Traveling to Charleston in the Spring after a cold winter was soooo nice. The weather, the restaurants, and our accommodations all worked in unison. When that happens your vacation is great.
We chose the Zero George located on 0 George Street because of its reputation. Conde Nast names it as one of the top 5 Foodie Hotels in the world. Besides choosing it for our stay we also had the opportunity to enjoy a dinner in-house at their restaurant which was a foodie experience. More on that later.
There are 4 buildings in the property. Originally only 2 dating to 1804. The above photo shows where our suite was. This is one of those building with wide plank beautiful floors. It was like an apartment.
The property is beautifully maintained. Cozy and quaint you can find plenty of places to enjoy a drink during happy hour in the gardens or in their verandas.
Complimentary wine and cheese in the early evening.
You can walk from the Zero George to the center of town. But if you get tired or if you want to go to restaurants in the evening then calling the Bike Taxi or the Charleston Pedicab is the best way to go. The Zero George has valet parking available too. Plus, at night you practically get a tour of the city while these guys take you from one destination to another. At the time of our stay it was $12 for the ride. Charleston does not have a lot of Uber and I never saw a taxi. This is a very popular way to travel within town.
Charleston is so pretty. Walk, take a tour, enjoy their food and their music.
In search again for fresh Duck Eggs, I arrived late afternoon to Black Hog Farm, located at 16371 New Rd., Lewes, DE 19958. This farm is located about 7 minutes from Lewes Beach and 20 minutes, depending on the traffic from Rehoboth Beach. Website? http://www.blackhogfarmstead.com.
Back to our roots. Farm to table, is one of the biggest trends in the culinary world today. Less processed foods and more environmentally friendly alternatives. It really is a refreshing trend that I hope gets better and better. It was about time.
As I started to drive into the farm, I saw Helen working away. The temperature was pretty nice yesterday. John, her husband, told me that they get up early and work up until 11 a.m., then, lunch. Maybe, if they feel like it, they will come back out at around 3 or so in the afternoon and continue working.
Black Hog Farm has about 4.19 acres with 60 kinds of vegetables and flowers. The farm uses sustainable growing practices. They have hazelnut trees, fig trees, persimmons, apples, pears, a (sour pie) cherry tree, and some paw-paws. Pawpaw trees, are the largest edible fruit trees native to North America. The fruit is greenish-blackish, 3 to 6 inches long The flesh is pale to bright yellow. Very tropical.
John and Helen Feliciano are the owners. They are passionate about what they do. If you are passionate about what you do, you will never work a day in your life. To know about them, please visit the website.
Helen told me that she just had a dozen fresh duck eggs, but she needed to wash them. So, I decided to walk around. There is a refrigerator on the porch…..self service, and honor system. The duck eggs are usually found there, just put your $5/dozen inside the box.
The ducks were out back in the yard at the end of the property.
The moment they saw me they started to get close. Sorry, I was not feeding them. They were pretty vocal.
Helen came out with my eggs. Look how gorgeous they looked.
Casual visits to the farm are preferred on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2 and 5 p.m. You can always call them ahead of time any day and see if you can come by. Tel. 302-236-2437. I, actually, showed up late in the day on Wednesday.
From May to October Black Hog Farmstead offers Open Porch Dinners, from the Farm to the Table. A once a month event. Coming up on Sunday June 28th is the next Sunday dinner. These dinners start at 1 p.m. to stay with the rural tradition of years past.
A 4-course Midday Sunday Dinner, featuring everything fresh from the garden. Long table on the porch, family-style. After dinner, tours of the farm will be available so that you can appreciate the veggie beds, fruits and nut orchard….and even visit the ducks. They are already taking reservations for the June dinner. To view the menu please go to the above mentioned website. The dinners are $60/person….BYOB!!
Black Hog Farmstead is also a B & B. In season, rates are 185/night. Once again, please visit the website for more information.
John and Helen are so friendly and always happy and proud to talk about their farm.
In my own house…..the raspberries are ripening, the basil is growing, the mint…a weed, is getting thicker. I was always so proud of my fig tree. After the 2 cold winters we have had, it has been growing from the ground. Miss getting all those 900 plus figs. Oh, well, we will see what it does this year.
