August 13th, 2014
“”Gourmandise is an impassioned, rational and habitual preference for all objects that flater the sense of taste.” brillat-savarin
Meet Hari Cameron, Chef and Owner of a(muse.), located at 44 Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Tel. 302-227-7107. Website? http://www.amuse-rehoboth.com. In this photo Harri was making mozzarella in front of all of us that were participating in the Eating Rehoboth tour. Even though I have only spoken to him a few times, my impression is that he loves to teach. His passion? Food…he does play golf, as well.
A crawl in Rehoboth Beach is a must if you are visiting the area or if you are a local. It is the best way to savour what downtown Rehoboth Beach has to offer. A little shopping, a little sipping, and a little tasting. Our destination? was a(muse.). It was a week ago Monday. What a way to start the week….our crawl was a total success. Well, my friends, Madelon and Cindi thought so too.
The bread brought to our table was delicious. I usually tend not to eat the bread but a taste of it sprinkled with sea salt and the olive oil had me tasting a few slices.
We were sharing our courses….tastings!! Burratta is Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is mozzarella, but the inside is a combination of mozzarella and cream. It is unusually soft in texture.
Our next course was Potted Chicken. Foi grass, port and whiskey…Perfect for sharing. Unique taste and presentation. Mix the potted chicken to get all those flavors immersed.
So far this is how my plate was looking. Burratta and Potted Chicken.
Madelon and I decided to get the Live Scallop. Both of us loved this dish. Fresh live scallops are so delicate and sooo good….Borage, dill flower, fermented cucumenter and roe. That roe was a perfect compliment to the scallop.
The Soft Shell Crab with new potato, mustard and bone marrow….was also very delicate. The bone marrow was a surprise.
I had been told to get the Bone Marrow Oreos, served with sweet silver corn milk. So, take a good look at the photo. They looked like oreos, they tasted like oreos, but they were made out of bone marrow…everything. At this point, Hari stopped at our table to chat. So impressed with the oreos and we let him know how good everything was, including the service.
From store to restaurant to store and back to restaurant….it was a great evening in Downtown Rehoboth Beach with friends. Then, off they went to O.C.
Try Crawling Rehoboth….fun!!
Note: This restaurant is sensitive to customers with food allergies!!
August 3rd, 2014
The sun still has not come out. You have done your shopping and you are staying put in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. I don’t blame you. The rest of the visitors are probably heading to the outlets and the ones that were here for the week-end are going home early. Rt. 1 or Coastal Highway will be very crowded.
I love Thai food. It is a balance of flavors. Not just a single one. Plenty of herbs, seasonings and ingredients are found in this cuisine. In Downtown Rehoboth Beach Lily Thai is located at 10 North 1st Street. It opens for lunch and dinner. Tel. 302-227-3348. You can order take out or enjoy your food inside….beer, wine and several others spirits are available.
The lunch is reasonable. The food is authentic Thai.
For lunch the Chicken/Tofu Drunken Noodles hit the spot.
And, my Duck Jalapenos is a favorite. Needless to say I loved it. Right amout of heat.
One of my favorite dishes at Lily Thai when having dinner is the Chili Crusted Eggplant. Lightly fried Thai eggplants, flavored with sweet and spicy roasted Chili sauce, chicken, shrimp, tomatoes, onions and topped with fresh cilantro. Those flavors are incredible.
Rehoboth Beach is a dining destination, with plenty of restaurants to pick and choose. Lily Thai has established itself as a consistently good restaurant serving authentic Thai food at reasonable prices.
Sunday, 8/4….Once again we decided to go back to Lily Thai. I thought we were crazy, but for some reason my parking Angel found me a nice parking spot with an hour already there!!
Today we had the Chicken Tofu Massaman. It was a Massaman Coconut Curry with a touch of Lily’s Peanut sauce.
Larb can be spicy and my dish was. It was ground chicken breast tossed in lime juice, red onions, Thai herbs and fresh mint.
A side order, which was not on the menu, consisted of Chili Thai Eggplant. It was the perfect addition to my Larb.
Have a great day.
July 29th, 2014
It was just a quick lunch…that’s what Debbie and I wanted. Spending the day in Bethany Beach, it is amazing to see how many restaurants are now offering lunch. I remember when that was not the case and Bethany was a dry town. Things have changed quite a bit since the mid 70’s. Our choice was Off The Hook, located at 769 Garfield Pkwy. or Rt. 26, just a mile or so west of Bethany Beach. Tel. 302-829-1424. Website? http://www.offthehookbethany.com.
