August 27th, 2014
Cooking comes from the heart….you can’t rush it. Some have that special culinary gift, others, like most of us have to follow a recipe. Matt Haley had that gift. I have seen him reading a cookbook while having sushi at Saketumi in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Was he getting ideas for a new dish, adding a little bit of this or a little bit of that, I don’t know and I never asked him.
I met Matt through my website, AboutMyBeaches. When I started the website in 2009, which is written in a blog style, it was because I wanted to promote the Delaware Beaches. I love to eat and cook so it started that way, with me reviewing restaurants. I am not a professional, but I know what I like and how I like to be served.
Every time I would write about a restaurant in 2009 I would send an email to the contact on the website of the restaurant I had just visited. Most brushed me aside. But, Matt was the only one that every single time answered personally from his email address. Later on my husband and I had a business relationship with him.
I remember writing to him about a friend of mine whose mother had gone to one of the restaurants and then they charged her $2 for replacing green beans….what? He would say, Gloria, just take them on my dime to the restaurant. I never did. Another time, just recently, another friend mentioned something else. Once again I did write….if I had a restaurant I would want to have someone of trust telling me what happened. Don’t you think? Anyway, I did and he never complained.
Farm to Table? What is That? Matt also showed us that the setting of a dining experience adds so much to the aura of savoring delicious, local food.
Always hands on, a dinner for Global Delaware, Matt’s non-profit, at Good Earth Market in Clarksville, Delaware, just west of Bethany Beach. That’s the first time I attended such an event. The idea of eating at a communal table, chatting and making new friends while raising funds for a worthy cause, was very appealing.
Cooking outdoors….local seafood, and veggies from the farm. Here are some photos of that event.
Another Farm to Table Dinner at Indian River was memorable, as well.
Cooking outdoors took a different dimension here. In the brush!!
About 150 strangers got together to enjoy local fish, veggies and each other.
On August of 2012, Matt invited my husband, John, and I to dinner at his home. I called it the Spanish Contingency Dinner. His guests were the 3 sisters of La Esperanza in Georgetown. Let me tell you that these sisters loved Matt like a son. He was so involved in La Esperanza, as well. He told me that every time he went on a trip, they would bless him, and cry, etc. etc., not knowing what trouble he was going to get into. Ha, ha! Their names? Rosita, Maria and Asuncion. Also in the group was a couple, Jose and Virginia who are the editors of Hoy en Delaware. It was then that he told us that he had been invited to be on the Board of Freeman in Fenwick. He was so excited!
I used to talk to Matt in Spanish, but to tell you the truth, he really did not understand much. I used to tell him that I could not understand how he could be with all these Spanish speaking people and barely say “Si”. It is the truth, and he would admit to it.
This was a great evening. My husband, John, was loving it. Someone else cooking and him eating. Matt and John had a really nice relationship.
Up to that afternoon, Matt did not know what he was cooking for dinner. If it had been me, I would have been running around my house like a lunatic. Not him; cool, calm and collected….and lucky too because someone dropped some fresh fish just in the knick of time. A simple preparation, was all that was needed. Salad and veggies were all done.
The rest of us brought desserts….Spanish desserts with me bringing my pride and joy…a Puertorican flan!
In the meantime, Matt asked me to stir something on the stove. I asked him where his spatula was. “I don’t have one”….what? A chef with no spatula? What is this? All I could think was, how am I going to serve my flan?
Matt really did not have a spatula. Here he is sliding the fish into the serving platter. He did it but it would have been easier with a spatula.
My flan was served….it did not look too pretty but everyone said it was good. It is hard to serve a plan with a plain knife!
It was an early evening. Good company and great conversation….Matt admitting that he did like the those holiday favorites like green bean casserole!! The traditional way, canned soup and all.
Matt did not have to worry about not having a spatula anymore….I did drop about 6 of them; all shapes and sizes, wishing him “Good Spatulating”.
Note: At the beginning of September 2013, I saw Matt at Safeway. That was his grocery store of choice. He had just arrived from Europe, I believe. We talked about my husband’s passing. Then, he said his brother had died too a few months back. No idea..so, now as I reflect on it, I am so sorry for his family’s loss. I wish them peace.
At the Indian River Inlet Farm to Table Dinner, it was getting darker and we were all ready to leave. I said “Matt, give me a smile.” And, here it is!! Good night, my friend!
Matt’s legacy continues. Please visit http://www.matthaleycompanies.com. In it you will find everything about his companies, including the Memorial Service celebrating his life on Sunday, 9/28, at 2 p.m. at Freeman Stage at Bayside.
April 17th, 2014
You better believe it when I say they speak Spanish. Arriving at Papa Grande’s…I stepped inside and this is what I saw…pork tacos coming out. First impression? Huele bueno! It means smells good! It was like coming into a home and you can smell the food cooking. Yum. So, I said: Que tal como estan? A look and then: Hablas Espanol muy bien. Pues claro. Adriana introduced herself. From Veracruz. When you visit Papa Grande’s ask for her. She was friendly, and knew her menu well. I mention this now instead of later in the post because she was that good of a server.
