Web traffic went through the roof last week due to the Biden-Katie's saga - and kept us too busy to dive into the mailbag last week.
I still don't know if Joe meant to say Kozy's or Mrs. Robino's instead of Katie's? But, as I wrote earlier, it's time to get back to the politics of food.
Reader Mail returns, a day early, with plenty of queries, for your reading pleasure.
In Friday's 55 Hours section, Ryan Cormier brings his appetite to Johnnie's Dog House on Concord Pike and orders the Delaware Destroyer hot dog. What makes this dog a Delaware dog? Cormier has answers.
Also, for Friday's Taste column, my fellow restaurant critic Eric Ruth reports back about the new Rasa Sayang Malaysian Cuisine in the Independence Mall shopping Center on U.S. 202 in Brandywine Hundred.
Every Friday. You ask. We answer. Email me at ptalorico@delawareonline.com.
Here are your letters:
QUESTION: Greetings. What are your thoughts on the recently opened Pomodoro on Union Street in Wilmington? I had an absolutely wonderful dinner, the staff was very friendly. I couldn't decide what to have, so Chef Furio surprised me with red snapper which was just outstanding. We had a tuna and fresh mozzarella appetizer.
Debra Wooden
ANSWER: Debra, glad you had a good meal. I've had some up-and-down experiences at Ristorante Pomodoro Italiano, 729 N. Union St., Wilmington, 574-9800 which has been opened since April 2007. During my first visit, not long after they opened, the food wasn't at all bad - I had a fine porcini mushroom pasta dish - but the service was off.
Went for another meal with friends this past February and the service left a very bad taste in my mouth. So off-putting, in fact, I haven't had any desire to return. I hope there's been some changes. Maybe, it is time for a return visit.
QUESTION: Ms. Talorico, not sure whether to sing your praises or admonish you…. You took a perfectly wonderful secret [the Dumpling House at 1828 w. 11th St., Wilmington; 888-1828] and screamed it to Wilmington.
Yes, "Wimingtonians" are in desperate need of fresh, handmade, delectable treats that do not break the bank... But REALLY! We were having such a wonderful time with our secret handshakes and passwords.
In all honesty, it was a wonderful article that summed up the restaurant beautifully.
Kathleen Magner-Rios
ANSWER: Go ahead, Kathleen, blame the messenger. I knew crowing about the Dumpling House wouldn't endear me to its loyal patrons, but I can't help myself. It's my job.
QUESTION: Hi, I don't remember seeing any reviews of [North Star Grill], this fairly new restaurant in Middletown, but I would very much like to see you come, and try it out. It has a combination pub and family atmosphere, but the food is what keeps us coming back - all fresh made, with many gourmet style touches, yet with Applebee's style prices. The fried cheesecake dessert is fantastic. We believe North Star is a real gem , and would greatly enjoy seeing it get some much -deserved exposure. I have no connection with the restaurant other than being a very impressed customer, who wants this restaurant to do well, so that we can continue coming here for many years to come.
Highest Regards,
Steve Hance
ANSWER: Fried cheesecake? Really? Looks like I'm making a trip to Middletown very soon.
QUESTION: Oh, my!! How awesome it was to read your article [on Sept. 17 about Slovenian cuisine.] I am 100 PERCENT Slovene. I may not be a famous Slovene (as Trump's 3rd wife), but I am a local. I live in Landenberg, Pa., with my husband and six childern. My parents are both from the old country, although they met an married here. Many of my fondest memories are from Slovenia, both from childhood as well as an adult. I spent many a summer there growing up, and my husband and I honeymooned there with my relatives. I struggle, but I try to teach my children Slovenian. And we continue many of our traditions.
Zlikrofi was such a treat for me. My grandmother would make them for us if we but asked. It is rather time consuming, though, to make with a large family, so I admit that I can't make them. I remember when I tried to knead the dough, and she said I was doing it wrong and went behind me to guide my hands and "teach" me how to press down with the heals of my hands. Thanks for the memories!