Off The Hook opened in 2010 in Bethany Beach and was received with open arms. You can have lunch or dinner, or both…and even have a little alfresco dining.
The restaurant is small and cozy. The staff is very attentive and knowledgeable.
My friend Debbie had the Arugula n’ Melon Salad….local melon, crispy prosciutto, goat cheese, chive crumb and a champagne orange vinaigrette….topped with grilled salmon. This is a favorite of Debbie’s so it goes without saying that she likes it!!
I was looking for something light…too much eating lately if you get my drift. I spotted the Crunchy Tuna Lettuce Wraps and they were really good. They had seared tuna, avocado, pickled carrots, pea shoots, and spicy peanuts with a Japanese Wasabi Mayo. All the distinctive combinations of foods and those pickled carrots hit the spot.
I almost forgot to tell you that the prices were very reasonable….the restaurant was crowded for lunch. See you.
Note: Gluten Free Awareness
July 10th, 2014
Boy that was good!! Yum! I am referring to my Chilled Honeydew Cucumber & Avocado Soup. It had pureed cucumber, avocado, melon, vegetable stock, and rice wine vinegar. It was also topped with a herb and citrus creme fraiche and pumpkin seeds. This particular soup was gluten free and vegetarian.
I was going to the Post Office in Bethany Beach when I saw that 14 Global was open for lunch. Surprise, surprise….I was hungry and it was well past lunch time. 14 Global is located at 14 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Tel. 302-616-1035. Website? http://www.14global.com.
Of course, I had to go in…I was not the only one that was hungry. One of my “Usual Suspects” was passing by and pretty soon she was also ordering lunch. 14 Global is very pretty inside. The restaurant is nicely appointed with beautiful woods, utilizing the maximum space available.
14 Global is comfortable and the set-up is conducive to friendly chat. A bar is also available for just having a few drinks, or even sitting down for lunch or dinner.
The restaurant opens for lunch Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Global Plates are not offered for lunch, but believe me there is plenty on the lunch menu to choose from. No lunch on Wednesday. Hours for lunch are 11:30 until 2:00 p.m. Dinner is offered from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. every day.
Reservations are taken for their early seating…5 p.m. – 6 p.m. only. But, if you do happen to have a large party of 8 or more, please call for reservation availability and for later seating, as well.
14 Global offers gluten free, and vegetarian items. And, there is also a Kids’ Menu.
Debbie ordered their Baywater Micro Green Salad with a blackberry balsamic reduction, a variety of mini greens, shaved candy striped beets, red onion, angel peach, avocado, Rogue blue cheese, and candied walnuts.
And, she also ordered the Grilled Asparagus & Prosciutto with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, lemon juice, and cracked pepper.
Besides the soup I raved about on the first sentence of this post, I also ordered their Baywater Micro Green Salad, except that I topped it with a softshell crab….one of my favorite crabs. It had a very light breading and flash fried….perfectly seasoned.
No dessert was needed….we told our served, which by the way was very attentive, that we were on diets…..he did say we looked good!
A rainy afternoon….Summer 2014 continues to bring gorgeous weather on the week-ends!! Have a good one!
June 18th, 2014
 
I called this post day tripping because that’s exactly what it was. Driving to Easton from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, takes a little bit over an hour. I take the back roads. Easton is the jewel of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It is a very sophisticated town with much history.
My first stop was to have lunch with Louise and Powell at The Hunters’ Tavern inside the Tidewater Inn, located at 101 East Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. This is a beautiful historic hotel; very centrally located. Tel. 410-822-1300 Website? http://www.tidewaterinn.com.
The Hunters’ Tavern has indoor and outdoor seatings. Tel. 410-822-1300 Website? http://www.tidewaterinn.com/dine/hunters-tavern. The restaurant is well aware of customers with a gluten allergy. Check the website.
We started with the Snappy Turtle Soup. This soup is tomato based. It is totally delicious. I have had it before, I have written about it before….and now I am doing it again. Don’t forget to add plenty of Sherry. And if you want to take some home, they have it to go, as well. Just tell them how much you want.
We had 2 salads: Nuts & Berries with mixed greens, strawberries, candied walnuts and Chapel Bay Bleu Cheese. Light and refreshing.
The Bibb Salad had a champagne terragon vinegar dressing, and Chapel Bay Bleu Cheese. It was accompanied by Blackened Ahi Tuna. This was my salad and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
No dessert….time to hit the town.
