Beer, Beer, Beer
It really couldn’t be a better time of year. Wilmington Beer Week, July 14-21, is almost here. That means special dinners featuring primo brews at great restaurants all across town. Evolution Craft Brewing, Harpoon, Victory Brewing, Samuel Adams—the list of craft breweries represented goes on and on. Your venues have some of the best draft and botttlled beer selections around. (And the organizers have been good enough to count the taps for you.) They are:
Chelsea Tavern, 821 N. Market St., 482-3333, chelseatavern.com Taps: 31
Columbus Inn, 2216 Pennsylvania Ave., 571-1492, columbusinn.com Taps: 8
Dead President’s Pub & Restaurant, 618 N. Union St., 652-7737, deadpresidentspub.com Taps: 10 (59 bottled beers)
Deep Blue Bar & Grill, 111 W. 11th St., 777-2040, deepbluebarandgrill.com Taps: 6
Domaine Hudson Wine Bar & Eatery, 1314 N. Washington St., 655-WINE, domainehudson.com Taps: 0 (60 in bottles)
Ernest & Scott Taproom, 902 N. Market St., 384-8113, ernestandscott.com Taps: 21
Green Room at the Hotel du Pont, 11th and Market streets, 594-3100, hoteldupont.com Taps: 4
Harry’s Seafood Grill, 101 S. Market St., 777-1500, harrys-savoy.com/seafood.asp Taps: 12
Iron Hill Brewery, 710 Justison St., 472-2739, ironhillbrewery.com/wilmington/ Taps: 6-14
Kid Shelleen’s, 1 S. Scott St., 658-4600, kidshelleens.com Taps: 8
Piccolina Toscana, 1412 N. Dupont St, 654-8001, piccolinatoscana.com Taps: 6
Union City Grille. Eighth and Union streets, 654-9780, unioncitygrille.com Taps: None
Walter’s Steak House, 802 N. Union St., 652-6780, walters-steakhouse.com Taps: 7
Washington Street Ale House, 1206 N. Washington St., 658-2537, wsalehouse.com Taps: 24
World Cafe Live, 500 N. Market St., 994-1400, worldcafelive.com Taps: 25
Here’s a random sampling of what you’re in for:
Victory Tap Take Over & Meet and Greet at Chelsea Tavern on July 14
Chelsea Tavern’s “Victorious” Tap Take-Over
On the Patio:
Beer: Summer LOVE Ale
Mexi pork tenderloin sliders, queso fresco, pickled onions, chili-lime aïoli
Upstairs Bar:
Beer: Headwaters Pale Ale
Duck breast satay, house-made Summer Love Ale barbecue sauce
Beer: Sunrise Weiss unfiltered Bavarian-style ale
Prosciutto-wrapped local peach with pecorino dolce
Beer: cask-conditioned Hop Devil I.P.A.
Citrus-and-beer brined chicken wings with coriander-peppercorn dipping sauce
Downstairs Bar:
Beer: Braumeister Pils
Scallop ceviche shooter topped with caviar
Beer: Ranch Double India Pale Ale
Bacon-wrapped asparagus topped with Hollandaise sauce
Beer: Helios Ale Belgian-Style Saison
Lemon tartlet with fresh raspberries and blueberry whipped cream
In the Beer Cellar:
Victory Brewing Company founder and head brewer and founder Bill Covaleski pouring V-12 during meet-and-greet with bottle signing
All that for $45. Check the website for other cool events. wilmingtonbeerweek.com
Cabo Wabo?
If you prefer your Don Julio infused with jalapeños or pineapple, the new Cabo Modern Mexican Tequila Bar in Rehoboth Beach may be the place for you. Chef Jay Caputo, owner of the acclaimed Espuma a few blocks away, has transformed his former Porcini House at 210 Second St. into a place loaded with 40 tequilas, various styles of margarita, and Mexican-inspired fare. “Inspired” means lots of fresh fish, smoked suckling pig and tequila-smoked chicken for tacos, and braised short rib, all inspired by a recent trip to Cabo San Lucas. “It’s a great concept,” Caputo says. “It’s food I like to eat when I’m not working, and it’s food I’ve always had fun cooking, but never had the place to do it.” Help comes from chef Tommie Deptula, who is intimately familiar with Mexican cuisine, having spent some time working in the country. “We’ve got the real deal going,” Caputo says. Despite the modern twists, however, basic is sometimes best. “My goal is to have the best nachos around,” Caputo says. “I hate it when you first get a plate of nachos and they’re good, but then they get cold and you can’t get them apart because the cheese has solidified. We’re doing some things to prevent that.” 226-8226
Oh Cherry, Oh Baby
To celebrate National Rainier Cherry Day on July 11, a top-notch chef from an iconic restaurant in each of the 50 states will receive 40 pounds of ultra-sweet Rainier cherries. In Delaware, that’s Harry’s Savoy Grill in North Wilmington, where chef David Leo Banks’ talented kitchen crew will use them in a mind-blowing dish. Why mind-blowing? Because it’s the peak of the season, so the cherries will be at their best. The cherries come from Washington state, which produces 12 varieties that make up 60 percent of the cherries in the country. Not only are they delicious, but their phyto nutrients and other properties are believed to help prevent or control hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and other common health problems. Of course, you’re headed to Harry’s because they taste great. See what Banks has cooking. 475-3000, harrys-savoy.com
How Can That Be?
