EatingOUT: Heavenly Cloud 9

Our server, John, seated us by a window that offered a ringside seat to observe the circus of people who amble up and down Rehoboth Avenue. People watching in Paris cafés isn’t near as diverse or entertaining! The restaurant’s interior provides a relaxing environment with its gold marbled walls and high center skylight that has clouds painted on the sides and sports 5 hanging stars to wish upon. Take the time to look at the art show displayed on the walls. The non-representational works are by artist Bob Rahamin and are offered for sale. They’ll be there until after Labor Day.

The Soups and Starters list had several old time favorites of mine such a Calamari with lemon-roasted garlic aioli and a combination Smoked salmon, poached whitefish and vegetable terrine featuring lemon-chive sauce and cucumber yogurt salad. But when I heard that the soup du jour was Maryland crab my choice was an easy one. Lots of crab with just the right amount of carrots, celery and tomato. Properly seasoned to be spicy and not blazingly hot, it made me happy to have ordered it.

Susan hesitated over pan fried lobster cake with vanilla-coconut beurre blanc and black caviar garnish but the tropical sounding shrimp caught her eye. The butterflied shrimp were plump and juicy beneath their golden coats of coconut and cashew and were served with a dipping sauce of sweet chili-garlic. They were so scrumptious that I almost begged for more than my token taste, but I wanted to be sure I had room enough for what followed.

There’s a nice selection of salads and pasta. A classic of romaine hearts with Caesar dressing salad and a fruity Asian pears, sun dried cherries combined with local micro greens, crumbled Maytag blue cheese topped with a citrus vinaigrette are just two of the salads offered. Pastas come in fettuccine, linguine, fusilli and penne shapes each sauced with great sounding toppings.

Main courses feature a welcome surf and turf with lobster tail and beef medallion; traditional crab cakes with not-so-traditional tomato-ginger jam, wasabi cream, scallion cakes and sugar snap peas; chicken breast stuffed with crab and brie; and a daunting 21 ounce Black Angus Porterhouse.

John said his very favorite was the grilled pork chop, and I took his advice. A good move on my part. The chop was robustly flavored and tasty, partnered with apple-spice vinaigrette, caramelized red onion, potato salad, and sweet sugar snap peas. A feast for the eyes and taste buds.

Susan continued her tropical theme and ordered the coconut crusted salmon fillet. It came with a mild green curry sauce and a pyramid of stir fried Asian vegetables and rice noodles. The salmon was silky and first rate; it could have stood on its own, but the crispy coconut gave it a special zing. The julienne carrots and squash blended nicely with the rice noodles and the sauce they were in was mild yet savory.

Last (and lasting) impressions come with desserts, and Cloud 9 delivers. The listing offers an award winning chocolate raspberry truffle cake; cheesecake du jour (creamsicle was the offering on our jour); vanilla crème brulee and many other temptations.

When John started to tell us the daily special for desserts he got no further than the chocolate coconut cake when I shouted "bingo!" A huge double layer of sinfully rich chocolate cake was iced with a delicious coconut frosting so good that if I had two stomachs I could have downed another, but moderation in all things, right? Susan, thin as she is, has a huge sweet tooth. It was more than satisfied with her triple layered tiramisu. Dusted with cocoa, piped with mounds of whipped cream and not overwhelmingly liquored it was a smooth, easy to eat concoction that would satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

Happy Anniversary Cloud 9—may you have many more.