I would love to hear of your travels there. I do hope that you had a WONDERFUL trip. Also, you are right. There are not many of us around. If you've met any other Slovenes here in the area and they are up to meeting fellow Slovenes, let me know.
Again, thank you so much for your great pick-me-up this morning.
Gabrielle Mejac Dawyot
ANSWER: Thanks Gabrielle. I enjoyed traveling around Slovenia last fall and especially loved staying at the Kenda Manor. I want a plate of zlikrofi - potato and bacon dumplings - right now.
QUESTION: Hi Pat, was wondering if you could help us out with something.
I see that a lot of La Toltecas in the area have changed their name to La Tolnateca. However, I passed a new La Tolteca in the Fox Run Shopping Center today and there was a sign posted saying something like "Don't Be Fooled, We Would Never Change Our Name."
But last time we ate at La Tolnateca, they said they used to be La Tolteca but just changed their name.
Help!
ANSWER: I have no idea what's going on here. And the web site doesn't help since it lists both names. Eric Ruth wrote a story about the strange name change in July 2007. According to his article, owners of Delaware's La Tolteca empire were "rebranding their nine restaurants as 'La Tonalteca' in an effort to set themselves apart from all the unrelated restaurants named La Toltecas scattered around the country."
Ruth wrote: "It's a move that's generating some criticism, some confusion, and some predictions that a name change won't hurt these landmark Mexican restaurants a bit."
But not everyone was impressed with the switcheroo.
Restaurant marketing specialist Joel Cohen of RestaurantMarketing.com said that customers will encounter a new name that's somewhat close to the original, but still too odd to be effective.
"That's a lousy name," Cohen told The News Journal. "Both of them are bad names, because you can't remember them, you can't spell them."
I still don't know if Joe meant to say Kozy's or Mrs. Robino's instead of Katie's? But, as I wrote earlier, it's time to get back to the politics of food.
Reader Mail returns, a day early, with plenty of queries, for your reading pleasure.
In Friday's 55 Hours section, Ryan Cormier brings his appetite to Johnnie's Dog House on Concord Pike and orders the Delaware Destroyer hot dog. What makes this dog a Delaware dog? Cormier has answers.
Also, for Friday's Taste column, my fellow restaurant critic Eric Ruth reports back about the new Rasa Sayang Malaysian Cuisine in the Independence Mall shopping Center on U.S. 202 in Brandywine Hundred.
Every Friday. You ask. We answer. Email me at ptalorico@delawareonline.com.
Here are your letters:
QUESTION: Greetings. What are your thoughts on the recently opened Pomodoro on Union Street in Wilmington? I had an absolutely wonderful dinner, the staff was very friendly. I couldn't decide what to have, so Chef Furio surprised me with red snapper which was just outstanding. We had a tuna and fresh mozzarella appetizer.
Debra Wooden
ANSWER: Debra, glad you had a good meal. I've had some up-and-down experiences at Ristorante Pomodoro Italiano, 729 N. Union St., Wilmington, 574-9800 which has been opened since April 2007. During my first visit, not long after they opened, the food wasn't at all bad - I had a fine porcini mushroom pasta dish - but the service was off.
Went for another meal with friends this past February and the service left a very bad taste in my mouth. So off-putting, in fact, I haven't had any desire to return. I hope there's been some changes. Maybe, it is time for a return visit.
QUESTION: Ms. Talorico, not sure whether to sing your praises or admonish you…. You took a perfectly wonderful secret [the Dumpling House at 1828 w. 11th St., Wilmington; 888-1828] and screamed it to Wilmington.
Yes, "Wimingtonians" are in desperate need of fresh, handmade, delectable treats that do not break the bank... But REALLY! We were having such a wonderful time with our secret handshakes and passwords.
In all honesty, it was a wonderful article that summed up the restaurant beautifully.
Kathleen Magner-Rios
ANSWER: Go ahead, Kathleen, blame the messenger. I knew crowing about the Dumpling House wouldn't endear me to its loyal patrons, but I can't help myself. It's my job.
