February 15th, 2012
The first restaurant in Key West handled the gluten allergy very well. They were very comfortable in going back to the kitchen and asking the chef what recommendations or substitutions should my husband have. That was Blue Heaven which I wrote about a few posts back.
I had been checking menus from different restaurants in Key West when I decided to talk to Stephanie, the Concierge at Casa Marina, where we stayed. I told her about the gluten allergy. She did not have to think twice. She mentioned Camille’s. She called the restaurant and spoke to the owner, Denise. A reservation was made and off we went later that evening to a funky, casual and very colorful restaurant.
Camille’s is located at 1202 Simonton St., precisely at the corner of Simonton & Catherine Sts. Tel. 305-296-4811. Website? www.camilleskeywest.com. This restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu changes every day. Take-out is available.
Denise was in charge and the moment she heard us say our names she immediately told our server that we had a gluten allergy. Denise was so friendly and full of energy.
I was only able to take a few pictures of the restaurant; patrons were dining, you know how it is.
Camille’s loves to meet food challenges; Denise said that they can accommodate the fussiest dietary needs.
So this is what we had.
Yellowfin Tuna Tartar, diced with fresh avocado, tossed in their sweet’n spicy Thai chili sauce. Two of us ordered this appetizer and hands down, we not only agreed that it was the best we had ever had but it turned out to be the best dish of the evening. Very very good.
Fresh pan fried Hog Snapper, topped with a Mango & Pineapple Salsa and paired with fun rice and veggie medley. After having the full flavor yellowfin tuna tartar, he thought that there were some seasonings lacking on this dish.
The Mahi Mahi was ordered. It was grilled and topped with pineapple and canteloupe salsa, served with fun rice and veggies. When I asked how it was, the answer was good.
I decided to have the Yellowtail Snapper encrusted with fresh panko, served with Island Tartar sauce (sweet chili & green onions) topped with avocado and a Balsamic reduction and paired with fun rice and veggies. I thought my fish was overpowered with all the sauce and garnish; I did want to taste the fish, since it was so fresh; not hide its flavor.
For dessert, we shared the Key Lime Pie. In Key West? A must in every restaurant. I had it also at Blue Heaven, but the one Denise made was definitely better. Tart; just like I wanted it to be.
So, another dinner in Key West. Each eatery had its specialty and we loved dishes more than others. Restaurants in Key West were certainly crowded; I was surprised to see the food coming out of the kitchen looked as good as it did.
Writing from sunny Delaware!! Talk to you later…
June 16th, 2010
“Hobos is described as Eco-Global. It celebrates the subtle simplicity of street food from around the world.”
It definitely had cooled down at the Delaware Beaches. The breeze was just great and I felt like going out to dinner. My son called and asked me if I still cooked since I was always going out to dinner. How else am I going to let you know how our restaurants are doing at the beaches? Tomorrow, yes, manana, I am staying home.
But on Tuesday evening, it was time to go and visit Hobos. This restaurant is located at 56 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-226-2226. E-mail is info@myhobos.com. Hobos is on Facebook. The owner and Chef is Gretchen Hanson.
Hobos brings pleasant memories for me. Last year, around this time, Gretchen had opened her restaurant. It was there that I came up with the idea of writing this type of blog. As she explained to me her concept and ideas; where she was coming from and I was asking about gluten free dishes; back and forth with the conversation; I decided to write about the beaches.
So as I approached the restaurant, it definitely looked good. The flowers were in full bloom, the tiny lights and the al fresco dining, just complemented the type of night, here at the beaches. This is what we, residents, locals, and natives, live for at the beach. The casualness of living along the coast.
Hobos was comfortably crowded. In their al fresco dining there are plenty of tables. Tonight we were all so lucky because across the street, at Aqua Grill, Holly Lane was performing so the music was great, adding already to a very nice evening.
It was so nice to see Dawn again. She works at Hobos and took care of us. Always making the right suggestions regarding what to order. Gretchen came to the table and proceeded to mark the gluten free items on the menu, which to tell you the truth, almost all of them were. I could hear other people asking the same thing so, other customers were eating gluten free last night.
Hobos is able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, celiac (gluten free), and people with other food allergies. It is great to see how a lot of the restaurants in our area are being so sensitive to their patrons with food allergies.
Hobos has a wide a variety of dishes in its menu. Gretchen’s cooking is full of flavor and spice. She is not afraid of a little bit of heat here or there. It gives her dishes just the right kick.
I was checking the restaurant. It has really come into its own and has become very popular. I have to give Gretchen credit because I was watching her interact with her customers, including us. She made sure she went to every table and just stayed long enough to make friendly chat; to make sure we were all happy with our orders, always with a smile on her face.
