It is going to be raining all week in Sussex County but a bright spot will be Bon Appetit, 312 Height St., Seaford, DE. Please don’t think I am not driving to Seaford. From Rehoboth Beach is about 45 minutes. But it beats sitting in beach traffic. And, plus you will get an amazing dinner.
T Cooper who was raised in Seaford introduced me to this restaurant. I have been dying to go back and last night we took off leaving behind the beaches for a drive across farmlands until reaching High Street.
The parking lot was full. First Day of Summer felt like Fall. The restaurant was crowded.
Their Motto is “Be our Guest and Eat well.” As you come into the restaurant you feel like being a guest in someone’s home. The photographs, the roses filling a vase and a single rose on each table. And tablecloth draped tables. Those details were not missed by me.
We spoke to Karen, the owner. Chino, her husband was in the kitchen working his magic. A few drinks to start.
The menu changes often but there are some dishes that are always offered because they are so good.
Let’s talk about Butter. Look how beautiful the butter on the table looks. It is one of those details that you can appreciate.
And by the way the French baguettes were warm. Just so you know.?
A traditional Onion Soup always on the menu. TC’s starter. It hit the spot on a rainy night.
I was debating because a few appetizers caught my attention. The Country Pate won. It was perfect. Thinking out loud how pate, French bread and a glass of wine is the best.
One of those dishes I mentioned that are always on the menu is their duck. On this night it was served with a pineapple sauce. TC will have a good lunch today as he enjoys his take home leftovers.
Debating between the rockfish and softshell crabs, our server without hesitation said sofshells. Our server was awesome ; knowing her menu well and maneuvering a restaurant full of diners with ease.
Softshells are my favorites and the first of the season. Very lightly breaded, perfectly seasoned, and pan fried. The best. So sweet. I took my time eating them because I did not want them to end.
Dessert? The Chocolate Mousse won me over but they have more than afew homemade desserts. It was smooth and not overly sweet. That’s how it should be.
I almost forgot to mention another detail. Ever since they opened the restaurant many years ago, every dish is accompanied by a vegetable mousse. It was a detail noticed on my first visit and once again noticed last night.
What can I say to finish my post? “Happiness Is Great Food and Great Company. “ The perfect recipe.
AboutMyBeaches is on Facebook and Instagram. Bon Appetit is on Facebook.
Please note that they will be closing on 7/2 until 7/17. Reopening on 7/18. For reservations please call 302-629-3700.
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Where to get a hair cut when you are not sure where to go? Word of mouth is usually the best advertisement so our son directed my husband to Avenue Haircutters right on Atlantic Ave. I hope the men reading this post pay attention because this barber shop is a true and reasonable one.
Avenue Haircutters is located on 777 East Atlantic Ave., Suite A-5 in Delray Beach. It is right across from the Blue Anchor Pub in the Atlantic Plaza. The shop is towards the back of the Plaza. They have 3 barbers available.
As I was waiting for my husband I had to take a few pictures. Then, I started wondering about the pole that shows that you are in a barber shop. You know, it has red, white and blue.
Apparently, barber shops were places where men gathered, relaxed, read magazines and enjoyed each other’s company while also engaging on gossip, sharing jokes, talking about sports and politics, and debating the events of the day. I think barber shops are older than women’s hair salons so really they started all this before us.
Originally, the trimming and shaving, which by the way was a bit messy and painful; before the invention of the razor, was done at home and probably by a servant. Later on in the mid 19th century as towns were increasing and with the invention of the razor blade, barber shops were found on the main street of about every small town.
It may be helpful to know that the barbers and surgeons were once the same profession. Barber-surgeons were authorized to perform like a phlebotomist, who is the person drawing blood for analysis.
The barber shops were distinguished from other businesses by the red, white and blue striped pole out in front. The red and white were symbols of the blood and bandages of surgeons and the blue was added to make the pole resemble the American flag.
