Fishing for a good sandwich?

I dropped into the Wilmington Riverfront Market today for lunch and it was first day opening for the new Harry's Fish Market + Grill.

This is the new stall - across from Tokyo Sushi - which had been the former home of Lapp's Kitchen.

Xavier Teixido - who also owns the next door Harry's Seafood Grill - was overseeing the operations and executive chef David Leo Banks was behind the counter checking on all details, along with a slew of staff.

Teixido suggested I try the fried fish sandwich ($7.95).

It's an excellent sandwich. The white fish - (sorry, I started chatting and forgot to ask what kind!) - is breaded and fried crisp. It's served on a LeBus roll that's slathered with spicy Sriracha aioli and packed with snow pea sprouts, lettuce, tomato and onion. A pickle comes on the side. The fish was meaty, moist and very fresh tasting. I just inhaled it and I'm already thinking about what I just ate.

The menu includes fish and chips and coleslaw ($8.95), crabcake sandwich ($11.95), fried scallops and chips ($9.95); burgers and cheeseburgers range from $4.50 to $6.25. Hand-cut fries are $3.95.

Breakfast of beignets - 3 for $4.50 and New Orleans coffee ($1.50 medium; $1.95 large) is supposed to start tomorrow. Yippee.

This is a really nice addition to the market.

Attaboys all around.

Regular Guy Grub - fried chicken

Arts and Entertainment editor Peter Bothum is a "Regular Guy Grubber." He's been talking about Amore Pizza's fried chicken forever. And now he's finally written about it. Bothum's article first appeared in 55 Hours last Friday. Here's an encore in case you missed it.

And, by the way readers, where do YOU go for fried chicken?

Amore Pizza's fried chicken

By PETER BOTHUM
The News Journal

I'll never forget the day in 2005 when I first ordered fried chicken from Amore Pizza, 430 Old Baltimore Pike near Newark. The chicken didn't come in a bucket, styrofoam box or a paper carrier.

My order -- probably a 12-piece or more to suit my glutton-like behavior toward food -- was handed to me in a covered foil container that was hot -- like, you-can't-carry-this-too-far hot.
I knew this meant something special was inside, because this vessel felt like a treasure chest to me for some reason. What I didn't know was that this strongbox held 12 glorious chunks of edible gold.

When I opened the container at home I felt like Vincent Vega in "Pulp Fiction" when the glowing light of a criminal briefcase beamed into his face.

Like Vincent, I could never describe the beauty I saw, but I'll try: Crispy, beautiful pieces laid on top of a bed of french fries that soaked up the grease from the chicken for a prize to be had later.
Steam streamed out when I cut into the seemingly endless meaty parts of the breasts. The skin crunched and melted in my mouth. I thought I could run through half of the dozen but my eyes were, as the saying goes, much bigger than my stomach.

Buckets of chicken at Amore range from a four piece for $6.50 to $19.50 for 16 pieces. There's also meals of four, eight, 12, 16 and 20 pieces, with prices ranging from $9.99 for four pieces to $25.99 (for 20). It comes with your choice of two sides (three if you get 12 or more), but they're really kind of "eh." The variety is even worse -- other than cole slaw, your choices are potatoes (fries), potatoes (mashed) and potatoes (salad).

But you do get the fries in the foil bin for free, along with some usually decent garlic bread.
The response when you order a batch of fried chicken at Amore's tells you that you're getting it fresh -- they inform you that it'll be about 25-30 minutes, instead of the usual 15-20, because they have to cook it up.

Amore Pizza stared in New York in 1969 with its Italian-style pizza, which is still amazing. In 1996 it moved to Newark and now has a second location at 1590 Red Lion Road, Bear.

They're online at www.amorepizza.com.

New offerings from the Phils

By PATRICIA TALORICO

The News Journal

PHILADELPHIA - New cheesesteaks, more vegetarian options, a 50-foot rooftop bar, a talking "robot" trash can and Charlie Manuel bobble figurines are just some of things that Phillies fans can expect to see when the 2008 World Series champs begin playing ball this season at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phils will begin defending their title - against the Atlanta Braves at the April 5 sold-out home opener - wearing spiffy new jerseys decorated with gold twill on the front and back. Throughout the season, players also will wear World Series champion patches on their home jerseys.

But some of this season's biggest changes are taking place off the field. In the Ashburn Alley concession area, Campo's Cheesesteaks will take over the spot that had been occupied by Rick's Steaks. In October 2008, Rick's Steaks owner Rick Olivieri lost his lease and had to close his main stand in the city's Reading Terminal Market after a 25 year run.

Campo's Deli at Second and Market streets in Old City - a quick three-block stroll from the Liberty Bell - has been a Philadelphia institution since 1947. On Thursday morning at Citizens Bank Park, owner Mike Campo, who runs the family business with his son Michael and daughter Mia Campo, showed off several varieties of his cheesesteaks that will be sold at the ballpark.