The indoor dining area is very cozy. Hobos’ decorations have a Mediterranean style. There is a full bar, as well.
We started with a Crab Artichoke and Brie Dip. The mixture of the 3 flavors was a great combination. The crostini, well, of course they were that good because they were fried!!
Crab Artichoke and Brie Dip
Then came the Seaweed Salad with Cucumbers. Refreshing, a little spicy and I loved it!!
One main entree was the Chile Glazed Halibut with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa. The halibut was perfectly cooked and the glaze and salsa also gave this dish a litle kick. It came with mashed potatoes which were very good, as well. Then I took a bite of the thinly sliced yellow and green zucchini. It was so fresh and it tasted like butter. Well, that is when Gretchen said that the squash was zephyr zucchini.
Chile Glazed Halibut with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa
Zephyr zucchini is a hybrid summer squash. It has great flavor and texture; buttery and nutty. It’s color is buttercup yellow and light green ends. Hobos’ zucchini was organic.
The other dish ordered was Scallops with Red Curry and Asparagus. This was a large entree and it was just as delicious. Again the little heat played a game with your tastebuds.
Scallops with Red Curry and Asparagus
Check the website for their menu and to see upcoming events. Gretchen keeps Hobos busy.
Unfortunately, we did not have dessert. The freshly brewed coffee was very good with a great flavor.
Baltimore Street, where Hobos is located is a street lined with trees and if you decide to dine here, I think you are really going to enjoy it.
Talk to you later…you know I will….
Note: Remember that Hobos is a dog friendly restaurant for well behaved dogs.
April 26th, 2010
What makes a good restaurant? To me, it has always been 5 key ingredients; I have mentioned them before. Some restaurants only have a few of those ingredients; The Grove Market encompasses them all, and they are: quality of ingredients, culinary competence, service, ambiance, and price.
The ingredients should be the best money can buy, the culinary competence, well, what can I say? The Grove Market has John McDonald, a seasoned chef and one of the best. Many years ago he had in Rehoboth Beach the very popular Garden Gourmet. The service should be attentive; not intrusive, always anticipating what the customer needs. The ambiance should be tranquil and relaxing. At the Grove Market it was definitely tranquil, amidst trees and marshes. The prices are just like all the restaurants at the beaches who are known for serving quality food.
The Grove Market is located on 12402 Saint Martins Neck Rd., Bishopville, Maryland, 21813. Tel. 410-352-5055. Even though it is in Bishopville, it is actually just so close to Ocean City, Maryland and I came from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware which took about 40 minutes.
It is tricky getting a reservation at The Grove Market. The restaurant is small. I think about 7 tables and 2 can eat at the bar. Therefore, reservations go quickly. My tip would be that if you want to eat there, then make the call, leave your information, and request any time they have available. We went at 5:30 p.m. which is earlier than I would have gone to any restaurant but it was fine, and it was definitely worth it.
Leslie and Patrick greeted us very graciously and took us to one of the tables in the back. Every time I go into this restaurant I just love looking around. It is funky; the walls are decorated with all kinds of adornments; lacrosse sticks, pictures, holiday lights, you name it.
Let me point out to you that there is not other restaurant like it in the Maryland and Delaware Beaches.
They have an extensive wine list. Beer is available as well and soft drinks.
There is no menu. Everything is recited from memory. I chose for my salad a beet salad with arugula and goat cheese. I have had it before and it was again, delicious. I knew that if they had the scallops I would order them as well. Last time they were so good, accompanied with a risotto and a roasted vidalia onion; they did not disappoint me. Just as good. Another appetizer was the smoked steelhead salmon. Here is where the explanation comes.
The steelhead salmon is commonly known as trout. They are a species of salmon. The land locked steelheads are known as rainbow trout.
The term steelhead differentiate between those rainbows that stay in fresh water permanently and those that go out in the ocean. In order to spawn, they return to the place where they hatched. Can be caught year-round and fly casting remains the most popular way to catch them.
If you like salmon, you would really enjoy this appetizer. Just like salmon, the taste is a little bit stronger.
Another entree ordered was the duck. It was roasted, a semi-sweet soy drizzle, with an English cumberland sauce, mashed potatoes and vidalia onions.
The Cumberland Sauce is a fruit base sauce with ingredients like red currants, port, mustard, pepper, orange, ginger and vinegar.
One person ordered dessert and I took a bite of this dense chocolate silk pie. It was very good and sinfully rich.
As usual, I have to say that a meal is best enjoyed with good company. As we were leaving, people were waiting. This restaurant is and has been very popular for a long time.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the restaurant was very sensitive to two people on our table with food related allergies; seafood, peanuts and gluten.
I guess I will be talking to you soon….
Please note that The Grove Market does not take credit cards.
Information for this post was taken from http://gosalmonfishing.com.
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