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Archive for August, 2019

August 28th, 2019

Agave, Restaurant, Tequila Bar, Mexican Food, Review, Lewes, Delaware, Southern Delaware, Delaware Beaches, The Art of Wining & Dining

On July 27, 2009 I wrote my first post on Agave. I was new at this thing called posting. Creating a blog that is pretty much a diary. I did not include any photos. Did not know the importance of photographs due to the fact that we are such visual individuals.

I said Hola Amigos. Why not? Spanish is my first language. As it was then today’s Agave still has Latin music in the background. The huge and delicious margaritas are still served on colorful glasses. The menu does not change much, but for some reason patrons don’t get tired of it. From 2009 I have written posts on Agave. From being particularly upset that you cannot get in because it is so popular. I changed that quickly. I go for late lunches. It works great.

Agave is located at 137 2nd St., Lewes, DE 19958. Tel. 302-645-1232. Website? http://www.agavelewes.com

A favorite drink of mine is the Avocado Martini. First thing to know is that it is not on the menu. It takes more than a few minutes to make. Specially customized for you. The other day Alec made this delicious one.

Friends that have tried it have loved this Avocado Martini. It is smooth, has cilantro and not a salted rim….caramelized sugar instead.

Agave has a beautiful and large Watermelon Salad. Worth ordering and share it with a friend.

The Guacamole is excellent too.

Mango and Avocado Salad is a favorite. Top it with your favorite meat, or have it by itself. Never enough avocados.

The Puffy Tacos are fish tacos but the tortilla is puffy. Grilled Mahi Mahi, jicama slaw, pico de gallo and Mexican lime crema. Rice and black beans as a side dish.

The Corn on the Cob is truly amazing. During the summer at the Delaware Beaches the sweetest corn can be found. Agave’s Corn on the Cob is covered in Chipotle Mayo, Queso Fresco and Lime. Messy, but Oh So Good!!

No dessert was necessary unless you thought about having a Mango Frozen Margarita!!

A great dinner can change your day around. More so if enjoyed with friends.

Saludos y Hasta Luego.

Please remember to check my Facebook Page and leave me some comments. It is good to hear from you. Thanks.

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August 26th, 2019

Ratatouille, Meatless Monday, Recipe, Vegetarian, Easy, Southern Delaware

My late mother in law, Louise, was a great cook. Many years ago she made a cookbook just for the girls and boys in the family. Every Christmas we would get an insert. She called this cookbook: Recipes, Begged, Borrowed, & Stolen. The Ratatouille is from her cookbook and it is prepared skillet style.

This is one of those dishes that you can prepare year round. But, in the summer vegetables are so beautiful and delicious that it is probably the best time of the year to make it. Those bright colors shine in this recipe.

Some people consider it a stew. Olive oil, garlic and herbs add so much flavor to the Ratatouille.

Following is the recipe. Hope you like it.

RATATOUILLE

1eggplant, peeled and cut into cubes. (I did not peel mine)

3 medium squash – zucchini, sliced

2 large onions – chopped

1 clove garlic – minced

1 large can tomatoes – or several fresh ones ( I used the fresh ones)

1 green pepper – chopped

1 small jar of pimiento, juice included

1/3 cup olive oil

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. marjoram

1/2 tsp. dill seeds

In olive oil saute onions for a minute or so, and add rest of the vegetables and spices. Stir well and simmer vegetable mixture for as long as you wish, stirring occasionally.

It is good to cook it for a long time to get those veggies to soften, but do not let them stick.


You can eat the Ratatouille as a side dish, main dish, over pasta, over polenta like I did, as an appetizer with crackers. Add a dash of hot sauce for some kick. In other words, make this recipe your own.


You can double the recipe. Enjoy!!

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August 22nd, 2019

Crust & Craft, Restaurant, Review, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Wood Fired Pizza, Local Beers, Southern Delaware, The Art of Wining & Dining, Delaware Beaches

Good for the whole family. That was my first impression. Neighborhood feel restaurant located at 18701 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-313-5029 Check the menu at http://www.crustandcraftrehoboth.com

Love the restaurants on Coastal Highway. At this time of the year parking is hard to come by so the restaurants on this main road at the beaches have plenty of parking.

I had not been to this restaurant for a long time. New ownership by SoDel Concepts since this past year.

Crust & Craft is modern, lots of lights, open kitchen concept…..see the wood fire oven right there past the counter.

It was around 2:00 p.m. when we arrived. We decided to share a salad and a pizza. The pizzas are 12 inches; perfect for sharing. They have plenty of beers to choose from.

