January 3rd, 2016
We really should not complain here in Southern Delaware. The temperatures so far have been great and it has felt like summer all through the Holidays. But, as we start a new year, and being that it is January, the temperatures dipped a bit this a.m. Thinking about the blue waters of San Juan. Getting to Puerto Rico is pretty easy. It is a relatively short flight and there are daily flights from Baltimore (BWI) and Philly.
Every first Sunday of the month the Mercado Urbano or Farmers Market takes place at 1054 Ashford Avenue…9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is a great way to get up close and personal with farmers, and artists. It is a family affair with plenty of food for everyone. This will be the first Mercado Urbano of 2016!!
This time of the year in San Juan the temperatures will be in the low 8Os, which is great for walking and exploring the Condado area. Mercado Urbano is also ocean front.
Fresh coconut water.
Local produce.
Every Sunday there will be paella.
Local cookies…bring back childhood memories.
Cod Fish Cakes or Bacalaitos. They are so good, and yes they are fattening.
Fresh Pasta.
Throughout the day there are plenty of activities. On Sunday, December 3rd from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Yoga with Lara. All you have to do is bring your mat.
From 10 a.m. unti Noon you can participate in Boot Camp with Spartan Fit.
From 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. there will be live entertainment on the stage.
Shop around for Puerto Rican cigars.
Every household in Puerto Rico has “pique” or hot sauce, locally made.
And please stop by to meet Carla from Carla’s Rosaries. All made by Carla…they are beautiful. Check her out on Facebook. Her website is http://www.carlasrosaries.com.
This customer was so graciously posed for a photo.
If you are in the metropolitan area of San Juan, please stop by. It is a lot of fun!!
December 14th, 2015
Eating my way through Charleston. A friend that reads my posts told me she was not going to read them anymore. She was gaining weight just looking at some of the food. I arrived at Cypress which was across my hotel, The Vendue. This is a historic building….but practically a lot of the buildings in downtown Charleston are historic. The location? 167 East Bay Street. Website? http://www.cypresscharleston.com.
You may call for reservations at 843-727-0111. The Mezzanine Bar opens at 5:00 p.m. and the Dining Room opens at 5:30 p.m. You may also make reservations online. The above mentioned website is a wealth of information. You can also read about the chefs, and check out what events are going to be happening in 2016. They will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so please take a look in case you want to take advantage of a relaxing and delicious experience in dining.
Cypress is part of a group of restaurants…Magnolias, Blossom, and Artisan Meat Share. If you are visiting Charleston take a look at them, as well.
Taylor was my server and I have to give a loud shout to her. She knew the menu so well, having tasted most everything from the kitchen. I followed her advice and I could not have been happier.
A little wine and warm bread to the table. Not just a simple bread….the crust was well done and the inside was just perfect and so warm.
An appetizer of Sashimi Tuna & Oysters….what a great combination of flavors. Oysters are in season. It had a ginger-garlic glaze, and pineapple wasabi. Not only did they tasted delicious, the presentation was awesome.
For my entree I was looking at the Crisp Wasabi Tuna. Taylor told me that it was a signature dish, and one that is usually photographed in the magazines. I had to have it because it sounded perfect. The tuna had a crispy outside placed on carrots, turnips, radishes, edamame, shiitake mushrooms, and that fab ginger-garlic glaze once again. I could not get enough of it.
What could my sweet ending be? The Grand Marnier Souffle sounded decadent. It was brought to the table and when the Marnier creme anglaise was poured from above, I was just so happy to have had my camera ready!!
If dining or having drinks on the Mezzanine you will have an advantage bird’s eye view of the kitchen.
Once again many thanks to Taylor for taking care of me.
Eating by myself was just fine. “All four elements were happening in equal measure – the cuisine, the wine, the service, and the overall ambiance. It taught me that dining could happen at a spiritual level.” charlie trotter
December 12th, 2015
So many visitors come to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, year round. Rehoboth was incorporated in 1873 to create a Christian seaside resort. The railroad was extended in 1878 to Rehoboth Beach, therefore, bringing more visitors and businesses to this seaside town. In 1879 the town was renamed “The Rehoboth Beach Association”. The population has grown over the years. Plenty of summer visitors and part time residents increase the population significantly .