The warm, meaty sandwiches, made with rib-eye steak and packed on sturdy, fresh rolls from New Jersey-based Liscio's Bakery, will be flavored with everything from grilled onions and mushrooms to jalapeno cheese and hot sauce.

"We're really excited," said Mike Campo, as he served up what is considered Philadelphia's most beloved sandwich. "We don't know what to expect."

Fans will likely consume 15,000 hot dogs, 6,000 soft pretzels and 5,000 cheesesteaks on opening day, according to ARAMARK officials, who run the stadium concessions.

David Lippman, ARAMARK concessions director, said in addition to traditional ballpark fare, more vegetarian offerings will be part of the culinary line-up.

This year, the Alley Grill, in the left field plaza, will have southwestern-style vegetable burgers and the Nacho Portable Stand behind section 122 will be selling vegetarian quesadillas. The South Philly Market at section 128 also will offer vegan hot dogs and vegan garden burgers.

Citizens Bank now sells more than 40 different brands of beer - including Milton's own Dogfish Head - and Lippman said the price for a 16-ounce draft beer will start at $6.75. (Heinken and Dos Equis are new draft suds this year.) Other local brews include Yards and Troegs.

"We got some real beer lovers," he said.

Lippman said a concession goal was to keep prices reasonable with most foods costing between $3 to $13. Tickets for games start at $16.

"We want to make sure there is something for everyone," he said. Concession specials also are offered for the first 30 minutes that Ashburn Alley is open, usually 2 1/2 hours prior to game time.

Greg Luzinski, the former Phils slugger who runs Bull's BBQ, an outdoor picnic area with pit beef, barbecued ribs and pulled barbecue pork sandwiches, has added a children's platter this year that includes a turkey sandwich, apple sauce and macaroni and cheese.

"People go through the lines and they don't want to have to go somewhere else for the kids," Luzinski said. "In addition to it being good, it's also a convenience."

Luzinski will again be selling his bottled barbecue sauce, which is also available at Willey Farms in Townsend. "That's a great place," he said of the Delaware store on U.S. 13. "You can get everything there."

Tarek Bahgat, who runs the Seasons Pizza stand behind sections 205 and 322, said he will be focusing on offering more gourmet pizzas this season. Each homestand will feature a new pie from the Delaware based pizza chain and some of the combinations will include bacon, chicken and ranch dressing and pies topped penne pasta and ricotta cheese.

About 3,000 slices of pizza are expected to be sold on April 5. "It's a little crazy," Bahgat joked about his pasta pizza. "You can get all your carbs."

Fans looking to stretch their legs can visit the new rooftop bar, a 50-foot space above Ashburn Alley, that will have plasma screen TVs and sell Buffalo chicken sliders, nachos and hot dogs. McFadden's Restaurant & Saloon, the sports-themed restaurant at the Third Base Gate, also has added a new "open air" bar area with flat screen TVs.

Brenda Linton of Newark, who runs Citizens Bank's "Build-A-Bear" store, said little fans can create a World Series bear or stuffed Phillie Phanatic doll - with a movable red tongue - for about $25.

Stadium giveways this year range from a fleece blanket decorated with a photo of Jayson Werth (May 10) to Jimmy Rollins wristbands (July 12).

But Scott Brandreth, director of merchandise, predicts that the Charlie Manuel bobble head figurine given away on April 28 will be one of the most popular items. "The players are going nuts," he said about the doll made to look like the Phils scrappy manager.

The organization also is encouraging more recycling at the stadium. A "Red Goes Green" Team, made up of volunteers, will collect recyclable plastic and aluminum bottles from the seating area through the seventh inning. And a 4-foot-tall interactive robot shaped like a trashcan known as Phil the "spokescan" will roll through the ballpark and encourage fans to recycle.

Contact Patricia Talorico at 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com. Read her culinary blog Second Helpings at www.delawareonline.com/secondhelpings.

Cheap eats

Eric Ruth offers a story today about eating cheaply.

Last night, I was out with a terrific group of friends (shout out to you all) and we ate at "Eat."

Well, that's what I always call Border Cafe, a Tex-Mex/Cajun eatery in Stanton, because of the large "Eat" sign out front. (Is there even a Border Cafe sign out front??)

The dining rooms were very busy last night - and there were about a dozen people waiting for tables when we arrived. When I opened the menu, I quickly realized why it was so jammed. Wow. I don't think there was any entree more than $18. In fact, most meals are in the $10 and under range.

The creamy guacamole ($3.95 a bowl), flecked with tomatoes, onion and cilantro and served with a basket of warm tortilla chips, was very fresh-tasting and quite good as were the slightly spicy catfish tacos. The catfish taco platter - two tacos on flour tortillas - also comes with a side of rice and black beans for $7.47. That's some seriously cheap eats.

However, I'm no fan of Border's margaritas which are syrupy sweet icky. (Someone also said they tasted watery.) No thanks. I'm spoiled. I had a wonderful, freshly-squeezed pineapple margarita recently at Distrito in Philadelphia and now there's no going back to poorly produced cocktails.

