August 4th, 2010
There is nothing better than good food, good wine, and a bunch of old friends getting together.
That’s exactly what 6 of us did the other night in Bethany Beach. We met there because it was a half way point between Ocean City, Maryland and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
We decided to try Kingston Grille, located at 14 Pennyslvania Ave., at Campbell Place (next to the Post Office). Tel. is 302-539-1588.
This little restaurant, and I mean it is small, is a hidden treasure. Just like Two Seas in Dewey Beach, you do not see a lot of advertisement. They have the best; word of mouth.
None of us had visited Kignston Grille but had heard about it and were looking forward to see if what we had heard was true.
Definitely, a reservation should be made because of the size of the restaurant. This particular week, at the beaches, is probably the busiest one. Bethany was packed and it looked very nice with all those flowers all over the place.
I am not sure how many tables Kignston Grille has but not more than a dozen. It is very cozy and I hope it stays that way.
Casey was our waiter and I have to say he was really quite good. He was attentive and very helpful with the dinner suggestions. We all wanted something different. I wanted pictures.
How Casey could get through to us was amazing; we were non-stop talking and laughing. It happens every time we get together. That laughter and the easy conversation just stays with me for a few days. Really, I love it and it is priceless!!
Drinks were ordered and bread was brought to the table. The bread was not your usual bread, but a rosemary focaccia. Warm and just perfect to wet our appetite.
Kingston Grille offers Tapas, Salads, Soups, Entrees and Desserts. Casey explained the Chef’s recommendations and specials of the day.
After the focaccia, we just went for the entrees. These were our choices:
The New York Strip was a 16 ounce of pure meat bliss pan seared and herbed butter topped with onion rings.
I chose the New Zealand Rack of Lamb and the chops were delicious. They were encrusted with panko crumbs, garlic and dijon mustard on a rosemary demi-glaze.
The Chicken Picatta was so nice. The broth lightly thickened and perfectly seasoned.
The friend that ordered the Salmon loved it as well. It was brick oven roasted with panko crumbs and warm dill cream.
One of the specials was a Veal Chop with beautiful mushrooms served on a lightly seasoned sauce.
All dishes were garnished with green beans that were breaded and flashed fried and were very tasty.
For our sweet ending we all shared a chocolate cake that some of us liked better than others. I liked it because it was light and after our meal it was perfect; the other friend usually likes a dense cake.
Our meal really was a success. We all loved the place because of the atmosphere and the food; but most of all it was a nice time to catch up on what has been going in our lives. What would we do without friends? Cannot imagine.
Talk to you later….and we found out that what people have been saying about Kingston Grille was true…it is worth it.
July 8th, 2010
Located in the middle of Dewey Beach, Delaware is Two Seas. On one side the Atlantic Ocean and on the other, the Rehoboth Bay.
The address? 1300 Coastal Highway, (Van Dyke Ave. and Coastal Highway), Dewey Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-227-2610.
No website and not a lot of advertising; but as usual, word of mouth is the best advertising. On Facebook? Well, of course, isn’t everybody? Well, almost, since I know a few that refuse to get into it.
I have been wanting to go to this restaurant for some time. I am almost embarrass to tell you that it has been 22 years since I have been there. Yes, 22 years ago I was coming out of my pre-natal class and had dinner there. Some things never change. Good food is always on my mind.
Two Seas opened 24 years ago and it has had a few renovations and additions since then. Same location, though.
It has parking which is a welcome relief at this time of the year. You have to climb a few steps; no elevator.
You are in for a treat if you decide to visit Two Seas.
This restaurant has those 5 key ingredients that make a restaurant. Quality, culinary competence, service, ambiance and price.
Ingredients should be the best money can buy. Culinary competence, well the chef should out do himself, the service should be very attentive but not intrusive, the ambiance should also be relaxing, and the price should be reasonable.
Two Seas has an extra ingredient; a view on the roof top, with a bar, tables for tapas, drinks, appetizers and happy hour.
The roof top menu is a little bit different from the main dining room menu, but not much.
The restaurant is attended by the Carr family and their staff. Friendly and again, very attentive to your needs.
