canned beans and adjust the recipe accordingly.

Comfort food; nothing like it.

September 9th, 2009

Another Restaurant Review?…Yes, but this is….The Grove Market in Bishopville, Maryland….You be the Judge.

Getting background information on this restaurant has been a quest and it got me nowhere.

The Grove Market is located on 12402 Saint Martins Neck Rd., Bishopville, Maryland, 21813.  Tel. 410-352-5055.  Just outside of Ocean City, Maryland, and really, you can drive to it from any of my beach towns.

I heard the owner used to be part owner of the Talbot Street Cafe, in Ocean City.  The restaurant is not a grove, but some time ago was a fish market.  They, apparently, even used to sell pizza at the restaurant; there is a pizza sign on the window.  It makes you go hmm?  I believe that the breadsticks served at dinner came from the recipe for the pizza dough once used to make the pizza.  That is all I could get.

I decided to go on different search engines and look for reviews.  I have gone to the Grove before, plenty of times, through the years, and these reviews were not changing my mind.  Everything I read, and I mean everything, was either they loved it and could not wait to go back or the food was really good, but the people were upitty, not friendly, and the hassle to get a reservation was a disappointment.

In my opinion, there are  5  key ingredients for a good restaurant; quality of ingredients, culinary competence, service, ambiance, and price.

If the restaurant has money, then you can and should buy the best ingredients money can buy.  Culinary competence, and this is where I mention the chef, is that he or she has the responsibility to make these ingredients come alive and make the restaurant a success.  The service should be prompt, not intrusive, always anticipating what the customer needs.  The ambiance should be tranquil and relaxing and the prices should be reasonable for what you are getting.

With that in mind, I am reviewing the Grove Market on a particular night, at the beginning of the summer season with good friends.

We chose the Grove because it is really different and good.  There were calls back and forth because we did not know when we would get the reservation.  That is what people mention is disappointing.  You call the above number, but rarely get someone on the phone.  You are asked to leave your information and good luck if you have a time frame in mind.  You might not get a call for days.  If you do, they will give you the times available and you either take it or leave it, just like that.  Some people never get a call back.  Now, in deference to you, as a customer, a call should be returned.  Make sure you call back to confirm if you have a reservation already made.

As you drive into their crushed seashells parking lot, you might even think it is a joke.  It looks like a somewhat dilapidated house that someone forgot some time ago.  It is very small and years ago the food was served on paper plates and plastic forks and knives.  You have the real thing now.  Still, the plastic chairs, though.

On this particular night the food was excellent.  Not heavy but appealing to your senses.  The chef was John from Rehoboth Beach.  Well known for his culinary expertise.

There were 6 of us and we all had different things.  There was no menu and no prices were mentioned.  The server was no nonsense and she told us what was available for dinner. She, actually, did smile and made some conversation because we had locals with us.  There was a lot to choose from for being such a small restaurant.  The wine was chosen along with bottled water. No Pellegrino or Perrier here, though.

For my salad I had a beet salad with arugula and cheese; very good.  Other appetizers were mussels, a salmon pate, and crab dip.  For my entree I had the best scallops; cooked to perfection.  Other entrees were rack of lamb, fillet, Wahoo, and the house flounder.  Everyone was extremely pleased.

The desserts were good but not to die for.  The blueberry pie, in my opinion, was the best one.

I spoke to the owner about gluten allergy awareness and she explained that, someone that night had the allergy and had found something to eat on the menu.  John, the chef, told me that upon making a reservation, tell them, but then, really, tell your server so that he or she can alert the chef.

They run a tight ship, so get there on time, not early, otherwise you will have to wait outside, enjoy your meal and then it’s time to go because someone else is coming in.

It is cash only and personal checks are accepted.  No computers here and the bill will be written out on a receipt.

Is it worth it?  Again, you be the judge.

Note:  Do you remember the episode on the show Seinfeld with the Soup Nazi? Not to that extreme, though, but it reminded me of it for some reason.  And, I have been to the International Soup Kitchen in N.Y., which was the basis for that episode.

Now, I wonder if I will be able to get a reservation.  Time will tell.