February 11th, 2015
Beach in Condado
Local talk radio in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware I heard this a.m. that some legislators want to introduce a law in Puerto Rico where parents of overweight children are going to be receiving some fines.
At times pictures are worth a thousand words…..Have you been to Puerto Rico? Have you tried any of the local food? Full of flavor and probably not the healthiest if you make a point to eat it all the time. Large portions, as well.
I just came back from PR and look at these photos. And I participated in the chowdown.
Well, the fries were made from sweet potatoes. That helped. Adding the plantains and cheese….that side salad is what pretty much you get in a lot of places. Don’t ask me why the tomatoes have to look that way on this tropical island.
Two side dishes that were shared, but meant to be for one person. The second photo shows half of the portion of the beef. The salad was excellent, but not the norm.
Good way to start the day? Of course!!
A popular booth at the Mercado Urbano in Condado….the Roasting Pigs!! Lechon Asado. The line never stopped.
A little paella after the Lechon Asado….yum!
Fresh pineapple to clean your palate? Maybe.
Instead of dessert, why not finish with a tiny fried bacalaito….cod fritter.
Heavier meal at lunch for many Puertoricans….who can resist this at Dona Ana in La Plaza del Mercado in Bayamon.
A side salad with stuffed plantains…with local beef.
Rice and beans because the stuffed plantain was not enough.
And cheesecake, which is nothing new, but it was drizzled with Guava.
The “pirulis” reminded me of my childhood. Did not buy any, by the way.
Back on Ashford Avenue in Condado, you can find a good salad on the second floor of FreshMart.
This roasted chicken on Ashford in Condado was awesome….totally surprised me. Fried plantains, of course and “some” veggies.
Pizza from Via Apia on Ashford in Condado.
Exercising at Ventana al Mar…We were too busy eating and checking things out.
But the best fresh vegetables and fruits can still be found from the vendors that sell out of their trucks. A scene still found in the Metropolitan area of San Juan.
Self control? I used to have so much of it. Back in Delaware trying to get rid of those unwelcomed pounds…..but, It Was Worth It?
So, you decide…fine the parents for overweight kids? That’s ridiculous!
NOTE: Where to eat the above mentioned foods in Puerto Rico…..stay tuned.
February 10th, 2015
Walking on Ashford in Condado is a past time for many that are visiting the island of Puerto Rico….plenty of upscales shops, restaurants, and hotels on this very popular Ave. I hear the community is involved in making sure Condado lives up to its name.
Ashford Avenue is within walking distance of beaches and everything else to make your vacation a special one. As a matter of fact Ashford Avenue is parallel to the beach. Taxis, and public transportation can take you to Old San Juan, a city over 500 years old.
The Art Deco Buildings are beautiful and one in particular is the Miami building located at 868 Ashford Avenue and built in 1936. The colors are peach and light blue.
“The Art Deco style represented luxury, glamour, exuberance and faith in social and technological progress.” Bold geometric designs, lavish ornamentation, and colours characterized this style.
Congratulations to San Juan, Puerto Rico since the National Register of Historic Places has recognized 3 iconic hotels and has welcomed them as members. They are the Caribe Hilton San Juan, built in 1949, Condado Plaza Hilton built in 1963 and the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel built in 1919.
The Condado Vanderbilt is located at 1055 Ashford Avenue. http://www.condadovanderbilt.com The style? Mission/Spanish Revival. This is a 5 star hotel, known for luxury and special services. Ballrooms, banquet meetings…the hotel is oceanfront. So, I stopped to check it out with my Puertorican cousins, Sonia, and Margie. Resort wear is the choice for dressing.
The hotel has been updated completely. The marble floors, I believe are the original ones.
We stepped into the Vanderbilt Court…here are some of the photos.
Please visit http://www.condadovanderbilt.com/our-story-condado-en.html to learn more about the history of this gorgeous hotel, which is very interesting.
LOCALISTA – Puerto Rico Disena. Location? Condado Vanderbilt Hotel.
A must stop shop for everything designed by independent designers. Local brands and Puertorican designers, promoted by Localista. Website? http://www.puertoricodisena.com. Catching our attention…..
La Mantilla by Marx Rosado is a modular surface that works well as a wood carpet, a flexible parquet, a non-permanent wood flooring or a cover for horizontal and vertical surfaces. It is open modular assembly.