We ordered the Wood Roasted Brussels Sprouts. It arrived looking beautiful with butternut, Moody Blue, Apple, a maple vinaigrette dressing, pumkin seeds topping the salad. Great combination of flavors.

It was not until later that I was thinking about this salad and looked at the photo closely. I remember there was something missing. The salad was to have the brussels sprouts wood roasted. They were not really roasted. That roasted flavor was not there. We ate it and did not complain. All in all, it was really good but it would have been better if they would have been roasted.

Our choice of The Funghi Pizza did not disappoint. Parmesan Bechamel, Kennett Roasted Mushrooms, House Cheese Blend, and delicious caramelized onions. It was delicious!! The perfect size for two people.

Having had good service, good food and an affordable price, I can tell you that I cannot wait to go back.

Remember to check my Facebook page AboutMyBeaches.

Hope you have a wonderful rest of the Summer 2019!!

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August 14th, 2019

The Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, Lewes, Delaware, Tour, Review, Delaware Bay, Southern Delaware, Summer 2019

You see it out there? I love this photo showing the point at Cape Henlopen. Our destination on July 20th was the historic Harbor of Refuge. This is one of the two lighthouses located on the Delaware Bay between Lewes, and Cape May, New Jersey.

Cape May-Lewes Ferry

“The earliest lighthouses were simple bonfires built on hillsides to guide ships. The first American lighthouse came to life in 1716 at Boston Harbor.”

The Delaware Breakwater, the East End Lighthouse, and the Harbor of Refuge Light Station entered in 1976 on the National Register of Historic Places as the nation’s first offshore Historic District.

I have been touring these lighthouses for the past 6 years. When I have a guest that might be interested in something like this I go for it. This lighthouses and the breakwater are iconic. They were the first structures of their kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere.

For the purpose of this post I am writing about the Harbor of Refuge. The tour was given by The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. They are the caretaker of this lighthouse. Please visit the website http://delawarebaylights.org.

In the website you can check the tours. They usually give the tours until mid September. The telephone is 302-644-7046. You can also check them on Facebook. Usually they say you have to send forms in but I think if you are here at the beach, you might be able to go anyway. Just give them a call or email them.

On July 20th I invited friends from Ocean City, Maryland to this tour. I don’t know if you remember but it was so hot. We arrived at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes. My friends had not experienced this.

On the Rocks is the outdoor restaurant and bar and Dogfish Head has its own little space there, as well.

The organizers of the tour were getting ready. We on the other hand were hiding from the heat.

It was time to go. You do have to wear life vests and make sure you wear closed toe shoes too. The tour departs from the finger pier.

Before arriving to the Harbor of Refuge we got close to the East End Lighthouse for a few photo opportunities.

Along the way you may spot dolphins and all kinds of fish. In the tour you will usually have Red and Garrett and several docents.

The Delaware Breakwater along with the lighthouses are marvels of the 19th century. They were the first structures of their kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere. The breakwater wall started construction in 1828.

On this particular day spear fishing was going on.

The Harbor of Refuge was built in 1926 to replace a previous lighthouse. The Harbor of Refuge is one of the most exposed lighthouses on the Atlantic seaboard. Just this past week, on the Cape Gazette there was an article mentioning how in need of repair is this lighthouse. I think because its precarious location, it is in need of repair at all times. The rocks on one side are coming down because of the erosion. In 2013 I took the first 2 photos and just this year I took this other photo. You can see what they are talking about.


Now you will see the difference in this one.

During this particular tour Bill Harris was with us. He was the last keeper of the lighthouse in 1973.

Each level of the lighthouse had its purpose. Kitchen, sleeping quarters, etc. etc. And throughout the tour the docents are able to answer all your questions.

I recommend this tour. The scenery and the history are just so impressive.

It did not matter if it was that hot. We made it.

On the above photo we were getting ready to go back. You can see Red giving the last instructions, Bill Harris and I think that is Garrett on the far left. And Cindi and I sitting below thinking that just about this time a beer would be wonderful.

I have plenty of post on these lighthouses on this website. Please check them out to see if this is something you might like to do. By visiting and donating to the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation we can keep them going.

I do have a Facebook Page for AboutMyBeaches. You can leave me comments there.

Hope your Summer 2019 has been awesome.

