LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Eden's A Most Appealing Garden |
by Fay Jacobs |
Everybody at our table and half of the folks finishing up their wonderful dinners at Eden, a Garden Cafe, 122 Rehoboth Avenue, said the same thing: "I had no idea all of this was back hereand I thought this was just a place for lunch!" Well, all of this is a large, airy, informal front room, an eat-or-drink at-the-bar in the middle of the restaurant room, a large back dining room and an Eden-like patio. And as for being a lunch spot, it certainly is. But dinner is a big concentration now, too, with Eden Garden Cafe being a member of that small but very welcome beach bistro club serving really excellent, well-presented, superbly fresh food at very reasonable prices. With appetizers like Bruschetta (a really huge portion of freshly chopped tomatoes, onions, olive oil and balsamic vinegar accompanied by grilled garlic bread), Gazpacho (4 and a half alarm and great), or grilled portabella mushroom (exquisite!) with roasted peppers, basil and gorgonzola cheese over tasty polenta, in the $5-$7 range you know from the first something good is happening. Edens organic field green salad (with pears, apples, pine nuts, gorgonzola and more) is delectable, with other salads on the menu including Caesar, Spinach and Summer (tomatoes, mozzarella, onions, and more). Salad prices range from $4 (Tossed salad) to $6 (the organic greens and Summer,) on up to the $10 Edens Cobb ($14 with chicken). We saw the Cobb salad go by our table and everybody watching said "Look at that! I should have ordered the Cobb!!" Its menu description (romaine and red leaf lettuce with black beans, jack cheese, onions, tomatoes, corn, cukes, sprouts, and avocado, with cumin vinaigrette) had us vowing to be back next weekend to give it a try. Our table sampled the Portabella sandwich ($8) which was an ample meal in itself, the wasabi and sesame crusted tunapan seared rare and divine ($17), and two pastasthe Primavera ($12) with very lightly sauteed, very fresh and copious vegetables, and the wild mushroom pasta ($14)featuring robust mushrooms, pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes, shallots, cilantro and cumin. It was the most surprising flavor of the night and the most memorable meal, but then they were all something to write home from camp about! And we realized that three of our four entrees were hearty vegetarian meals, with the menu brimming with veggie choices. Of course, Island Pork ($13) and N.Y. Strip ($15) are represented, too. It was our excellent waiter, G. W., who helped us navigate the many wonderful choices and gave us the best dessert tip weve had in a long time. "Have the Russian Chocolate Cake," he said. And though we never really heard why its Russian, it was a really hot tip! The cake was both dense and light at the same time (huh???), soaked in rum and glazed with caramelized sugar. Those forks were flying! "Im coming back for the Cobb Salad and Chocolate cake as soon as possible!" said somebody at our table (gee, it may have been me), and the rest agreed. With its ample wine list (lots by the glass), specific recommendations for entrees, attentive staff and fresh, fresh food, this Eden has a lot more going for it than just apple trees. Its not just for Adams and Eves, its not just another pretty spot! And its certainly not just for lunch. Go and enjoy! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 9, July 17, 1998. |