SHOPPING:
Some time ago I saw a boutique called Marc Randall. I wanted to check it out. Easton has so many stores, but this particular one is different. Women’s fun and fine apparel. Unique handbags and jewelry. The location is 3 Dover St. Tel. 410-820-4077. Website? http://www.marcrandall.com. The shop is shophisticated with cutting edge appeal. Everything is different from the rest of the shops in Easton.
The Ket Sao collection of jewelry caught my attention….These pieces of jewelry are beautiful accents to your wardrobe for Summer 2014. I loved the mixed metal and beaded jewelry.
You can read more about this jewelry by visiting http://www.chickboss.com. This company is helping young Guatemalans and when you purchase a piece of jewelry, you are helping too. The metals are sealed to retard the natural oxidation process. You can clean it with a polishing cloth if needed. Store it in a dry place. That’s all the care you need.
Next time in Easton stop by and meet Marc. He is very friendly.
PLEIN AIR EASTON ART FESTIVAL
This Art Festival is held every year in July. It is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the U.S. Instead of producing art in a studio, Plein Air Painters produce art from life. There is representation from all over the U.S. and beyond.
Last year’s art sales totaled $325,000 with 313 paintings sold in two and a half days. Approximately, 6,000 to 8,000 people participate in the festival throughout the week.
You have ambition and $10…then you are in Plein Air Easton’s Quick Draw. Plen Air Easton is at the center of the modern plein air movement.
More info? Please visit http://www.pleinaireaston.com
Have a great day!!
June 17th, 2014
Patsy’s Restaurant is located in the quiet resort of Bethany Beach. I like to say quiet because nothing is further from the truth. This coastal Delaware, family resort is ready for Summer 2014!! And, so is Patsy’s. The address is 121 Campbell Place, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Tel. 302-537-2433. Website? http://www.patsysgourmet.com.
It was so gorgeous last Sunday that a dinner at Patsy’s was the perfect choice. Sitting on the porch on that cool night was awesome! Nothing like a delicious and relaxing dinner with friends. Daily dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. Dine outdoors under the porch or indoors. No reservations.
For starters we had Patsy’s Fried Green Tomatoes. They were topped with roasted red pepper/Vermont cheddar cheese spread with fresh basil pesto and balsamic reduction. Just take a look at the photo…..they do look beautiful, don’t they? They tasted just as good!
The presentation of the Grilled Eggplant was so inviting. The grilled eggplant was grilled with herbed goat cheese, sauteed tri-colored peppers, onions and spinach with a pomodoro sauce and an herb salad. That would have been one of my choices. Love grilled eggplant. This stack looked and tasted fantastic and Marilyn loved it!
So surprised that my friend, Shelley, ordered the Shrimp & Grits. The shrimp with tri color peppers, red onions and Andouille sausage on white cheddar cheese grits hit the spot.
Well, my dish was a Sunday special. Not very dietetic by any means. But, it was one of those week-ends where the diet went in a different direction….Fried Chicken on Waffles!! The waffles had a bite to them; prepared with corn and jalapenos. The chicken was fried to perfection…..I confess I ate it all, skin, you name it. The glaze was sweet but with its own punch, as well. The watermelon was refreshing….a summer favorite.
Note: There are gluten free dishes available. Check http://www.patsysgourmet.com. The information is under the Main Event Menu.
There was no way we could eat dessert. We saw them go by. The Chocolate Cake could have fed 4 people. The young ones eating next to us had the Banana Crepes and when I asked them how they were, they just kept nodding.
Maybe next time.
So, remember, if you want some special and quaint place to eat….check Patsy’s.
Have a good one!!
June 7th, 2014
“Gather the crumbs of happiness, and they will make you a loaf of contentment.” author unkown
Down the country road I went to pick up 6 dozen cupcakes that I knew were going to make some families happy in Bethany Beach, Delaware. They were going to be served after a half day of deepsea fishing off Indian River Inlet.
I had them baked gluten free. There were a few in the group that had to adhere to a gluten free diet. The others would be joining them, as well. Cupcakes are so easy to take to picnics…It was the perfect choice.
Creative Crumbs Bakes Shoppe is owned by Karen and Patty. They are sisters and they are the bakers!! For many years these sisters had a very successful bakery in Lewes. Then, children and other responsibilites made them close it. A year ago they decided that it was time to start baking again.
I was talking to a friend of mine from Lewes, and I mentioned I was trying Creative Crumbs….when I told her who owned it, she said “OMG, Karen used to bring amazing desserts for Monday night football”. Word of mouth…love it.
Creative Crumbs Bake Shoppe does not have a retail store. Everything is baked to order. You may contact them at 302-645-8588. You can also visit http://www.creativecrumbs.net. They are active on Facebook, as well.
