March 13th, 2013
“A good friend is a connection to life, a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” loise wyse
And that’s how my evening started, with good friends….our choice of restaurant? Perucci’s located at 33507 Atlantic Avenue, Millville, Delaware. Millville is located a couple of miles west of Bethany Beach. It is a breeze to get there at this time of the year. During the season, it might take you a bit longer. Rt. 26 can get busy. Tel. 302-829-8727. Make reservations; Perucci’s is not big; it is popular. Website? http://www.peruccis.com.
This is a very charming old building. It has been been the Millville Post Office in the past and it has also been a gas station, if I remember correctly.
I have been passing the restaurant for some time. I never thought my husband could eat there. Having to eat gluten free…Italian restaurants can be a little tricky. But at Perucci’s you can substitute gluten free pasta and dishes that are gluten free, are labeled as such. Jim, the owner confirmed it. So, if you have to eat gluten free, don’t be scared….they will be able to take care of you.
It was packed when we arrived, but by the time we finished, we had Perucci’s all to ourselves. It was the perfect time to take pictures.
Tracy was our server. She was right on target with her suggestions.
We started with a Pizza Margherita, Sunday sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. It was thin and crispy. Perfect!!
How could we not have calamari? Of course we ordered the Calamari Fritto, flash fried, pepperoncini, chipolte cocktail sauce, citrus aioli, and spicy chili aioli. Light, with sauces that made your taste buds do a little dance.
A few of the house salads were ordered…Insalata della Perucci which consisted of organic baby greens, tomatoes, Pecorino, and sherry vinaigrette.
I ordered the Eggplant Parmigiano over linguine…eggplant, mozzarella cheese and a choice of sauces: creamy pesto, Alfredo, Vodka or Sunday sauce. I chose the Sunday sauce and it really looked and tasted amazing with the eggplant perfectly cooked…..guess what? I was talking so much I forgot to take the picture. Take my word…it was very good.
One of my friends ordered just meatballs. She was perfectly happy with a salad and meatballs for dinner. She did not forget the Sunday sauce either.
Another friend’s dinner choice was the Scaloppini al Marsala. She chose the chicken, with a Marsala mushroom sauce. She ordered it over Gluten Free pasta.
Another of the same was ordered but regular pasta was chosen…..see the difference? One is curly….taste the difference? Could not taste a difference!!
We were perfectly satisfied but when Tracy mentioned desserts….well those sweet endings were hard to resist. We decided on the Tiramisu, which was all homemade…wonderful light and we shared it. Beautiful layers!!
Perucci’s is cozy inside. An intimate setting. Even though the tables are near to each other, we felt very comfortable talking and feeling right at home.
The Board
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening. Everyone was friendly and the service was prompt. Perucci’s has specials throughout the week. Check out the above mentioned website.
I will certainly go back….too many dishes to still try, including the gluten free ones.
Having dinner with a group of friends is and will always be priceless!
Have a good one!!
February 11th, 2013
Sparkling wine is usually white or rose. Its sweetness can range from very dry to sweeter varieties. A classing example? Champagne.
The Second Season at the Delaware Beaches is a great time to enjoy the many restaurants that make Southern Delaware a dining destination.
Catch 54 is part of SoDel Concepts, the family of restaurants owned by restauranteur and philanthropist, Matt Haley. The restaurant sits on a beautiful area in Fenwick Island. It overlooks the bay and its marshes. During the day and at sunset there is no better view; quiet, serene; dramatic in many ways.
Catch 54 is hosting a Sparkling Wine Dinner on Wednesday, February 13th. Location? 38931 Madison Ave., Fenwick Island, DE 19944. Tel. 302-436-8600 Website? http://www.catch54.com. Doors will be opening at 6:30 p.m. Dinner service will begin at 7:00 p.m. $59.00 per person, plus gratuity. Please RSVP to General Manager, Jim Affeldt at 302-436-8600. You can also e-mail him at jim@sodelconcepts.com.
You will experience a delectable multi-course meal designed around a variety of unique sparkling wines. Each will be paired perfectly with a seasonal dish created by SoDel Head Chef, Doug Ruley.
RECEPTION
Food: Oysters with Blood Orange Cucumber Mignonette & Truffled Popcorn with Tarragon Pecorino & Sea Salt.
Wine: Argyle Brut
FIRST COURSE
Food: Shrimp & Scallop Dumpling with Quinoa, Black Bean, Spicy Soy, Micro Cilantro
Wine: Capasaldo Moscato
SECOND COURSE
Food: Smoke Day Boat Scallop with Chilled Carrot Bisque Ginger, Arugula Oil, Pistachio
Wine: Poema Cava
THIRD COURSE
Food: Seared Tuna with Asparagus Salad, Mushroom, Pork Jowl, Poached Quail Egg, Walnut-Champagne Vinaigrette
Wine: Berlucchi Brut Rose
DESSERT
Food: Lemon-Rosemary Champagne Jello with Blackberry Float
Wine: Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco
Note: Winter Hours: Catch 54 opens Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Have a great dinner!!
