August 30th, 2015

Dewey Beach Eats!, IVY, Restaurant, Bar, Wedding Venue, Dewey Beach Life, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware

This was going to be the first time I was going to IVY even though they have been in business for a few years.  IVY is part of the family of Dewey Beach Life.  These are:  Rusty Rudder, Bottle & Cork, Jimmy’s Grille Dewey, Northbeach, Outlet Liquors, and Dewey Beach Liquors.  Both IVY and Northbeach are wedding venues, as well.  More info?  Please visit http://www.deweybeachlife.com.

IVY is located at Dagsworthy St. & The Bay in the heart of Dewey Beach.  Tel. 302-227-9292.  The Manager is Brooke Sterling and the Executive Chef is Aileen Delario.  Reservations are accepted and there is parking, as well.  So far so good, right?

To tell you the truth, I had forgotten what a fantastic view of the Bay this restaurant has.  We arrived for a 7:30 p.m. reservation.  There would be 6 of us for dinner.

The views from the inside are towards the Bay.  The bar is indoors and there are plenty of tables and seating available.  Later in the evening the music and dancing would begin.

Al fresco dining with friends…there was talk, laughter and merriment.  And of course, photo opportunities as the sun started to set.

Does food relly have more flavor when eating it in the open air?  Oh, I definitely think so.  At IVY the setting is beautiful and the sunsets are spectacular.

All you have to do is take a seat, then take a sip of a luxurious cocktail, and finally take a taste of their unique offerings.

If you decide to eat al fresco remember that you will be on their beach, so wear your comfortable shoes or sandals.

The menu was divided into Little Bites, Cool and Leafy, Big Bites….And then…dessert.  The Little Bites are great for trying different things tapas style.

Our table ordered a little bit of eveything.

From the Little Bites:

The Portabella Pate with truffles, cherry, and ginger.

The Godzilla Shrimp…colossal tempura’d shrimp with seaweed, wasabi and ginger.

The Hamburger Slider….even though it was a slider it was a generous portion.

The Herb Crepe was presented beautifully.  It had crab and shrimp and lemon aioli.  This was a cold dish.  My fellow diners that ordered it liked it but would have preferred it warm.  Just a suggestion.

From the Cool and Leafy, a Bib Lettuce Salad with bell, tomato, pickled red onion, pine nuts with an Old Bay vinaigrette.  It was light and it was also large enough for sharing.

Big Bites…these were traditional size entrees.

Crab Cake…Jumbo lump, fresh lemon herb tarter, corn and tomato saute.

Ratatouille…for those vegetarian ones and perfect at this time of the year with so many veggies available….tomato, squash, eggplant, zucchini, thyme and chevre polenta.

The Halibut with cauliflower, Madras broth, coconut lime, and microgreens.  Very light and mild.

The Scottish Salmon had a spicy jamaican jerk, tamarind glaze over rum flamed pilaf.  Loved it!!

No dessert was ordered because we were perfectly satisfied…another time.

Talk to you later…and in the meantime enjoy the sunset!!

April 13th, 2014

Destination? Dewey Beach, Delaware, Sunny Days, Blue Skies, Rusty Rudder Opens Season 2014….Chili Cookoff!!, Event, Free, For the Whole Family, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware

It was 1979 when the Rusty Rudder opened its doors.  It was the place to go and be seen.  Open air decks, plenty of music, food, and drinks….the summers came and went and the Rusty Rudder then became an institution.  Guess what? It still is.  The setting is beautiful.

Rusty Rudder is located at 113 Dickinson Street and the Bay.  The Atlantic Ocean is on one side and the Bay is on the other, making Dewey Beach a playground for adults day and night and the best of both worlds for the young ones.  A lot of work has been done inside just for the new season ahead.  For more info., please visit http://www.rustyrudderdewey.com.  Or, call tel. 302-227-3888.

Arrive by car and you will find plenty of parking available; otherwise come by boat and there are plenty of slips, as well.

Rusty Rudder was opening on Saturday, 4/12, and what a gorgeous day this coastal town had.  Plenty of shorts and flip-flops, local attire found in Dewey.  The opening of Rusty Rudder brought numerous customers, including Shelley, Mrs. Levinson and myself.  There was a Chili Cookoff and we were ready to try and vote for the best.

Surrounding the Rusty Rudder’s deck we found restaurants and individuals that were set up with their prize chili.  The conversations heard were, tasty, spicy, ground beef vs. steak chili….You went around sampling all of them.  By the time you were finished, a bowl of chili was probably devoured.

Lisa Abel’s Chili was very good.  A traditional taste full of flavor…she was the winner.

One of my favorites was prepared by Jimmy’s Grille.  It was a white chicken chili.  It really was good with just the right seasonings.

Ivy had a pretty good one too.  Those I have mentioned were my top picks, but to be honest, I did not try them all.

Big Hat No Cattle was starting to play….entertainment for everyone.  They got the crowds going and some of us were able to dance the chili off.

A big shout to the Rusty Rudder for sponsoring the table full of information on Alzheimer’s.  A devastating disease in many families causing so much despair.  For more info. on the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, please visit http://www.alz.org/10signs.  Save the Date:  “I Walk to End Alzheimer’s” It will be in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Saturday, October 4th.  And, on October 18th, the walk will be in Wilmington, Delaware.  Please call 800-272-3900, or visit http://www.alz.org/desjsepa.

So now that the Season 2014 is open…..we are patiently waiting for summer!

Talk to you later.  Have a good one!!