August 26th, 2012

Catch 54, Fenwick Island, Delaware, Restaurant, Review, Waterview Dining, Open 7 Days A Week, Lunch and Dinner, Happy Hour, Sodel Concepts, Matt Haley’s Restaurants, Awesome Views, Cool Atmosphere, Great Service, What Else? Good Food!!

It was going to be my first time visiting Catch 54 after last year’s fire, when they had to completely rebuild the restaurant.  Since their opening, at the beginning of the summer, people kept telling me how cool it had turned out.  Well, it has taken me until last week to stop by with friends and enjoy a night of laughter, good food, awesome views and great service.

Catch 54 is part of the family of restaurants under SoDel Concepts, http://www.sodelconcepts.com. It is, also, one of Matt Haley’s restaurants.

Catch 54 is located at 38931 Madison Ave., Fenwick Island, DE 19944.  Tel. 302-436-8600.  Website? http://www.catch54.com.  If you are traveling on Coastal Highway, please turn west at the intersection of Rt. 54 and Coastal Highway (Rt. 1), cross over the bridge.  You’ll see the restaurant on your right. Turn right, you will find plenty of parking available.  Catch 54 is also located on the same spot as Shark’s Cove Marina.  The restaurant opens 7 days a week at 11:30 a.m.  Happy hour, from 12 until 6 p.m.  They do not accept reservations.  You can find Catch 54 on Facebook and Twitter.

From Rehoboth Beach, it takes about half an hour, give or take, with the summer traffic.  I was rushing to get there before sunset.  Catch 54 has one of the most gorgeous views at our Delaware Beaches.  It sits right at Little Assawoman Bay; the salt marshes that line the bay are home of many species of waterfowl.  At that time of the evening is breathtaking, serene, and peaceful.

Since I don’t like to wait at restaurants, I have started eating late during the height of the season at the Delaware Beaches.  So, we decided to meet at around 7:45 p.m., thinking that people would be almost on their way out.  Surprised surprise, there were people waiting.  No problem, I just went around to take pictures, some sat at the bar, waiting to be called.  No rush. Catch 54 has 2 floors with a bar on each one.

At the upstairs bar, there are also booths available for dining, as well.

It was a beautiful evening so the restaurant was showing off how pretty it looked at night.

Indoors is light, and modern, exhibiting the casual atmosphere of our beaches.

There are 2 decks with tables for dining al fresco.

The outdoor dining tables were going to take some time, so we decided to eat indoors.  The restaurant has glass windows throughout so you have an excellent view if you are indoors.

Our server came to get us.  His name was Michael.  As we are walking to our table, I proceeded to tell him that one person in our party had to eat gluten free.  His answer? No problem, I have had Celiac disease since I was young. I know exactly what your dietary requirements are.  Worry free eating!!  No questions!!  I bet Catch 54 does not know what an asset he, actually is.  It turned out that Michael was also a fantastic server.  Very attentive and his suggestions were perfect.

It goes without saying that when I have lunch or dinner with friends….they cannot touch their food until I take pictures.  A few try to dive into their entrees, but are usually stopped on their tracks.  I also want them to, honestly, tell me how their dinner was.

So, here is what we ordered.

Oysters on the half shell were ordered; the saltier, the better.  Chincoteague Salts came on ice and were delicious.

A friend ordered the Heirloom Tomato Salad, on toast, with herbs, grilled red onion, blue cheese, and a Dijon garlic vinaigrette.  The tomatoes are still so tasty; green, red, and yellow.

I went with the Crab & Clam Cakes.  I thought they sounded different.  They had bacon, Parmesan, spicy mayo, micro beets and lemon.  They were soooo good.  It really was a good combination.  Definitely, would order them again in a heart beat.

For our entrees:

A couple decided to order the Fish Camp Stew.  It had fresh fin fish, shellfish, white wine, tomato butter broth, and toast.  One came without the toast because of the gluten allergy.  It had a well seasoned broth, very light and plenty of seafood.

Another person decided to order the Day Boat Scallops on cheese grits, sweet corn, zucchini and PBR tomato jus.  She really enjoyed them, and thought they were very good; cooked to perfection.

I loved my fish.  I really did.  I had the Pan Roasted Whole Trout, on roasted farm beans, Crimini mushrooms, almonds, and lemon butter.  The whole fish was so flavorful.  I would, definitely, order it again.

Dessert:

We decided to order two desserts.

The Roasted Summer Peach Bread Pudding was served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel.  Comfort dessert!  Not overly sweet, either.

A Lemon Icebox Pie with Blueberries was the second dessert.  Sort of like a key lime pie, except lemons were used.

