Piccolina Toscana in Wilmington is hosting a special wine dinner on Father’s Day with winemaker Sergio Germano. The meal will include everything from chilled potato-leek-saffron soup to lamb tenderloin with locally foraged mushrooms wrapped in pastry. There’s far more, and that’s to say nothing of the vino. In 1990, Sergio Germano left oenology school to return to his family’s vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba. In a part of Barolo where most farmers sold their grapes to large buyers, Sergio moved his production to estate vinification and bottling. Germano has since used Piedmont’s open appellation, Langhe, to produce wines that expand his family traditions. The Alta Langa, a champagne method sparkling wine from Cilie in northern Dogliani, is a superb example. Mostly Pinot Noir from soil heavy in schist that overlooks the Tanaro, it is aged 18 months to develop the stony and bready aromatics of good Bouzy. It is excellent as a classic apéritif. You can also sample the following:
Germano Chardonnay 2011 has a focused minerality and distinct acidity that contrasts the primary aromas and flavors of apricot, lemon zest and banana.
Germano Lorenzino 2012 shows deep cherry coloring, with a concentrated nose of cherry and tobacco. The structured, supple palate and the long finish make a fine balance. It is outstanding with salami and cured meats.
Germano Cerretta 2007
shows black fruit and fine-grained tannins. Two years in small barrels tames the wine and help hint at the tobacco, fennel and truffle to come. It is excellent with game, hard cheeses and truffle dishes.
Need we say more? Reserve now. 654-8001, piccolinatoscana.com
Price Rollback?
The Hotel du Pont is continuing its Centennial Celebration with an exceptional $19.13 Summer Lunch Menu in the historic Green Room. Mondays through Saturdays during July and August, enjoy a culinary experience inspired by original 1913 Green Room menus. The two-course meal will include an appetizer and entrée such as roasted cream corn soup, grilled skirt steak with succotash, and traditional French Sous Vide breast of chicken. Though the menu doesn’t include dessert, you will receive a complimentary plate of the famous Hotel du Pont macaroons. Keeping in line with the opening year, this special lunch menu will be offered for $19.13. Along with this special Centennial Lunch menu, the Green Room will also continue to offer its traditional a la carte menu and traditional lunch buffet at regular prices. Fun. 594-3100
It’s All About Presentation
“The Beach Eats” exhibit at The Rehoboth Beach Museum celebrates 100 years of eating in the resort. The display includes memorabilia from such legendary restaurants as Chez la Mer, Sydney’s Side Street, the still-thriving Back Porch Café, Gus and Gus, and The Avenue. Whether you like your beach food fun or fancy, you’ll love this exhibit. 227-7310, rehobothbeachmuseum.org
Hello, Halvah
Welcome, Jerusalem International Grocery in Lewes. This new store in Tenley Court is the place to find fine olive oils, delicious halvah (a now rare find in this state), exotic spices and other products from the Mediterranean and Latin countries, as well as Kosher foods. It’s a welcome addition to the beach. 644-1700
Farm Fresh Fun
It’s high season for farmers markets at the beach. Here’s a list of places and times:
Bethany Beach Farmers Market
Garfield Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue
Sundays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., through Sept. 1
bethanybeachfarmersmarket.com
Fenwick Island Farmers Market
Coastal Highway and East Essex Street
Mondays and Fridays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., through Aug. 3
fenwickislandfarmersmarket.com
Historic Lewes Farmers Market
Lewes Historical Complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St.
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., through Sept. 28
(June 22, July 13 and Aug. 3 markets will be at Richard A. Shields Elementary School)
historiclewesfarmersmarket.org
Milton Farmers Market
Union and Magnolia streets
Fridays, 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., through Oct. 4
miltonsfarmersmarket.org
Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market
Grove Park
Tuesdays, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., through Sept. 24
rbfarmersmarket.com
Bellicose Burgers?
Just a reminder: The second annual Wilmington Burger Battle will take place Aug. 24 at Twin Lakes Brewing Company in Greenville. Area restaurants—including last year critic’s choice Kildare’s Irish Pub and people’s choice Union City Grille—are expected to throw down again for an outdoor, rain-or-shine charity event. Your ticket includes food, beer tastings, soft drinks, and music. So far, 2 FatGuys, BBC Tavern and Grill, Catherine Rooney’s (Newark), Ernest & Scott Taproom, Home Grown Café, Restaurant 55, Redfire Grill Steakhouse and Union City Grille—have signed on. Admission prices include food, beer tastings, soft drinks and music. “I consider the burger to be the perfect food, and a restaurant’s burger can really tell you a lot about its quality. We were thrilled that 16 of Delaware’s best restaurants came together last year to compete, and are hoping for more this year,” says event co-founder Matthew Curtis, chef-owner of Union City Grille. “I bet some of last year’s chefs want a rematch with me!” More than 400 people attended the 2012 event to place their votes for People’s Choice Burger, and the event raised over $4,000 to fight hunger. Three Delaware sports legends served as Delebrity judges, tasting 18 burgers like champs, ultimately declaring Kildare’s burger their favorite. “We are hoping for a rich field of entries in the Alternative Burger category this year,” says Battle co-founder JulieAnne Cross says. “Many of our vegetarian friends supported the event last year, and we want them to enjoy the food as much as they enjoy the Delaware-brewed Twin Lakes beer.” The Twin Lakes farm in Greenville has again agreed to be the host, and event proceeds will again support the Emmanuel Dining Room, which helps alleviate the immediate needs of Delaware’s hungry by serving more than 180,000 nutritious meals. Look for more as the event draws near. wilmingtonburgerbattle.com