What’s that you say? You haven’t seen The Best of Delaware—DT’s fantastic, stupendous, colossal survey of readers and critics? The one that comes out each and every July? With the big party? You don’t know what you’re missing, so, herein, the ABCs of BOD, just to tickle your tastebuds. For the full rundown, you’ll need to click here:
Best American Restaurant
Readers, upstate: Moro 1307 N. Scott St., Wilmington, 777-1800
Readers, downstate: Summer House 228 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3895
Best Appetizers
Readers, upstate: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant 147 E. Main St., Newark, 266-9000; 710 S. Justison St., Wilmington, 472-2739, ironhillbrewery.com
Readers, downstate: Espuma 28 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-4199, espumarestaurant.com
Editors, upstate: We love the selection of cheeses and cured sausages at Harry’s Savoy Grill. Having a sister restaurant that specializes in seafood means you also get a nice selection of raw bar items. The warm crabmeat-artichoke is rich and comforting. 2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, 475-3000, harrys-savoy.com
Best Bar
Readers, upstate: Two Stones Pub 2 Chesmar Plaza, Newark, 294-1890, twostonespub.com
Readers, downstate: The Starboard 2009 Highway One, Rehoboth Beach, 227-4600, thestarboard.com
Editors, upstate: The Nomad 905 Orange St., Wilmington, 655-8800
Best Bar Menu
Editors, downstate: David Twining’s Nantuckets 601 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, 539-2607, nantucketsrestaurant.comBest Beef
Editors, upstate: At the Rail 777 Delaware Park Blvd., Wilmington, 994-6700, whiteclaycreekgolfcourse.com
Best Best Happy Hour at the Beach
Editors, downstate: ¿Que Pasa? 124 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach, 226-1820, ruddertowneusa.com
Best Bistro
Editors, upstate: Eclipse Bistro 1020B N. Union St., Wilmington, 658-1588, platinumdininggroup.com/eclipse/
Editors, over the line: Blue Pear Bistro 275 Brintons Bridge Road, West Chester, (610) 399-9812, bluepearbistro.com
Best Breakfast Place
Readers, upstate: Lucky’s Coffee Shop and Restaurant 4003 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 477-0240, luckyscoffeeshop.com
Readers, downstate: The Crystal Restaurant 620 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-1088
Editors, upstate: At the Hollywood Grill, your Belgian waffle with strawberries is so smoothered in fresh fruit, you can’t see the big, beautiful, delicious waffle. And the servers keep your coffee filled. Clutch. 1811 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 655-1348, hollywoodgrilldelaware.com
Editors, downstate: Big rolls of cinnamon-spiced dough dripping with gooey brown sugar and your choice of walnuts or raisins are made fresh ever day at Dirty Harry’s Restaurant. If the wait for breakfast is too long, you can pick up a couple, then head to the beach with a hot cup of coffee—but we recommend waiting for breakfast anyway. 100 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, 539-3020
Best Burgers
Readers, upstate: Jake’s Wayback Burgers various locations, waybackburgers.com
Readers, downstate: Restaurant 55 2461 S. State St., Dover, 535-8102, myrestaurant55.com
Editors, upstate: They’re flame broiled at The Charcoal Pit, and that akes all the difference. Choose a quarter-pound burger or a bigger one, either “deluxe” or “special.” 714 Greenbank Road, Newark, 998-8853; 2600 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 478-2165 ; 5200 Pike Creek Blvd., Wilmington, 999-7483, charcoalpit.net
Best Burritos
Editors, upstate: At El Diablo, you’ll find them filled with everything from real steak to marinated chicken to braised short rib. You’ll find guacamole and beans, but you’ll also find such touches as goat cheese. ¡Muy sabroso! 13A Trolley Square, Wilmington, 691-5532, eldiabloburritos.com
Editors, downstate: We just can’t get enough of the shrimp and crab burritos at Dos Locos Stone Grill. They’re fat with fresh fillings. Who knew guacamole could taste so good with seafood? 208 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3353, doslocos.com
Best Candy-Chocolate
