Restaurant Review

by Bill Bell

Striper Bites – Another popular Lewes gathering spot, Striper Bites is one of our favorite places. Even before we moved into Lewes, we always went there on a regular basis. It’s a comfortable, no pretense, neighborhood restaurant with great seafood. We often run into people we know, and occasionally meet potential clients.

The menu has something for everyone. They always have at least one rockfish (Striped Bass, Striper) entree. Their Ceasar salad is fantastic. Maybe not as traditional as some, but I love it and get one every visit. They also have a New England Lobster Roll that I’m told it is very authentic. I have never been to New England myself, but I know a good Lobster Roll.  I have never had a bad meal there. On Friday nights weather permitting, they have a Happy Hour Raw Bar set up on the patio.

Off-season it remains a very popular place and although I don’t think it was part of the  original business plan, they have become known for their “Burger Night” which is Monday night half price burgers. The special runs from late September til sometime in May. If you like a good burger, we’ll see you there some Monday night. You had better hurry; there aren’t many Burger Nights left. Since you’re a Local NOW, you don’t have to rush; we’ll see you one Monday night in the fall.

One of the most anticipated events in Lewes returns on Sunday, June 2nd when the Friends of the Lewes Canalfront Park present the second annual “Picnic in the Park.” This fun, old-fashioned community event for the entire family will take place from noon to 3 pm at Lewes Canalfront Park.  The Park is located on Front Street in downtown Lewes. on the banks of the Lewes Rehoboth Canal, one of the most breathtaking settings in the state.

Fourteen great Lewes restaurants will offer tastings at this festive affair, including Agave, The Buttery, Café Azrafan, Gilligan’s, Half Full, Irish Eyes, Jerry’s Seafood, Kindle, Lewes Bake Shop, The Rose and Crown, Striper Bites, Touch of Italy, 2 Dips Ice Cream and The Wharf. Non-alcoholic beverages will be plentiful. Wine served by R & L Liquors and beer supplied by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery will be available to those who are 21 years of age or older.

Kids are welcome and there will be numerous activities for them to enjoy. They’ll be entertained with old-fashioned carnival games with prizes, face painting, a balloon artist, cotton candy, and the Park’s playground.  Live music will also be performed for everyone to listen and dance to!

Adult admission for the picnic is $10 in advance ($15 at the door), $5 for kids 12 and under. Food and beverage tickets are $2 each at the event, with items being one or two tickets each. For admission tickets, which may be purchased using PayPal, and information go to www.lewescanalfrontpark.org . Tickets are also available at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, 120 Kings Highway, Lewes,  302-645-8073.  Advance purchase is encouraged as last year’s event was sold out. Rain location will be at the American Legion off Savannah Road.

Only a few weeks before the Historic Lewes Farmers Market opens for the season. I am so excited they are opening a little earlier this year on May 11, 2013. Last year we had to wait until May 26th for fresh local produce.

One of my favorite events of the year is a benefit to support the Lewes Farmers Market called “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” on May 4th, one week before the Market opens for the season. The evening begins with cocktails at the Inn at Canal Square in downtown. Then, progressive dinner parties will be held at beautiful homes all over Lewes. This will be the third time Bill and I have attended this event and we always have a great time and wonderful food.

We will then get a preview of one of this year’s vendors – Black Hog Farmstead – who is hosting the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the farm on May 8th, a few days before the Farmers Market opens.

This is the perfect time of year in Lewes and everywhere in Coastal Delaware.

The Lewes Chamber of Commerce members in the Historic Business District surrounding Second Street are hosting their FUN FRIDAY event — a Mexican-themed Fiesta that will take place May 3, all day.  The fun begins when the specialty shops in the historic district open featuring Mexican-themed merchandise specials and some with Mexican refreshments.  Restaurants in the historic district will be selling a wide variety of your favorite Mexican foods during the festival and the specialty shops and businesses will be featuring their own Mexican-themed specials that day.

Fun Friday Fiesta!

One of our new favorite places is the NEW Rose and Crown in Lewes next to the Hotel Rodney. Many remember the Rose and Crown when it was on 2nd street in the Welch building (where Jerry’s Seafood is now). We ate there often and liked it. It was an authentic English Pub complete with a huge elaborate oak bar. Great burgers, bangers and mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and of course Guinness Stout were the standard fare. The new Rose and Crown is quaint, casual dining. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, like a neighborhood bar. The food is traditional English fare with a gourmet twist. The burgers are fantastic. They have an open-faced pot roast sandwich that is also very good. Kathy likes their crab cake. It has a hint of citrus and basil making it a little more interesting than the traditional crab cake. The salads are very good also.

The thing I like most about the place is the positive energy vibe I get upon entering. It feels alive. We always see many people we know and sometimes end up in interesting conversations with people we don’t know.

If you have not been, you should put it on your list. Look for us, there is a good chance we are there.

Bill Bell, REALTOR, Active Adults Realty

One of my favorite places is the Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Delaware. The walking trails, the 4 miles of beach on the Atlantic Ocean and 2 miles of calm bay beach, the fishing pier and campgrounds make this park the crown jewel of Delaware State Parks.

If you retire to Lewes, Delaware, and you love spending time outdoors, the Friends of Cape Henlopen  State Park just might be for you. The Friends work with the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation and the staff of Cape Henlopen State Park to keep the Park beautiful and fun. From Monthly Trail Days and the Borrow-a-Bike Program to fund raising events there is always something going on.

Some of the upcoming events this year an Osprey tagging cruise on the new Cape Water Taxi! Check the FRIENDS OF CAPE HENLOPEN web site for the full calendar of events.

Lewes Chamber of Commerce

What’s happening in and around Lewes, Delaware in March?

The place to find out is the March Calendar of Events from the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Some of my favorites coming up are the:

• Jasper String Quartet at Coastal Concerts
• Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park fundraiser at Bethany Blues
• Chamber Membership Mixer at the Inn at Canal Square – by far the best turnout of any Chamber event
• Great Delaware Kite Festival at Cape Henlopen State Park

Just a few of the great events going on in Coastal Delaware “Off-Season at the Beach”

The MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival benefits The MidAtlantic Food + Wine Feast Charitable Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation, a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports regional arts organizations.

Events in every county of Delaware!

Events are held in a wide range of venues, from private homes of distinction to elegant hotels, museums and performing arts venues, and intimate restaurants ranging from Brandywine Hundred to Kent County and Rehoboth Beach.

2013 Venues include:
• The Hotel du Pont, celebrating 100 years in 2013
• World Café Live at The Queen
• Oberod, a spectacular home in “chateau country”
• The historic Annie Jump Cannon house in Dover
• Vicmead Hunt Club, a private sporting club set among wooded hills
• The University & Whist Club, Delaware’s premier fine dining club
• “Mt Cuba” and magnificent private homes
• Nage restaurant in Rehoboth Beach
• The Festival Village tent on historic Rodney Square in Wilmington

For More Information

Fulton Bank presents $5,000 sponsor check to Lewes Chamber of Commerce for the 2013 Lewes Tulip Festival

l-r Betsy Reamer, executive director Lewes Chamber of Commerce; P. Randolph Taylor, President Fulton Bank-Delaware Division; Judy E. Johnson, Vice President Fulton Bank; Sandy Chandler, Lewes Branch Manager, Fulton Bank; Ted Becker, Lewes Tulip Festival event chair & Lewes Chamber board of directors