by Fay Jacobs
Have you met the new owners of Celsius Restaurant on Wilmington Avenue yet? Jean-Luc Charpentier and Mary Jane Stanton brought a little bit of Paris, a little bit of New York and a large serving of restaurant experience to Rehoboth when they opened the doors to Celsius this season. Jean-Luc hails from Paris, France, by way of New York; M.J. comes to us directly from the Big Apple and its environs. And both are diving right into the Rehoboth community with their new Celsius menu and plans for festive dinners, brunches and private party catering.
Bonnie and I visited them on the Sunday evening of their second weekend in operation, sampling several menu items and having a chance to chat. The dinner menu offers an innovative blend of seafood, beef, lamb and duck entrees, each with intriguing and artfully presented vegetables and accompaniments. With varying elements of Asian, French, and contemporary American cuisine, the kitchen blends an often surprising array of flavors and garnishes. Presentations feature edible petals, seeds, and oilsall up-to-the-minute French culinary influences. Celsius appetizers are in the $7-8 range, and M.J. suggested we sample the Vol au Vent of wild mushrooms in puffed pastry garnished with shrimp, a flower of smoked Norwegian salmon with artichokes, and the Chicken Curry Dumplings - pan seared, with Oriental vegetables, ginger and homemade plum sauceall tasty and creative, but with the dumplings winning a special rave from our table.
Entrees range from $19 for Duck Celsius, a canard du jour feature, to $23 for the Tapanade encrusted Rack of Lamb. We sampled the Grilled Salmon in Rice Paper, served pleasingly rare with lightly cooked fresh summer vegetables and a rice confetti exotically flavored with a citrus oil; the delicately-seasoned lump crabcake over wilted spinach with a sun-dried tomato beurre blanc, and the canard du jour served with delicious sushi-influenced rice cakes and fresh peach sauce.
With a wire sculpture of the Eiffel Tower adorning the dining room, we knew that dessert would be trs decadent and we werent disappointed. I could imagine sitting along the Champs Elysee enjoying the creme brulee and Jean Lucs fabulous Chocolat Ganache.
Celsius is also planning to serve weekend brunch this season. Its sure to be a hit, with $11.95 Skillet Specials (entrees plus a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or juice) including choices like the Delmarvelous (Poached eggs and lump crab on English Muffin with Old Bay Hollandaise and bliss potatoes), the E.G. Veggie (refried beans on tortilla with jack cheese, scrambled eggs, sour cream and salsa) or the Rehoboth (scrambled eggs, scrapple, and spicy Hollandaise).
For a first visit, you might check out the Celsius Friday night special. Diners ordering an appetizer and entree will be treated to dessert on the house.
Bon appetite!
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5/30/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.