During Christmas I love grabbing something to eat in town with a friend….come to think of it I just did that with my friend, Jody. Stopping at Dogfish Head on Rehoboth Avenue for one of my favorite salads….their pub salad topped with grilled salmon and a delicious dressing is not to be missed. It looks good and it tasted even better.
If you decided to visit Rehoboth Beach during the Holidays you will find the town looking more beautiful than ever. Tiny lights cover the trees in town. The Boardwalk is a mile long. It was quiet when Jody and I were walking, no one around.
The big iconic Dolle’s sign remind visitors that you are at the beach!!
Santa’s House on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is the cutest Santa House on the coast. There is no charge to visit with Santa but donations are appreciated. Please check http://www.beach-fun.com.
The schedule is as follows:
Sunday, 12/13, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Friday, 12/18, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 12/19, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Sunday, 12/20, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. NOTE: At 3 p.m. is Pet Time with Santa.
Thursday, December 17th – CANVAS AND CORKS at Rehoboth Art League, located at 12 Dodds Lane. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. This is a class about art, fun, socialization and wine, or your beverage of choice. The class will be creating a painting step-by-step with an instructor and all your supplies are included. Instructor Gerilyn Gaskil will help you have a great time creating a great piece of art. Must be 21 years of age. For more info., please visit http://www.rehobothartleague.org.
Friday, December 18th and Saturday, December 19th – 2015 HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST FOR HOMES IN THE CITY OF REHOBOTH BEACH…2 categories: Traditional and Truly Fabulous. Turn your Holiday Lights on Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. No registration is required but you may email info@RBhomeowners.com to let them know you are participating.
Saturday, December 19th – A NOT SO SILENT NIGHT at Clear Space Theatre located at 20 Baltimore Avenue. 7:00 p.m. Local favorites Matthew Kenworthy, John Flynn, The Family Jewells, and Alicia Dennis join forces to celebrate the Holiday Season with music. A journey through traditional and not so traditional seasonal favorites and original musical skits will inspire belly laughing good times. General Admission, Open Seating…All seats are $15. More info? Please visit http://www.clearspacetheatre.org.
Sunday, December 20th – A HOLIDAY PEACE CONCERT – at Epworth United Methodist Church on Holland Glade Rd. 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and anyone under 18 is Free. Tickets are available at Browseabout Books at 133 Rehoboth Avenue, and also at the Door. Rehoboth Concert Band is a community band of instrumentalists at all levels of play and all ages. It performs concert band literature, including classical and contemporary music, marches, show tunes, and some novelty pieces. Please visit http://www.rehobothconcertband.org.
Saturday, December 26th – THE FAREWELL PARTY – At MCC Rehoboth, 19369 Plantation Rd. in Rehoboth Beach. The film is presented by the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. These monthly series present films and discussions about the various cultures in the world, including diversity in our own country. Admission is $4 for Members (current card must be presented) and $6 for future members. This is a compassionate and surprisingly funny story about residents at a Jewish retirement home who help their terminally ill friend by constructing an euthanasia device…..more info? Please visit http://www.rehobothfilm.com/film_events_monthly_screenings.html.
SHOPPING in Delaware is Tax Free!! Participating Downtown Rehoboth Beach businesses are giving 10% off your purchases until December 24th. For more info., please visit http://www.downtownrb.com.
TANGER OUTLETS….coupons and great deals…please visit http://www.tangeroutlet.com/rehoboth/coupons.
Have a Good One!!
December 3rd, 2015
Saturday, December 5th the Holiday Season will begin in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Known as The Quiet Resort, Bethany Beach does get a little quiet in the winter but plenty of the merchants are open during the week-ends. Not wanting to stay behind other Delaware Beach resorts, Bethany puts a good show for the Holidays.
On Saturday make plans to be there by 1 p.m. when free events will be happening: Photos with Santa….he will be arriving at 1:15 p.m., Letters to Santa, Horse-drawn carriage rides, trolley rides, face painting, hot cocoa and cookies and music!!