QUESTION: Hi, I don't remember seeing any reviews of [North Star Grill], this fairly new restaurant in Middletown, but I would very much like to see you come, and try it out. It has a combination pub and family atmosphere, but the food is what keeps us coming back - all fresh made, with many gourmet style touches, yet with Applebee's style prices. The fried cheesecake dessert is fantastic. We believe North Star is a real gem , and would greatly enjoy seeing it get some much -deserved exposure. I have no connection with the restaurant other than being a very impressed customer, who wants this restaurant to do well, so that we can continue coming here for many years to come.
Highest Regards,
Steve Hance
ANSWER: Fried cheesecake? Really? Looks like I'm making a trip to Middletown very soon.
QUESTION: Oh, my!! How awesome it was to read your article [on Sept. 17 about Slovenian cuisine.] I am 100 PERCENT Slovene. I may not be a famous Slovene (as Trump's 3rd wife), but I am a local. I live in Landenberg, Pa., with my husband and six childern. My parents are both from the old country, although they met an married here. Many of my fondest memories are from Slovenia, both from childhood as well as an adult. I spent many a summer there growing up, and my husband and I honeymooned there with my relatives. I struggle, but I try to teach my children Slovenian. And we continue many of our traditions.
Zlikrofi was such a treat for me. My grandmother would make them for us if we but asked. It is rather time consuming, though, to make with a large family, so I admit that I can't make them. I remember when I tried to knead the dough, and she said I was doing it wrong and went behind me to guide my hands and "teach" me how to press down with the heals of my hands. Thanks for the memories!
I would love to hear of your travels there. I do hope that you had a WONDERFUL trip. Also, you are right. There are not many of us around. If you've met any other Slovenes here in the area and they are up to meeting fellow Slovenes, let me know.
Again, thank you so much for your great pick-me-up this morning.
Gabrielle Mejac Dawyot
ANSWER: Thanks Gabrielle. I enjoyed traveling around Slovenia last fall and especially loved staying at the Kenda Manor. I want a plate of zlikrofi - potato and bacon dumplings - right now.
QUESTION: Hi Pat, was wondering if you could help us out with something.
I see that a lot of La Toltecas in the area have changed their name to La Tolnateca. However, I passed a new La Tolteca in the Fox Run Shopping Center today and there was a sign posted saying something like "Don't Be Fooled, We Would Never Change Our Name."
But last time we ate at La Tolnateca, they said they used to be La Tolteca but just changed their name.
Help!
ANSWER: I have no idea what's going on here. And the web site doesn't help since it lists both names. Eric Ruth wrote a story about the strange name change in July 2007. According to his article, owners of Delaware's La Tolteca empire were "rebranding their nine restaurants as 'La Tonalteca' in an effort to set themselves apart from all the unrelated restaurants named La Toltecas scattered around the country."
Ruth wrote: "It's a move that's generating some criticism, some confusion, and some predictions that a name change won't hurt these landmark Mexican restaurants a bit."
But not everyone was impressed with the switcheroo.
Restaurant marketing specialist Joel Cohen of RestaurantMarketing.com said that customers will encounter a new name that's somewhat close to the original, but still too odd to be effective.
"That's a lousy name," Cohen told The News Journal. "Both of them are bad names, because you can't remember them, you can't spell them."
4 comments:
I have no idea about the other name change. We used to go to UTAGE located at Independence mall, since August, there were people at parking lot telling us restaurant name will be changed from UTAGE to Takumi, and everything stayed the same. Then you go to UTAGE web site, you will find: "UTAGE is no longer located at Independence Mall."
Another effort to set themselve apart from unrelated restaurant?
What is going on?
7:31 - read the paper for goodness sake. It's been discussed a couple of times. Wake up
7:31-Thank you for asking, the truth are:
1) UTAGE at Independence Mall is totally closed and moved out since August.
2) UTAGE never re-named to any other name.
LOVE Pomodoro. Their servers are usually very fun and engaging. The food is wonderfully authentic and the chef's will accommodate almost any request. Except cheese on seafood. And possibly spaghetti and meatballs. Sometimes spaghetti likes to be alone. heh.
Post a Comment