Jewelry by Marcia Budet. You can find Marcia Budet on Facebook as Designer Marcia Budet.
The clutches made in crystal clear acrylic Plexiglass with original photography, I loved. They were made by designer Natalia Subira.
Promoting Puertorican designs, buying local…http://www.puertoricodisena.com/localista-a-design-store.
And then, as you come out of the hotel head over to Ventana al Mar….and forget that is winter at home. Have a good one!!
February 10th, 2015
Here we were, the usual suspects….we do have a younger suspect, Jade!! We were ready to Chowdown for Charity, an event that took place on Friday, February 6th, at Baywood Greens Golf Course in Long Neck, Delaware. It was an evening of food tasting, voting and mingling. Much loved local chefs were cooking for a cause….Next Gen South of the Delaware Community Foundation, http://www.delcf.org. This is a non-profit board of young professionals from Kent & Sussex Counties that was founded in 2012.
Next Gen South selects an area of focus every 2 years based on what is needed in our communities. Presently, the focus is and has been for the past 2 years, Children’s Mental Health. This is one fundraising event that lets this organization award grants to local organizations on an annual basis. Next Gen South might be young but in 2014 they awarded $15,000 to: Delaware Guidance Services, Delaware State University, The Seaford House.
Chefs were ready for the guests….remember we were given 3 tickets to put on our favorites. A friendly competition would be taking place.
ABBOTT’S ON BROAD CREEK – This restaurant is located in Laurel; http://www.abbottsgrillde.com. It is a sister restaurant to Abbot’s Grill in Milford. Chef Ryan Cunningham was serving Smoked Strip Loin with a Scallop Vinaigrette & Coriander Popcorn.
Loved the addition of the popcorn to the tender beef. Ryan asked us to come to Laurel for a real treat this year.
a(MUSE.) – Located in Dowtown Rehoboth Beach, http://www.amuse-rehoboth.com. Hari was hard at work, but always explaining exactly what he is cooking. Pumpernickel Pasta? OMG!! This pasta tasted just like pumpernickel bread. You had to be there to experience it, but Hari said he has it at the restaurant, among other amazing tasting pasta flavors. It was served with Brussel Sprouts, Pastrami Beef Cheek, Charred Onion & Pickled Mustard Seed.
The pasta was cooked to perfection and the other flavors complemented already a winning central ingredient.
LUPO DI MARE – Located in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, http://www.lupodimarerehoboth.com. This restaurant is part of the family of SODEL Concepts restaurants and started by the late and much missed Matt Haley.
They were serving Rustic Meatballs, Parmesan Polenta with Tomato Gravy. I can’t make a good meatball, so always enjoy little morsels like these ones. They did tell us that this was not their signature meatball…prepared exclusively for this event.
PAPA GRANDE’S – Two locations: Downtown Rehoboth Beach and Fenwick Island. A Delaware coastal taqueria. http://www.papagrandes.com/rehoboth. Papa Grande’s is also part of the SODEL family of restaurants.
I love Scrapple!! And, this is what they were serving…House Scrapple Tostada, Hibiscus Jelly, Apple Radish Jimaca Salad, Corn Chip. Having had their scrapple taco last year….of course just by looking at these tostadas, I knew they were going to have an awesome taste.
They asked if we had had their Duck Scrapple….and that they were planning on a crab scrapple this summer….can’t wait.
THE BRICK HOTEL RESTAURANT & TAVERN – Located in Georgetown on The Circle, http://www.brickhotelrestaurant.com. The chefs were serving Black Cherry Braised Beef with a Root Vegetable Puree & Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
The black cherry flavored was detected on the braised beef. It was cooked in a 250 degree oven for 6 hours. It melted in your mouth. Totally delish!
THE WALL OF WINE – This has become very popular at events. Wine aficionados love it….more so if they get a prized bottle of wine. You pay $20 and then get to choose a wrapped bottle of wine from the wall. You might get the $10 bottle or a very expensive bottle. A ticket was also given for a raffle….a bottle of Dom Perignon at the end of the evening!!
BAYWOOD CLUBHOUSE RESTAURANT – Located in Long Neck, http://www.baywoodgreens.com/restaurant.
Stuffed Pork Pinwheel!! Pop them in your mouth. They would be perfect for a party.