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August 10th, 2019

TKO Designs, Jewelry, Bethany Beach, Delaware, Alice H. Klein, Designer, Shopping, Tax Free, Southern Delaware, Delaware Beaches

One of a kind pieces is how I can describe Alice Klein’s jewelry designs. I have known her for many years. She has been so innovative in her work. Located in the Town of Bethany Beach, Delaware, right on the beach. Address? 100 Garfield Parkway, Stores 6 and 7. Tel. 302-539-6992, Mobile 302-841-9088. http://www.alicehklein-tko.com.

Summer time is the time of the year to bring those beautiful colors out. I am talking specifically about turquoises. This past week, even though we have had torrential rains in the evening the morning skies are just amazingly blue.

I recently purchased a pair of turquoise earring from Alice for a present. She told me that this particular pair of earrings is called Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. The stones mined from this particular mine are very highly sought after because of its color. Hardly any veins or webbing. Pure blue sky color.

Fun to fine jewelry can be found at TKO. And, you may bring your dated jewelry for her to give it a new look. I have done it and can attest that her work is beautiful.

Turquoise stones have soared in prices because one of the best mines closed. The Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe, Arizona closed. They produced breathtaking stones as I explained above.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise got its name because “the mountain where it was mined resembles a sleeping woman laying on the back with arms crossed”.

They say that the color turquoise is associated with meanings of refreshing, calming, feminine, spiritual grounding, tranquility, serenity and loyalty among others.

Many years ago my grandmother gave me one that even though it is about 50 years old still brings a smile every time I wear it. And, in the summer I wear it all the time.

I am showing just a few things from TKO. Stop by to say hello to Alice and her husband, Bryant. Can’t leave him out. The shop is closed on Sundays.

Summer 2019 is flying by.

Check by FB page AboutMyBeaches if you want to be in the know. Have a beautiful weekend.

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August 5th, 2019

Station on Kings, Lewes, Delaware, Restaurant, Review, Lunch, Dinner, Bakery, Cafe, Garden Store, The Art of Wining and Dining, Southern Delaware

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” anthelme brillat-savarin

Everyone’s is a food critic these days. I find that the experience comes from eating out often. It is actually very personal. You might love the restaurant and then someone will come back saying; what were you thinking?

The more relaxed you are while eating, the best it will be for you and your dining companion.

Kris Etze and I chose The Station on Kings located at 720 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. Tel. 302-645-0300. You can reserve tables online and the restaurant has plenty of parking. They are open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Early morning coffee and baked goods are served. Every day you can enjoy lunch and dinner. Website? http://www.thestationlewes.com

Kris is a well known local personal chef. If you would like to know more about her…..she gives cooking classes too, please check her website http://www.abracadinner.com.

I love to see a beautiful plate full of colorful and well seasoned food. Kris can dissect how perfectly cooked a dish is. A pro at what she does.

The Station on Kings is a one stop shop. Beautifully displays of food, baked goods, home accessories.

Our server was very attentive. We ordered some wine and then jumped into the appetizers.

Have you ever had Blistered Shishito Peppers? Or, even know what they are?

Up close and personal…here is the photo. They are great for snacks. Easy to “blister” too. They are from Japan and sweet. But, caution is in order. 1 in 10 peppers are spicy. Don’t worry, nothing extreme. People that are in the know like Kris, will probably tell you that high heat and quick cooking is what you want. You want them fairly firm but with charred blisters on all sides.

My expert told me they were perfectly cooked. And me, the eating expert, will tell you that they were mild. The dipping sauce of kimchi aioli was also very good.

There is plenty to choose if you are vegetarian or have to eat gluten free.

Kris chose the Vegetarian Risotto. This dish was composed of farro, grilled corn, shaved fennel, house ricotta and chives. It was a nice portion and Kris really commented on how good it was.

I really do love octopus, so every time I see it being offered I order it. You want it to be firm but not dry and chewey and at The Station on Kings it did not disappoint. Perfectly done!! It was served with smoked potatoes, romesco, chorizo jam and salsa verde. Romesco is a tomato-based sauce that originated in Tarragona, Catalonia. The sauce was made by fishermen and should be eaten with fish.

Our choice for a sweet ending was Stone Fruit Frangipane Tart. A frangipane is made with almonds or almond flavoring, butter, sugar and eggs. The combination of cherries and roasted apricots was delicious. Cardamon almonds, brown butter caramel, and rum toffee ice cream. What can I say? Awesome!!

I am looking at these photos and I am salivating. Summer 2019 has brought the local restaurants to bring the best of what they have. Just yummy!!

Check my FB page AboutMyBeaches and comment if you have made it already to The Station on Kings.

Until then, Relax, You are at The Beach.


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