I call it the Art of Wining and Dining. There are 5 elements that are key to food presentation. There is color, shape, texture, arrangement, and garnish. Using the best local ingredients is a must.
First time this summer, just last week, we went to Our Harvest located at 1106 Coastal Highway in Fenwick Island, Delaware. They are open 7 days per week. There is parking and they accept reservations. Awesome!!
Even though we decided to eat inside, the outdoor seating on these trying times was very cute and complemented the restaurant’s aura. Inside the restaurant is very spacious and tables are placed according to the new regulations.
I knew what I was going to eat. They have a chicken that is to die for. It is a shareable dish but think about it, you can take the leftovers home. We had enough for 2 extra dinners.
Doesn’t it look amazing? Believe me, it is. Usually people don’t go to a restaurant to eat chicken but at Our Harvest this is a very popular dish. Even a signature dish I would dare to say.
This chicken is called the Whole Amish Air Chilled Chicken. It is Arnold Palmer brined, and wood fired with lemon and rosemary. An explosion of flavors.
Baywater Blistered Shishitos, sambal butter and sesame salt. I have always been told that in a group of Shishitos there is usually a hot one. I have yet to found it. Also a shareable Small Plate.
Baywater Farms Stuffed Squash Blossoms. Got great reviews and the squash blossoms were crispy and stuffed with ricotta, local crab meat, and creamless cream corn.
This is the Grilled Calamari with charred bead, and warm tomato bagna cauda. To tell you the truth, they were not the favorites. A little overdone and probably I would have preferred olive oil, capers and garlic.
This was another winner. The Crispy Rice Flour Soft Shell, paprika aioli, pea shoot salad, and a celery seed vinaigrette. Nice size soft shell and delicious combination of flavors.
Our service was perfect. We had enough time to talk and there was no rushing us.
If you have the opportunity to go to the restaurants that are in all our beaches, please do so. It is not a long drive. My motto? Good Food, Will Travel.
Have a great week. Enjoy the Season!!
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My Sister’s Fault a Puerto Rican “antojitos” delight. The 2 sisters are from Puerto Rico and have been in the area for some time. One bakes and that would be Rous and one cooks; that would be Angie.
Puerto Rican cooking is full of flavor and spices. And yes there is a lot of fried food, as well. As I am Puerto Rican myself, I can tell you that when I visit Puerto Rico I love eating the food…..fried plantains, pastelillos or turnovers made with meat, chicken or chapin which is a small fish.
The cooking can be very simple or it can be very exotic depending what local ingredients, fruits and veggies you use.
My friend Susan called me the other day to see if I wanted to visit My Sister’s Fault in Milford, Delaware. It is right in town on 10 SW NW Front St. Their telephone is 302-503-7446. And the website is http://www.mysistersfault-milford.com. Take Rt. 1 North and from Rehoboth Beach it is only about 25 minutes or so.
The menu is on the board and desserts are in cases. You can also order cakes for any special occasion.
We had 2 empanadas (turnovers) Puerto Rican style. The real deal. Flavorful, reminding me how good they truly are. We ate them there but you can take them to go and fry them in the comfort of your own kitchen.
We decided on a Cubano or Cuban Sandwich. The bread was warm but not pressed. The pork was delicious, homemade. This Cubano was very big so we had them cut it in half and as you can see it was definitely shareable.
Puerto Rican desserts like flan, pastelillos (pastry) de guayaba which is guava are also available.
It is a small place and the sisters are so friendly. They are open Wednesday through Saturday. They cook and bake on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday through Friday the hours are 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
We only had a tasting but they offer Puerto Rican rice dishes, slowly cooked pork, stuffed deep fried potatoes and so much more. Check their Face Book Page or give them a call to see what they are offering on a particular day.
Their custom cakes are amazing.
Who’s fault is it? It is My Sister’s Fault.
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“That’s My job, to lift people up with great food.” paul prudhomme
The opening of the restaurants in Southern Delaware I could not wait for. Don’t get me wrong, when you like to cook it does not matter. But what matter is the ambiance of a restaurant full of people, having fun and enjoying beautifully prepared food using local products. This part of the country is full of amazing chefs….it is a foodie’s destination in case you did not know.
I am enjoying the fact that so many people have taken cooking during the lockdown. There is nothing better when you put food in your mouth that has been cooked with love and not rushed.