My husband got a really nice hair cut. And, as we were walking around the plaza, a gentleman came out of the barber shop and asked us if we were from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. His name was Butch Bradley and he was the owner of Avenue Haircutters. He had lived in Rehoboth and his barber shop was at the Midway Shopping Center on Coastal Highway. He had just been at the Delaware beaches and loves the whole area. We talked and it was so nice of him to have approached us. This is what makes these small towns so unique; a friendly conversation in the middle of the Plaza with someone you just met.
Then, we talked to Butch about Bethany Beach, Delaware and he proceeded to inform us that the owner of La Cigale, Francis Touboul, has a house in Bethany.
Well, since it was around 1:30 we then decided to have lunch at La Cigale and this is my next post. Being that it was a little cloudy, a little cooler and we were a little hungry we marched ourselves to La Cigale.
La Cigale has been in Delray Beach for a long time. It used to be right on Atlantic Ave., in the same spot where the new Seagate Hotel is now located. As renovations kept going on Atlantic Ave., it was so nice to know that this restaurant had opened in another location with plenty of parking and more space.
La Cigale is located on 253 S.E. 5th Ave., in Delray Beach, and near Atlantic Ave. At night you can spot the torches outside. Tel. is 561-265-0600. The website is www.lacigaledelray.com.
And the e-mail address is lacigalle@bellsouth.net.
We have been to the restaurant in the past; lunch and dinner. The restaurant is known to locals and natives alike.
When we entered the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was color. Immediately I felt good.
The tables were covered with tablecloths, very unpretentious, European, and a friendly staff.
I love mussels and once I saw them on the menu I knew that I was having them. They were Prince Edward Island Mussels with garlic, olive oil, tomato, basil leaves, white wine and a side order of pomme frites. They were so tasty and sweet, with that lite broth and perfect for lunch. I was even happier when I saw that they had placed a spoon for the broth. No way was I leaving that behind.
The pomme frites (French for French Fries) were perfectly cooked; crispy. Just the right size, as well, and I did not feel any guilt eating them all. Definitely, worth it.
My husband had the Calamari and Escarole sauteed in a white wine, garlic, olive oil and hot cherry peppers. That came with their soup of the day which was a white bean soup. I tasted both dishes; the calamari was tender, and the bean soup was rich and perfectly seasoned.
Then, we started talking to Francis, the owner. Can you believe he has had a house in Bethany Beach, Delaware for 20 years? He came from France, his first job in Bethany was at Gigi’s. Only locals would remember that one. And, has lived in Washington, as well. He was friendly, energetic and just the perfect host.
La Cigale has the perfect blend of Mediterranean food and you will always find the Coq Au Vin, the Beef Bourguignon; you know all those French dishes that make our mouths water.
One of those dishes, a dessert one and a favorite is the Creme Brulee. It is French for “burnt cream”. It is considered to be French, but the English and Spanish claim credit, as well.
At La Cigale the creme brulee was just the way I like it. The original; creamy and no other flavors added.
La Cigale offers Happy Hour from Mondays through Fridays from 5 until 7 p.m. Two for one drinks with complimentary hors d’ouvres at the bar only. Half price appetizers from their regular menu at the bar, as well.
The restaurant has capabilites for private parties. Please visit their website, above mentioned, because you can read about the restaurant, check the pictures and most of all look through the different menu proposals and hors d’ouvres selections for any parties you might want to hold at La Cigale.
If you are visiting Delray, try it and let me know how you what you think.
Note: I did not know that Francis Touboul, the owner of La Cigale also owns, Atlantique Cafe located on 777 E. Atlantic Ave. in the Atlantic Plaza, 561-272-1170 where this post actually started. As soon as I try it, I will let you know.
Yesterday I visited 3 places. Avenue Haircutters and La Cigale in Delray and then in the evening Michael R. McCarty’s in Palm Beach, which will be tomorrow’s post.
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