Sips and Bites in August
I’m often away up North in the RV in August, so staying here with all the tourists is a novelty for me—and I have been taking full advantage of all the fun/fine dining Rehoboth has to offer in the summer.
We found ourselves downtown last Sunday afternoon and threw moderation to the wind by having an early dinner at Louie’s. It’s been the locals choice for 40 years now, and now the whole world is getting to know Louie through their winning a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for a second year in a row. And while Louie’s pizza is world class, the toasted grinder is their real superstar. The Special Italian is stuffed with Ham, Genoa Salami, Cappicola, Oil, Onion, Green Pepper, tomato and Provolone—and then magnificently toasted. It’s the best $5.50 entrée you will ever have. Order an original Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer (it’s red!) with it and the meal rivals a fancy entrée and a special glass of wine. Bonus: Louie himself was on the premises as we dined, making sure all was perfect, as he has done every year since 1974.
On another night, so not to make complete oinks of ourselves, we ate sensibly at home but ventured downtown to Double Dippers for dessert. I always get the smallest scoop possible of the Denali Mint Moosetracks in a cup…the ice-cream is a venerable mint chip with tiny dark chocolate peanut butter cups in it. Perfect finale to a summer night in downtown Rehoboth. Stop by and say “Hi” to champion dippers Joe and Tom.
With friends in town, we decided that Dos Locos would be just the place to cool off with frozen Margaritas. Try the pomegranate. But be warned, a medium Margarita comes in a glass big enough to stick your whole face in. Give up the car keys!
From our supersize booth for six, our party tried lots of different menu items— seafood, Mexican specialties, and more. But I stuck with my favorite—the Stonegrill Baseball Steak with a side salad. The beef comes to the table atop a sizzling stone grill and you can cook it as rare or well as you please. Love that stone grilling! (I handed over the car keys.)
Then, one evening after a movie, we ventured to Preshy’s in Midway Shopping Center. It used to be a well-kept secret, but these days the secret’s out and you need reservations. For good Italian food at a great value, it can’t be beat. Served with a small fresh salad and wonderful bread, the entrees are delicious. On the night of our visit the special was the Pasta with clams, shrimp, calamari, and mussels. Terrific. The simple Spaghetti Bolognese is excellent, too. But don’t ask for substitutions from your host Roberto. Just warning you…although I think he is enjoying his reputation as a curmudgeon!
And finally, the Moon Pie at the Blue Moon has been the signature dessert there since the Moon first rose in Rehoboth. It’s a looming Mt. Everest of ice cream and meringue. Our party of five ordered one for the table two weeks ago and we all took a polite spoonful except my wife Bonnie. Her appetite of late has not been what it once was, but she had a miraculous and spontaneous appetite recovery and proceeded to devour the whole Moon Pie minus the four bites. Way to go, girl! Way to go Chef Lion Gardner and Blue Moon—the Moon Pie has had its ups and downs over the years, but it is now back to being the towering gourmet dessert we all remember. Oh, and don’t miss Miss Mona and her karaoke on Thursday nights. What a hoot.