January 22nd, 2011
This is the second time Gretchen Hanson, Executive Chef of Hobos Restaurant & Bar has offered this type of event. It takes a lot of preparation and only a person that has embraced this lifestyle for the better part of her life, could really inform and teach.
I was invited by Victoria to spend an informative evening at Hobos. This very popular restaurant is located at 56 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. is 302-226-2226. Website? www.myhobos.com.
Gretchen was offering a Sixty Day Wellness Program infused with cooking classes. Tonight was the informative evening with classes starting next week. If you are interested, either call the above mentioned telephone or visit the website.
Boy, was it cold tonight!! It really was. But, we all made it to Hobos. It was full to capacity. During warm months, Hobos has a great porch for dining; tonight we were all inside.
This program for 60 days looked very interesting. The majority of us there had not gone to her first session. A lot of them, though, were returning to continue the learning process. This class promises “detox from processed foods and an all around overhaul”.
The first thing we did was eat. That was more like it. I liked that. The foods had gorgeous colors; a nice variety, as well. Only the couscous was not gluten free. Couscous comes from North Africa.
The cabbage was delicious with a slight hint of sweetness; appealing to our visual senses.
The lentil soup got rave reviews, especially since it was so cold.
Gretchen suggested we tried everything. That’s exactly what everyone did. My plate looked beautiful. Pesto, eggplant tapenade and rice with zucchini were among the dishes.
It was a good crowd. Immediately after we were all seated, we introduced ourselves. Some were retired, others were looking for healthier ways to cook, others had no idea the word Vegan was going to be introduced. Then there were the persons that said they had no intention of being Vegans. And on and on it went. The interesting part was the people that had already made a change in their diet. Some had lost weight and others had very impressive results after having blood tests performed.
Gretchen will be the first to tell you that she is not a nutritionist or dietician. And, the class is not a diet class; it is a change from the way you eat. More of a plant base lifestyle; less milk and animal protein. She does not demand you become Vegan; she will be the first to tell you that she is not the perfect Vegan. She would like you to try it for those 60 days so that you can obtain the full effect of what she is talking about.
The problem with all of us, here in America is that we have set aside that family dinner that was so important. It really is a thing of the past. We eat foods that are handed out from a drive through window; then eat it just as fast.
If you are going to eat meat then choose “happy flesh”, meaning don’t put in your body something that has been injected to give it that extra boost.
We were there for 3 hours and it went so fast. So very interesting and even though she only scratched the surface, we all learned a lot.
While this class is in progress, Hobos is open on week-ends (Friday, Sat. and Sunday) for lunch and dinner. They can deliver and cater.
The restaurant is “green”, from toilet tissue to plastic bags and deli containers. Everything is recycable and recycled. Every company used is earth friendly.
Hobos has vegetarian, vegan and gluten free menus and it offers specials every day, as well.
I had to laugh when Gretchen said this 60 days are “a little granola crunchy”. She has an interesting story; growing up in a commune where everything was home-grown. Her mother did not even have a can opener; not such thing was needed.
Some of the suggested readings were:
The China Study by Dr. Colin Campbell. It is the most comprehensive nutritional study ever done.
The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan; thoughtful, insightful and provocative.
Watch Food, Inc. It is a must watch because nothing you put in your mouth will ever taste the same.
One last thought. Let’s say you fall off the wagon, then make peace with your choices and move on.
As Gretchen said “Your Path, Your Journey, Your Choices”.
Guess What? I do feel a little guilty all of a sudden as I write this post….I went to Eming’s Pig Roast….tomorrow’s post…talk to you later…..
October 11th, 2010
Rehoboth Beach is one of those coastal towns located in Delaware that is known for its good restaurants. Even though I have lived here for many years, there are still some that I have not visited.
A year ago I started my blog and during this past year I have reviewed some of the downtown restaurants. Once I have reviewed a restaurant or business I send them an e-mail. My reviews are, of course, my personal opinion. I think the restaurants appreciate comments; how the customer has been treated from the moment he or she steps into their establishment.
With that said, I am now getting e-mails with the fall offerings and specials. The following list, is by no means complete. I am getting there and I will keep passing on the information as I get it or find it.
The Back Porch Cafe – 59 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 302-227-3674, www.backporchcafe.com. The restaurant will be open in October for long week-ends. They will be serving their fixed price menu on Thursdays. Regular dinner menu will be available Friday through Sunday. The Back Porch is open for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays and for Sunday Brunch.
They will close for the season on Sunday, October 31st.
Note: I wrote a post on the Back Porch on 10/1/09. If you would like to read it, please click under Archives on the month of October and scroll down to the date.
Big Fish Grill – Even though this restaurant is not in downtown Rehoboth I decided to include it since its sister restaurant, the Summer House, is.
Big Fish Grill is located on 4117 Hwy. One, Rehoboth Beach, tel. 302-227-3474, or 227-3665, www.bigfishgrill.com.