July 17th, 2012
Welcome is what I want to say to all of Matt Haley’s Restaurants. It has been 3 years since I started this blog. The concept has stayed true. I wanted to promote the Delaware Beaches. I really do love living here and that’s what I told Matt Haley when I was pestering him about advertising on my website. It is a little tricky when you are talking and writing about restaurants. Afterall, it is your own experience. I write about them on my own terms; no technical training, for sure. I know how I like to be served. I like a variety of foods. And I love innovative cuisines.
I have eaten in several of Matt Haley’s Restaurants. Every time I wrote a post, I would send an e-mail to the company. It did not fail that Matt Haley was the one that answered those e-mails immediately. Not his managers and others in his staff; but, himself. That has not happened very often. I thought that said a lot about the man behind the concepts. And, SoDel Concepts restaurant group, is his restaurant development company located in Delmarva.
I have had the opportunity to attend several fundraising events hosted by Matt Haley. Yes, he does wear many hats besides the Chef’s. On those occasions, I have watched him interact with his staff. It is like a one on one kind of thing. Mutual respect and admiration. Maybe family is the right word to describe it.
Matt Haley’s feels at ease whether he is the Chef at a fundraising event at a farm or fundraising at one of his restaurants for Global Delaware.
In 2010, the organization Outstanding in the Field chose him as the Host and Chef for an amazing dinner held at the Indian River Life Saving Station. The organization, Outstanding in the Field, travels the world to find exceptional chefs to showcase the local food culture and salute area farmers, growers and fishermen. It was a first for Delaware!!
You can find SoDel Concepts and Plate Catering on the right hand side of this website. Just click on either one to go directly into their sites and find all there is to know about them. You can also click on the links available on the left hand side of this website, as well, to go directly into all the individual restaurants, including Plate Catering.
The Owner and Executive Chef is Matt Haley. Southern Delaware has the farms and the water. These provide us all with a unique advantage to fresh food, wonderful vegetables, poultry and beef. There are amazing restaurants and chefs making Southern Delaware a dining destination. And, Matt Haley’s Restaurants have the whole package.
Matt Haley’s Restaurants are under SoDel Concepts. And, here they are:
SoDel Concepts – Tel. 302-436-8600. Website? http://www.sodelconcepts.com.
Fish On! – Tel. 302-645-9790. Website? http://www.fishon.bz. Happy Hour, Opens at 5 p.m., Sunday 3 Chef designed courses for $19. Location? 17300 North Village Main Blvd., Lewes, DE 19958. At The Villages of Five Points. I wrote a post on the restaurant on 7/10/12. Just click on the month of July and scroll down to the date.
Lupo di Mare – Tel. 302-226-2240. Website? http://www.lupodimarerehoboth.com. Happy Hour 5 – 7 p.m. Early Bird Special, 3 courses for $19 if seated before 6 p.m. Location? 247 Rehoboth Ave., inside the Hotel Rehoboth. I have written in the past about this restaurant. Just click on the month and scroll down to the date. 6/12/2011, 12/4/2011, 5/5/2012
Matt’s Fish Camp – Tel. 302-539-CAMP. Website? http://www.mattsfishcamp.com. Opens 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Location? North Bethany, South of the Indian River Inlet. I have written in the past, also, about this restaurant. Again click on the month and scroll down to the date. 4/20/2011, 6/26/2012
Bluecoast Seafood Grill – Tel. 302-539-7111. Website? http://www.bluecoastseafoodgrill.com. Opens at 5 p.m. Location? 1111 Highway One, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. It is just north after you leave Bethany Beach.
Northeast Seafood Kitchen – Tel. 302-537-1785. Website? http://www.northeastseafoodkitchen.com. Opens at 5 p.m. Outdoor dining is also available. Location? 29F Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View, DE 19970.
Catch 54 – Tel. 302-436-8600. Website? http://www.catch54.com. Location? 38931 Madison Ave., Fenwick Island, DE 19944. In the Shark’s Cove Marina. Same view, new building due to a fire that took place last year. What I hear are good things and words like so “cool”. I’ll let you know how it is soon. Opens at 11:30 a.m. Happy Hour is from 12 Noon until 6 p.m.
Plate Catering is Matt Haley’s catering company. He is the Owner and Executive Chef. A dinner for 2 or for a large gathering…this is what this company does. Awesome dinners taking the stress out so that you can enjoy your company. Tel. 302-644-1200. Website? http://www.plate-catering.com. Email? info@plate-catering.com.
So, what else can I tell you about Matt Haley? Remember when I mentioned above, the many hats he wears…..a philanthropist’s. It is worth mentioning that Matt Haley founded Global Delaware. It is a non-profit “organization dedicated to providing goods and services to children at risk in distressed situations”. Global Delaware is helping, here at home, and it is also extending a helping hand overseas. To know more about it, to get involved, to donate (anything helps), please visit http://www.theglobaldelawarefund.com.
Notes: Matt Haley’s Restaurants do not accept reservation. You have to do like me; either very early or late. I choose late. It’s summer and it stays light so late. Let me know how you like them.
Matt Haley’s Restaurants are sensitive to those customers with food related allergies. They are very willing to make your visit a pleasurable one.
By the way, let me tell you that there were other e-mails sent to SoDel Concepts. They were the ones that started “Don’t kill the Messenger”, if you get my drift. He did answer!! Have a good one!!
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