Get a bottled beer instead, or maybe a glass of wine, which come in tumblers, for under $7.

And, speaking of icky, Border's needs to give its ladies restroom a serious scrubbing.

I guess that's the price you pay for cheap....

Reader mail, The Chopping Block other thoughts

Happy Friday. This has seemed like the longest week ever - I haven't caught up yet with the clock-changing - and I'm so glad the weekend is upon us.

What's up with you? I'm cooking some French bistro style dishes, among other things.....

A reader asked if I would be recapping The Chopping Block, the new NBC culinary competition series hosted by Marco Pierre White.

"It really does seem like a pretty cool way of doing the restaurant show," he wrote. "It seems better than the Hell's Kitchen thing, which is more of a study in yelling and less of a show about real restaurant people earning a reward."

I taped CB since I was at the Patti LuPone/Mandy Patinkin show on Wednesday. I gave it a quick look, but would really like to give it another viewing.

Marco Pierre White has a quiet anger that I find much more frightening and chilling than the yappy dog, profanity-laced hissy fits thrown by short-tempered, plate-thrower Gordon Ramsay. (My late dad was a very easy-going guy, but he also perfected the calm, quiet fury 'tude. It could be downright Michael Corleone don't-mess-with-me scary. I could so relate to one contestant who said that a disappointed look from White "pierced the soul.")

I'm enjoying White's armchair, almost professorial approach to food. And I like the food critics judging the contestants. (This past week it was Corby Kummer from The Atlantic, whom I've met before and he's exactly like he was portrayed on TV.)

It'll be interesting to see how contestants Samantha Johnson and her mother, chef Angiebrown, will fair. They own the Philadelphia restaurant Soul, which recently got a one Liberty Bell rating (hit-or-miss) from The Philadelphia Inquirer's Craig LaBan.

What do you think, Second Helpers? Want to read Chopping Block recaps?

In other news:

Veritas Wine & Spirits is a new liquor store - with a six-seat tasting bar - at the Wilmington Riverfront. It sells about 150 wines, 35 beers and 35 spirits. There's also a seating area where customers can page through beverage-related books and magazines. .

Owner Venu Gaddamidi says "We try to showcase varietals and beers that the ordinary drinker may not be used to at prices that we all can appreciate."

Coming soon are wine classes, catering services and more.

Free stuff alert! On Friday, March 20, Rita's Water Ice chain is holding its 17th annual First Day of Spring Italian Ice giveaway. Go to a Rita's that day and "scoop up" a free 10-ounce cup of Italian ice.

Onto the mailbag. Remember You Ask. We Answer. Every Friday. Email me at ptalorico@delawareonline.com.

(Note to reader who sent me the cheese email: I accidentally deleted your letter (sorry!) Please resend and I'll get the answer.)

THE LAYERED LOOK AT LUCKY'S

QUESTION: Patricia, I just ate the lasagna blue plate special [at Lucky's Coffee Shop], and OMG! Smooth, silky cheese, just the right amount of tomato, not too stiff, not too loose, perfectly seasoned. Ordering lasagna can be chancy at most Italian restaurants, but this was a 10.
Darren

ANSWER: Wow, Darren, that's some endorsement! No offense to Lucky's, which I like very much, but I don't think I would have given the lasagna there a shot. I usually get the burgers or sandwiches or pancakes.

But, there you go, readers, lasagna at Lucky's was a lucky choice.

LOVE THOSE BLACK LAB LOAVES

QUESTION: I totally agree with you about Black Lab Breads. Everything they make is wonderful. Just try and get some pizza bread when the Eagles are playing! They make the best challah anywhere in the city, and we've tried them all.
Beryl Gamiel

ANSWER: I try to stay away Beryl, but when the crusty loaves at Black Lab Breads start calling my name, I'm there faster than dough rises. I'm so happy that Delaware has a caring bread baker like Barry Ciarrocchi.

Food section round-up

The popularity of Spanish cuisine continues to grow.

Some local restaurants and bars are offering "recession specials."

San Francisco Chronicle has a good article on how to use leftover bread.

LA Times wonders if two people can eat on $67 for the week.

(Frugality, apparently, is the word of the day.)

Also:

Former "Top Chef" contestant Tre Wilcox (left), Seattle restaurateur (and Delaware native) Tom Douglas, Bryan Sikora, of Kennett Square, Pa.'s acclaimed Talula's Table, James Beard Foundation Best Mid-Atlantic Chef semi-finalist Jay Caputo, and New York City executive Chef Ben Pollinger, of Oceana, will be banging pots and pan at this year's Meals From the Masters Celebrity Chefs' Brunch.

The Meals on Wheels culinary fundraiser will be held April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bank of America headquarters in downtown Wilmington. The cost is $175. The more casual Evening With the Masters celebration on April 17 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Center on the Riverfront will feature dishes from more than 10 area restaurants. Tickets are $75.

