Here are his picks.
And it's certainly no secret that I play the field - when it comes to restaurants.
My flings are usually short-term and then it's time to move on. I'm going to very busy in the next few weeks with so many new restaurants hitting the scene.
If the economy really is tanking, someone apparently forgot to tell local restaurateurs.
Sussex County saw a crop of new eateries this summer with Stingray Sushi Bar & Asian-Latino Grill, the Porcini House (Formerly Chez La Mer) and Lupo di Mare in Rehoboth; Agave Mexican Grill in Lewes; Que Pasa, Nalu Hawaiian Surf Bar & Grille and Ponos in Dewey Beach, among them.
And a slew of upstate newcomers includes a Newark Spanish tapas restaurant (photo above is Ole Tapas Tapas Lounge & Restaurant in Newark), a Vietnamese soup joint in Bear, Malaysian cuisine in Brandywine Hundred and a Glen Mills, Pa., steak/seafood house.
And a slew of upstate newcomers includes a Newark Spanish tapas restaurant (photo above is Ole Tapas Tapas Lounge & Restaurant in Newark), a Vietnamese soup joint in Bear, Malaysian cuisine in Brandywine Hundred and a Glen Mills, Pa., steak/seafood house.
Read more about them in my story in today's 55 Hours.
And others are coming. In the coming weeks, you'll be hearing more about:
- Chef Julio Lazzarini, who is about to depart Deep Blue Bar and Grill in Wilmington, as he works on Orillas, his family's new tapas restaurant at 412 N. Market St., planned for late October.
- Matt Curtis, former chef at Toscana and another Dan Butler restaurant alum, who has resurfaced at Union City Grille on Union Street in Wilmington, where he has taken over ownership of the restaurant and kitchen.
- Restaurateur Alex Grant and The Rebel, his 50-seat eatery at 201 N. Market St. that will offer traditional Southern dishes -- think chicken barbecue -- and Caribbean-style offerings such as curry and jerk chicken and red snapper. Grant got his start working for Bernie Malloy's water ice/pizza slice stand in Wilmington.
- The Qdoba Mexican Grill scheduled for 837 Market St. by November
- The Public House, a Philadelphia-based operation offering "Upscale American Cuisine," will soon move into the space where the Great Room was located in the Residences at Rodney Square.
- Coming soon to the Wilmington Riverfront is Kooma Japanese Restaurant, a contemporary Asian eatery.
UPDATE: Here's some info on Kooma from The News Journal archives ....BUT I don't have an opening date yet.
Restaurant owners Scott Kim and John Jang have a 10-year lease to take 5,200 square feet in the Justison Landing project being developed by Buccini/Pollin Group Inc. of Wilmington.
Kooma will be located in the heart of a 10-building complex in the Town Center, according to Kevin H. Grubb, residential development manager with Buccini/Pollin.
It will be housed in a building, now under construction, closest to the former Kahunaville nightclub, Grubb said.
The restaurant will have sushi and martini bars, as well as private rooms. There's a Kooma in West Chester. It's located on West Gay Street and was given the best new restaurant award for 2004 by Main Line Today magazine, according to the West Chester Business Improvement District. There is a third Kooma in Columbus, Ohio.
- UPDATE: A Second Helpings reader asked for more information about the "updating" at Takumi, the Japanese restaurant that has taken over the former Utage restaurant location. I stopped in earlier this week to pick up a menu and see the interior. There have been some minor fixes to the interior and a good scrubbing - but the major renovations are about to begin - work by Mitchell Associates in Wilmington. The restaurant will NOT shut down during the work. (They will be working on the private room first - and then will progress to main dining room.) Menu is still very similar to old Utage, though owners say a new menu will be unveiled in a few weeks.
- Downtown Newark is getting The Cereal Bowl, 181 E. Main St., 737-4001; an eatery specializing in - guess what?
13 comments:
Anybody know anything about "Coming soon to the Wilmington Riverfront is Kooma Japanese Restaurant"? Stingray Sushi Bar looks great, too far from Wilmington.
Does anyone share the opinion that this states restaurants are way too mundane. As is the dinning section of the delaware online. Guys, you need to realize that the whole section is not even worth the time.