The person that had to eat gluten free is hoping that Catch 54 brings back a dessert called Flourless Chocolate Torte.  This dessert was so good whether you had to eat gluten free or not.

Our Delaware Beaches are full of wonderful restaurants.  It really is a dining destination for many.  We are so lucky!!

Note:  Catch 54 also has a kid’s menu!!

Have a great week!  Talk to you later….you know I will.

June 1st, 2011

Catch 54, Fenwick Island, Delaware Beaches, Restaurant, Review, Amazing Views, an Excellent Dinner, What Else Would You Ask For?

It was almost 10 p.m. when we left Catch 54 in Fenwick Island.  I could not believe that it was still 73 degrees.  It was a very hot day but as the sun slowly started setting the evening was just right.  I wanted to see if the food at Catch 54 was as good as its view.  So, road trip to Fenwick.  Just about 25 minutes away from Rehoboth Beach.

It was also the perfect evening because everyone that was at the beaches this week-end had gone home, therefore, the restaurants were going to be more settled on a night like tonight.  I was right.  It was quieter and just so nice.

Catch 54 is located at 54 Madison Ave., Fenwick Island, DE 19944.  It is right on Rt. 54, where Shark’s Cove Marina is also located.  If you head west from Rt. 1, in Fenwick Island, then you will go over the bridge and you will see the restaurant to your right.  Make the next right and you are just about there.  Website? http://www.catch54.com.  Tel. 302-436-8600.  You will find Catch 54 on Facebook.

Catch 54 is part of the family of restaurants owned by SoDel Concepts;  yes, Matt Haley is the owner.

The restaurant has plenty of parking.  They open Mondays through Thursdays at 5:00 p.m.  Fridays through Sundays at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and at 4:00 p.m. for dinner.  Every day there is happy hour from 3 until 6 p.m.  Catch 54 does not take reservations.

This restaurant is one of the few, at the Delaware Beaches, if not the only one with views anywhere you sit.  On the first floor you will find a Tiki Bar.  You can eat there, as well.  The bar completely opens up so that you can really enjoy the outdoors.

Upstairs, which is the main dining area, there is a good size bar.  The dining tables are set up so that you can also experience the views throughout.   These marshes and inland bays are just spectacular.  And, at sunset, they are priceless.

I got a little worried when I noticed that my camera was flashing.  That meant I had a low battery.  I decided not to take a picture of the steamed clams.  They had herbs, a Tabasco Butter Broth and Lemon.  They were delicious.  My Caesar Salad was very good, as well.  I ordered it because it had the white anchovies.  I see those on a menu and I die for them. Many years ago I first had them in Spain and totally fell in love with them.

As you know, we always have to check if an entree contains gluten.  Caitlyn was our server and immediately she told us which items on the menu were gluten free.  It was good to see that the restaurant was catering to those with food allergies and that it had trained their staff so well.

Caitlyn was knowledgeable, friendly, and discreet.  She let us chat but was also very attentive.

We ordered the Hot Bacon Crab Dip, with Jack Cheese and homemade Kettle Chips.  The chips were so crispy and warm.  The combination of the bacon, crab and cheese was perfect. Not too salty either, which was nice.  This dish is enough for 4 people.

Then, my husband ordered the Seared Day Boat Scallops with mashed potatoes, creamed corn and tomato chili oil.  The picture does not lie.  It was that good. I took a bite.

My entree was a Fisherman Stew.  Fresh caught fin fish, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, celery, garlic butter, herbs, tomato broth, Old Bay, Lemon and toast.  The first thing I wanted to do was dip the bread in the broth.  But, I had the willpower and did not do it.  Instead, I ordered a spoon and ate all the seafood with plenty of  “gusto”.

I have not visited all the SoDel Concept restaurants, but the ones that I have had the chance to experience have been very generous with the portions.

But wait.  I am not finished.  It is a bit challenging to find a gluten free dessert on a menu.  Yes, you can get fruit but, you know…give me a dessert, please.  I noticed that there was a flourless cake.  Well, say no more.  We ordered it.  I had seen recipes for that type of cake but I have never made one.  It was a true chocolate taste.  If you like chocolate, believe me, this is your dessert. The berry swirl and the whipped cream were the perfect companions.

The Sous-Chef, Ronnie, came to the table to see how we had liked everything.  We thanked him for the food and for being on top of the gluten allergy.  He said that they try to accommodate everyone.  We enjoyed our dinner so much.  It was such a peaceful atmosphere with a hint of music on the background.

Talk to you later….the merging of the views and the food to give you such delight…