Help Bethany Beach start a new tradition when at 6 p.m. the Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on the Boardwalk by the Bandstand.
Gather with friends and family and help light the “Tree of Warmth”, and sing along to a performance by the Lord Baltimore Children’s Choir.
Everyone is encouranged to bring hats, gloves, scarves and canned goods as a donation to area charities.
Please have in mind that every Saturday in December prior to Christmas, there will be caroling arond the “Tree of Warmth” on the Bandstand to end the day. Stores will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Please check the schedule of events for the Holiday Season in Bethany Beach at http://www.townofbethanybeach.com
Merry Christmas!!
December 1st, 2015
Christmas Markets go back to the late Middle Ages. In Berlin, Germany, as I have stated in previous posts there are 60 markets. During my visit I had the opportunity to visit 3 different markets. Believe me they all celebrate the Advent Season; they are all slightly different. We arrived late afternoon to Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg. I loved this market. It is one of the biggest ones and the Palace of Charlottenburg is the backdrop for this market. During the evening you can see the palace take different hues.
It is located at Spandamer Damm 14059 Berlin. It opens all day. For more info., please visit http://www.wvdsc.de.
You may find this market on Facebook. For other info. you may visit http://www.christmasmarkets.com.
The open air wood huts are decorated with natural materials. You will find mulled wine, marzipan, fresh baked goods, roasted chestnuts, local crafts, and this particular one had rides for the kids.
Berlin is not ashamed of saying Merry Christmas….The Nativity Scene!!
One of my favorite huts was the following….it got my attention the moment I saw the smoking salmon.
And then my sandwich. It was so good that you had to taste it to get the full experience. If you get a chance to visit this market, this hut is to the right as you come into the market.
These markets offer something for everyone. So neat to see everyone enjoying themselves…celebrating the Season. With all the turmoil in the world we certainly need, and deserve these festivities.
November 30th, 2015
Not that long ago a friend said to me that we should all be traveling while we can. To discover the world that is getting much smaller and definitely more dangerous. But, you have to do it, otherwise, they win. So, the State Department has just issued in the past few days a Worldwide Travel Alert which will expire in mid February, 2016. I believe that not since 9/11 such an alert has been issued, worldwide. If you are traveling abroad you can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is a way of staying connected through these uncertain times. They will send you travel alerts, weather surprises, uprisings in any particular country….so please visit https://step.state.gov/step.
The whole week in Berlin was grey and cold. We did manage to do everything including 4 and 5 hour walking tours. We arrived at WeihnachtsZauber Christmas market late afternoon. This is a classic market in one of the most beautiful settings in Berlin; the opulent architecture is breathtaking.
The Christmas Markets are the perfect place to escape the noisy city streets. This market lends a magical air to the event because of where it is located. Music floats from the stage where many other events take place throughout the month.
The organizers of the WeihnachtsZauber Christmas Market will be presenting a check to Berlin to support people in need and to promote cultural projects based in Berlin.
The market opened on November 23rd and you can visit from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. The 1 Euro entry free is for the charity collection which I mentioned above.
Visitors like us walked from booth to booth, discovering glass blowers, jewelry designers, painters and wood carvers. Did not buy anything just for the fact that I did not want to carry anything else on the plane.
There are heated tents with seating where you can have something to drink or eat…..kale and potatoes!!
I chose Currywurst and Beer. It might not look as good to you but believe me it was. The wurst is so crispy on the outside and perfectly moist inside. The sauce is a mixture of Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, and Curry. It is sold everywhere with the best one being Currywurst #36.
Apparently this square lights up on New Years Eve with a spectacular firework display that will set off from the roof of the Konzerthaus.
Stay tuned, I have one more Christmas Market post in the making. Now that Thanksgiving is over we can say Merry Christmas!!
November 29th, 2015
A week in Berlin, Germany, just as the Christmas Markets were ready to open. It is a German tradition called Weihaachtsmarkt or Christmas Market. Not only there are about 60 markets around the City, but Berlin itself has an obssession with Christmas decorations throughout. Buildings, shops, restaurants….all are decorated and for the most part all Christmas trees are real.