Happy Hour – Only at the Bar. Mondays through Thursdays 5 – 7 p.m., Fridays 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. and Sundays 4 – 6 p.m. 1/2 priced appetizers.
On October 31st – Kids under 12 eat free if they are wearing a costume from 4 – 8 p.m. A picture will be taken and the best costume will be picked, as well.
Big Fish Grill has started cooking classes. I attended one this year and it was excellent. Next one will be 10/23 and then 11/6, 11/10, 11/20, 12/4 and 12/8. Please check the above mentioned website for information and the 2011 class schedule.
Please have in mind that the restaurant is available for fundraising events Sundays through Thursdays from October to April. Please call them for more info.
Note: I wrote 2 posts on this restaurant; one on 1/23/10, during the cooking class and one on 9/20/10. Just go under the Archives and click on those months and scroll down to the dates.
Summer House – Sister restaurant of Big Fish is located at 228 Rehoboth Ave, tel. 302-227-3895, www.summerhousesaloon.com.
Happy Hours are Mondays through Fridays from 4 – 7 p.m. Only At the Bar.
Catch NFL Games – specials on drinks during the game.
On Saturday, 10/30 is the 3rd Annual Halloween Scream Beach Bar Crawl. It is a party and costume contest. The winner will be announced at midnight and will win $200 in cash and the second place will win $50.
On Sunday, 10/31 kids under 12 will eat free if they are wearing a costume from 4 – 8 p.m. A picture will be taken and the best costume will be picked.
Cafe Azafran – 18 Baltimore Ave., tel. 302-227-8100, www.cafeazafran.com.
This restaurant has a sister restaurant in Lewes. It opened this season on trendy Baltimore Ave., one block from the boardwalk.
Mondays – 1/2 price bottles of wine
Tuesdays – Prix-Fixe (3 course menu for $23), plus 1/2 bottles of wine (any wine under $60 on their list)
Wednesdays – Tapas Happy Hour ($7 tapas and $7 glasses of wine off their wine board)
Thursdays – Steak & Wine Nite – 3 great steaks with 3 different preparations. Choose your steak and then choose your preparation for the one price. Steak dinner is served with a green salad, Jason’s bread and olives $17.
Select red wines will be on special by the glass or bottle. Add on for steak dinners $9, either a crab cake, shrimp plancha or seared scallops.
Tapas Happy Hour Sundays – Thursdays from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Bar and Dining Room with $7 Tapas Menu and discounted Drink Specials.
Note: I wrote a post on this restaurant on 8/9/10. If you would like to see it just click on the month of August under Archives and scroll down to the date.
Cafe Sole – Located at 44 Baltimore Ave., tel. 302-227-7107, www.rehoboth.com/cafesole. Their fall specials are on-going.
Half price entrees every Wednesday evening. This is a local’s favorite.
Jazz Festival Update:
The festival is this coming week-end and Cafe Sole is excited to announce that 2 great groups have been booked for their restaurant.
Friday, October 15th – Clap, sing, and tap your feet to the authentic New Orleands sound of “The Cornbread Five”. This is a group of dedicated musicians (and music teachers) who are passionate about honoring the traditions of music from The Big Easy.
Saturday, October 16th – The mellow jazz styling of The Lauren Lark Quartet. Led by awesome singer/songwriter Lauren Lark, the group will revive your memories of the age of smooth jazz and romantic cheek-to-cheek dancing.
Choose a night (or choose both) and call for a reservation.
Sunday Brunch is from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Note: I wrote about this restaurant on 9/1/09. If you would like to read it just click on the month of September, 2009 and scroll down to the date.
Conch Island – Key West Bar & Grill. This is another restaurant that opened at 207 Rehoboth Ave. this year. Tel. 302-226-9378, www.conchislandbar.com. It has been well received.
Happy Hour is from 3 until 7 p.m. every day of the week and all day on Sundays.
$4 dozen wings, $1 oysters, 1/2 price steamed shrimp, $2.50 Miller/Light Coors Bottles, $4.50 Captain Morgan/Smirnoff mixed drinks, $4 American Honey Shots and $5 Patron Shots.
Conch Island has entertainment, as well. For more information, please call the above telephone number or visit their website.
Note: My post for this restaurant was on 5/10/10. All you have to do, if you would like to see it, it click under Archives, on the month of May and scroll down to the date.
Confucius – Chinese Cuisine, located at 57 Wilmington Ave., tel. 302-227-2848, www.confuciusrehobothbeach.com. I frequent this restaurant a lot and love their food and service.
Mondays – All fish entrees are 1/2 price.
Sundays – Peking Duck is $15.95 for 1/2 or $29.95 for whole.
Sunday Brunch – 3 items for $10.00
All specials are for dine-in only, while the supplies last.
Note: On 12/21/09 I wrote about Confucius. All you have to do to read it is go under Archives on the left hand side of this website and click on December of 2009 and scroll down to the date.
Cultured Pearl – Located on 301 Rehoboth Ave., this restaurant is one of the most popular in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-8493, 302-227-4217 for carry out.