B & Bs are found in all sates, from modest cottages to opulent mansions…the Addy Sea is located at 99 Ocean View Parkway in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Tel. 302-539-3707. Website? http://www.addysea.com.
The Addy Sea was the 4th of 5 houses built by John M. Addy from Pittsburgh, PA. It was one of the first homes to have indoor plumbing in Bethany. Circa 1902. In 1935, it was turned into a guest house. At the present time, it operates as an adult B & B.
It is a venue for weddings and other celebrations. They have their own catering service, as well. Already, reservations for 2016 weddings are taking place for the months of May, June, September, and October. So, if you like what you see on this post and are planning an event, give them a call.
Up and down the Delaware Beaches you will find a beach that will suit you and your family. Having have lived in Bethany Beach for many years, the beaches here are wide and so unobstructed. Some get a little crowded at the height of the season and others, just like this one at the Addy Sea’s edge, is the perfect place to park yourselves.
The Addy Sea has a Victorian exterior with cedar shingles and trimmed lacy gingerbread. Indoors, 13 guestrooms, Victorian, as well.
Love the wrap aound porch at the Addy Sea. Rocking on those rocking chairs, reading a book, having a drink….enjoying one gorgeous day at the beach.
The Delaware Beaches are getting ready for the season. Coming to the beach, leaving the city behind. Casual attire, sand between your toes….you know what I mean. I live here, love it, and do not take it for granted!!
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I could keep on venting, but I will not. The flight to Providence was to have taken one hour, if that, from Philly. Nothing ever goes smoothly when traveling, or does it?
US Airways, plane on the air…then the announcement that we would have to go back to Philly….oh don’t worry you will see fire trucks and ambulances on the ground….a window popped out. What? All I could think was that my connection was already gone.
To make a long story short….we got to Providence around 6:30 p.m. from a 1:50 p.m. flight.
Now where to stay? I wanted something next to the airport. Reading the reviews I saw plenty of excellent ones for the Hampton Inn, right next to the airport, in Warwick. That the service was excellent, yada yada yada.
I am passing the info., just in case you are traveling this corridor. It has been excellent, from the moment that the driver picked me up at the airport. He has been working for this Hampton Inn for 14 years.
This Hampton Inn is located at 2100 Post Rd., Warwick, RI 02886. Warwick is where the airport is located, as well. Tel. 401-739-8888.
Plenty of travelers must have thought the same way. Lots guests here. Bar and lounge available too.
They were so friendly. Great services. They can take you free of charge to so many restaurants in the area. A welcoming snack, as well.
Breakfast in the morning.
The hotel is super clean, has a bar and the rooms are good size.
They bake cookies every day in house. Perfect!!
And coffee is always served!
So, I really did not want to go anywhere for dinner, after my traveling experience.
Pizza!! That’s what I wanted. The guys here told me that Pizza King was great. They are local, family owned and operated for 30 years. And, they deliver to the hotel.
Pizza King is located at 1800 Post Rd., right in Warwick too. I ordered a small one with mushrooms and a salad!! Surprise, Surprise.
The pizza was gorgeous and well done….I did not even have to ask for that. So good.
And look at the salad!! They recommended their homemade vinaigrette!! Really good.
At $13.92 plus tip….what a welcoming deal!! Thanks!.
My blog is written mostly about my experiences….it is word of mouth. Got to give credit when credit is due…and both, this Hampton Inn, and, Pizza King deserve to be highlighted on my post.
My destination today? Nantucket Island
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I called this post day tripping because that’s exactly what it was. Driving to Easton from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, takes a little bit over an hour. I take the back roads. Easton is the jewel of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It is a very sophisticated town with much history.
My first stop was to have lunch with Louise and Powell at The Hunters’ Tavern inside the Tidewater Inn, located at 101 East Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. This is a beautiful historic hotel; very centrally located. Tel. 410-822-1300 Website? http://www.tidewaterinn.com.