A main shopping street in West Berlin is Tauentzienstrasse…Shops are upscale and plenty of them are not shy about saying Merry Christmas!! One of such store, Hugo Boss.
This avenue will be completely lit up at night and they were still placing lights as we left on Thanksgiving Day.
With everything happening in this world, it was great to see all the decorations and hear Christmas music all throughout the city.
But nothing will get you more in the spirit of Christmas than Berlin’s Christmas Markets. All the markets are laden with traditional food, drinks, and crafts.
 
The market just opened this past week and will be opening throughout December. It is a lot of work as I watched some of the merchants putting the last minute details on their stalls.
One market in West Berlin, near my hotel, was called City Weihaachtsmarkt.
The markets open around 11 a.m. and continue until about 10 p.m. depending on the market. Also, some of them have rides for kids and others have heated restaurants within the market.
Plenty of food and no need to be on a diet in Berlin….you can’t.
I love roasted chestnuts so twice I went to this stall….the chestnuts were from Italy. I had them in the a.m. and then in the p.m. They told me that late in the day they were better….they tasted great to me both times.
They were perfectly roasted, easy to peel and best was eating them while walking around checking other stalls out…..did I tell you that Berlin does not have open container laws?
The Christmas Markets are a place to meet for drinks and dinner. Grab something up or just have a drink and enjoy. It was cold so make sure you bundle up.
Stay tuned….a few more posts from the markets in Berlin.
November 17th, 2015
My friend Debbie and I were spending the night at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware. You can see my post right before this current one. Hungry we were so off to the Chelsea Tavern we went. Arriving at the tavern so early…they told us they did not have tables available. All booked. But, they gave us a great table at the bar. One of those tall tables. We had a clear vision of the dining room. You see how that photo looks so empty, soon enough the whole restaurant was packed. At the bar…standing room only.
The Chelsea Tavern is located at 821 Market Street. Tel. 302-482-3333. Website? http://www.chelseatavern.com.
This tavern is another dining option if you are attending a play at The Playhouse or a concert at The Grand Opera House which is literally across the street.
Debbie and I were taking our time at grazing. The football games were going on the t.v.s and the beer was flowing. If you would like to see their beer menu, please visit http://www.beermenus.com/places/5089-chelsea-tavern.
The first thing we ordered was their Loaded Brussels. These were crispy brussels sprouts, with applewood bacon, scallions, topped with a beer and cheddar cheese sauce.
Continuing enjoying ourselves and then talking to people from Chicago that were in Delaware because their children were playing lacrosse…..we ordered an entree salad called the Quinoa & Beet Salad. It had mixed greens, toasted almond, portobello mushrooms, pickled beets, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and a sage-balsamic vinegar dressing. After the Brussels Sprouts it was a great cleansing palate salad.
Our server was spot on. His suggestions were all perfect. So, he suggested the Mediterranean Pizza. It had roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, baby spinach, artichokes, Kalamata olives, and a garlic oil and balsamic reduction. This pizza was outstanding. We ordered it well done. No guilt eating this whole pizza. The combination of toppings was delicious. The crust thin and crispy. Yum!
No dessert for us. It was time to cross the street and take our seats at The Grand Opera House where we met one of our other usual suspects, Paula…..she is my entertainment director. In concert Delbert McClinton. He is best know for his hit “Giving It Up For Your Love”. He is a Grammy Award winning recording artist and songwriter. His sax player was amazing.
The Grand Opera House is also known as The Grand Lady of Market Street. It opened in 1871 as a home for the Grand Lodge of the Masons. The Grand was designed by architect Thomas Dixon in the Second Empire style. Its facade is of cast iron adorned with Masonic images. In 1909, The Grand was for a short time converted into a regular stop on the vaudeville circuit, and then into a movie theater. In 1967 it closed its doors. In 1971 plans were unveiled to renovate the theatre to its former splendor. Today The Grand presents more than 75 shows each season. For more information, please visit http://www.thegrandwilmington.org.
That’s all folks!!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
 
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