LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
EatingOUT: Planet X - Far Out! |
by Marion McGrath |
A stroll down Wilmington Avenue will show you a lot of restaurants. One will stand out before you think twice about where you should eat. Brightly colored and inviting Planet X Caf is situated at 35 Wilmington Ave. and by appearance alone dares you not to enjoy it. Choice dining areas are on the big wrap around porch, which is festooned with hanging strings of lights and lanterns with an international flair. And that's just the beginning.
Step inside and you might think you've wandered into your maiden aunt's parlorthat is if your maiden aunt was a hippie! Eclectic doesn't begin to describe what has to be one of the most fun restaurants at the beach. There are pillows, hangings, and decorations galore. The bar is a friendly place to wait should you have to. There is a largish dining area that is separated by pillars covered with leopard print cloth, and tables draped with cloths of the same material. Two more private dining areas are on the same floor: one will seat a party of six or so; the other is perfect for a romantic tte--tte with a special someonedrop the black net screen and propose, well, propose who knows what! In such surroundings who could refuse? All the baubles, bangles and beads are just a prelude to a great evening. John, an attentive and friendly server, seated us. It turns out that John is a flight attendant for US Air. My dining partner, Lynne Barstow, is a flight attendant for Delta so I got to hear them exchange mile-high stories while we decided what to order. Gratefully, the menu is much more exciting than airplane food. Still trying to decide, we were treated to a house specialty drink, a Nirvana Martini. It's described as a house infused martini with natural mango, raspberry and vodka served up and icy. Lynne described it as a drunken smoothie. Power it packs. It made me so Zen that I started contemplating the navel on the orange slice. The only thing better than one of these would be two of these, but then... Homemade vegetable soup was my choice of appetizer, while Lynne selected a salad of toasted walnuts, red grape vinaigrette, Gorgonzola, and organic greens. The soup was, ahem, souperchock full of fresh vegetables, beans and basmati rice. Lynne's salad was so terrific that it could have converted me to a salad eater. Great starts to what proved to be an even greater meal. The menu is loaded with wonderful sounding dishes, many of which are non-meat. That suited vegetarian Lynne who ordered the Red Thai Curry with lobster and shrimp, crisp vegetables, red Thai-coconut curry, jasmine rice and topped with crispy Wanton sticks. This is an incredible dish, redolent of coconut and the kitchen doesn't skimp on the perfectly cooked lobster or shrimp. One bite and you're hooked. My entre of crisp, cumin duck breasts arrived with truffled organic red garnet potatoes, and a medley of yellow and green squash, carrots, onions and red and yellow peppers. An infusion of orange-brandy reduction elevated it to perfection. The duck was fork tender and cooked just as I had requestedmedium rare. Not only did these dishes taste spectacular, when they were presented they looked like plated works of art. There were three desserts to choose from: chocolate torte, Key lime pie, or an unusual banana cheesecake. Ms. Barstow had to have her chocolate fix, and I couldn't resist trying the cheesecake. The glorious torte was served warm, topped with heavy, silky whipped cream, and the dense chocolate taste is one that will be long remembered. How to describe the banana cheesecake? For openers, it looked like a Japanese painting of bamboo. Two pillars that had been made by wrapping a tortilla around the creamiest of banana cheesecake, then deep-fried. That's when I reached my taste bud Nirvana. The word delicious doesn't begin to do justice to either of these desserts. There are many more intriguing sounding dishes on the menu, and you certainly couldn't go wrong with any of them. This restaurant is tops, a place where culinary gold is spun on a daily basis. Don't hesitate to go to Planet X Caf. It's truly out of this world! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 14 October 17, 2003 |