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Back Burner, Hockessin
For 35 years, country-cozy Back Burner has lured regulars with consistently good food that, despite its various iterations, has always leaned toward the classic. (When was the last time you saw bouillabaisse on a menu?) That said, country-cozy and classic do not add up to staid or conservative. The bill of light fare may offer shrimp Léjon and crab-stuffed mushroom caps, but it also stretches with an Asian-style crispy pork belly. Walking the line between traditional and anything but: crispy-skinned salmon with cranberry wild rice, parsnip-almond cream, crispy kale. The small but wide-ranging wine list is exceptionally well priced. Dinner entrees: $20-$36 Don’t miss: At this point, it seems cliche, but the pumpkin-mushroom soup remains a true original. 425 Hockessin Corner, Hockessin, 239-2314, backburner.com
Bonz Restaurant & Lounge
The real payout at the Harrington Raceway & Casino doesn’t come from the games. It comes from Bonz, where steak lovers hit the jackpot. Choose from two sizes of filet, a large strip or three sizes of ribeye. Not that there aren’t other choices. The sea bass is nicely accompanied by smoked bacon and olive brown butter. A rich short rib ragôut is served on pappardelle. There are chicken and seafood dishes and classic appetizers such as oyster Rockefeller and a chopped salad. Dinner entrees: $24-$45 Don’t miss: the 48-oz. Tomahawk ribeye, if you dare. To be clear: That’s 3 pounds of beef. U.S. 13, Harrington, 398-5348, casino.harringtonraceway.com
DiFebo’s
Twenty-five years ago, Lisa DiFebo took her newly minted certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, her newly wedded husband, Jeff Osias, and her family’s Italian recipes, then proceeded to transform the clan’s sub and steak shop into one of the best restaurants in the state. Big Bob’s (Dad’s) red sauce still figures prominently in dishes such as meatballs and gnocchi. The younger generation’s touch is evident in delicious entrees such as braised short ribs in Port-fig reduction, salmon with lemon and capers, and chicken topped with roasted pears, walnuts and gorgonzola. Best of all, the DiFebos welcome everyone as if they were their own. Dinner entrees: $16-$32 Don’t miss: The cioppino. 789 Garfield Pkwy., Bethany Beach, 539-4550, difebos.com
Tastebuds tantalized? Don’t miss the February issue. Delawaretoday.com
