Reader mail: UPDATED

Hey, all. I'll be out of the office most of Friday in Sussex County.

Lots on the agenda, including sampling spinach - yes, spinach! - ice cream. I plan to chase it down with a few other flavors, namely one called - wait for it, wait for it - "Better Than Sex."

Did that grab your attention?

Exactly.

I'll fill you in on greater detail in Wednesday's Life section.

IN OTHER NEWS:

- Eric Ruth checks out area meat markets in Friday's "Taste" column. Butcher shops, that is. Sorry. Maturity isn't one of my strengths.

- Beer and wine sales in Delaware grocery stores? I hope so. That was one of things I liked about living in the D.C. area. One less trip can be very nice.

- Venice in Wilmington? OK, this I have to see since Venezia is one of my favorite cities. Are you ready for a bellini?

- Just saw a funny Craig's List Help Wanted ad: "Need breakfast cook and line chef at very busy downtown Rehoboth restaurant. Must be a morning person, hard worker and team player. Drama free, please."

- New pho restaurant - Pho Cali on Kirkwood Highway next to the Pathmark is supposed to be open NOW.

- And finally a reader called and asked about the short recipe for tzaziki (Greek yogurt sauce) that ran in last Wednesday's Life section. No, dear reader, it did not have garlic. That was a recipe from Food Network star Ellie Krieger, whose version is different than what some think of as traditional tzaziki. But here's a recipe with garlic. (Sorry, I didn't call you back - you didn't leave your phone number.)

Onto the mailbag. Remember: You ask. We answer. Every Friday. Email questions to me at ptalorico@delawareonline.com.

CIAO, VINCENTE'S

QUESTION: Hello Friends! After a year of retirement, we are proud to announce our Grand Reopening for the new Vincente's Restaurant! We are now located on 5914 Kirkwood Highway. [Just pass Del. Park and across from All Saints Cemetery.] Our phone number is 302-543-6451 to make reservations. You can also visit our website.
We look forward to seeing you!!!
Sincerely,
Vincente

ANSWER: Thanks, Mr. Mancari. OK, Vincente fans you know where to go for the Italian "talking menu" and tableside caesar salad.

TABLE FOR FOUR? YOU MAY HAVE A WAIT, SIR.

QUESTION: Hi, I thought I would relay a story. Three weeks ago, my wife and I went to Capers & Lemons at 6 p.m. for dinner with no reservations. When we got there, it was mobbed and we were told it was an hour wait. We left and dined elsewhere.

Last week, it was my wife's b-day and I asked her where she wanted to go and she stated, "Let's try that Capers & Lemons place again, but let's get reservations this time." I called them to make a reservation for 4 and was told over the phone they ONLY take reservations for tables of 5 and nothing less. 5? OK. I told the person over the phone that I thought this was a poor rule in a down economy. After speaking to my wife, she chose to go to Okura instead. (Japanese restaurant in Hockessin.)

The Okura meal was excellent and we spent over $200 on that meal. Needless to say, we will not be going to Capers & Lemons at all in the future. I have never heard of a minimum of 5 reservations rule. Is this new or common? We dine out fairly regularly and have never run into this. Love the column.

Bruce

ANSWER: Hi Bruce. Thanks for the email. Yes, I actually have heard of and been to quite a few restaurants that do not take reservations for parties of four and under. Why? I suspect it's because some people are very late for reservations, don't show up for reservations or bother calling to cancel if they can't make a reservation. A table held for a reservation is lost money for the eatery, especially if many other people are waiting. I guess the thinking is that a party of five or more has less of a chance of canceling. Since it opened, Capers & Lemons has been a very popular eatery. The times I've been there has always been a wait.

Glad to hear you had a good dinner at Okura. I'm a fan of their sushi.

Restaurateurs, care to weigh in about no-reservation policies?

TURKISH EATS BACK IN ELKTON, Md.

QUESTION: Hi, Pat. Love your column!

Wanted to share that we recently visited Cappadocia Restaurant in Elkton for lunch and were quite pleasantly surprised with both the food and atmosphere. (Although their website indicates differently, it seems that they're no longer at the former 1st State Diner on 896 - http://www.firststatediner.com/)

For appetizers we tried the Dolma, Hommos, Baba Ghanouj, and Tarama - yum! For mains we tried the lamb Shish Kebab and the Adana Kebab sandwich - both were delicious.

Having stuffed ourselves overly full with this visit, next time we plan to pace ourselves and leave room to try the Baklava and Turkish Coffee.

As fans of Turkish and similarly prepared foods, it's so nice to find a local restaurant that does this cuisine well. (We're also a little worried - we were the only ones in there for lunch - it would be so disappointing if they don't make it.)

E. Daniels

ANSWER: I remember reviewing this same restaurant - you don't say, but is it near the Wawa right over the Delaware state line? - a few years ago. I took some friends who are very familiar with Turkish cuisine and they enjoyed the food, especially the meze and "puffy" bread. But I recall the room was very short on decor - in fact, it had all the charm of a bingo hall. The eatery later changed hands and the food wasn't the same. Sounds like I need to revisit sometime soon.