A couple of years ago I was introduced to L’Angolo Ristorante located at 1415 W Porter St. in South Philly. I totally fell in love with it. Family owned, small, about 15 tables, personal service and very popular.
It is one of those places that when you leave you cannot wait to come back. Some of you may say Oh, in Philly? That’s a trip. It is so worth it. Their telephone is 215-389-4252. It is best to call and make a reservation because it is small.
You enter through the kitchen and that’s when you capture the aroma of the food cooking. It’s awesome.
The restaurant closes on Monday. Check the website for hours of operation.
Please note that it is BYOB.
A week ago the special of Pulpo (octopus), tomatoes, potatoes were immerse in a delicious vinaigrette which had good olive oil, lemon and capers. A dish to share, for sure.
Another starter of eggplant parm. It was also a special that evening. Very nice. I am salivating as I write an remember how something that simple could be that good.
Our dinner was accompanied by an 1858 Cab from Napa.
L’Angolo is so cozy and the friendly service is best.
Branzino is a Mediterranean fish that I thoroughly enjoy. Usually when the restaurants offer it, and have it whole, it is a favorite. At L’Angolo, Sunday they offered a mixed grill of fillet of branzino with shrimp and calamari, all grilled with herbed oil and veggies. Totally recommend it.
The pastas are delicious as well. All homemade.
We did not have dessert. Totally satisfied.
Wolfgang Puck has a quote and he says: Italian food is all about ingredients and it is not fussy and it is not fancy.
Isn’t the truth? So the next time you are in Philly don’t miss this Gem.
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It might be a little quieter in the Village by the Sea, at this time of the year, but by no means is Delray Beach, Florida, and other towns in Palm Beach County rolling up their sidewalks!! This is the time of the year to enjoy these unique towns.
Delray Beach, Florida, is a dining and vacation destination all year round. It has been voted the Most Fun Small Town in America and just recently #1 on the list of best beaches in Florida, out of 10 beaches awarded this designation. The idea of eating outdoors is so enticing; it sets the mood for the evening. And, in Delray Beach, most restaurants have outdoor dining available. With that in mind, my post begins.
Vic & Angelo’s is a restaurant known in South Florida for serving delicious, rustic Italian cuisine. Two locations:
Palm Beach Gardens at 4520 PGA Blvd. in PGA Commons. Tel. 561-630-9899.
Delray Beach at 290 East Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-278-9570.
Both Vic & Angelo’s restaurants serve lunch and dinner daily. They also offer Happy Hour every day, as well, at the indoor and outdoor bars. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday. Please visit http://www.vicandangelos.com.
Delray Beach
Vic & Angelo’s is all about enticing culinary options this summer. These “sister” restaurants are owned by talented restauranteur and entrepeneur John Rosatti. The Summer Tasting Menus allow diners to customize their choices.
These restaurants in South Florida are doing exactly what restaurants do at the Delaware Beaches in the “off-season”. They offer great values, delicious food, and amazing atmosphere at a time of the year when you can kick back and relax.
Through September 30, 2013, Sunday through Thursday, for lunch and dinner, both eateries are offering diners two, three-course Summer Tasting Menus, for $25 and $35, per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
These terrific menus allow diners to choose one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert, from either menu, which include salads, pizza, pasta, seafood, chicken, and veal dishes. Diners who opt for either prix fixe menu, may also add a bottle of Coastal Vines Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir, for $15, per bottle.
The $25, Three-Course Prix Fixe Menu: Diners can choose one appetizer (Angelo’s Salad, V & A Caesar, Fried Calamari); one entree (Pizza Orginale, Cappellini al Telefono, with fresh mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes, Fusilli with crumbled sausage and broccoli rabe, Chicken Milanese; or Grilled Shrimp or Tuna Cobb Salad); and one dessert (gelato or sorbet).
The $35, Three-Course Prix Fixe Menu: Diners can choose one appetizer (PEI Mussels al Forno, Grilled Calamari, or Spinach Salad); one entree (Shrimp Penne alla Vodka, Chicken Piccata with artichoke hearts, Chicken Marsala with wild mushrooms and sweet pea risotto, Veal Milanese, Wild Salmon with mixed veggies, or Four-Cheese Pear Tortelloni with truffle cream sauce); and one dessert (house-made tiramisu or cannoli).
The restaurants will also be offering their traditional a la carte menus, for lunch and dinner, daily, along with their brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday.
So, what are you waiting for? Whichever menu you choose this season…..you will be feasting on refreshing salads, soul-satisfying house-made pastas, crispy thin-crust pizzas, fresh fish and seafood, and enticing veal and chicken dishes.
Vic & Angelo’s has a full bar, with indoor and outdoor seating, offering over 100 wines from all over the globe, as well as fifteen vintages by the glass, and nifty signature cocktails.