These sister bakers offer traditional baking; so unique is the fact that they also offer baking for customers with dietary allergies and sensitivities. Gluten Free (Karen is celiac), Allergen Free, Dairy Free…and also Vegan.
 My Gluten Free Cupcakes from Creative Crumbs Please note that if you have food allergies, and have questions about their ingredients, make sure you contact them. All of their products do not contain the same ingredients, but they are manufactured in the same facility. In their bakery, they process tree nuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, milk and eggs. They do their best to clean and sterilize the bakery before and after each use….have in mind that Creative Crumbs Bake Shoppe is not an allergy-free facility.
The safety and cleanliness of the bakery is regulated by the Delaware Division of Public Health and in compliance with FDA.
Here are the cupcakes!!
 Gluten Free-Vanilla  Gluten Free - Chocolate  Gluten Free - Lemon On the picnic table, they quickly were sought after. And there were even enough for dessert after the pig roast.
Having cooked gluten free in my household for many years, I think I am a good judge…..the cupcakes had perfect density. The flavors of chocolate, vanilla and lemon were completedly distinct. The frosting was creamy and not overly sweet. And the shells made the Little Pink Houses of Hope…..smile!
Thank you Karen and Patty!!
NOTE: Creative Crumbs Bake Shoppe is participating at VegFest next week-end in Rehoboth Beach.
May 14th, 2014
When my husband, John, was first diagnosed 6 years ago with celiac disease, eating gluten free became a way of life. It is the only treatment for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. It is an allergy to wheat and its derivatives. It does not stop just by not eating gluten, but also, you have to watch out for products that contain gluten and cross-contamination. Believe me, there are many, including prescription drugs.
Needless to say, we learned quickly and just like anything, you adapt. He really would have preferred to have had chicken fried steak, sweet breads, or anything traditionally cooked, but all in all he was pretty good about it. He had to.
In 2008 people would say, how lucky we were because prior to that year, not much was on the market. Nowadays, I say, how lucky everyone is because restaurants, grocery stores, and gourmet shops have jumped on the band wagon….oh yes, it is definitely a business. There is still more to do but if you have a gluten allergy, then, Welcome to the Beach!
The Birch Tree Cafe is Delaware’s 100% Gluten Free restaurant. It is also an espresso bar and a bake shoppe. It is located in Clarksville, which is about 4 miles west of Bethany Beach on Rt. 26. The actual address is 31826 Good Earth Lane. Tel. 302-539-2468. You can find The Birch Tree Cafe on Facebook and Twitter.
I stopped by to get a few things for a friend in Rehoboth Beach. Some special treats. It was late in the day, but Cathy Berzins, Co-Owner, and Chef, was there like always. She opens every day. And, this is what I got.
Muffins: 2 cinnamon, 2, blueberry, 2 chocolate chip….my friend has a sweet tooth. These muffins, besides being gluten free were also dairy free and nut free.
Everything is baked by Cathy from scratch, so I also got Multi Grain with Flax bread; 6 whole grains plus flaxeed.
Could not resist the Pecan Brownies….a classic made also dairy free.
 
Living Gluten Free in Delaware….is all about food. Every 2nd Tuesday of every month, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. the public is invited to join The Birch Tree Cafe and discuss the Gluten Feree Lifestyle. Share recipes, stores, and dining advice….we all have something to say about that, cooking/baking how-to’s and product information. Cathy will also have samplins. Any questions, pease call 302-539-2468.
The Birch Tree Cafe features its own pizza crust. To me, that was the hardest thing to achieve. Cathy also offers quiche, sandwiches, salads and soups. Her cream of crab soup is her signature dish. If you have been coming to Bethany Beach, you might remember that Cathy owned South Bethany Seafood Market. The soup is made with organic cream, organic milk and touched with a finish of sherry.
Her breads and muffins can be ordered in quatities, just give her a call. Any other dietary restrictions or allergies….she can handle that, as well.
The Birch Tree Cafe sits inside Good Earth Market & Organic Farm, http://www.goodearthmarket.com. You walk through the market and pick up natural products, groceries, and then step outside to see the actual farm.
Now you know that if you have celiac disease or gluten allergy, even a sensitivity…..the Delaware Beaches have it all. You don’t have to arrive carrying tons of groceries. Relax, you are at the Beach!
Have a great day!
 
|
Comments Off on Crawling! a(muse.), Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Restaurant, Review, Tasting, Burratta, Potted Chicken, Live Scallop, Soft Shell Crab, A Gourmand’s Heaven!!, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware, Rehoboth Beach Eats!