Continuing my motto of “Good Food, Will Travel” we found ourselves this past week at Buckley’s Tavern located at 5812 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807. http://www.buckleystavern.com
This area in northern Delaware has beautiful rolling hills. It is historic Centreville. Buckley’s is open for lunch and dinner. Even though we showed up without a reservation for lunch it would probably be best if you did that. We love sitting at the bar so that is what we did.
Starting with a Bloody Mary, our lunch had just begun.
This Tavern has been here for a very long time. The food is delicious but there is one item on that vast menu that to me is just amazing. They call it Buckley’s Exotic Mushroom Soup. Centreville is adjacent to the mushroom capital so getting the best mushrooms is what they do best.
It is cold and this is soup weather, for sure. The soup has a depth of flavor, but you do have to like mushrooms. The recipe does not change. It has a wide variety of wild and exotic mushrooms, blended and topped with crispy leeks.
You will not leave Buckley’s Tavern hungry. They are very generous with their portions.
My appetizer looked like a regular lunch portion. Seared Tuna served with baby fennel; orange segments, yellow pepper, kalamata olive tapenade, baby arugula, honey-shallot orange vinaigrette and light wonton crisps. If you like seared tuna, you can even split this offering with a friend.
It was hard to pick because there is so much that attracted my attention.
Another hit was the Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich. Walnuts and dried cranberries on a croissant. You could pick a side. Very nice.
Social distance is very much in order at Buckley’s. It is a popular lunch and dinner spot.
If you find yourselves around the area please don’t hesitate to stop. The Tavern is near museums in that valley. And, very close to Longwood Gardens, as well.
In the meantime, have a great weekend.
Remember that AboutMyBeaches has its own page on FB just in case you have something to tell me.
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By the seat of my pants I got a reservation at The Inn at Pound Ridge. A getaway to Greenwich and Bedford with only 2 nights to try restaurants that would leave me wanting to go back.
I called the day prior to our trip for a reservation. There were none available. I called again and left a message. I could not believe that they called me back asking me what time I wanted the reservation for. Don’t know if anyone canceled but a reservation I indeed had.
The Inn at Pound Ridge started as a residence back in 1833. Then, an inn, and now renowned International Chef Jean-Georges has it as a farm to table restaurant. It has an understated elegance that is palpable the moment you step in.
You can check the credentials of Jean-Georges. A Michelin Star winner, a businessman, a restauranteur, and a book publisher. Restaurant patrons all over the world appreciate his cooking style. http://www.jean-georges.com
“Soup to Nuts” comes to mind as I write this post. It means from beginning to end. Every aspect covered. The term can be attributed to many things and not just cooking.
Fireplaces were roaring, it was a cold night. The Inn at Pound Ridge is located at 258 Westchester Ave. http://www.theinnatpoundridge.com
They were taking us downstairs and I thought maybe our table was not going to be a prime table. Well, surprise, surprise, it certainly was. In an alcove next to the fire. Very private and cozy. Jess, our server, promptly came over. A shout to him. He was very attentive throughout our dining experience.
Drinks were ordered. Then, the soup. Butternut Squash Soup with Wild Mushrooms. A delicate soup, full of color and flavor.
The Kale Salad with a Parmesan Dressing, Croutons, and Mint. I tasted this salad. It was not my own. I would say that it was very good but not the best I have tasted before.
Look at that Steamed Black Seabass. It was the evening’s special and got a thumbs up review.
Every good restaurant offers beef. How it is prepared can make for a memorable experience. This Beef Tenderloin reflected that. It was eaten slowly because he did not want it to end. Those are smooth parsnips, with roasted Brussels sprouts and a Miso mustard.
My Faroe Island Salmon was amazing. That’s my description. It is a favorite entree at the restaurant and it came with mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts and a truffle vinaigrette.
A few after dinner drinks, a little coffee, and more conversation. No dessert was necessary even though for the purpose of a food post I should have had one.
What’s a memorable dining experience? Those chips, again, have to fall into place. The atmosphere, the food, and the company. Yes, the company makes it priceless!!
Until next time, I remain. AboutMyBeaches has its own FB Page if you would like to leave a message. Finding out about what’s going on, what events, what restaurants…reviews, where to shop and what to cook for dinner.
