June 7th, 2010
Everything about this restaurant was so unexpected for me. First the evening, the setting, and most of all the food.
Venus on the Half Shell has been in Dewey Beach, Delaware for about 6 years now. I, actually, had never been. Crazy isn’t it? It is just a mile down the road from my house.
I know that the downtown Rehoboth restaurants were having their week, but tonight I really wanted to try Venus. It had been on my mind for a few weeks.
Venus On The Half Shell is located on Dagsworthy Street & The Bay, Dewey Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-227-9292. Website is www.deweybeachlife.com.
The new Chef is Peter A. McMahon.
When I have written about Dewey Beach in the past, I have mentioned that this is a beach town that really knows how to party. Restaurants, music, beach sports and young people is what Dewey Beach is all about.
On Monday, after a beautiful, hot week-end, Venus was quiet and so was Dewey Beach. The weather had cooled off and it was just a fantastic early evening.
I was so surprised as I entered Venus to find that my first impression was that I was in Marrakech, Morocco. I have been to Morocco and that is just what came to mind.
It was so early but perfect because I could then take pictures. I was given the go ahead and so my evening started; taking pictures of this unique restaurant, right on Rehoboth Bay.
Venus has several seating arrangements; inside, under the tent which is in the sand or right by the water. Then, just one table under the Gazebo.
We chose to seat under the tent. The view was spectacular. To our right, high up, there was an osprey with its mate building their nest.
The osprey is also known as the sea hawk or fish eagle. It is a large raptor, whose diet is fish and mates for life. They are found in tropical and temperate regions. And, they winter from southern U.S. to Argentina.
A couple of appetizers were ordered. I had the pan roasted clams, zesty Chardonnay Butter Broth and Grilled Baguette. I had to ask Paige, who was our waitress, to bring me a spoon. There was no way I was leaving the broth behind. The clams were delicious with a nice kick to them.
The next appetizer was “Russian Oysters”, 6 Beau Soleil oysters, spritzed tableside with Iced Stoli. Good and salty.
Beau Soleil oysters are caraquets which are the famous oysters of the Maritimes, a staple among fishermen and loggers forever. These oysters are formed in 3 bays of Northern New Brunswick and they never touch the sea floor; they are called suspended caraquets.
I felt that the restaurant was just mine for the evening. Paige, our waitress was so attentive and her suggestions were a hit.
I had the baked salmon, stuffed with grilled asparagus, peppered tomato basil coulis, and roasted garlic rissotto cakes. Truly loved it and salmon is a dish I usually order and if it is recommended, then more so.
The Rock Shrimp & Langostino, sauteed with smoked tomatoes, tossed in a light Chive Cream Sauce over Jasmin Rice. I want to let you know that this dish is usually served over pasta, but because of the gluten allergy, it was over rice, instead. The Chef sent 2 types of rice to see which one would be the preferred rice; the bamboo or jasmin rice. Jasmin won. I liked them both.
Venus has a full bar and the wine chosen was very good.
If you were to ask me tonight what has been the best place to eat at the Delaware Beaches and Ocean City, Maryland, I would have to say Venus. The unplanned evening had great food, amazing service by Paige, the setting, well you are looking at the pictures; I hope, the light breeze and the sunset over Rehoboth Bay. Priceless!!
Best Spot
Talk to you later….
April 6th, 2010
On April 2nd I wrote a post for my blog on a store in Hockessin, Delaware called Everything but the Kitchen Sink. You can see that post if you scroll down to that particular date. It was, as I described it, one of those must stop shops; the store had everything imaginable for the home, brides or just for your own pampering.
Next to that store was a restaurant called The Back Burner. The Kitchen Sink and The Back Burner are owned by the same owners but they are completely different businesses.
The address is: 425 Hockessin Corner. Tels. 302-239-2732 for the To Go Shop and for reservations 302-239-2314. The website is www.backburner.com. Hours of operation are Mondays through Saturdays from 9:30 – 7:00 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hockessin is in the Brandywine Valley, minutes from Centreville, Greenville, Winterthur and Longwood Gardens. Definitely, upstate from the Delaware Beaches.
Paula and I decided to have our lunch there and our choice for seating was in their Cafe. There is another part of the restaurant where the seating is more traditional. The Cafe is very relaxed; ordering at the counter; the lunch will be brough to your table. It was a busy place.
The Back Burner offers gourmet food to go; fresh and frozen. They also have a very good selection of domestic and imported cheeses.
Catering is available as well as gift baskets.
One of the soups that is prepared daily at The Back Burner is the Pumpkin Mushroom Soup. Just remember, this area is known for their mushrooms.
I decided to have the Caesar Salad with grilled chicken on top. It had Romaine Hearts tossed with their house-made dressing, Asiago cheese and herb croutons. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the dressing was light.
Paula had their Cafe Salad. This salad had baby mixed greens, bleu cheese, dried cranberries, grape tomatoes and spiced walnuts served with balsamic vinaigrette.
The salads were pretty big; we were not complaining, we cleaned our plates.
