Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen
(Readers, Upstate)
270 E. Main St., Newark, 737-2931, www.grainonmain.com
Crooked Hammock Brewery
(Readers, Downstate)
36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, 644-7837, www.crookedhammockbrewery.com
Cocina Lolo
(Editors, Upstate)
Jalapeño margaritas, lump crab guacamole and grilled snapper tacos sound like menu items from the hottest restaurant in New York City. But thanks to Bryan and Andrea Sikora, diners are flocking to Cocina Lolo, their second restaurant in downtown Wilmington. Lolo focuses on Latin cuisine with Mexican dishes. The menu changes regularly, so it’s always fresh, always exciting. Pop in for happy hour to enjoy classic margaritas for $5 and tacos for $2.
405 N. King St., Wilmington, 384-6186, www.cocinalolo.com
Heirloom
(Editors, Downstate)
There is something for every palate at cozy Heirloom, which opened in December in a restored 1899 home on the main drag in Lewes. The menu reads like a who’s who of ingredients, from bay seaweed and house-made mozzarella to local Berkshire pork chops and Atlantic octopus. We recommend “beets in a garden”: beets are served roasted, pickled, raw, dehydrated and puréed. We also like the crispy chicken roulade, chorizo-crusted monkfish and warm ricotta beignets. Hand-crafted cocktails include a spicy paloma with tequila, grapefruit and cayenne pepper, and a house smash with rye, mint and fresh lemon. The beer list pays homage to locals Dogfish Head and Blue Earl Brewing. The wine list is small but thoughtful.
212 Savannah Road, Lewes, 313-4065, www.heirloomdelaware.com