For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsde.org.

Pork sandwiches

Until our new group of "Regular Guys" is on board to start chatting about casual eats, this is a "Regular Gal" post to praise the porkette sandwich - or slow-roasted pork.

I'm a devoted Tony Luke's fan in Philly and love my sandwich piled high with garlicky broccoli rabe. (I usually skip the sharp provolone, but certainly don't mind the cheese.)

Tony Luke sandwiches also are sold at Citizens Bank Park. Go ahead and try to eat this whopper of a sandwich while seated in the stands. You're going to need a boatload of napkins.

My uncle and I also like the pork sandwiches - Pop Pop's recipe since 1930 - from John's Roast Pork on Snyder Avenue in South Philly or, as we usually call it, "the place." (As in "You hungry? Want to go to the place?" No other words are needed.)

I hadn't had a good pork sandwich outside of Philly until I stumbled into Ioannoni (pronounce it eye-uh-known-ee) Specialty Sandwiches , 624 E. Basin Road in New Castle, 322-5000., a few years ago. The shop (see photo above) makes one mean roast beef and broccoli rabe sandwich as well as one messy, juicy roasted pork sandwich. This is my favorite place, so far, in Delaware.

Mangia Mangia, 530 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington, 654-2223, has a very good roasted porkette sandwich that's packed on a crusty Italian roll that comes from an Italian bakery in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Some family members got slow roasted pork loin sandwiches from Goodfellas, 1317 McKennans Church Road, Milltown area, 995-2891. It got thumbs from my mother - and that's high praise from a very picky South Philly born gal.

What's up.......

Check out Ryan Cormier's fun story today on "The Wrestler" and other Oscar-nominated movies with Delaware shout-outs.

Food angle: Jeff Cook and Tom Craft, owners of the 2 Fat Guys American Grill in Hockessin, catered the set of "The Wrestler" for four days.

A few years ago, NJ photog Jennifer Corbett and I hung out with the "Fat Guys" while they catered and appeared in Bon Jovi's video "Who Says You Can't Go Home."

It was a long day in a very gritty North Philadelphia neighborhood, but Cook and Craft were so much fun to be with. The funniest part of that day was when they were cooking hamburgers and hotdogs for an outdoor barbecue scene. Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres came over to the grill to steal a few dogs. We all talked to Torres for quite a while and didn't realize who he was - until he took his place behind the drum set when the video began filming.

I remember standing next to DJ Pierre Robert from WMMR and watching Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora lip-sync the lyrics and basically do air guitar moves. Surreal.

In other food news:

For today's Taste column, I take a look at the new location for Pizza by Elizabeths. The Elizabeths, a Delaware biz for 15 years, recently packed up and moved new location in Greenville Center. Their new eatery - just a few blocks down the road from their former Kennett Pike space - is all swanky glamour. But, most importantly, the pizza still rocks.

And Cormier continues to be one busy guy - for today's 55 Hours cover story, he traveled to Saint Georges Country Store to tell you about "Cajun on the Canal."

My favorite line is his description of Saint Georges Country Store in St. Georges as " equal parts Mayberry General Store from 'The Andy Griffith Show' and Merlotte's bar and restaurant from HBO's Louisiana-based 'True Blood.'"

I'm headed to Rehoboth Beach this weekend to check out the Mardi Gras celebration and the Inaugural Chef Showdown: A culinary competition featuring Jay Caputo (Espuma, Porcini House); Ian Crandall (Kindle); and Kevin Reading (Nage).

More to come on that next week.

Monday, Monday

Hey everyone. I'm back and playing catch up this morning.

In the meantime:

Did you see Eric Ruth's Taste column on chicken wings? Lots of comments here on who offers the best wings....(I had great homemade wings yesterday. Thanks John!)

I ate muskrat so you don't have to. It's the taste that lingers long after you swallow.....

Went to dinner Saturday night at Buddakan. (Friends really wanted to go; they had only been for cocktails.) I give it a big eh. I know it continues to be one of the most popular restaurants in Philadelphia, but I wasn't much impressed with my Japanese black cod and wasabi mashed potatoes. Maybe after too many visits, I'm just bored with the place. However, I did have a wonderful Mandarin Blossom cocktail and a pretty terrific milk chocolate caramel tart.

I spent part of my time off eating at some great New York City restaurants. I'll fill you in soon. Posts coming!

Patricia Talorico

So not the pits

Had lunch today at the Charcoal Pit. The real one.

Anyone who's lived in Delaware for any length of time knows that, of course, I'm talking about the Concord Pike location.

The Pit no longer offers Delaware best burgers - I think I've got to give that crown now to Five Guys - but I must say I so enjoyed lunching there. (I got the 4-oz. "Pit Special" - basically a burger and fries. It was only $4.99. Washed it down with a root beer, $1.99. It was a juicy and very satisfying burger.)