It has been some time since I visited Good Earth Market located at 31806 Good Earth Lane on Rt. 26 in Ocean View, DE. Depending where you are coming from you turn on Rt. 26 in Bethany Beach, west, and go about 3 or miles and after you pass the Rt. 17 intersection continue a bit longer and it will be on your left hand side. Tel 302-537-7100 Website? http://www.goodearthmarket.com
It was the perfect evening. A full moon, low humidity. Al Fresco dining does taste better. At Good Earth Market dining outdoors is taken to a different level. You are among nature. If the weather does not cooperate, they do have an enclosed screened in porch where you can dine and still get a good view of the gardens.
Get your drinks and walk around the property. In making the reservation I called the restaurant and they gave me Sue Ryan’s number. She is the owner and so nice and friendly. At this time of limited reservations she is taking such calls.
A new menu but also their traditional menu was offered. Good wine list and attentive service.
For a first course their Crab & Avocado Salad with a side of corn tortillas was plentiful and delicious.
I had the Shrimp & Scallop Ceviche…chiles, coconut, citrus, Baywater Bibb Lettuce Roll ’em Ups. Spicy!! But I like that heat.
For our second course we had their Good Earth Wedge. Romaine, Heirloom cherry tomatoes, smoky Benton’s Bacon (so crispy), pickled shallots and creamy blue cheese. As you can see a photo says a thousand words and at Good Earth their presentation climbed up to a different level.
I love beets and can roast my own. So choosing their Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad with toasted walnut and hemp seed granola, whipped feta and a lemon vinaigrette gave it a light summery taste.
A dining experience for sure with the Strawberry Moon watching.
What to choose for our third course. Scallops I enjoy so much. This particular offering of Good Earth was awesome. Look at this photo. Pan Roasted Dayboat Scallops with smoky bacon asparagus and black garlic vinaigrette.
Shrimp & Grits…. I do have a weakness for this dish. Having it in Charleston gives it a different meaning but here in Southern Delaware they can really also prepare it well. Full of flavor and spice, Good Earth’s was delicious and enough to take a doggie bag; not really. Sadie would not like it. Haha. It had aged chorizo, tomato broth and creamy corn grits.
We did not have dessert. I think we were very satisfied. But their desserts looked very good. A sweet ending definitely.
This was such an enjoyable evening. I hope you do visit them while you are at the beach. And if you are a resident, please go.
So until next time remember “one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well”…
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You see that photo above? That was my dog Addy. She was a rescue and one of those dogs that you will remember always. She was in my life during happy times but also on sad times, as well. Such a great comfort to have. Rescues give back so much.
At some point a friend must have been in my house and took a different photo from her and for Christmas she gave me the following Christmas ornament, handpainted. I love it and every year it takes a special place on my Christmas tree, which by the way, as I write this post, it is still up. Coming down today for sure.
What do you give someone for Christmas or any other ocassion that is meaningful? If you have a pet maybe something relating to them would be perfect. They would love it.
I don’t give a gift just for the sake of it. I want that person to know that I was thinking of them when a decision for giftgiving was made.
I was in Dallas this past Thanksgiving and taking photos, as usual, I took a photo of Ragnard (Raggie) as they all know him. Did not think anything of it until I got back to Rehoboth Beach and saw on Facebook a post from Lisa Lorelli Miller. In it she was showing that she was back into painting pet portraits. A lightbulb went on. I private messaged her asking her to see if she could do Raggie. She paints in oil now. Wait until you see what kind of work she can do. The first photo you will see is the one I took in Dallas and the second photo is her painting. You be the judge.
I am sure you are impressed. Look at those eyebrows!! Lisa can frame the paintings, as well. I had her do that too and off to Dallas it went. They loved it.
My next commission to Lisa was for her to do 3 pets. I sent the photos. She also came to the house to take photos of one of them so that she could capture what she wanted. If you are local this works great, but if not I am sure you and her can work it out somehow.
The first one is Karma.
His name is TC. He has beautiful features. It has been some time since Lisa had done a cat. She told me the whiskers are usually the hardest. But following you will see my photo and her painting.
Her third subject was Lucky. He is spunky, loves to chase and at times even wonders around his neck of the woods. For him, Lisa came to the house to take a better photo.
First impression was that Lisa truly captured the soul of these pets. The eyes are the windows to the heart and soul and she was able to embodied such a feeling that when you see them you know it is them.
Word of mouth is the best advertising. You can Private Message Lisa Lorelli Miller on Facebook. She is working on a website.
You may also leave a message on my AboutMyBeaches Facebook page as well.
She is very talented and whoever you decide to give this personal gift would love it and treasure it forever.
Have a great day!!
