LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
EatingOUT: Fly Over to the Parrot |
by Marion McGrath |
You don't have to be a Parrothead to enjoy Purple Parrot (247 Rehoboth Ave.) Jimmy Buffett never had it so good. One step inside the door and you know you're in a fun place. It's bright and colorful with hand painted artistry everywhere, including the ceiling. Purples are predominant, mixed with lots of vivid colors. It's tropical without being Margaritaville. Even the floors are hand painted to resemble slate with scattered trompe l'oeil daisies that do their job so well you stop to pick them up so you don't step on them.
It seemed like just the right place to go with my son, Patrick. It didn't take him long to get into the moodhe ordered the house specialty drink, a Golden Margarita and gave it his former bartender "thumbs up." Our server, Angel, presented us a "First Things First" menu that covered a lot of territory. I thought that Patrick would surely order the Parrot Poop dip (black bean guacamole served w/warm blue corn tortilla chips), but he surprised me and asked for the Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Cap. I'm sure the Parrot Poop would have been fine, but he really scored with this one. The portabello was stuffed, and I mean stuffed, with jumbo crab imperial. The chunks of crab were so moist and flavorful that I almost made him switch with me. That is until I started in on my own appetizer, Fried Crab Balls. The crab was so plentiful and fresh that I know the Crab Cakes featured on the Dinner menu have to be memorable. The Parrot Wings and Bohemian Conch Fritters also look like sure bets and there are still a dozen or so other appetizers to start you off. The Main Events menu lets you know you are near the oceanlots of seafood items, yet plenty of meat dishes to choose from, and a couple of chicken selections. I couldn't make up my mind whether to have the Soft Shell Crabs, Drunken Scallops or Lobster Parmesan Pasta and let Pat order first. He decided on the Queen-size portion of the Prime Rib and I went with a Shrimp and Jumbo Lump Crab Burrito that I almost hadn't seen listed. If I hadn't been wearing a white shirt, I would have had to have had the Mojo Bones which is two pounds of "cooked and fallin' off d' bone bbq baby back ribs served with garlic mashed taters and veggie." Next time! When our entrees arrived both Pat and I let loose with sounds of astonishment. Put on the table in front of him was the most enormous piece of beef I've ever seen served as a single portion. It was three to four inches thick and cooked to the perfect rare he had ordered. No way was he going to be able to eat all of that, so I helped myself to a large chunk. It was melt-in-your mouth good and had a rich beefy flavor enhanced by the au jus. Garlic mashed potatoes and green and wax beans with baby carrots came with it, and Patrick said they were just the right accompaniments. He looked at his plate and said, "This is intimidating. It's more of a dare than a dinner!" While my shrimp and crab burrito didn't match his in size, it more than satisfied with its taste. Again the large pieces of lump crab were plentiful and sweet. Onions, red and green peppers and tender shrimp were wrapped in a green tortilla and topped with a red pepper sauce. It had a wonderful, smoky flavor. My dilemma was whether to try to eat it by picking it up or using a fork. The fork won and the white blouse stayed spotless. Wild and white rice surrounded the burrito adding yet another flavor that was subtle but satisfying. In the McGrath household there is no such thing as no room for dessert. Patrick ordered his very first Tiramisu. He's a convert! This one was so good that I hope his next one doesn't suffer by comparison. Me? Chocolate Confusion didn't confuse me for a minute. Dense chocolate cake with a light textured chocolate mousse filling slathered with a rich fudge frosting is a chocoholic's dream come true. For a tasty treat try the Purple Parrotyou'll have nothing to squawk about. Purple Parrot, 247 Rehoboth Avenue, is open daily. For more information, call 302-226-1139. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 9, July 11, 2003 |