Best of All, There’s More…

You can’t praise everyone all the time. Here, an ode to the perennially underappreciated and unsung.

The bummer of Best of Delaware is that there are so many places that make the state great, they can’t all be recognized in one issue. Some aren’t known well enough. Some are a little too out of the way. They’re great places nonetheless. Not that my opinion counts for much, but there are a few shout outs I can’t resist.

Oceanside Subs & Pizza in Fenwick Island gets one, simply because the tomatoes on its sandwiches are the reddest, most delicious anywhere, and they slice ’em thick.

Little Café Palermo in Wilmington deserves all the business it can handle. It’s frutti de mar is chock full of fish, the broth is delicious, and it’s priced reasonably.

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A recent dinner with friends at Bistro on the Brandywine in Chadds Ford was a delight. All four of our meals were delicious, but the crepes—stuffed with spinach, caramelized onions and ricotta topped with porcini cream—were heavenly.

Delaware State Parks doesn’t get enough credit for maintaining the bath houses at the beach parks. I have no problem driving home with salt crusted over the sun block, but it sure is nice to get a quick rinse when you can.

Speaking of state parks, White Clay is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful place in Delaware, no matter the season. If only I could live there…

The Wilmington Grand Prix takes best public event. True, there are many excellent festivals and celebrations to choose from, but a great cycling state like ours—and a great cycling city like Wilmington—deserves a great pro cycling race. I look forward to watching the Grand Prix grow.

Blink and you’ll miss it, but look for DiBonaventure’s Provincial Bakery in Lewes. The soups are amazing.

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Palacio Maya in Hockessin has earned my undying devotion for introducing us Delawareans to huitlacoche, a fungus that grows on corn. It sounds so wrong, but inside a quesadilla stuffed with onions and cheese, it’s just so right.

Temptations in Trolley Square should reign as the best old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The Victorian decor helps, but it’s the friendly service that seals the deal.

Kelly’s in Port Penn is the authentic coastal dining experience. The crab cakes are awesome. The clam and sausage chowder, though not authentically anything, is just plain delicious.

And that’s just the start. I’ll shut up now. Read about the rest of the best on page 80. Enjoy.

 

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Mark’s Day Book

 

If ever you need inspiration, attend the annual luncheon of Goodwill Industries. The stories of the folks it has boosted into the working world—people who must manage cognitive disabilities, medical issues and generally difficult life circumstances that would vex many—are amazing. Wilmington University deserves everyone’s thanks for the scholarships it has awarded to Goodwill honorees over the years.

 

The annual Delaware Press Association awards dinner at the University & Whist Club was as fun as ever. The evening is always a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues from publications such as Out & About, The News Journal and Community Publications, as well as WDEL and WILM. Seeing Mayor James Baker and his communications staff attend was nice. Congratulations to the DT editorial team for its fine showing in the contest, and especially to the DT family of freelancers. We couldn’t make this magazine without them.

 

What would Best of Delaware research be without first-hand taste testing? No amount of rain could have prevented us from driving to the original Casapulla’s in Elsmere for an Italian sub on deadline day. Delicious, as ever.

 

Our Best of Delaware Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!

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