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Food serves as a way for people to come together. That is exactly what happened on this past Saturday, November 16th, when 12 strangers, all foodies with three goals in mind….cooking, wining, and dining. We met at Paul’s Kitchen & Cullen-ary Company located at 32882 Cedar Grove Rd., Lewes, DE. Tel. 302-228-9772. Website? http://www.paulcullen.rocks
If you are a resident of Southern Delaware, at some point or another you would have heard of Paul Cullen. Better yet, you would have heard him playing his guitar and singing at different venues, private homes, charity concerts. He has worn many hats in his life and continues to evolve. He will be the first one to tell you this.
Paul’s Kitchen & Cullen-ary Company is on Facebook. You might want to check it out and Like it. He will have the Chef’s Table Demos and Dinners posted as they come available. You will be pleasantly surprised how nice an evening like this one can turn out.
His kitchen is cozy and accessible. He is a great host who will show you around and is open to any questions. Nina will be there, as well, since she oversees that everything runs in a timely manner.
The guests arrived promptly and introductions were extended. Wine and hor’ordeuvres were already set up.
Coming out of the Paul’s Kitchen was the Bruschette alla Robiola, pere e noci. Translation? Cheese and pear crostini. Warm and delicious.
The Chef’s Table was so nicely presented. By now we were all friends.
Crema di Cannellini or White Bean Soup. Perfectly seasoned and paired with wine with an explanation of what we were about to taste from Paul. He was animated and throughout the evening you could see how engaging he was with his guests.
“The measure of a good dish is that it makes you want to take another bite.” This quote from Chef Paul Prudhomme was perfect because after having the soup we really wanted not just to take another bite, it was already gone, but wanted to see what else was in stored for us foodies.
The main entree was the Risotto Ai Porrie Salsicia or as we would say in plain English, Sausage and Leek Risotto. The sausage was homemade and complimented the risotto very well. Those grapes were amazing.
A sweet ending was a Torta di Nocciole or Hazelnut Cake and it was paired with such a good dessert wine. Contact Paul for the wines, please.
Laughter throughout the evening continued with stories from some of the guests. How they got here, how they got together and so on. A few were turning 60 now.
An invitation by Paul to listen to him play was the icing on the cake. Finishing a great dinner with new friends with music was priceless!
Our evening came to an end. One more thing though On Sundays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. stop by Paul Cullen-ary Company for music, food and to shop for cheeses, nuts and other goodies that could be for yourself or someone on your list.
Until next time have a Happy Thanksgiving. Check AboutMyBeaches on Facebook.
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“There is a difference betweent dining and eating. Dining is an art. When you eat to get most out your meal, to please the palate, just as well as to satiate the appetite, that, my friend, is dining.” yuan mei
I have to give a shout to our amazing, knowledgeable, and friendly server, Victoria. She was awesome. She knew the menu well.
Meeting friends in Ocean View, Delaware, at Northeast Seafood Kitchen was my destination. It was half price entrees. They have daily specials.
Northeast Seafood Kitchen is located at 29 Atlantic Avenue in Ocean View, DE. Ocean View is a few miles west of Bethany Beach. Just in case you did not know.
It was very busy. A lot of restaurants in the area are closed on Tuesdays. No big deal, we waited at the bar. It is not the end of the world.
We ordered 2 salads for sharing.
The first one was a traditional Caesar Salad. Loved those boquerones (white anchovies) on top. Pecorino cheese, house made croutons, Caesar dressing. Simple.
The Baby Spinach was a suggestion from Victoria….tomatoes, sweet shallots, Gorgonzola cheese, roasted pistachos, and a wild berry vinaigrette. Just perfect.
Before I share the rest of the photos I will have to say that the four of us had a very good dinner. Everything was cooked and seasoned just the way it should be. Nothing was overpowering.
The Chef’s Fish Board is where we chose the Catfish and Tuna. Those 2 entrees came with a butternut puree, mushrooms, potatoes, zucchini, squash, cabbage, and a lemon butter sauce.
The Tuna OC Maryland was spiced encrusted and my friend said she had not had a meal like that in months.
Two of us had the Crab Imperial Catfish Chesapeake Bay. It was pan seared and super delicious.
The Farm Style Seafood Stew was also a winner. It had fish, shellfish, calamari, bay leaf, celery, corn on the cob, and a white wine tomato broth.
And did we even have room for dessert. Just one please. So we ordered the upside down blueberry cake. It was pretty good too. Ice cream, nuts…shareable indeed.
I always say that you can review a restaurant all you want, but sharing a meal with old friends is what makes it priceless.
Remember to check my FB page of AboutMyBeaches.
I know it is feels like summer but we are already in the first few days of fall.
Relax, you are At The Beach.
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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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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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