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In the winter there is nothing like a warming bowl of soup. It was cold on Sunday. But, today at the Delaware Beaches the temperatures will rise to the upper 40’s. I’ll take that.
Over the years I have bought tons of magazines. A lot of them have been food oriented. I go through them many times and then I start cutting recipes out and putting them in folders. With a morning coffee I go through them and if something catches my eye, I take it out.
I picked an Onion Soup Recipe that got my attention back in 2013 in a Food & Wine Magazine. It is a healthier version of the traditional French Onion Soup. Traditional soups are fantastic but making them healthier while conserving flavor it’s the trick. That hunk of bread and thick layer of melting cheese makes it high in calories and sodium. Sorry, but it is true.
For Meatless Monday and being that it is a cloudy day this onion soup might be just what you need. I made it yesterday and it is a keeper.
Meatless Monday is a worldwide organization trying to have folks like us eat meatless at least one day per week.
The Recipe
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 large onions, (sweet or regular) halved and thinly sliced
Kosher Salt
1/4 cup of dry white wine
1 tablespoon soy sauce
6 cups of beef stock or low sodium broth
Baguettes (either cut your own or buy prepared ones) I used small ones for my large bowl.
Gruyere shredded cheese. I packed that cheese on the baguettes.
In a large pot heat oil until shimmering. Add the onions and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and just starting to brown. Maybe about 7 minutes or so. Taste the broth and add a bit of salt and continue to cook over moderate low heat, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and golden. I would say 20 minutes?
Add the wine and soy sauce to the pot. Cook for a few more minutes.
Add the stock and bring to a boil. Then, simmer over low to moderate heat, again stirring occasionally until the onion broth is well flavored and slightly reduced. Taste again and if needed add more salt.
You can make the soup ahead of time until this point.
Then pre-heat the broiler and arrange the baguettes on a baking sheet and top with the Gruyere cheese. Broil until melted.
To serve this onion soup, ladle it into bowls and top with the cheese toasts. You may sprinkle a little bit of cheese all over the soup prior to placing the cheese toasts, as well.
Hope this will be a keeper for you too. Remember AboutMyBeaches has a FB page just in case you want to chime in.
This blog started in 2009 with the idea of offering the readers who want to be in the know about events, restaurants, reviews, where to shop and what to cook for dinner.
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It was a short getaway, but getaways are usually short. What makes them memorable is when all the chips fall into place. The trip, the accommodations, the weather, and most of all, the restaurants.
I asked the Delamar Hotel, where we were staying, to send me a list of Italian restaurants. The one that spoke to me was Polpo. First the name because it means octopus and I love octopus or squid. An extensive menu it was so 4 of us were there a week ago. Still remember it and definitely would visit again on another trip.
What are some of the characteristics of a good Italian restaurant? What do you actually look for? A lot of food, you really don’t serve a dot on a plate. Oh no. Great ambiance, and good service. Please don’t rush us. Last but not least is food quality. Best ingredients are a must.
Polpo delivered. Our servers were a team. The accents were deep, rivaling my own. There was music in the bar area. People were chatting and for a moment in time we forgot that a pandemic is still with us.
At Polpo they have matchstick fried zucchini and it was ordered for the table. At first I thought well I am not sure. Why order this when there is so much more of that. Guess what? Crispy, and guilt free eating.
A few salads were ordered. All through our ordering the restaurant was alive, waiters coming and going. Boy, I have missed the noise and the people.
Just a reminder that at Polpo everything is homemade. A salad of homemade mozzarella with roasted peppers and white anchovies (Boquerones) was not mine but I got to have a few of the anchovies, which I loved.
Too far for me to taste it but look at the Burratta Caprese with Prosciutto. It got very good reviews.
I love Branzino. This Mediterranean fish is full of flavor and I usually order it whenever I see it. At Polpo they had a fillet. I asked if they had a whole fish. That’s what I wanted. Signora anything you want we can do. Do you want us to debone it? Of course not!! How could you say such a thing. That is where the flavor is. They loved saying that eating it whole was the way to go. They just did not know I knew how to pick crabs, that I can eat a lobster all throughout. This Branzino was no challenge. I ate everything with gusto. It was the best Branzino and thank God it was because the whole fish was pricey.