The Hunters’ Tavern has indoor and outdoor seatings. Tel. 410-822-1300 Website? http://www.tidewaterinn.com/dine/hunters-tavern. The restaurant is well aware of customers with a gluten allergy. Check the website.
We started with the Snappy Turtle Soup. This soup is tomato based. It is totally delicious. I have had it before, I have written about it before….and now I am doing it again. Don’t forget to add plenty of Sherry. And if you want to take some home, they have it to go, as well. Just tell them how much you want.
We had 2 salads: Nuts & Berries with mixed greens, strawberries, candied walnuts and Chapel Bay Bleu Cheese. Light and refreshing.
The Bibb Salad had a champagne terragon vinegar dressing, and Chapel Bay Bleu Cheese. It was accompanied by Blackened Ahi Tuna. This was my salad and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
No dessert….time to hit the town.
SHOPPING:
Some time ago I saw a boutique called Marc Randall. I wanted to check it out. Easton has so many stores, but this particular one is different. Women’s fun and fine apparel. Unique handbags and jewelry. The location is 3 Dover St. Tel. 410-820-4077. Website? http://www.marcrandall.com. The shop is shophisticated with cutting edge appeal. Everything is different from the rest of the shops in Easton.
The Ket Sao collection of jewelry caught my attention….These pieces of jewelry are beautiful accents to your wardrobe for Summer 2014. I loved the mixed metal and beaded jewelry.
You can read more about this jewelry by visiting http://www.chickboss.com. This company is helping young Guatemalans and when you purchase a piece of jewelry, you are helping too. The metals are sealed to retard the natural oxidation process. You can clean it with a polishing cloth if needed. Store it in a dry place. That’s all the care you need.
Next time in Easton stop by and meet Marc. He is very friendly.
PLEIN AIR EASTON ART FESTIVAL
This Art Festival is held every year in July. It is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the U.S. Instead of producing art in a studio, Plein Air Painters produce art from life. There is representation from all over the U.S. and beyond.
Last year’s art sales totaled $325,000 with 313 paintings sold in two and a half days. Approximately, 6,000 to 8,000 people participate in the festival throughout the week.
You have ambition and $10…then you are in Plein Air Easton’s Quick Draw. Plen Air Easton is at the center of the modern plein air movement.
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I have been coming to Florida for so many years. I even attended a small college in central Florida long time ago. All those years I have heard people talking about Key West. So, after being in Florida for over a week and not seeing the sun, we decided to go to the southernmost corner of the United States and see if a few rays of sunshine would make an appearance before heading back to Delaware. Believe it or not, it did happen.
I had some preconceived ideas of how Key West was going to be. Pristine water, fishermen, cottages and bungalows; the influences of New England, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Let me get it off my chest; some things I really liked; others I did not like at all.
During the 4 hour drive to Key West I found that the bridges were so neat with spectacular views of the water. But, I also saw too many signs offering sales for this or that and more than the share of run down places.
When we arrived in Key West we probably did what everyone else does; go to Duval Street. Sorry, but I did not like it. Too crowded, too noisy at all times and even too many bars. I love music but blaring music 24/7 is not my thing. Ghost tours? Trains and Trolleys? Too much of a carnival atmosphere. Too commercialized. At that moment I thought, what the heck am I doing here? Almost like someone adjusting their eyes to darkness; that’s what slowly was happening to me.
The moment I saw Casa Marina I fell in love with it. It is one of those hotels that have great bones. Understated elegance. This hotel did not need any other embellishments. The woods throughout the hotel were so rich and wonderful. Very classic. It is located at 1500 Reynolds St., Key West, FL 33040. Tel. 888-303-5717 Website? www.casamarinaresort.com.
Everyone in the hotel was so nice. This friendliness and genuine happiness was not just at Casa Marina, we also found it with everyone we encountered in Key West.
Casa Marina was very comfortable. Since the 1920’s when it opened its doors on New Year’s Eve, this hotel has had impressive visitors; business tycoons, artists and dignitaries. It was the vision of American Railroad Tycoon, Henry Flagler. Mr. Flagler died before the construction even started in 1918.
