Reader Mail

Some technical difficulties today - no photos or images will upload (errrrr!) - so please bear with me for this installment of Reader Mail. (Remember: You ask. We answer. Every Friday. Email your dining questions to ptalorico@delawareonline.)

So much going on this weekend!

The eat-a-thon begins tonight with "Evening with the Masters" at the Center on the Riverfront. Tickets are $75. You can get them at the door.

Fork over $15 more and you entry to the private party within the party "Cellar Masters' Wine Auction" - with host Sara Cakebread from Cakebread Cellars and drinks shaken by "King Cocktail Dale DeGroff.

The creme de la creme of the weekend is the Celebrity Chefs' Brunch.

I'll be out and about this weekend - if you see me, say hey! A daily story is coming Monday and look for some Second Helpings updates, too. Stay tuned.

IN OTHER DINING NEWS:

Eric Ruth finds beauty in braised dishes today: including meals at 2 Fat Guys, D&H Jamaican and Eclipse Bistro.

Some pals and I grabbed a table - next to the window - at Orillas Tapas Bar & Restaurant Wednesday night for the Wilmington After Work promotion. Every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. several downtown Wilmington restaurants offer specials including $4 glasses of wine and lower priced apps. At first, it didn't look like many people were taking advantage of the promotion. (It could have been the rain.) Later, however, a stretch white limo pulled up in front of the eatery and out piled a bunch of people. No clue who they were.

Nice night, even though our server kept trying to take away plates that were still half full. After a while, it started to feel like a wrestling match.

HOT DELAWARE DOG!

I want to talk about true Delaware eats during an upcoming interview on Martha Stewart Living Radio, so I took one reader's suggestion and popped into Deerhead Hot Dogs at 620 Maryland Ave., Wilmington; 998-4191. Deerhead has been around since 1935.

It's been about a year since I've had a Deerhead dog with "the secret sauce." What is it? The secret sauce is, well, a secret. I have never been able to pry the recipe from anyone. (Maybe it's refried beans?) Any hoo, I got a single dog ($2.25) - which they split in half and then fried - topped with the hush-hush tan colored sauce. Also ordered double dogs ($2.95) for two co-workers.

Man, was the sauce spicy! Not that it wasn't tasty, but I don't remember it being so fiery. Good thing I ordered a lemonade ($1.70 small) to cool the burn.

VERY COOL (AND VERY EXPENSIVE) UPCOMING EVENT:

Domaine Hudson wine bar and eatery, 1314 N. Washington St., Wilmington, will be pouring Harlan and Bond estate wines - known as "cult" California vino - at an exclusive five-course dinner on May 2.

Harlan and Bond cabernet sauvignon wines, which often sell at auction for more than $1,000 a bottle - if you can find any, that is - have achieved a certain cache among wine aficionados, and small production has brought them cult status among collectors. Eight different wines - six Bond and two Harlan - will be served. Details available at www.domainehudson.com/HarlanBond.html

The wine is in limited supply, seating is also limited. Advance reservation, secured with a credit card, is required. Cost: $500 - that's NOT a typo - per person plus gratuity. Call Domaine Hudson, 655-9463.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A WELL-LIGHTED PLACE

QUESTION: Hello Patricia,

Do you know if Francine's is closed? Last couple of times I drove by it looked dark and empty. What happened?

Thanks.
Karen McDonnell

ANSWER: Francine's - the former Tomm's Produce Market on Del. 41 in Hockessin - opened a year ago in April. But not long after opening there were major problems with the refrigeration units. Francine just sent out a newsletter explaining the woes. Long story short: Business is closed. For now. Francine writes that she is working on a new business plan and hopes to reopen the market.

CITY RESTAURANT WEEK RESERVATIONS?

QUESTION: Patricia, Can you provide me details on how I can get tickets for the Loop Three dinner. Loop Three -- Appetizers at Mikimoto's; entree at C.W. Harborside; dessert at Harry's Seafood Grill.

Barbara

ANSWER: Reservations can be made online at cityrestaurantweek.com.

THAI-ING ONE ON FOR NEW YEAR'S

QUESTION: Last year's celebration at Tasti Thai went so well that the owners are trying it again. We had hoped we could have something larger with more ethnic involvement this year but business has been very slow because of the economy I have enjoyed the two Malay restaurants that have opened up in Pike Creek near my home. Unfortunately Soybean (no pork) has medium curries that are too hot for my Sri Lanken neighbors (and they like it really hot). Pinang (Chinese-Malay) is a lot of fun (try the Sarang Burong the next time you are there) but still doesn't do a curry quite like Tasti Thai. And no one is as hospitable and food oriented as the Thai.Kun Song has shown some of her Thai friends from DC the restaurant opportunities in the area and I had hoped the Thai community would be expanded so they could work together on the New Year's celebration, but not this year unfortunately.Thanks again for your help. Barb Jezl

ANSWER: We have some very devoted Tasti Thai fans here at Second Helpings Central. (And, yes, Ron, I'm talking about you!) Nice to hear from some others. Support your local restaurateurs.

ONE FINE CUP OF GIUSEPPE

QUESTION: I had the best cappuccino at that new coffee shop in Hockessin this morning. The best since a cup of the same that I had in Dublin, of all places!

Joann

ANSWER: Joann, are you talking about the Over Coffee Cafe in Lantana Square Shopping Center off Del. 7 and Valley Road? I've been hearing good buzz about it. (Buzz, hee-hee.) The best cup of Joe I've ever had was in Trieste, Italy. Think I'm making a coffee run today.

SHANG HAI QUESTIONS CONTINUE

QUESTION: May have misssed it if you wrote about it, but the best Chinese food in Delaware was to be had at Claymont's Shanghai restaurant. Last fall they suddenly disappeared and the building has been renovated for office use. Did these folks set up shop somewhere else (I hope)? Their food was wonderful. Thanks for any info you can provide.

Delawaregirl

ANSWER: Happy Friday Delawaregirl. What happened to Shang Hai? is probably one of the most frequently asked questions on this blog.

There was a fire and the business closed. But the mourning for this great little Chinese eatery continues.

I am trying to track down the owners and see if they plan to relocate. As soon as I get some more information, I will share it.