Papa Grande’s opened in Fenwick Island, Delaware, last year. The location is 38929 Madison Avenue. It is only a mile and a half or so from Coastal Highway on Rt. 54. Tel. 302-436-7272. Website? http://www.papagrandes.com. This restaurant is the 7th restaurant opened by restauranteur and philanthropist, Matt Haley. Matt Haley is the recipient of the James Beard 2014 Humanitarian Award!! Papa Grande’s sits right behind a sister restaurant called Catch 54. But, wait, coming in May, Papa Grande’s arrives in Dowtown Rehoboth Beach. It is the first time one of Matt Haley’s restaurant is being duplicated. All his restaurants are different. But, one thing that is consistent…all use fresh ingredients and the best Southern Delaware has to offer. The food is simple; not fussy. What you see is what you get. That’s what we, customers want.
We were having a late lunch….almost close to their happy hour which begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. They open Sunday – Thursday from 11:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. It was that in between time, when it was not crowded and we could relax and take in the views.
On the first floor, there is plenty of sitting, booths or individual tables. This dining area is quiet. The bar is upstairs.
Upstairs, the bar takes center stage with tables and booths also around the bar. The deck is the most sought after spot. Plenty of scenic views.
I don’t know what it is with me…the moment I saw the menu, I knew what I was going to have. I see scrapple and I have to have it. So, I did, but first I had their Shredded Brussels Sprouts. I am also hooked on this dish. At Lupo di Mare in Rehoboth Beach, another of Matt Haley Companies, they are amazing. I wanted to taste these ones, as well. They were so different that I can’t tell you which I like better. The Papa Grande’s brussels sprouts have a roasted corn vinaigrette, red onion, pepita, and cotija. Pepita is pumpkin seed, and cotija is a hard, crumbly white cheese made from cow’s milk; more pungent than queso blanco. I thought the brussels sprouts were very refreshing and both Cindi and I agreed that it will be a great summer starter.
Ordering my Scrapple Apple Tacos….they came just like I ordered them….well done, meaning crispy. A side order of rice. The combination was great. I just don’t know why I have not thought about this myself in my own home. If you like scrapple, then order them!
Cindi’s soup was a Mexican Crab Crema Soup. It was on the special that day and she thought it was rich, creamy with the right amount of heat. It is still chilly at the Delaware Beaches, so it was perfect.
We did not have dessert even though they were offered. Another time, perhaps. Cindi and I just sat there…it was almost time for happy hour. The customers were arriving. We just chatted away.
So, please remember….Papa Grande’s is coming to Downtown Rehoboth Beach!! Nos Vemos y Buen Provecho!
Not Matt’s self-portrait, I believe…these are for sale at Papa Grande’s!
May 8th, 2013
El sabor de la comida latina no tiene limites. Las combinaciones de especies e ingredientes…el aji, ya sea dulce o picante, hace una fiesta por si sola en el paladar. Oh wait a minute, I am supposed to be writing in English. I guess I got caught up in the moment.
Papa Grande’s is the new sister restaurant brought to Southern Delaware by Matt Haley, Owner/Executive Chef of SoDel Concepts Restaurant Group. It is scheduled to open before Memorial Day. This marks the first Latin inspired concept within the group’s brand profile and the 7th restaurant in total.
“Papa Grande’s brought a cultural swing to our family of restaurants. It offers the same clean design style, authentic food and excellent experience that we have become known for with our customers,” stated Matt Haley, Owner/Executive Chef.
Inspired by the spirit and flavors of the Hispanic culture, Papa Grande’s Coastal Taqueria provides an authentic version of Latino cooking and cuisine. The menu offerings will be 80 percent hardcore authentic coastal taqueria with main dishes like Whole Fish Veracruz or Chicken Mole served with rice, beans and zucchini, ranging in price from $14 – $21 per entree. The remaining 20 percent of the menu offerings is fun, with Scrapple Apple, Belly clams or SPAM tacos. The generous taco menu selection has 15 – 18 options and the Starters range from Jicama sticks to roasted pardon peppers and Chorizo empanadas. Papa Grande’s Coastal Taqueria menu will be consistent with the rest of the SoDel Concepts’ restaurants by offering affordable and locally grown plates and tastes. To take a peek at the menu, please visit http://www. papagrandes.com/menu.
On the bar side, Papa Grande’s will be topping off the Latin cuisine with an expansive, authentic Tequila selection complimented by Tequila and Rum tasting menus. To sweeten the pot even further, the bar features a fresh sucar cane machine offering a little crushed-to-order food theater experience for guests. Check the website http://www.papagrandes.com.
Trapiche for sugar cane.
For back-of-the-house news at Papa Grande’s Coastal Taqueria, Matt Haley brought SoDel Concepts’ Corporate Chef, Doug Ruley, in as a partner on this venture. The two worked with renowned chefs at the Texas branch of the Culinary Institute of America to create a menu reflective of the traditions and home-style roots of the Latin American people.
In partnership with the Global Delaware Fund, http://www.globaldelawarefund.com, SoDel Concepts has pledged that a percentage of all profits from Papa Grandes will be donated to a scholarship program that will benefit underpriviledged Hispanic children.
Papa Grande’s Coastal Taqueria is located at 38929 Madison Avenue in Fenwick Island, Delaware by the Route 54 bridge, across the parking lot from Catch 54, one of its sister restaurants. It was reconstructed out of an antique barn that sat on the site, using reclaimed wood and glass from the former structure. There are 2 stories, with wrap around decks and unique, functional, glass garage doors that open up to offer guests the complete outdoor dining experience. Boats are welcome, just pull up to the dock, tie up and pop in. More info? Papa Grande’s does have catering and private dining, as well. Call 302-436-7272.
Buen provecho!!
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