I found it to be an oasis. It was quiet and tranquil with beautifully kept grounds. The setting was really pretty.
It has the largest private beach in Key West. You were not crowded on the beach, everyone had their own privacy.
Those palm trees were holding some inviting hammocks.
Thatched roof huts gave privacy to Spa Al Mare.
Our rooms were very nice with really comfortable beds. The hotel has 311 guest rooms. If you are interested in water sports, I think you will be satisfied with what they are offering.
I talked to Stephanie, a Concierge at Casa Marina; her restaurant recommendation was very good. I was looking for a restaurant who would be aware of gluten allergies and Camille’s was her suggestion.
Really loved the Casa Marina. I could never get tired of that view.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later.
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I don’t get to stay at the hotels in Rehoboth Beach, or in any of the other hotels at the Delaware Beaches. Why should I? I live in Rehoboth Beach.
But, I was just thinking that there are more than a few events in Rehoboth Beach during the month of February. For example, this week-end is the Polar Bear Plunge. If you decide to become a brave soul then, maybe, you need to pamper yourself a bit and stay at The Bellmoor.
The Bellmoor is located at 6 Christian St. Tel. 302-227-5800. Website? www.thebellmoor.com. It is casual, yet elegant and sophisticated. It is within walking distance of everything Rehoboth Beach has to offer; the Boardwalk and beach, shops, restaurants, bake shops and coffee shops.
Don’t let the words luxurious and elegant intimidate you. It has a casual atmosphere, as well. The Bellmoor offers concierge services, pools, and gardens.
At this time of the year it is the perfect place to stay. Competitive prices and great special packages make staying at the Bellmoor very affordable. Please check the website.
The Day Spa is wonderful, small and intimate. And, if you are a Polar Bear this week-end then, you know who to call. You will need it after the plunge. Tina, can set the appointment with Erin. She is great.
That’s all I have to say; straight to the point.
Talk to you later…have a good one!!
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Taking a walk after such a satisfying meal, on Saturday evening felt good. Susie had found out that the Inn at the Black Olive was just around the corner from The Black Olive. It is owned by the same family. Besides wanting to check out the Inn we wanted to also check the rooftop restaurant called The Olive Room. Looking over the city at that time of the evening was going to be beautiful.
What a surprise!! We were right in front of it. We just could not believe how big it actually was. The address is 803 South Caroline St., Fells Point, MD 21231. Tel. 443-681-6316. The website? www.theblackolive.com.
We went in and noticed that there was a market on the first floor. It is The Agora Market. If you are staying at the Inn at the Black Olive you can get a variety of provisions for your room.
We asked if there was a possibility to see one of the suites. There are only 12 suites in the whole building; 2 on each floor.
The Inn at the Black Olive considers itself the greenest hotel in Baltimore. The Inn provides the most gentle and healthy environment possible for their guests. To see more info. on the green aspects of this Inn, please visit their website www.theblackolive.com.
We entered one of the rooms and each of the rooms is equipped to handle all technology needs using some solar electricity.
The rooms have organic furniture and bedding, olive oil/limestone bath walls, pipeless whirlpool, geothermal radiant heating and cooling. Organic breakfast and complimentary wine selection is available, as well.
The suite that was shown to us was comfortable with a good size bedroom and bathroom.
I cannot say the same thing with the living area. It seemed that the scale of the furniture and art were not in proportion to the size of the room. Something was missing.
Off to the rooftop we went. It is called The Olive room. We did not have dinner there, having just eaten at The Black Olive.
We met Pauline, owner. She was sitting outside and we chatted a bit. Then outside you will experience a brethtaking view of the city.
You can dine or have drinks outside, as well. Really, it is gorgeous.
Inside, the restaurant is well appointed. The menu looked divine with small plates to choose from or regular entrees. You can see the menu on the website above mentioned.
We said our goodbyes with the promise that we would definitely, come back and make an evening of it.
Note: Their website, www.theblackolive.com is a very good and comprehensive one. You will find so much on the history of the area. You will also find what makes this family of restauranteurs and innkeepers tick.
I think that our Saturday evening was over…..spending the day with Susie was…priceless!!
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