The Branzino al Forno was served with a rosemary and garlic sauce. You can see it right on this next photo, next to the Cacio e Pepe dish that was also ordered. The dish was delicious but they cautioned that it was very peppery.
The Mediterranean cuisine has introduced us to Rapini or Broccoli Rab. Full of flavor and loved the garlic.
Someone said that homemade pasta absorbs the flavor of a dish better than pasta bought at a grocery store. The Linguini on Vongole with White Clam Sauce was received as the best they have had.
Most of the time I do not order dessert. Not that I don’t want to. It is the fact that I like to practice some restraint.
This dense chocolate cake and ice cream, I had a bite and could have had more. A perfect ending to a memorable Italian dinner.
We ventured out the door. It had started raining. But it did not matter. We had full stomachs and smiles on our faces.
My regret? That my photos were not the best that night. Trying to capture everyone’s dishes before they dove into them. That was tricky.
Until another time, I remain. Check out my AboutMyBeaches Facebook Page to find out about events, restaurans, reviews, where to shop and what to cook for dinner.
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A change of scenery is a welcome change. Nothing beats just a couple of days away from the usual to rejuvenate our mental health.
Staying at the Delamar Greenwich Harbor was that type of change. Just 2 nights is all we needed. The hotel is on the water. Located at 500 Steamboat Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830
Covid 19 tests negative we had just in case anyone asked. No valet parking at the moment because of the virus but the property has parking so that was not a big deal.
Easy check in. Guests were asked not to congregate in the lobby.
In the mornings, fruit, yogurt, juices were placed on that table. Towards the back on the left there was a very nice coffee bar.
The property is located on the water. I can imagine sitting outdoors during warmer months.
The room was very comfortable. A great bed, by the way. The balcony, again would have been perfect appreciating the waterfront.
Delamar has a restaurant called L’Escale. The menu looked great but we only had drinks.
To me the hotel was Art Deco. That design period is captivating and nostalgic. The restaurant was founded in 2003.
Definitely, will stay there again. Everyone was very cordial and the restaurant is so close to Greenwich Ave. where fabulous stores, spas, and restaurants are found.
The Delamar has a spa but because of Covid the spaces were limited and being that it was a holiday weekend they suggested Posh Spa located at 195 Greenwich Ave., next to Saks Fifth Ave…how convenient. It was great and after a 1 1/2 massage we felt like new people. And, ready to experience a few of the restaurants that the area offered.
Even though traveling through a pandemic has been challenging, there is still ways to enjoy a couple of days away from the norm. The trip from Rehoboth Beach to Greenwich took 4 hours and that included stopping a few times. Very doable.
Next post? Restaurant #1
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Don’t you love those recipes that you keep making them year after year. At times they are only made at certain times. Could be holidays, birthdays, or just because.
I call these recipes Keepers. We keep them close and even though they may not be an original recipe, then you make it your own by adding a little bit of this or a little bit of that.
In 2007 Rachel Ray shared one of her mother’s recipes. It is called Elsa’s Cider Beef With Smashed Cheddar Potatoes. Over the years I have made it and truly love it.
Following is the recipe for this comfort food, more so on a chilly winter night like tonight.
2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons of butter
2 lbs. top sirloin, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
salt and black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped (I added an extra carrot)
1 lb turnips, peeled and chopped
4 tablespoons of all purpose flour (If you make this recipe gluten free you need another type of flour. It will work.)
2 cups good quality apple cider (dark and cloudy) 100% cider, not juice
1 15 ounce can of beef stock
3 lbs of Idaho potatoes. I did half and half adding sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped.
1/2 cup milk (I used fat free half and half)
1/2 cup sour cream (I used light sour cream)
2 cups shredded sharp white cheese (I used extra sharp)
3 tablespoons chopped or snipped fresh chives.
Pre heat oven to 425 degrees.
Place a large stew pot or Dutch oven with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter. When the butter melts, season the beef with salt and pepper. I used rock salt. Add to the pot. Brown on all sides about 7 to 8 minutes.
Add the onions, carrots, and turnips and cook for about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle the veggies and meat with the flour and stir to combine for about 1 minute.