Some of the sandwiches on the menu looked appetizing. Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with roasted eggplant, zucchini, squash, red pepper, onion, and brie cheese on a toasted brioche bun. The Meatball Grinder had hand crafted meatballs served on a steak roll with their home made tomato basil sauce and finished with Provolone cheese. The Carolina Pulled Pork had apple cider braised pork shoulder, crispy onion strings, pickle, served on a toasted brioche roll. All sandwiches are served with their house-made chips, fruit and a pickle.
There were side orders available as well as a kids’ menu. Affordable? You bet. All their offerings were between $3.50 and $9.00.
This restaurant is definitely not near any of the Delaware Beaches. It is also not off of 1-95. But, it was so nice to spend the time with Paula, visiting other areas. That’s what my blog is all about.
Oh, I almost forgot. The Cafe has bottled beer and wine available.
Visit their website for complete info. on menus, catering, etc. etc.
Have a great day!! Talk to you later…
February 25th, 2010
“We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink, for dining alone is leading the life of a lion or wolf.” by a Greek Philosopher, BC 341-270
With that in mind 5 friends got together on Tuesday evening, in Palm Beach, and 4 elements were about to happen in equal manner; the service, the drinks, the cuisine and the overall ambiance.
When we visit Delray, a lot of times there are friends scattered around, visiting other towns in the area. Such was the case so in order to make it easier for everyone, to dine together, we decided on Palm Beach; equal distance to all.
A few years ago I went to Michael McCarty’s and thought that would be a fun place to have dinner. Michael R. MCcarty’s is located on 50 Coconut Row in the Royal Poinciana Plaza. The tel. is 561-659-1899. Website is www.michaelrmccartyspalmbeach.com. Reservations are not required, but I think you should, especially in the height of the season. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and brunch on Sundays. The attire is supposed to be business casual but I saw a wide range of attires. I think resort casual would be the word. Blazers are not required, as well. The way to describe the food would be American with other influences.
The owner of the restaurant is Michael R. McCarty’s, someone I do not know. He has been in the restaurant business since his 20’s. Originally, on this location, there was a watering hole called Dempsey’s. Michael R. McCarty’s opened his restaurant and has been doing very well ever since.
I love restaurants with open porches for gathering. This is the first thing you see at Michael McCarty’s. Those awnings amidst the trees and the green heavy wicker chairs make you just want to sit there all night. Cocktails are served on this porch, as well as lunch and dinner. On this particular night it seemed that it was mainly cocktails, people just waiting to go and eat inside.
The entry way and ambiance were definitely British Colonial. You could picture this restaurant in any of the Caribbean Islands; the West Indies. The dining area was large with plants breaking the seating arrangements. Green and tans were the colors. The bar was large, to the side, and seemed to be well attended on that evening.
It would not be Palm Beach if you did not find a splash of pink. Michael McCarty’s has Rory’s. It has pink patent leather banquets, aubergine walls and a bar. Usually, this room is for private parties and looked like a fun place. It is also used when the restaurant is crowded. On Tuesday, the restaurant was comfortably crowded and this room was not needed.
We had a round table in a cozy corner. We all took our readers out since the restaurant is very dimmed lit. I like it that way but if you need reading glasses, you better have them with you.
Blake was our waiter. Friendly and the spitting image of James Taylor. We were surprised that he did not know who James Taylor was or Carly Simon for that matter. Can you imagine that? Oh, well, I guess I am dating myself. Nevertheless, Ross mentioned a few tunes and he seemed to recognize some and told us he would check it out. Blake was very attentive throughout the evening and he was quietly funny, if there is such a description.
We started with cocktails and wines and some of us wanted appetizers. For my appetizer I started with a steamed artichoke. It was a very good size and the dipping sauce had a hint of vinegar. Another friend had the trouffled fries, perfectly cooked with trouffled oil.
For our entrees, I had the special which was grouper. I substituted the mashed potatoes for the sauteed spinach and asparagus. Another friend had my same dish but with the potatoes. Blake told us that the calf liver was thin and cut in-house. Two of our diners were calf liver aficionados so that is what they got. The next friend ordered the chicken Madeira.
The experience was that the portions were good. Not too big or small. But, actually the chicken Madeira was a pretty good size. The grouper was very tasty and flaky and well seasoned. The calf liver got a rating of good but some had had better in other parts of the country; good nevertheless. Cindi thought her chicken Madeira was very tasty; tender.
For dessert Blake suggested Graeter’s Ice Cream. This ice cream comes from Cincinnati and I had never heard about it. Loving ice cream the way I do, then that was the perfect choice. Mocha Chocolate Chip. The ice cream was very creamy but I think I really liked the chocolate chips best. Nice chunks of semi-sweet chocolate. I thought it was good but no different than some of the good ice creams on the market. We all have our favorites. Graeter’s was established in 1870, family operated, a French Pot process to create irresistible creaminess, 2 gallons at a time.
Our relaxed conversation and laughter continued, at the same time enjoying some decaf capuccino.
We parted ways after hugs and promises to see each other again. Dinner with friends; priceless!!
See you soon….
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