NAGE BISTRO & WINE BAR – Located on Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) in Rehoboth Beach, http://www.nagerb.com.
This pastrami was made out of tuna, on a pumpernickel crouton, caraway sauerkraut, spicy mustard….definitely one of my true favorites of the evening.
Next stop? BETHANY BLUES, LEWES…Located on Costal Highway (Rt. 1), http://www.bethanyblues.com/lewes.
I love St. Louis Ribs more than any other rib. That’s what they were serving. Smoked St. Louis Ribs, caramelized in a Habanero Apple Cider, served with a Jalapeno Slaw. Got those tastebuds dancing immediately!!
TOUCH OF ITALY – A trattoria, salumeria and pasticeria….http://www.touchofitaly.com. These restaurants can be found in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean City, Maryland.
Making mozzarella…it looked time consuming, but also relaxing. Take a look.
Smaller mozzarella balls were served with rosemary and EVOO!!
ESPUMA RESTAURANT & MARTINI BAR – Located in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, http://www.espuma-restaurant.com Chef Jay Caputo was serving Spanish Style Clam Chowder topped with Potato Foam and Scallion Powder.
The biscuits were filled with the creamy, and well seasoned clam chowder. I liked it a lot.
Love this tapas eating style….grazing here or there!! We tried them all!! Next!!
FINS FISH HOUSE & RAW BAR – In Downtown Rehoboth Beach and with a sister restaurant on Coastal Highway, http://www.finsrawbar.com. Another time consuming dish is making risotto.
FINS did a great job with their Crab & Shrimp Risotto. It was delicious!!
LAST STOP!!
THE ROOKERY – Located in Milford…2 golf course locations, Milton and Milford, http://www.rookerygolf.com. We finished our Chowdown with a treat of Ahi Tuna with a Ginger Lime Soy, served over a Seaweed Salad, Cucumber & Wasabi Tobiko. Excellent ending!!
We then continued to listen to DJ Jimmy Young, who provided great entertaining throughout the evening. Plenty of items on the silent auction raising funds for a great cause.
Have a good one!!
THE WINNER? a(MUSE.) Congratulations!!
February 6th, 2015
What temperature to serve beer? It has to do with one’s preference….mine? I love it ice cold….with a side of steamed crabs!!
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society and the Lewes Historical Society are co-presenting Delmarva Connections. This is a 3-part film series that explore connections to the region around us. The final event of the 2015 series takes place on Friday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m. with a screening of the film, “Brewmore Baltimore” at The INN at Canal Square, 122 West Market Street in Lewes, Delaware.
For those comming to the Delaware Beaches for a week-end of fun and relaxation, March is a wonderful month at the beach. So, I am giving you plenty of time to make plans because this documentary is worth seeing if you are a beer aficionado.
This informative domentary chronicles the story of one of the most vibrant and popular industries in the U.S…..BEER!! With nealy one billion in annual sales, the U.S. beer market is growing rapidly. At its peak, in the early 1900s, the brewing industry in Baltimore distributed products by over 40 distinct breweries, and National Brewing Company was a producing over 1 million barrels per year. Although the industry declined, it made a resurgence in the mid-1980s and microbreweries started opening in neighborhoods throughout the city. “Brewing Baltimore” takes us on a journey through Baltimore’s past and present as historian Maureen O’Prey guides us through the city’s rich brewing history. We learn about the old stalwarts of the trade and are introduced to Baltimore’s newes set of modern day brewers. A review on http://www.baltimorepostexaminer.com says “When the film ends, it feels much like the introduction to something much larger. It’s like it’s setting up some grand adventure that is just beginning.” When you open the website above mentioned, put Brewmore Baltimore on the Search.
A post film discussion will be led by filmmaker Nicholas Kovacic and Baltimore historian Maureen O’Prey. Admission for this event is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.rehobothfilm.com, or by calling the Rehoboth Beach Film Society at 302-645-9095, ext. 1.
RBFS’ mission: To promote cinematic arts and to provide educational and cultural enrichment for our community. The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival will be November 11-15, 2015….mark your calendars!!
Have a good one!!
Note: My photos are from The Boulder Beer Company in Boulder, Colorado, and Dogfish Head in Milton, Delaware….both tours are excellent!!!
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