LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Eating Out |
by Barry Becker |
Now that the film festival is over, I almost have time to have a life again and actually go out and enjoy a meal in one of the area's many fabulous restaurants. I decided to take a night off from my post-festival film shipping duties so I could join Steve and Murray for a night out at Ristorante Zebra (32 Lake Avenue), which proved to be a great way to celebrate the end of another wildly successful festival. Zebra is an intimate space, with cozy rooms and a zebra pattern on all the walls. Roberto DiMartino welcomed us and took great care of us all night. I could eat Italian every night of the week, and everything here sounded so good it was hard to decide. He answered questions we had about the menu, and told us about the specials, all of which sounded exactly like what I wanted to have. The pasta dishes on the menu all soLETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth - Nov. 22, 2000 - Peaceunded wonderful, too, especially the black and white pasta with scallops and shrimp in a lobster sauce. There was also a braised lamb shank and many veal and chicken dishes that were tantalizing. As we were making our decisions, a plate of crunchy bruschetta arrived with diced tomatoes and herbsgreat to enjoy while looking over the menu. After much discussion, we finally all decided. For starters, I ordered the Carpaccio Fantasia, thin slices of raw beef tenderloin with shaved parmesan and arugula arranged on a large plate. This was a rare treat (no pun intended) and was tender and wonderful. Murray had the Insalata Mista, a baby mix greens salad with carrots and tomatoes, tossed with a fabulous, light balsamic vinaigrette flavored with a hint of basil and garlic. Steve opted for an amazing dish called Asparragi alla Valdostana, warm fresh asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and melted fontina cheese with an array of sauces on the plate, adding even more depth to the incredible flavor. For entrees, Murray had pan seared scallops, 6 of the largest and most wonderful scallops I've seen in a long time, served with a spicy red pepper sauce flavored with cilantro. They were out of this world, cooked to perfection! I opted for one of the specials of the day, Chilean sea bass, which was an oversized piece of the freshest fish topped with a rich roasted pepper sauce with pesto. Steve ordered one of the other specials, a veal chop, thick and juicy and done to perfection with a demi glaze that added moistness and flavor. Each of the entrees was served with a broiled tomato and mashed potatoes, perfect for a cool fall evening, and fresh asparagus. All the little piggies had dessert, too, which arrived on huge oversized zebra-striped plates. And what a selection we had! I won't reveal who had what, but on the table was a dense and delicious chocolate cake with whipped cream and mint, a classic tiramisu which was light and delightful, and the best lemon sorbet and fresh strawberries with Grand Marnier on top that was just a divine way to end our meals. Zebra is a great dining experience, combining fresh and fabulous food with the ever-attentive eye of Roberto. From start to finish the meal was superb, and the menu certainly beckons us back to try even more. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 15, Nov. 22, 2000. |