April 8, 2005 - Eating Out

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth

EATING Out

Starting with this season, this space will be shared by me, Marion McGrath, and Blair Fraipont. To kick it off to a good start, Blair and I visited the Purple Parrot at its new location. Below is Blair's take on the good chow and good time we had.

Going into the new location of the Purple Parrot, I experienced a warm sensation of familiarity and comfort. Despite having moved much closer to the beach on Rehoboth Avenue, the new surroundings were reminiscent of the previous location. The Purple Parrot still has the same heart and soul that made their previous location such a kick to visit. The new location shows the same time and dedication put into transforming an ordinary storefront into a charismatic and thoroughly original restaurant.

As you enter, bright and vivacious colors envelop you. There is warmth that permeates the entire dining and bar area. Everything about this new location is well thought out. The lights are dimmed just so, and are conducive to an atmosphere for a perfect meal.

The breadth of the menu is simply astonishing. Marion agreed that the menu has something for everyone. Greg, our spirited and friendly waiter, went above and beyond the normal courtesies. If you sit at his station, count yourself as lucky. He was eager to explain and recommend many of the delightfully exhausting selections.

The appetizer list is expansivecovering a variety of seafood delights (Oysters, both freshly shucked and fried, Bohemian conch fritters, steamed stone crab claws, steamed shrimp and crab imperial stuffed Portobello mushrooms, just to name a few), chicken wings, barbeque ribs, to variations of chips and nachos platters. Marion chose Ours, Not-Chos which are crunchy tortilla chips topped with chili, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, onions, and Jalapeno peppers. This looked like a happy medium between the gigantic ten-layer dip called the Parrot Pile and the simple, yet scrumptious Parrot Poop Dip (black beans, guacamole and tortilla chips). I decided on the Black Bean and Cheese Flautas which were mini black bean and cheese burritos served with a sweet red pepper dipping sauce.

When these appetizers arrived we knew we were in for a real treat. Marion's dish consisted of mountainous layers of the above ingredients, which seemed to reach to the rafters. It could have been a meal in itself, but could be easily split between two or more. My appetizer was just as enjoyable. The beans and cheese were wrapped in soft and flaky crusts, and were complemented by the sweet pepper dipping sauce. Too bad we didn't have room for any of the Soups, Salads, Quesadillas, Sandwiches, Wraps, Baskets and Burgers on the menu. These look like great choices for a hearty lunch.

The dinner specials at the Purple Parrot are equally prodigious, and there are many surprises. Marion chose the Lobster Parmesan Pasta which is a tasty combination of langostino lobster tails, snow peas, and tomatoes in a Parmesan cream sauce tossed with angel hair pasta. The sauce held a wonderful balance between flavor and thickness; the chunks of lobster were peppered throughout the dish, accented by the snow peas and tomatoes. I went with the Grilled Wahoo Burger. Served on a fresh Kaiser roll with lettuce and Asian mayo, the sandwich virtually disappeared before I could pause to savor each bite.

The choices of dinners listed under Fins, Feathers & Leathers pretty much reflect the palate of the continental U.S. from Mom's Home-Made Meatloaf to Seafood Creole to the

2 lb. Alaska Snow Crab Legs. If you wish to travel further you may swing by Italy for the Veal Ossa Buco or to the Carribean via the Blackened Key West Carper with grilled pineapple pepper salsa or the Cuban Roasted Half Chicken.

Despite being stuffed, Marion and I still found room for dessert. Marion dove for the Coconut Creme Pie which was rich in flavor and fluffy in texture. I jumped for the Key Lime Pie which was a righteously tart piece of perfection held together with a tasty crust. Both deserts were, as all plates at the Parrot, presented beautifully. They were as attractive and as colorful as the murals and parrots creatively perched throughout the restaurant. Undeniably, any choice you make at Purple Parrot will be a good one. Even more so, it will leave you wanting to go back again and again.

Also, don't forget to stop by the Parrot for Brunch 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays with $2.00 Mimosas and Rail Bloody Mary's. In addition to great dining there is also fun and exciting entertainment. Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights starts at 9:30 p.m. and continues until closing time. Sunday nights brings out the Divas: The Birdcage Bad Girls Drag Show. Singing and dancing from 10:00 p.m. till close.

Purple Parrot, 134 Rehoboth Avenue, is open daily for lunch and dinner. Call 302-226-1139 for more information.

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 15, No. 3 April 8, 2005