Monday Night Sushi at the Pearl is back for a second season with a couple of new twists and turns to it. Once this night caught on, it got very crowded, so reservations are suggested.
For more info. on what this restaurant has to offer, please check the website.
Note: My post for the Cultured Pearl was on 8/24/10. To see it just click on the month of August under Archives on the left hand side of this website and scroll down to the date.
Eden – Located at 23 Baltimore Ave., tel. 302-227-3330, www.edenrestaurant.com. This is another very popular restaurant in downtown Rehoboth. I tried it for the first time this summer and had a wonderful meal.
Wednesdays – Prix Fixe – 3 Courses for $35.00
Note: My post on Eden was on 9/9/10. Just click on the month of September under Archives and scroll down to the date.
Hobos – Eco Global Fusion Cuisine. Mexico, Europe and the Mediterranean with a few additions in between. Location? 56 Baltimore Ave., tel. 302-226-2226, www.myhobos.com.
Tuesday, October 12th – Whole Body Health Program by Gretchen Hanson, Hobo’s owner and Chef.
This 30 day program is for people that want to feel better, get healthy and lose weight involving cooking classes, a detox from processed foods and an all around food overhaul. It is free and it is at Hobos. It will last until November 16th. It is a complete overhaul of the way you eat eliminating all processed foods, white flour, hfcs, hydrogenated fats, sugar, etc. It involves her undivided attention and lots of one on one counseling time and 5 free cooking classes in exchange to your committing to follow the plan for 30 days.
Gretchen is writing a book which will be finished next spring so the participants will agree to be a part of it, as well. Most importantly, this is not a diet, it is a lifestyle, which means that there is no weighing, measuring and calorie counting; just real, delicious food….
Thursday, October 14th – Hobos Restaurant & Crush & Press jointly host a tasting dinner of Extra Virgin Olive Oils & Rhone Valley + Wines. It is at 6:30 p.m. at Hobos.
It is $55 per person and you can make reservations on line at info@myhobos.com. The olive oils tasted will be available for purchase the night of the event.
Menu will include:
Heirloom tomatoes preserved with lemon thyme and stuffed with arugula pistou
“Cream” of roasted cauliflower and artichoke soup with garlic rouille
Polenta cakes with nutmeg mushroom duxelles
Salt smoked sea scallops and caramelized shallot and leek risotto timbales
Almond Mandarin olive oil cake
Note: I wrote a post on 6/10/10 on Hobos. If you would like to see it just click on the month of June under Archives and scroll down to the date.
Lupo di Mare – One of the many restaurants of the Sodel Group is located at 247 Rehoboth Ave., right by Hotel Rehoboth and Mod Cottage. Tel. 302-226-2240, www.lupodimarerehoboth.com.
Tuesday, October 12th is the Women & Wine Club Event – Starting at 6:30 p.m. “Pino Envy” – Enjoy a 4 course meal matched to wines chosen by Southern Wine & Spirits. Cost is $39.00.
For reservations, please contact Molly King at molly@sodelconcepts.com or at 302-275-0183. A portion of the proceeds from the evening will go to the Rehoboth Beach Village Improvement Association.
Fall Specials:
Wednesdays – 1/2 price pasta
Thursdays – 1/2 price select bottles of wine
Wednesdays – Saturdays, if seated before 6 p.m. – Prix Fixe: 3 Chef designed courses for $19.00
Sundays – Sunday Supper – 3 Chef designed courses for $19.00
Happy Hour – Wednesdays – Sundays, 5 – 7 p.m. – Drink and appetizer specials.
This restaurant is available for specials events and catering. Please call them for details.
MIXX – It is American Fusion Cuisine – Full menu with tapas (smaller) portions. Located at 26 Baltimore Ave., tel. 302-226-8700, www.mixxrehoboth.com.
I enjoyed this restaurant very much when I visited last year. I wrote a review on 6/3/10 and if you would like to see it, just click on the month of June, 2009 under Archives on the left hand side of the website. Scroll down to the date.
Mondays and Tuesdays MIXX is closed.
Wednesdays – $8 Gourmet Burgers, 1/2 price martinis
Thursdays – Half Price Wine ( glass and bottle), $6 Wine flight, plus free tapas appetizers, soup or MIXX salad with entree.
Fridays and Saturdays – Early MIXX – 20 % off entire check until 6:30 p.m. nightly (dining room only).
Happy Hour – 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. (Bar Only) – $3 house wine, $3 all beers, $5 mixed drinks and $7 martinis.
Sundays – Brunch from 10 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Buy one, get one free (any dinner entree) Sunday evenings.
Please note that there is a 20% theatre discount, if you are attending a performance.
Jazz Update at MIXX:
Friday – 6 – 10:30 p.m. Matthew Kenworthy
Saturday – 7 – 10 p.m. Tear the Roof Off Trio
Sunday Brunch – 10 – 1 p.m. Matthew Kenworthy
If you have any questions, please give them a call since specials and events are subject to change without notice.
It all sounds pretty good, don’t you think? Enjoy!!
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.
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