What I love about the Concord Pike Pit- the only one I visit - is that it hasn't changed much at all. Cheeburger Cheeburger was pretty lame because it tried to look like a 1950s style burger joint.

There's no trying at the Pit.

I love the tired, worn leather booths, the old jukeboxes, the ketchup/relish served in the little paper cups nestled next to the burgers, the black and white photos on the wall. I even like that silly chain they put up near the front door so people don't go charging into the dining room.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I'm guessing that you'll see a lot of visiting nostalgia seekers in the Pit throughout the weekend.(The Pit's closed Thanksgiving Day.) I overheard the guy at the booth next to me saying he hadn't been there in years but used to love to come during his high school and UD days.

I nodded as I chewed (and wished I had ordered a milkshake.) Next visit.

Chow at Ciao's

I'm treading on Buddy Hurlock's Regular Guy Grub turf here, but I recently had a couple of great slices of plain cheese pizza from Ciao's in Prices Corner.

I'm all about New York style pizza - thin, crisp, crunchy crust - and Ciao's delivered the goods. Picked up two slices - $2.50 each - and then realized it would have been cheaper to buy a whole pie (A little over $10.)

Next time.

Readers? Your thoughts on Ciao's?

Big food, good deal

Hope you had a good weekend. I stopped into the Booth's Corner Farmers Market over the weekend - just over the Delaware line in Boothwyn, Pa. - and was amazed at the crowds.

It's been a while since I've been there and forgot what a wonderful market it is, especially if you looking for some fun food finds.

Don't miss Cajun Kate's which offers everything from a gumbo of the day to jambalaya to po-boy sandwiches. There's only counter seating available, so take-out isn't a bad idea here.

More is coming soon about Cajun Kate's food. Stay tuned.

Also, consider the carved roast beef sandwiches at Chamberlain's Roast Beef. They are out of this world terrific. If you're a meat lover, then you're going to love Chamberlain's. The stall has a big seating area - with tableside service - as well as counter seating.

The hand-carved beef is medium rare, thick, but not too thick, and stacked high on soft rolls. It comes with a side of au jus. There are little jars on the table of horseradish, pickled sweet peppers and jalapenos to jazz up the sandwich. It's a real deal for only $6.50. Carved roast pork sandwich are also $6.50 - but it's buy one, get one free. You can't beat that bargain.

Look for more on Chamberlain's in an upcoming food story I'm working on now about food values - big portions at lower costs.

Reader Mail

Red October. Gotta love it. It's a great week to be a Phillies fan. Let us all bask for just a bit. We deserve it.

Reader mail is early again this week. In Friday's 55 Hours section, look for Rachel Kipp's "Regular Gal" write up about the Cereal Bowl at 181 E. Main St. in Newark. I'll post a link as soon as the story goes online.

Onto the mailbag:

QUESTION: Patricia,

Is there a good place in Wilmington to get delicious soup for dinner? There are plenty of places that have homemade soup for lunch downtown, but the city seems to close down around dinner time. I have heard of The Soup Man, but I can't seem to find any information or reviews on their soups. Thanks!

ANSWER: I just ate a wonderful roasted fennel and goat cheese soup at Sugarfoot in Wilmington. {Soup is good food.} But I'm not sure if they stay open for dinner....And I never get tired of the tomato parmesan soup at Culinaria. (Or the roasted antipasto..)

OK, what's UP with The Soup Man?? I'm intrigued. Never heard of him (at least, not in Delaware) - but, readers, PLEASE, any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated...

While it's not in Wilmington, I would highly recommend the Vietnamese pho soup at Pho Nhu Vu, 1146 Pulaski Highway, (U.S. 40) in Bear, 595-2529.

QUESTION: I'm looking for a good Thai restaurant around Newark, Delaware. I've tried Tasti Thai [in New Castle] and Soybean Asian Grille (in Pike Creek) on recommendations, but neither are very good. I used to live in New York and had the pleasure of an amazing Thai restaurant within a mile of my home. To me, delicious Thai food has the freshest ingredients with a very fresh/clean taste and an abundance of vegetables. Everything I've found is heavy, sometimes greasy, and always reliant on large rice/noodle portions to hide the lack of vegetables. Any help is very appreciated.

Maria Fargo

ANSWER: Maria, New York is the culinary capital of the world, so it's going to be hard to measure up. I'm out of Thai places to suggest around Newark, but maybe you'll enjoy Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine , 275 Wilmington-West Chester Pike (U.S. 202); near Glen Mills, Pa.; (610) 358-4015. It's a BYO just over the Delaware state line in north Wilmington.

There's also the Bangkok House, 104 N. Union St., Wilmington, 654-8555. I haven't been to Bangkok for a while. During my last visit, I recall the dining room needed some sprucing up and patience is a must here since the service can be very slow. (And that's probably why I saw so many take-out bags going out the door.)

