STAFF WRITER MARK NARDONE DISHES ON THIS WEEK’S
BEST WINE EVENTS AND MORE
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06/18/13Big, Big Things at SoffrittoBravo! The big update: Soffritto Italian Grill in Newark, nominated as the most popular Italian restaurant in North America to bear the Ospitalità Italiana seal—the very seal that officially recognizes Soffritto as an authentic Italian restaurant away from Italy by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce—is the best in the world. Soffritto beat finalists La Ciccia in San Francisco and Zambri's of Victoria in Vancouver for top honors in North America, then traveled to Rome June 12 to find out how it fared against other restaurants from around the world. The competition: Ristorante Riviera in Quito, Ecuador; Italian Pantry in North Hobart, near Melbourne, Australia; Il Piccolo of Pontevedra, near Madrid, Spain; and Certo of Dubai. And it won. Soffritto is now... |
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06/11/13Do it for DadPiccolina Toscana in Wilmington is hosting a special wine dinner on Father's Day with winemaker Sergio Germano. The meal will include everything from chilled potato-leek-saffron soup to lamb tenderloin with locally foraged mushrooms wrapped in pastry. There’s far more, and that’s to say nothing of the vino. In 1990, Sergio Germano left oenology school to return to his family’s vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba. In a part of Barolo where most farmers sold their grapes to large buyers, Sergio moved his production to estate vinification and bottling. Germano has since used Piedmont’s open appellation, Langhe, to produce wines that expand his family traditions. The Alta Langa, a champagne method sparkling wine from Cilie in northern Dogliani, is a superb... |
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06/04/13Big Things for SoffrittoSoffritto Italian Grill in Newark has been voted the most popular Italian restaurant in North America that bears the Ospitalità Italiana seal—the very seal that officially recognizes Soffritto as an authentic Italian restaurant away from Italy by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce—and it may be the best in the world. Soffritto beat finalists La Ciccia in San Francisco and Zambri's of Victoria in Vancouver for top honors in North America, and will now travel to Rome June 12 to find out how it fares against other restaurants from around the world. The competition: Ristorante Riviera in Quito, Ecuador; Italian Pantry in North Hobart, near Melbourne, Australia; Il Piccolo of Pontevedra, near Madrid, Spain; and Certo of Dubai. In early May, a panel of experts... |
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05/28/13Ole for OlevanoWhere does the best olive oil in the world come from? Wilmington, of course. Delaware-owned Olevano recently competed with 702 olive oils from 22 countries in the New York International Olive Oil Competition, taking home three top honors. For the fiercely contested “blended” category, Olevano Delicato earned a gold medal. In the Robust Blend Category, Olevano Fruttato Intenso extra virgin olive oil also won gold. Sixteen olive oil judges from 10 countries blind tasted the oils. “We’ve been talking with the family back in Olevano sul Tusciano, and many toasts have been made thanks to these awards,” says Olevano co-owner Tom DelleDonne. “Here in the U.S., our customers buy the delicato blend of Olevano First Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but... |
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05/21/13Great Eats at the BeachGet your foodie kicks in with Brazilian, Greek, Italian and other specialties without leaving the coastline. Matt Haley in May opened Papa Grande’s Coastal Taqueria in a former oyster warehouse across from Catch 54 in Fenwick. “We’ll have 18 different kinds of tacos, ranging from lamb mole to lobster to fried clams to tongue,” Haley says. “Rice bowls” include a dish made with pork belly, pineapple and plantain. Expect an impressive list of rums and tequilas, as well as fresh juices for virgin cocktails. Haley could have torn down the barn-like warehouse for much less than it cost to restore it, but he appreciates the old wood building. (436-7272, papagrandes.com) Would-be gauchos and hard core carnivores will be happy to hear about... |
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05/14/13Hitting the Trail—AgainThe Delaware Dining Trail includes eight restaurants in each county that exemplify fine dining or local flavor. For instance, there’s The Charcoal Pit in North Wilmington. Why? Because The newest full-time server at the original Charcoal Pit on Concord Pike has worked there 10 years. Some have been there 25 years. If that means things change slowly at The Pit, that’s a good thing. The place looks much as it did when it opened in 1956. The counter was long ago moved from the bank of windows up front to make room for lots of cozy booths, but the place still feels like the place you hung out at as a teen, because you still hang out there when you need a good char-grilled burger and ice cream. So do your teenaged grandchildren. And you often you hang out there together.... |
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05/07/13Lovin' TavernaWho are you going after, the students or the teachers? For anyone planning a restaurant on Newark’s Main Street, the downtown pulse of the University of Delaware, it’s a question that needs answering. Beer and nachos or wine and cheese? Suits and ties or sweatpants and Uggs? You can’t usually have both. Unless of course you happen to be Carl Georigi and the Platinum Dining Group. “Our mission was to create an environment that’s warm and comfortable,” he says, “with food that’s well-prepared and approachable. Whoever that appeals to that’s who we’re going after.” Sixteen years after forming his company, the charismatic CEO is like a veteran card-counter at a blackjack table, drawing on proven methods, trusting a... |
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04/30/13Delebrity Chefs Throw Down for Premier WinesLast year, 16 Mile Brewery, Standard Distributing and Meals on Wheels partnered with some of southern Delaware’s top chefs to create a competitive culinary series inspired by their favorite Food Network television shows. Start with a basket of mystery ingredients, then, in 30 minutes, create a delicious gourmet plate to be tasted by Delebrity judges. The events were a smash, so this year Meals on Wheels and 16 Mile are moving them north with the help of Out & About Magazine, Premier Wine & Spirits and World Cafe Live at the Queen. Chefs from participating restaurants will be chosen to compete in front of an expert panel of judges. The series winners will compete in a final showdown to determine who is the Top Chef of northern Delaware, who will then go head to head with... |
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04/23/13City Restaurant Week is HereIt’s City Restaurant Week in Wilmington, which “puts spirit in our community, encouraging people to get out, connect with friends and try new restaurants,” says Xavier Teixido, owner of Harry’s Seafood Grill on the Riverfront. This year, the week includes restaurants in the west end, making for a more diverse lineup of participants than ever. You know the drill: three-course meals for $35 (with lunch deals, too). The 17 restaurants range from Deep Blue and Domaine Hudson to Walter’s Steakhouse and Washington Street Ale House, with food from fine beef to fresh seafood to sushi. See you around town. The deals last through April 27. cityrestaurantweek.com Celebrating Spring Abbott’s Grill is kicking off spring with Farm-Fresh Spring Fest... |
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04/16/13Spring Dining at Abbott's Grill in MilfordAbbott’s Grill is kicking off spring with Farm-Fresh Spring Fest on its patio April 25. Described as “part social mixer, part dinner party, with a trip to the local farmers market thrown in,” it allows guests to enjoy small plates featuring spring produce paired with local beers, specialty cocktails and wine while meeting and mingling with local farmers. Fresh produce from the farms will also be available for purchase. Abbott’s Grill paired with Local on the Menu, a Southern Delaware Tourism initiative, to highlight the produce that’s becoming available now. “It’s an amazing opportunity to show our community where their food comes from,” says Paul Gallo, executive chef at Abbott’s Grill. “We are lucky enough to be... Posted at 09:00 AM | Permalink |
