Reader mail

Lots of food news to catch up on especially Sunday's Meals from the Masters Celebrity Chefs Brunch. Read today's story. Also, I'll have a posting later today on the event.

But first, kiddies, readers mail:

Question: Do you know if Sweet Basil has their menu online? Thelma.

Answer: Thelma, you're talking about one of my new favorite places. I enjoyed recent visits to Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine, a BYOB restaurant just over the Delaware line off 202, (610) 358-4015. Read the review. If you like very spicy food, get the green curry. Unfortunately, there's no web site yet. (Forget google, you'll just find a place named Sweet Basil in Australia that's not associated with this new eatery owned by first time restaurateur Paul Lauprasert.)

Question: I drove by Hugo's Inn in Kennett Square a couple of months ago & it looked shuttered and there was a real estate sign in the parking lot. Do you know if it is closed? It must have been there for a long time, as my husband used to go there when he was a child. Thanks, Suzy

Answer: Suzy, what a blast from the past! I don't think I've been to Hugo's Inn in 15 years. Didn't they used to have really good crabmeat stuffed mushrooms and spaghetti with crab meat sauce - or is my memory failing me? The restaurant closed Aug. 10. I just talked with a former owner and the reason given for the closing was they wanted to retire. But keep an eye on the property. I have a feeling - given the busy East Baltimore Pike location - it may spring back soon as another eatery.

Question: It interests me I have had no response to my letter regarding your article mentioning a local restaurant who was having a weekly "crab boil" and would start "steaming" them up around noon..... Apparently reader facts and feedback that differ from what you write are unimportant to you. I thought as a food writer you would appreciate some authenticity? My bad. Toogarden.

Answer: For some reason, Toogarden, the Boomtown Rats song, "I Don't Like Mondays" is going through my head right now. Wow, take it easy. Are you sure you drank enough coffee this morning or is crankiness just part of your personality? You don't say so, but I believe you're referring to the Blue Parrot Bar & Grille in Wilmington. I wrote about its Sunday CRAWFISH boil - not crab boil. And, yes, owner Mark Diamond did say that that the crawfish is STEAMED and not boiled, which is definitely more of an East Coast preparation than an authentic New Orleans style technique. (I have been to New Orleans, pre-Katrina, and ate so much outstanding food it felt more like the Big Queasy instead of the Big Easy by the end of my stay.) My advice: If you don't like how a restaurant prepares its food or if you disagree with their preparation - I suggest you contact them directly with your concerns. Or - a novel thought - just don't go to that restaurant. Easy Peasy.
Your previous letter was posted on this blog on March 26. (See archives.)
Go have a cafe au lait or a Hurricane, sip slowly, take a few deep breaths and enjoy today's beautiful weather.