QUESTION: PLEASE go check out Burrito Bandido on Maryland Avenue in Wilmington across from Dunkin' Donuts. This is Mexican done authentic and amazing. It is not AmMex, CalMex, or TexMex, but the real deal.. The platters are all very filling, the salsas made right there and nothing like I've ever had anywhere. He uses olive oil for his refried beans and not lard, a totally different and delicious taste that doesn't feel like you're licking a grease barrel. They could put La Tolteca out of biz if they had more pizazz. Not long on atmosphere but the help is great, will take the time to explain the menu without a rush. Have only been at lunch, can't speak for dinner or breakfast times. Give them a look, it is far more than meets the eye.

Love the blog,

Andy

ANSWER: Thanks for the tip, Andy. My colleague Gary and I stopped into Burrito Bandido, 227. N. Maryland Ave., Wilmington, 652-5749, earlier this week. You're right - not long on atmosphere, but they do offer really big portions. I think the burritos were as fat as a baseball bat. (While we waited for an order, a woman at the table near us said she likes the Bandido better than Moe's.) The salsa - red and green (tomatillo) - was indeed homemade and had a lot of fire. My favorite burrito was the carnitas or pork ($6.50) that's stuffed with rice, refried beans, lettuce and tomatoes. I also enjoyed the chorizo ($6.50) burrito. The sausage seemed like it had a hint of cinnamon.

These burritos are by no means a refined meal, but it will feed the gullet quite nicely and very cheaply. More is coming soon about the Bandido.

QUESTION: Hi, after reading the Second Helpings questions and answers recently published in the paper, we decided to try Pomodoro [729 N Union St, Wilmington, 574-9800] another time. We were last there late last winter and had a so-so meal with OK service. Last Thursday night we enjoyed a wonderful meal and good service. As we were savoring Chef Giuseppe's home made mozzarella Caprese, he came by our table to say hello and then sent out another appetizer of Straciatella wrapped in prosciutto he'd made just for us. What a treat! We will definitely be returning often after an evening like that!

Carroll Eaton

ANSWER: I've also had so-so meals there and less than stellar service. But the reports from readers lately have been good, so I will revisit Pomodoro soon.

QUESTION: Hi, Pat. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for dining out on Thanksgiving. We'd like to try and go out to dinner this year instead of cooking at home.

Thanks in advance,

Christina

ANSWER: Christina, for food writers, Thanksgiving is kind of like the Super Bowl. We train for it all year. I can't recall ever dining out on Turkey Day - so, I'm sorry I can't be more helpful - though, after several years of wrestling a large, unruly bird in-and-out of the oven , and looking at a sinkful of dishes, I understand why people would much rather have someone else do the cooking and cleaning up. I have found out that almost all restaurants are open that day - unlike Christmas when your best bet is usually an Asian eatery. I just received an email from Harry's Savoy Grill about its Thanksgiving offerings. Here's a link to the web site. If I hear of other good suggestions, I'll post them on Second Helpings in early November. Readers, any thoughts?

QUESTION: Hi Patricia!

I'm wondering if this is the appropriate place to ask for some lost recipes! I had a recipe that I was using for an apple crisp with an oatmeal topping. The oatmeal topping included steel cut oats. I have since lost the recipe and wondered if there is anyone else out there who might be looking for one too?! Can you provide one? Or see if anyone else has one to share?

Thanks,

Rebecca Saxton

ANSWER: Hi Rebecca. I forwarded your request along to Nancy Coale Zippe. Nancy's column runs every Wednesday in the News Journal's Life section and she handles recipe requests from readers. Nancy said she just emailed you a recipe. Thanks.

Pumpkins, Phils trivia, Food Network casting...

Hey, Charlie Browns. Check out today's story on the Great Pumpkins at H.G. Haskell's farm in Chadds Ford, Pa.

NJ photographer Fred Comegys took his usual wonderful photos. That Fred. Damn, he's good. What you DON'T see in this photo is there were at least another 20 great pumpkins off to the left. H.G. was still waiting for even more pumpkins - at least double the amount - when this was shot last week.

(Thanks, H, for giving us so much time on the farm and at the SIW stand.)

We also include recipes for pumpkin mushroom soup (similar to the Back Burner in Hockessin), pumpkin bread and pumpkin cookies.

Can't wait for the upcoming Great Pumpkin Carve.

Also, my Diner's Digest column today goes into the more details on everything else below, but here are the highlights:

- Here's a bit of "hey-did-you-know?" trivia: In the book "Hotel du Pont Story" (Serendipity Press, 1981), Harry V. Ayres writes that the Philadelphia Phillies exercised in the Gold Ballroom during World War II (can you imagine that?). The team had been owned by the Carpenter family of Delaware from 1943 to 1981. Crazy. You'll never go to a wedding or fancy schmancy event there again without thinking about that.

- The Food Network is casting the fifth season of its series "The Next Food Network Star."
Producers are looking for people who are passionate about cooking, and knowledgeable about food, to meet them from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Embassy Suites Center City Philadelphia, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. The open casting call will be on the hotel's 28th floor.