Stir in the apple cider and the beef stock, bring to a boil, cover the pan and transfer to the oven. Braise it for 45 minutes.
In 15 minutes boil the potatoes in salted water. Make sure the water covers the potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat a bit. Cook about 15 minutes until tender.
Drain the potatoes, return to the pot and add the milk, sour cream, and cheese. To mash the potatoes I used a hand blender, then added a bit of salt and pepper (optional) and the chives. Cover and keep warm. If they cool off then place in microwave and reheat.
To serve, ladle the stew into bowls. Make a well in the center and fill with the potatoes. I put the potatoes first and made the well and then fill with the stew. Your choice.
It is delicious. The combination of beef, turnips and apple cider gives a distinct flavor.
Hope you like it.
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Hello there. It is Saturday, January 9th. Life continues as it should and here in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, we continue to experience great food even through a pandemic.
The Rehoboth Foodie, our local celebrity when it comes to restaurant reviews has a weekly radio show on 92.7 FM where he invites guests and have a one on one chat. I was honored to have been invited for today’s show. It will take place at 2 p.m. If you are a local then you can tune in but you can also stream it on http://www.wgmd.com.
My talk with Bob included the traditions of my Puertorican heritage. It was Three Kings Day or the Epiphany when we taped so I was able to bring him some pasteles, fried plantains, mojito, arroz con gandules (pigeon peas) and Puertorican famous Coquito which the eggnog.
It was a lot of fun and I got to know Bob better and experience his sense of humor.
Also on the radio show you will hear from SoDel Concepts’ Corporate Pastry Chef Dru Tevis and Baywood’s Head Pastry Chef Ellie Keck for a behind-the scenes peek at how they keep 12 restaurants in fresh, new desserts.
Have a beautiful day. It is chilly in Southern Delaware but the sun is out!!
Remember AboutMyBeaches has a Facebook Page where you can read what’s going on and leave me some comments.
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The Delaware Beaches have been crowded this Holiday Season. Why not? The weather has been somewhat “warm”, the beach is an inspiration for many, shopping could be a therapy for most. A change of scenery which feels soooo good.
This area is a foodie’s paradise. You really find a wide variety of foods and establishments. I have felt very safe in the restaurants. They are really doing a good job.
Having lived here for a long time I have my favorite restaurants. My blog was started in 2009 to promote the area. And, I think I have.
One of such restaurants that I use like a neighborhood restaurant is Shorebreak Lodge, located at 10 Wilmington Ave. in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. They will be open for lunch and dinner Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon until 10 p.m. http://www.shorebreaklodge.com
You can reserve online or you can call them at 302-227-1007.
Shorebreak also has Bar Seating. Great when there are only two of you. Good music and great wines.
If you would like a French 75 Cocktail this will be a good restaurant to try one. Ask to be made with Courvoisier instead of Gin.
I can tell you that I have loved everything I have tried at Shorebreak. But I always, for the most part, order the Grilled Octopus. It is the most tender octopus you will ever try. You can ask my brother, Miguel.
The Char Grilled Octopus is placed over Kohlrabi garbanzo slaw, harissa aioli.
The Seared Duck Breast melts in your mouth. Served with fingerling potatoes, beet greens and a butternut squash puree.
The Day Boat Scallops are huge. Most of all offerings can be served as appetizers or entrees.
The Shrimp N Grits are so well seasoned including a chorizo sauce.
The Deviled Eggs are very popular. A House Chimmi sauce and house cured bacon. What’s not to like?
You see that Hummus photo? Someone in the group said I don’t want any. I will tell you that it is outstanding. Pepita pesto, pickled red onion, garbanzo beans and toasted naan.
Brie N Naan was another choice for the table. Great for a crowd.
Coming to the desserts which are usually ordered when there is a group. Carrot Cake, a Key Lime Cake and a Chocolate Cake were sweet endings with everyone taking a bite here or there.
Enjoying a dinner with friends, good conversation, tasty food….all priceless!!
Shorebreak Lodge has a Facebook Page. AboutMyBeaches has a Facebook Page, as well where you can read little teasers of what’s to come to the blog or just leave a comment there. Until then, Have a Great Week.
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