I for one don't agree with the previous comment. I personally LOVE this dining blog and think Patty T. is a great writer that shares info that we who dine out need and want to know. I read this section religiously, at least 2-3 times a week. I like staying on top of what's happening on the restaurant scene and this is the best way of doing that. Please don't stop!
It is nice to have article providing dinning digs, but by knowing 400 Wilmington based Wachovia’s employees worrying about the job security; by knowing 120 workers from Leisure Fitness in Newark lost job already, we will certainly care less about Kooma is not the 2nd Mikimoto, and Takumi is not UTAGE, but still couldn't create their own menu...How many out there can afford to go out eat anyway?! Maybe it is time to share some home made recipes, teaching teen kids how to cook at home.
If you want to chat about the economy and job losses, there are other forums on delawareonline.com to do so.
Second Helpings is a dining/food blog. Says so right at the top of the page. It couldn't be more clear.
But we do write, quite often, about cooking at home, about cookbook authors as well as run recipes. Click on the labels cooking at home and recipes.
Every Wednesday in the News Journal LIFE section - traditionally our "food" day, we print MANY recipes. I suggest you look there as well.
The approach on the dining columns, which are now known as "Taste," was changed earlier this year to reflect the changing economy. Eric Ruth and I look for good, affordable eats that won't break the bank. But we will tell you if we think a dish is overpriced and not worth the money. We (The News Journal)are ponying up the cash so you don't have to. That said, these are opinion pieces. And taste is subjective.
Buddy Hurlock's "Regular Guy Grub" posts appear on Tuesdays and are compiled once a month in 55 Hours. "Regular Guy Grub" is aimed at cheaper eats and snack foods
Despite difficult times, people still do dine out - though perhaps not as often as they use to and maybe they're not ordering the $30 plus entrees.
But my job is to let people interested in dining out know what's new, what changes have taken place/or have not taken place, include prices of entrees, decor, etc.
Sorry, but I'm not going to stop doing that.
Tried the Malaysian resturant in Independence Mall last night. It was HEAVENLY! I think I may have finally found a good Pad Thai in DE. The Chicken Curry was great as well.
I personally love this blog- I check it out every day and even though Patricia needs vacation like the rest of us, I am disappointed when she doesn't write for a week! No matter how bad the economy gets, we still have to eat, so why not make it taste good?
We had dinner the other night at the new restaurant in Newport......not known for eclectic dinning..... The restaurant's name is THE JAMES STREET TAVERN. We had the Flat Iron Steak with cippolini onions and brandied peppercorn sauce. The good wine selection was a bargain. They also had the most unique and delicious baked mango with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce and topped with crushed pink peppercorns! The very nice staff said they also do breakfast and lunch take out with the best burgers and great cheese steaks. We are looking forward to returning.
We love the James Street Tavern in Newport!! Great food and atmosphere -- definitely worth checking out!
I'd have to agree about the James Street Tavern. The food is fabulous and the staff is great. I can't remember a local spot like this where we not only enjoyed a great meal but had great service in a great atmosphere! It also can't go without saying that the few times we've been in there and sat at the bar, that the bartenders are excellent, but most of all definitely know how to keep you laughing!
Kooma is the best Sushi in the area without a doubt and I can't wait until the one in wilmington opens! I took a Japanese businessman to the one in West Chester and he said it was some of the best sushi that he ahd ever had...the pretty much sums it up!
Sullivan's Steakhouse in Wilmington DE is now offering their Summer of 69 menu, where a table of two can eat a three course meal for $69! Each guest has a choice of salad/soup, entree, two sides, and a dessert, all for $69 for a table of 2. Call now for more info, no reservation necessary. We are making it easier for you to find great values without sacrificing quality...come check us out!
I had the pleasure of dining at Kooma last night and the food was delicious! I didn't get sushi, however the honey chicken and teriyaki chicken dishes were very good. Very tender, and the flavors complemented the non-traditional veggies well. The fried ginger pound cake/icecream dessert combo was interesting but tasty, and the calamari was very light and the sauce was excellent! Very hip atmosphere and our waiter was the best. I will def be going back!
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