Guess what? Gluten free menu for those on a gluten free diet.
The main dining room was crowded; but comfortable and the decoration throughout the restaurant was “coastal chic”.
After the drink order was taken I could not wait to taste some of their offerings.
My starter was a Crab Chowder. It was New England cream style with Maryland Crab. It had a hint of nutmeg. Very good.
An order of oysters is always a must, if available. Good review, as well.
The Baked Brie was warm with fresh basil pesto, vine ripe tomato and toast points. It was good for 3 or 4 people and very nice.
For the main event I had their signature dish: Sweet onion crusted Red Snapper, oven baked and served with Madeira sauce. The onions were caramelized and the sweetness complemented the fish.
Another entree ordered was the Pan seared Rockfish. Served over corn and bacon hash and finished with an avocado, cilantro sour cream. I had a taste of it and it really had such a good flavor. The mixture of the bacon hash and the avocado and cilantro gave it such a different taste. I love those types of combinations.
The next entree was the Crab crusted Halibut, which was finished with a lemon buerre blanc. Also different, being that it was crusted with crab.
No dessert was ordered because I had made Flan and it was waiting at home.
I still cannot believe I had not been to that restaurant in so long. But to tell you the truth, and in my defense, the building does not look like a restaurant.
Anyway, as usual I took a lot of pictures and you just have to try it yourself. Last night, the sunset was priceless!!
I am not kidding I cant’ wait to go back. It is great when the unexpected surprises you in such a pleasant way.
Note: Two Seas is available for private parties.
See you later…..relax…you are at the beach!!
February 23rd, 2010
I found myself at the BWI Airport in Baltimore, Maryland. We all say it is Baltimore, but, really the right address for the airport is Linthicum, Maryland. We arrived with more than enough time, so now, what? Please, I don’t want to eat at the airport. Even though there are airports known to have very good eateries, I really have not found any.
So, it was nice to see that right by the Southwest ticket counters there was a new restaurant. It is actually called DuClaw Brewing Co. It looked lively and definitely a visual attraction. It had a good menu but, unfortunately, since my husband has to eat gluten free, most of the items had gluten. So, why bother? Did not try it but it is worth mentioning.
We went right through Security. I guess not too many people were flying on Sunday. BWI looked clean, bright and organized.
After going through Security we found ourselves on Concourse B so we kept walking and found out a colorful restaurant called Zona Mexicana. Zona Mexicana is very clean and modern. It has a full bar with flat screen t.v.s arround the restaurant and plenty of seating; bar tables or benches. The music was pretty good too.
If you are there early you can have their American Platter breakfast which is scrambled eggs, ranchero potatoes, bacon with fresh fruit and wheat toast but if you want to kick it up a notch you can have it Mexicana style, topping it with fresh salsa and queso fresco. Queso fresco is found in every Mexican restaurant recently. Breakfast is served from 6:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
My husband and I had the Border Burger. It was very good, made to order and a very large portion. You can see it on the picture. I ordered a side salad that came in a taco shell. Originally, my husband wanted to have the tacos. The shell is made out of corn so a person with a gluten allergy can have them. But, the problem was that Zona Mexicana makes their own shells and they are fried in the same oil in which other foods are fried in. This is what usually restaurants do, and it is something you have to have in mind when ordering.
Border Burger
Even though our Concourse was A, which was on the other side, I am glad we went and checked this new restaurant. I am passing it along to you since this is an international airport and you might find yourselves in it one of these days.
Our waiter, Dave was very nice and I asked him about the restaurant since I had never heard of it. Apparently there is a connection with DuClaw Brewing Co.; the owners are looking for another place within the airport to put another eatery, so stay tuned.
Who would have thought that maybe these restaurants could become as popular as restaurants in other airports throughout the U.S. as well as in major cities train stations?
Zona Mexicana has fast and friendly service while you wait anxiously to board. Kid-friendly, as well.
It is open from Sundays to Fridays from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Saturdays from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. Their telephone is 410-850-4846.
A smooth flight and cooler weather in Florida. Nos vemos luego… Talk to you later…
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