April 30th, 2014
When some of us got together at the end of 2013 for a dinner at the Waystead Inn, in Berlin, Maryland, we had no doubt that Toby Gilbert was on his way. On that evening some of Chef Toby’s offerings were:
Roasted Oyster Chowder…oyster cream, and roasted vegetables.
Roasted Duck…potato puree, jus reduction and herbs.
Winter Roots…carrot, sweet potato, purple potato, celery root, turnip, radish, beet, and herbs.
Venison Loin…rye risotto, berry sauce, chanterelle mushroom.
A sweet ending of “Apple Pie”…apple pate de fruit.
Spring 2014, Blacksmith opens in Historic Berlin, Maryland with Chef Toby Gilbert giving his customers food prepared in unexpectedly delicious ways.
Locals can walk or ride their bikes, but some of us that live further away do not mind the drive. It was great to see Paul again and his date early on Sunday….from Lewes, Delaware. So, you see, no big deal to drive, especially on a beautiful day.
Cindi and I arrived at 4 p.m. As the time passed it started to get comfortably crowded for a Sunday evening. You know what? As I took a look at the customers on that particular evening it was so much fun to see a wide range of ages….families with children, young adults, and the matured crowd, as well. The next thing I noticed was that everyone was having a good time.
Blacksmith is located at 104 Pitts Street, Berlin, MD 21811. Tel. 410-973-2102. On Facebook, find it as Blacksmith Berlin.
The sitting area is open with available sitting for about 70 customers. The kitchen is open, as well.
Meet Toby….So, how did you get into cooking? He said that he started cooking with his Mother. Now, that was a sweet thing to say. Giving credit to his mother was priceless!! Then, cooking in different restaurants and with amazing chefs, traveling and much appreciated training.
Toby feels very much at ease talking to his customers. He is particular about his food and presentation. Very engaging, treating his customers like they are the only ones in the restaurant.
The menu changes constantly and on Soul Food Sunday you had a choice of small plates, salads and soups, large plates and sandwiches. Some of the dishes passing by our table were Maryland style fried chicken, with Hanks duck fat hot sauce, Boneless short ribs with grits and pickled veggies….Cindi and I resisted those temptations and went for small plates instead.
We decided to share the Chicken Liver Pate, sealed with duck fat with homemade orange marmalade (Toby said they had so many oranges.), arugula and pumpernickle toast. Delicious.
The Soup of the Day was a cauliflower and carrot cream soup with roasted beets and creme fraiche. Just perfect for a chilly evening and the right amount of heat, as well.
Organic Arugula Salad with raw Blue Cheese, basil, vinaigrette, toasted almonds and red grapes.
Cold Smoked Oysters with beet mustard and carrot hot sauce.
Grilled Romaine lettuce leaves, Parmesan croutons and homemade Caesar dressing.
There were 3 desserts on the menu…tempting but we were satisfied…maybe next time.
Next time your destination becomes the Historic town of Berlin, Maryland….check Blacksmith!!
November 26th, 2011
Rehoboth Beach
“A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who work with his hand and his mind is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.” st. thomas aquina
The Delmarva Peninsula surprised us with a gorgeous Black Friday. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love to spend it in Delaware, my home. Black Friday brought lots of shoppers to the tax free shopping we offer in the State.
Rehoboth was very crowded. The weather? 68 degrees!! No parking to be found. My car was heading south on Rt. 1 to the town of Bethany Beach and then heading west for a few miles to start my own little tour of the 17th Annual Southeastern Artists Studio Tour.
Following are the 3 artists that I visited on Friday; all very different and all pursuing their passion.
Keith Toms is a Builder Blacksmith, originally from England, he makes Sussex County his home. He is located at 35160 Roxana Rd., Frankford, DE. Tel. 302-519-3731 E-mail? keithtoms@verizon.net.
Even though the address says Frankford, I really call that area Roxana. To get to it from Rt. 26 in Millville, take Rt. 17 to Roxana, go through the traffic light which is the junction of Rt. 17 and Rt. 20 and you will find his studio about 100 yards on the right. It is a garage next to a white house.