Download an application at www.foodnetwork.com/star and bring it. Callbacks will be held the next day. For more information, e-mail NFNS5phl@gmail.com.

- In Reader Mail, , a reader wondering where to get a good Reuben sandwich, lamented what he thought was the end of Annie's Restaurant on Greenhill Avenue in Wilmington.

But it turns out Annie's has just switched locations. In July, the restaurant moved from Wilmington to 11 Sanders Road in Elsmere. (It's next to the fire hall and the Wawa store.)

Owners are renovating the site and are expected to open shortly. Call 888-1229 for details.

- Hickman's Meat Market in Rehoboth Beach is now selling organic pasture-raised poultry from The Farm in Georgetown. The Farm is one of five certified organic farms in the state.

The Hickman family also is planning a second store in Lewes to open in early spring. The Del. 1 store will be attached to the new Bethany Blues Restaurant that's under construction.

Get your last "cuppa" at the Flavour of Britain

The Independence Mall off U.S. 202 in Brandywine Hundred has seen some changes in the last few months.

And this month it will see another.

The Flavour of Britain tearoom, in business since Oct. 1992, is closing.

Photo to the right, by NJ photographer Jennifer Corbett, was taken in the very charming tearoom at Christmastime.

This treasured teddy bear is one owner Janet Day brought over from England. Day bought the bear, which was one of two in the store. The remaining bear was purchased by Princess Diana.

Here's my story today.

The shopping center recently "lost"' Utage restaurant, but gained Takumi. It also has new tenant Rasa Sayang Malaysian Cuisine.

Don't yet know what will take the FofB's space.

If you're looking for another tearoom in Delaware, you'll have to head downstate. But the Victorian Lady, 12 N.W. Front St., Milford; 424-8272; www.victorianladytea.net, is definitely worth a drive.

Hot dog!

In our honor of my beloved Fightin' Phils becoming National League East Champs - go team go! - I recently celebrated with a hot dog at Johnnie's Dog House on Concord Pike.

Alrighty now. These are terrific dogs and live up to the hype. I got the Chicago-style hot dog (see photo to the right). No reason other than I love Chicago "sport" peppers and this kind of dog reminds me of good times in the Windy City. The dog was loaded with mustard, onions, relish, pickle, tomatoes and sprinklings of celery seed.

Nice snap with every bite. Delish. IMHO, it beats out Deerhead, which, last time I ordered a dog and got the "secret" sauce, it seemed much more fiery than usual and the taste was different than I remember. Anyone else notice a difference?

I washed down my Johnnie's dog with a lemonade, and while I was psyched to see that it was fresh squeezed, it seemed a tad too sweet for my taste. It got better when the ice melted a bit.

What I didn't try: The Delaware Destroyer. This is Johnnie's take on a Delaware dog: Two hot dogs served on a hoagie roll that's loaded with macaroni and cheese (what the....), fried onions, hot sauce and chili.

Supposedly, it's very popular.

My fellow blogger Ryan Cormier is going to check out the Delaware Destroyer very soon - that name makes me start humming George Thorogood tunes and, yes, I am dating myself by writing that - so stay tuned to his blog.

I asked Ryan to find out why this is considered a "Delaware" dog.

Mac and cheese? Chili? I don't get it.

Now maybe if chicken was on the dog.....

New restaurants: UPDATES

Ooops: Forget to post this earlier, my esteemed colleague and fellow critic Eric Ruth checks out Latino dishes at five local restaurants.

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.

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?

Food travel tales

Hey all, I hope you get a chance to read today's "What I Ate on My Summer Vacation" story from Brian DiSabatino.

Brian is a super guy and he and his wife Kelly had a blast during their two-week Italian adventures. (Photo above is Brian and Kelly in Venice.)

We also asked other readers to share their favorite meals. Really interesting stuff - eland sausage, elephant meat, Maine lobsters. Wow. My Fractured Prune doughnuts from the shop near Rehoboth pale in comparision.

This weekend is summer's last hurrah even though it's not over til it's over later in September.

Reader mail

"You never call anymore. You never write."

Call it Catholic guilt, but it's time to confess: I've been a tad neglectful of Reader Mail.

Every Friday, it's supposed to be:

You Ask. We Answer. All dining questions.

Lately? Uh, yeah, well, not so much so.

I'll blame the slacking on a bad case of The End of The Summer Blues. Last night, sitting on the deck of the Logan House with the dearest group of friends (that's my shout-out: you all know who you are) and being waited on by sweet and oh-so accommodating and patient Jess E. (Will you always be our server? Pretty please? Hey, Logie managers, give that guy a raise!) it no longer felt like summer. The chill in the air and goosebumps on my sleeveless arms made me think of fall. But donning a sweater in August? Outside on a deck? No. No. No. Not going to do it.

While I so love autumn , I'm so not ready for summer to slip by. (Sentimentalists, feel free now to start humming Sinatra's goopy "Summer Wind" ...)

