Burrata cheese, Flower Market mustard and Reader Mail

Happy, rainy Friday.

Ugh. I was going to head out to the Wilmington Flower Market at lunchtime for my annual stock-up of sweet, yet slightly spicy Flower Market Mustard. (Believe it or not, the market is open today - even though it seems like it's time to pull out the ark.) But I have no desire to slosh through mushy, muddy Rockford Park just for mustard. Why don't they just rename the Flower Market - the SHOWER MARKET. It always seems to rain at least one or two days during this annual three-day fund-raiser for children's charities...I guess, there's always tomorrow.......

But I'm so happy; this morning my boss brought me in burrata cheese from DiBruno Brothers in Philadelphia. Thanks Betsy!

Burrata is the silky, oozier and creamier cousin of fresh mozzarella. It's usually tied up in a pouch and resembles a pretty gift. You let it sit at room temperature and eat it with fruit or crackers, kind of like brie. I usually get my burrata from Claudio's Market on Ninth Street - it's next door to DiBruno's in the South Philly Italian Market. (The photo below by Matthew Jonas is finished packages of burrata cheese made by Claudio's that were getting ready to be shipped to Wolfgang Puck's American Grille restaurant in Atlantic City, N.J.)

Also, Eric Ruth chows down at Ameritage Bistro in Wilmington and shares his thoughts.

Now, onto to Reader Mail. Remember, you ask, we answer. Every Friday:

QUESTION:

Patricia,

I don't ever write to the News Journal or any reporters but I wanted to tell you about the Bon House in the Midway Shopping Center. Now I know that this place has been around forever and is one more Chinese restaurant on Kirkwood Highway. But something has changed and I hope you'll go and try it. They added a sushi chef who is extraordinary. His food, his plating, his ideas are wonderful.

This man is an artist.

Nothing in Wilmington comes close. I'm hoping you'll go and see for yourself so that others will go and he remains at the Bon House. I teach at the University of Delaware and have no connection to the restaurant other than I like great sushi and this is the real deal.

Thanks and I hope you'll go and enjoy as much as I have,

Christiaan Taggart

ANSWER: Christiaan, thanks for the email. Wow, the Bon House, 4713 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, 633-1218, seems to be making a comeback. That's exciting news. I used to frequent the restaurant for its Chinese food, but after several disappointing meals, I haven't been back for quite some time. A quick check shows that back in March, a Second Helpings also commented about the Bon House sushi bar. OK, I'm going to take your suggestion and sit at the sushi bar. I'll report back soon - and maybe with an upcoming column

Readers, anyone else been to the Bon House recently?

QUESTION: I'm arriving this weekend from Los Angeles to celebrate a big birthday with a local Delawarean. I'd like to take her someplace delicious and charming, but can't seem to find anything. She lives in Newark and doesn't get out much.
Please share with me your top two or three favorites!
Thank you so very much,
S. Morris

ANSWER: S. Morris, I'm guessing that this isn't a budget meal. The Fair Hill Inn near Elkton, Md., is one thought; it's not far from Newark. Moro in Wilmington offers some of the best food around. If you're looking for charm, than Krazy Kat's at the Inn at Montchanin may satisfy. I haven't been there to eat lately, but someone just told me it was one of his favorite restaurants.