“The ability to directly shape metal has held my fascination since 1993, using the energy and rhythm of hammer and anvil, hot metal is transformed into subtle forms and curves that are inspired by both nature and industry. The techniques I use are much the same as they were hundreds of years ago, with a few modern twists that allow more contemporary design.”
Sunflowers are a specialty of his. You can see it in a lot of his work. He really can build anything. You can go through his portfolio and see some of his work.
I was looking at a piece to hang pots. It was huge. You would need a large kitchen. Keith told me that some of the bigger pieces do not take as long as the smaller ones. The smaller ones can take up to 50 hours for just one piece.
Keith is at his studio practically every afternoon. You can call him or e-mail him at keithtoms@verizon.net.
To be able to transform metal into such art was beautiful to see.
The next artist on my list was Tom Frey. He is a woodturner located at 30424 Marina Rd., Dagsboro, DE 19939. Tel. 302-732-6172. E-mail? tefpwf62@gmail.com. His studio hours are by appointment.
It is a little tricky to get there but just follow these directions and you will find it. Go west on Rt. 26. This becomes Rt. 26/20 in Dagsboro. Turn right at the stoplight to go into Dagsboro. Go through the stoplight in the center of the town (now Rt. 20) and turn right onto Piney Neck Rd. Go approx. 3 miles, take a right on Marina Rd. and his house is 3rd on the right. Got it?
“Tom has pursued a specialty of thin-walled, natural edge turnings using mostly local woods that are stressed by nature. A soft matte finish has become a second hallmark of Tom’s work. In 2009, Tom achieved Master designation in the Delaware By Hand organization.”
We were received with big smiles from Tom and Pat, his wife. She had hot cider, cheese balls, made by her and crackers. Delicious. I was hoping my kids would not eat the whole thing.
I am in awe of his work. It is so delicate using the most unique pieces of wood. He told me he has plenty of wood to work with. He does get mesquite from a friend and supplier in Texas. Mesquite is now being used for hardwood flooring.
His minis were so cute and he told me they were so easy to make. So, here he is at work.
His works of art are, definitely, conversation pieces. They are perfect for the person that has it all. Here are some more pictures.
Thanks Pat and Tom. You were so gracious receiving us all into your home.
The next artist is a self made painter; Damon Pla. If you were in Rehoboth Beach for the Independent Film Festival you probably saw his work. Every year artists submit their work, hoping to be chosen for what best describes the theme of the Festival. He won!!
I stopped by his Damon Pla Fine Arts Studio located at 119 South Newport Way, Dagsboro, DE 19939. From Rt. 1 go west on Rt. 26, turn right onto White’s Neck Rd. (Millville Pet Shop on corner). Travel 1.6 miles. Turn slight right into Bethany Forest. Take 1st left onto South Newport Way. House is at the end of the street facing you.
“Through ambience, composition, movement and light, creating art will always be an instrument for me to interpret my perception of our surroundings. To quietly converse with the viewer through my work, provoking thought and meditation, is my passion.”
His studio was comfortably crowded, people asking him questions. I met his Mom, who was visiting from Ft. Lauderdale. Damon is originally from Florida; home is here now. His wife was there to help out, as well.
His paintings were amazing capturing the essence of his subjects. You can contact Damon by calling him at 302-541-6057 (studio), 302-841-3790 (cell), or visit his website, www.DamonPla.com. Just like everyone else, he is on Facebook; facebook.com/damonpla.
He offers original paintings, limited editions, commissions, trompe l’oeil/murals.
It was great meeting you and your family, Damon.
Some were hungry, so, to finish a really nice day off to Nicola Pizza on Rehoboth Avenue we went. I told you at the beginning that Rehoboth Beach was so crowded; like any summer day. Finally, we found parking.
As usual, Nicola Pizza, hit the spot.
A walk through the Boardwalk and looking out to sea in such a clear and warm day, we were able to see Cape May, New Jersey.
Note: Some of the Artists will be open on Sunday November 27th from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Please check www.artstudiotour.com.
Have a great day!! Talk to you later…
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