Readers, downstate: Candy Kitchen various locations, candykitchens.com
Readers, upstate: Govatos Chocolates 4105 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 478-5324; 800 N. Market St., Wilmington, 652-4082; govatoschocolates.com
Editors, downstate: You’re probably headed their for creamy homemade fudge. (The vanilla rocks.) But Seaside Country Store also stocks bags of old-fashioned favorites. 1208 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, 539-6110, seasidecountrystore.com
Best Casual Seafood
Editors, downstate: Matt’s Fish Camp 28635 Coastal Hwy., Bethany Beach, 539-2267, mattsfishcamp.com
Best Ceviche
Editors, upstate: With 1,500 miles of coastline, Peru is famous for its ceviche. It only follows that Peruvian Chicken House Charcoal Grill would have the best around. We enjoy fancier versions at fine restaurants, but this is the real deal: lots of fresh fish and scallops, onion and tomato kissed with cilantro and lime. 1224 Capitol Trail, Newark, 737-2426, thechickenhouserestaurant.com
Editors, downstate: If you’re going to eat fresh fish, you might as well do it by the seaside. Head to Mariachi Restaurant to enjoy an appetizer of brightly flavored white fish with everything that makes ceviche such a joy. 14 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-0115, mariachirehobothde.com
Best Cheesesteaks
Readers, upstate: Claymont Steak Shop 3526 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, 798-0013; 57 Elkton Road, Newark, 453-9500; claymontsteakshop.com
Readers, downstate (tie): Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop various locations, capriottis.com Oceanside Subs & Pizza 205 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, 539-5388, oceansidefenwick.com
Best Chef
Readers, upstate: Dan Butler of Piccolina Toscana, 1412 N. DuPont St., Wilmington, 654-8001, and Deep Blue Bar and Grill, 111 W. 11th St., Wilmington, 777-2040; bigchefguy.com
Readers, downstate: Jay Caputo of Espuma 28 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-4199, espumarestaurant.com and Cabo Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar, 210 Second St., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6494
Best Chinese Restaurant
Readers, upstate: The Crownery 228 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-3825, thecrownery.com
Readers, downstate: Confucius Chinese Cuisine 57 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3848, confuciusrehobothbeach.com
Best Coastal Italian
Editors, upstate: One word: pescatore. At La Casa Pasta, that means heaps of shellfish in fresh red sauce over tender noodles. Or opt for the grilled fish of the day—always fresh. 120 Four Seasons Pkwy., Newark, 738-9935, martuscelliandsons.com
Best Cocktail Selection
Readers, upstate: Columbus Inn 2216 Pennsylavania Ave., Wilmington, 571-1492, columbusinn.com
Readers, downstate: Espuma 28 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-4199, espumarestaurant.com
Editors, upstate: Deep Blue Bar and Grill 111 W. 11th St., Wilmington, 777-2040, bigchefguy.com
Best Coffee Shop
Readers, upstate: Brew HaHa! various locations, brewhaha.com
Readers, downstate: Espresso-N-Ice 1030 Forrest Ave., No. 116, Dover, 744-9844, espressonice.com
Editors, upstate: The garden at Traders Cove Coffee Shop in Penn’s Place is absolutely charming, a perfect spot for enjoying a rich latte while a breeze blows off the river. There is simply no place like New Castle, and in New Castle, there is no place like the patio at Penn’s Place. 206 Delaware St., New Castle, 322-6334, pennsplace.net
Best Crab Cakes
Readers, upstate: Seasons Pizza various locations, seasonspizza.com
Readers, downstate: Fenwick Crab House 100 Coastal Hwy., No. 7, Fenwick Island, 539-2500, fenwickcrabhouse.com
Best Crab House
Readers, upstate: Kathy’s Crab House 107 Fifth St., Delaware City, 834-2279, kathyscrabhouse.com Readers, downstate: Fenwick Crab House 100 Coastal Hwy., No. 7, Fenwick Island, 539-2500, fenwickcrabhouse.com
Editors, downstate: Ike and Elva Burrows buy crabs right off the dock out front, making Sambo’s Tavern a truly authentic local dining experience, not unlike eating a lobster roll at a roadside stand in Maine. 283 Front St., Leipsic, 674-9724