Bon Appetit!! Talk to you later.l
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It was Sunday and I was trying to figure out what restaurant to choose in Downtown Rehoboth Beach for dinner with a couple of friends. We have plenty of restaurants, you know. And, quite good, as well. Sunday evening is a quieter time and I love it.
So, I decided to check Lupo di Mare’s website. You can open it yourselves, as well. It is http://www.lupodimarerehoboth.com. You see that fish there on the dinner menu? That’s what I wanted for dinner. No more thinking.
Lupo di Mare is located at 247 Rehoboth Ave. in the Hotel Rehoboth. Tel. 302-226-2240. The restaurant has huge windows overlooking the Avenue. You can order take out. But, no reservations. If you have to wait a bit, just have a drink at the bar. It is small, but comfortable.
Their food is fresh, with pastas and sauces made daily. Lupo di Mare offers take out. The restaurant is well aware of people with food allergies and will accommodate you as much as they can and are able to. It has been consistently good.
I also really like their focaccia bread with a side order of Virgin Olive Oil. The bread has a slight sweetness to it and the red pepper flakes adds just a hint of flavor to the oil.
We also ordered oven roasted marcona almonds with rosemary and sea salt. They were perfect to have with our drinks.
I have only had the Shaved Brussels Sprouts at Lupo di Mare. The truffle oil and pecorino make this appetizer or salad, one of my favorites. It is truly delicious.
One of my guests had pasta, baked with spicy sausage, eggplant, ricotta, mozzarella and fresh herbs. I had to be quick with the camera because he was ready to start eating.
My husband decided on Chargrilled Octupus. This was a starter appetizer and it had shaved fennel, black olive tapenade, white beans, fresh herbs and lemon.
Another of my guests decided that she would have just a salad for dinner. The pistachio, chickpea and beet salad with bleu cheese, shaved brussels, balsamic and crushed pistachios and extra Virgin Olive Oil. I have had this salad in the past and the combination of all those ingredients makes this salad full of flavor.
My dish was perfect and I got exactly what I wanted. Pan seared Sea Bass served with a side of broccoli rabe, with red and yellow peppers, garlic and extra Virgin Olive Oil. Talking about flavor in a dish. When you have a whole fish, you really get exactly what the fish should taste like. I know the bones get to some of you but this particular fish was easy to work with.
No dessert was ordered since we had eaten quite a bit. I think I had a coffee and our evening was one of those where you take a deep breath and give thanks for having such good friends.
The coastal town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was founded in 1873. It is only 1.6 square miles and the name Rehoboth means “place (or space) for all”. The town has done such a great job in keeping its visitors coming year round, practically. Restaurants stay open; some might close for a couple of months only. Beach eateries, cafes, bars, bistros, all serving a variety of good food for all tastes.
So….on Friday evening, with a couple of friends, we decided on Lupo di Mare located at 247 C Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-226-2240. Website? www.lupodimarerehoboth.com. The restaurant offers take-out. And, if you are staying at Hotel Rehoboth, then, you can even order room service.
Lupo di Mare has been in the community for more than several years. It is known for its fresh cuisine; pastas and sauces are prepared daily.
Lupo di Mare serves Italian cuisine, has a very good selection of wines, including small boutique Italian wines.
A small bar is located to the right as you enter the restaurant; a full menu is available there, as well.
The room opens up; tables comfortably assembled and a little nook here or there conducive to lingering chatter. We lingered so much, we closed the restaurant. What can I say? It was relaxing!!
Sheila was our server. She was also our server back on June 13th when right before the season got crazy we went to check Lupo. She is attentive; not intrusive and her suggestions have been the best.
The first thing arriving at the table was Lupo’s focaccia bread accompanied with Virgin Olive Oil. Herbs, a tad sweet; so good.
Two starters were ordered:
The Grilled Artichokes with Sea Salt, Fresh Herbs, Lemon and Virgin Olive Oil. I have had them before and they were still so very good.
The Shaved Brussels Sprouts came just like the picture shows it. A mixture of Truffle Oil and Pecorino Cheese made this a favorite. It is also one of those “raw” foods. Please do order this starter. It is amazing.
A Fall Farm Vegetable & Mixed Green Salad was full of color and gorgeous vegetables. This was a new salad for the season.
An Arugula Salad was what I ordered and again that Pecorino Cheese, Radish, Red Wine Vinegar and Virgin Olive Oil made this salad a light and refreshing dish.
We were full of expectations for some of the entrees to arrive; new for the season were the scallops and the lamb shank.
The Pan Roasted Scallops with a cauliflower puree, shaved brussels, gold raisins and pine nuts got raved reviews. They were gorgeous and perfectly cooked and the dish looked beautiful. This dish was gluten free so my husband was delighted.
The Braised Lamb Shank, had creamy polenta, rosemary, and a winter veal fennel ragu. It was pretty chilly on Friday and this dish fit the description of “comfort food”.