But (insert long, heavy sigh!) school will soon be back in session, so I guess I'll get an early jump on my own homework.

Here's what's in the mailbag:

QUESTION: Hi Patricia,

There is a little French place in the heart of Rehoboth on Penny Lane. Papillion(sp?) that serves the best croissants and crepes around. I wasn't sure if they were an offshoot of another restaurant locally, or only there for the summer months. But if they only serve during the summer, is there anywhere in the Wilmington/New Castle area to get the same type and quality food?
Thanks
Stephanie

ANSWER: Hi Stephanie. I think you're talking about Cafe Papillon, Penny Lane Mall, off Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth; 227-7568. It's not a chain and I don't know of another off-shoot in the state. But a French style place -run by a true French woman Louisette Amblard - can be found in North Wilmington. Have you tried Amblard's Bon Appetit Gourmet Food, 3629 Silverside Road, Wilmington, 478-4344? I know Louisette bakes bread and you can smell the baquettes when you walk into the shop.

Readers, any others you would recommend?

Not a question but a short excerpt from an email I received from Chef Danny Profita who is now in Beijing helping to feed athletes and media. Click here for a story about Danny.

"I am having such a fantastic experience over here but I do miss the USA."

Much thanks, Danny Profita

ANSWER: Danny, have a safe trip home. I'm looking forward to hearing - and writing about - your Beijing adventures. Any little nugget would be nice now, though. C'mon now: Does Michael Phelps really eat Frosted Flakes? Inquiring minds want to know.

QUESTION: In the August 20 [Life section,] under the "Top Tomato Recipes" there is a recipe named "Mato Sammidges". These tomato sandwiches were delicious and easy to prepare. Hats off to Mary Jo Sweeney who submitted the recipe.
Lawrence Klevans of Elkton, Md.

ANSWER: You say tomato, Mary Jo Sweeney says 'mato.

Lawrence, SO glad you liked our "Red Menace" package. (Boss? Oh, boss? Did you read what Lawrence wrote? He likes us, he really likes us. Show me the money! OK, I ran out of Hollywood cliches....)

Since tomatoes are about to overtake the earth right now - ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES - I wanted to provide readers like you with some interesting recipes.

The Washington Post's Food section recently held its 2008 Top Tomato Recipe contest - an idea I may shamelessly steal for next year - and we ran their recipes. (Good recipes are always worth sharing.) Thanks Posties!

QUESTION: Hello! I am writing to rave about our recent experience at the Fair Hill Inn.

I'm not aware of a recent review/article of this little gem only 4 miles from Newark. Just this weekend, we hosted a rehearsal dinner there, and it was completely wonderful and special in every way.

I dealt with chef/partner, Brian Shaw. He was very capable, enthusiastic and passionate about the food. The service was impeccable. All vegetables are grown in their garden. I believe they put in a small vineyard this year.

It is such a delightful, historic place, and the owners care very much about the food they present.I would urge you to take a trip there to see for yourself the quality of fine dining just a hop and a skip from Newark. I know they would benefit from the publicity and the encouragement.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Thank you

Janice Keane

ANSWER: Janice, glad to hear your experience was so positive. I've been hearing raves about the Fair Hill Inn lately. Must get out there soon. I hope you sent the owners a letter telling them likewise. Owners Phil Pyle and Brian Shaw are great food and wine people, truly dedicated to their craft. Attaboys, and all that.

Readers, please support your local independent restaurateurs. Do your part for the economy and dine out!

Now, go enjoy what's left of the summer.....I've got an out-of-town assignment on Friday, so I probably won't be checking back in until Monday. See you soon. Happy cooking and eating!

Random food thoughts

Hey all, don't know about you, but I'm so looking forward to the weekend.

I'm making Michel Richard's corn nugget crab cakes one night (see photo to the right) and grilled pork with peach chutney the next. The crab cakes take some work - OK, a lot of work - and you must use impeccably fresh corn - but this dish is summer on a plate.

Tonight, I'm checking out a new Vietnamese restaurant at 1146 Pulaski Highway, Bear; 595-2529. It's called Pho Nhu Vu.

Pho is Vietnamese noodle soup and it's wonderful. But, I haven't found any place outside of Philly that has good pho. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will let you know what it's like.

Just saw that a new Tapas Lounge & Restaurant has opened on Kirkwood Highway in a small strip center near the Soffrito Restaurant, just outside of Newark. No details yet, but stay tuned.......

Eric Ruth "steaks" out Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 1225 Churchmans Road, Stanton (in Center Pointe Plaza, across from Christiana Hospital). 366-7577 or www.Firebirds Restaurants.com, and gives the good, old "forks up."

Just call her Child. Julia Child. Julia was a spy? And she could make a mean souffle?

Sorry, Mr. Bond, but I think Mrs. Child's cooking and spooking abilities best you. Now, go have a martini any darn way you'd like it.