The Best of Delaware 2009

From crab cakes and cheesesteaks to prime rib and clam bakes, little Delaware is packed with great places to eat and terrific places to shop. Here’s the cream of the crop.

by Matt Amis, Maria Hess, Drew Ostroski, a host of guest critics (click on page 52 to meet them) and, of course, you Published June 16, 2009 at 08:21 AM

(page 8 of 55)

Best Crab Cakes

Readers, upstate: Valle Cucina Italiana (4752 Limestone Road, Wilmington, 998-9999)
Readers, downstate: Big Fish Grill (4117 Highway One, Rehoboth Beach, 227-9007)
Critics, upstate: “We love the crab cakes from Movable Feast,” Karibjanian says. “There’s jumbo lump, a lot of meat and a great combination of flavors. It’s not like eating crab, but a crab cake as it should be,” says Steve Horgan. “We start with the best crabmeat we can find and let it speak for itself. It’s a light seasoning and a dusting of panko bread crumbs before we bake them.” (2510 W. Fifth St., Wilmington, 656-8892)
Critics, downstate: The burly all-lump crab cakes at Jake’s Seafood are made according to a well-guarded 70-year-old family recipe that, we have on good authority, involves a hint of tangy mustard. “I’ve known [owner] Bill [Klemkowski] for years, and his handed-down family recipe has plenty of big, flakey crabmeat,” Meoli says. “I get mine broiled.” (29 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6237; 19178 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 644-7711)
Critics, over the line: Sometimes Borin feels like eating crab cakes. Sometimes she feels like a drive to the country. When she feels like both, she escapes to The Farmhouse, one of three quaint dining facilities at Loch Nairn Golf Club. “The delicious crab cakes are served inside or out on the patio,” she says, “and the fresh, chunky crabmeat is the restaurants’ claim to fame.” (514 McCue Road, Avondale, Pa., 610-268-2235)

Best Crab House

Readers, upstate: Lestardo’s Crab House (135 Christiana Road, New Castle, 328-5070)
Readers, downstate: Old Mill Crab House (8829 Waller Road, Delmar, 846-2808)
Critics, upstate: Grab a hammer and crank up the jukebox. Lestardo’s Crab House is a classic crab house without the view. But who needs scenery when you’re cracking into spicy steamed blue crabs and drinking cold beer? Lestardo’s serves crabs year-round and offers a menu full of seafood, as well as some tasty appetizers. The crabs are always good and the staff is always friendly and attentive. Now dig in. (135 Christiana Road, New Castle, 328-5070)
Critics, downstate: Poppiti thinks Sambo’s Tavern “should be a Hall of Fame consideration. When you think Delaware crab house, you think Sambo’s.” The crabs, crab cakes and softshell crab sandwiches are all good, but Poppiti loves the view. “What a sight to see the crab boats docking at the back of the restaurant and unloading the day’s catch.” (283 Front St., Leipsic, 674-9724)

Best Culinary Treat

Critics, downstate: The Nic-o-Boli from Nicola Pizza is “one of the greatest culinary treats we have in Delaware,” says Poppiti. People line up around the block for the sensational stromboli that blends ground beef, Nicola’s fat-free pizza sauce and cheeses inside fat-free dough. It’s so famous, it’s shipped anywhere in the country. The standard Boli is good as is, though some diners add fresh ingredients such as pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, sweet peppers, onions or anchovies. There’s even a vegetarian version. (Nicola Pizza, 8 N. First St., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2654)

Page 9: The Best of Delaware 2009, continues...