I had the Pan Seared Sea Bass before. Once again I ordered it since it was so good the last time. It came with a butternut squash risotto, pancetta and spinach. It did not disappoint.
Dessert was ordered for all to share. We chose their Panna Cotta. It was glutten free and we all decided we liked custards. This Northern Italian dessert is made by simmering cream, milk and sugar together and letting it cool to form the custard. Usually, it is served with berries, caramel or chocolate. At Lupo di Mare it is served with berries. I confess; we ordered two.
I think it was time to go but not before I asked Sheila if I could take the lamb shank bone for Addy (my rescue). She had never tasted anything like it. Her review? Bring me more!!
Note: Lupo di Mare is now serving 3 courses for $19 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Check www.lupodimarerehoboth.com to check the menu. It opens daily at 5 p.m.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later….
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For being the first week-end after New Year’s I was surprised to see that Rehoboth and Coastal Highway were crowded. I thought everyone would be pretty much worn out after all the shopping, partying, and eating.
Debbie and I were getting together for lunch. You remember her? She went kayaking with me this past summer in Fenwick Island and has been with me to some of the restaurants I have reviewed.
We ended up at Casa DiLeo on 721 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel 302-226-8660. The owner and Executive Chef is John J. DiLeo.
Casa DiLeo has been in the area for some time now. It has a big following and back in October they expanded their restaurant. This is the first time that I have seen the expansion and it looked good and certainly added more seating availability.
The hours of operation are: Mondays through Thursdays 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Any time that my friends and I get together for breakfast, lunch or dinner, we must drive the wait staff crazy. We just talk, might glance over the menu, and without missing a beat we keep on talking. We tell them to come back in a little while, many times. It’s just the way it is. But, isn’t it nice to be able to share a meal with best friends? I love it.
Casa DiLeo is a fullfledge restaurant, but I am going to be reviewing lunch time. That is why I went there today. My favorite room is really the first one when you come in. As I come in, the music is playing and I feel the welcoming atmosphere of a Italian trattoria. The colors, the prints; all add to that feeling.
A trattoria is an Italian style eating establishment, less formal than a restaurant, but more formal than a tavern. The service is casual, with the food being mostly regional and local.
Casa DiLeo has a full bar and a very good selection of wines, including the PortoVino Italian wines. Try them and let me know how you like them.
This restaurant has take out and delivery. The specialties are New York Style Pizza, Pasta, Subs, Calzone/Stromboli, Soup and Salads. For dinner, some of their offerings are: Chicken & Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken or Veal Marsala, DiLeo’s Homemade Chesse Lasagna, which is very good, DiLeo’s Homemade Meat Lasagna, which is also delicious.
I usually get the Greek Salad with their balsamic dressing. Both, Debbie and I ordered it today, but we added a slice of pizza for each of us. I had really forgotten how big their portions are. But, check the picture of one slice of NY Style Pizza. The salad was fresh, full of vegetables with a nice slice of Feta cheese on top.
Casa DiLeo has a wide variety of subs. From the traditional subs like Italian to the unique ones like Sausage Parmesan or Veal Parmesan.
The same goes for the Calzone and the Stromboli. Chef DiLeo has his own “Boli” like the DiLeo Boli which is ground beef, Italian seasonings, sauce and cheese.
Calzone? Stromboli? A Calzone is like an Italian turnover which is stuffed with tomato and mozzarella and possibly other ingredients like pizza toppings. The stromboli is a type of turnover filled with various cheeses, Italian meats and veggies. The dough is Italian bread dough.
Everyone has something to say about pizzas. Whether you like the thick or thin crust, I would have to say that Casa DiLeo has a pretty good one. They have non Premium Toppings like tomatoes, low fat cheese, mushrooms, onions, sausage, etc. and they also have Premium Toppings like Bacon, Spinach, Feta Cheese, Anchovies, Portabella Mushrooms and more.
The House Specialty Pizzas; Low Fat Veggie, Diablo Pizza (red devil-hot), Supreme (8 toppings), New York White Ricotta, Mediterranean which has feta cheese, Kalamata olives, spinach, artichokes, fresh tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil. I have had the Diablo Pizza in the past and really enjoyed it.
Casa DiLeo offers about 8 pasta sauces, so you have your pick from tomato sauce to Pomodoro (red) clam sauce.
We come to the sweet endings and how could you leave without having a Canolli with DiLeo’s homemade cream? Very popular and award winning is DiLeo’s Chocolate Mousse, and one of my favorite desserts is the Zabaglione with fresh berries. We did manage to leave without having dessert.
Zabaglione is a dessert made with egg yolks, sugar, Marsala wine or Prosecco and sometimes cream, mascarpone cheese or whole eggs. It is a very light custard.
And off we went, with a slower gait, but happy…
Another cold night in the beautiful Delmarva Peninsula…but I will talk to you later…
Note: Information on trattoria, Calzone, Stromboli and Zabaglione was taken from:
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