Restaurant recommendation for Wilmington/Newark, Delaware?
Hello Serious Eaters -
I'm off on a weekend trip to Northern DE for a combination visit to the Brandywine Arts Festival and college reunion, and my friends and I would love to go to a good place for dinner. We all went to the University of Delaware so we know every pizza joint, dive bar, and sub shop in the place, and much as we'd love to relive our halcyon days, as one of my friends put it, "Let's eat somewhere we can afford now!"
Any suggestions would be gratefully considered; it's been 15 years since any of us have been back. Thanks for your help!
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15 Comments:
Hi SixSonnets! You're in my neck of the woods now. :) How much are you lookin to spend? And what type of atmosphere are you interested in? Any type of food in particular?
Butrflygirly at 3:58PM on 09/04/08
Hey Butrflygirly - thanks for getting back to me, and a lovely neck of the woods it is - it's been too long since we've been back - 2 of us are in NY, 1 in DC, and 1 in PA now.
I think we want to go for a fairly casual atmosphere (no one wants to break out dresses or pearls) but with high-end food. I could see us spending $50-$75 per person including drinks. Any type of food is OK so long as it's good. I think we are looking for something a little nicer than, say, upscale bar food, though.
Does that help at all?
sixsonnets at 4:19PM on 09/04/08
The Mushroom Festival is on for this weekend in Kennett. Saturday its going to rain in bliblical terms due to Hannah. In West Chester I recommend Trattoria Alberto, it has great food.
http://www.wcdish.com/trattoria-alberto/
Talula's Table is also great
http://www.talulastable.com/main.html
That area you can check the local eats at Egullet http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=56140
Sovana Bistro
http://www.sovanabistro.com/
If you want bar and some great crabcakes try Bobby Chez right there on Rt 1 in Glen Mills, great seafood selections and a nice location, try the lobster mashed potatoes.
http://www.bobbychezcrabcakes.com/main.php
JerzeeTomato at 4:44PM on 09/04/08
Cromwell's Tavern is casual and surprisingly tasty (but does fill up fast so make a reservation) and Buckley's Tavern is a bit more upscale, great food, great atmosphere, so-so service. Both are on Route 52.
AliceBlue at 9:12PM on 09/04/08
If you're going to be in Newark, try Cafe Gelato, on Main Street. If you go early enough (before 9pm), you'll be able to avoid the drunken college crowds on the street. I've never had a bad meal there, and the gelato is to dieee for. Even better, check it out for Sunday brunch. I swear that it's the best brunch on Main Street.
In Wilmingon, Mikimoto's has great sushi and cocktails. It was usually out of my price range when I was in college (UD '06!), but it was my go-to when my parents came to visit and were footing the bill!
nosillak at 9:20PM on 09/04/08
I would avoid all of Main Street in Newark because college just started. That is why I gave locations away from downtown Newark.
JerzeeTomato at 10:29PM on 09/04/08
Just down the way from Mikimoto's is Domaine Hudson, if you or your friends are into wine. Even if you are not, some great food is sure to be had there.
hungryinhouston at 10:45PM on 09/04/08
Wow, you guys are awesome! I'll run your suggestions by the gang. I can't believe how much Main Street has changed (UD '91s and '92s in this crowd).
Thanks again and I'll let you know how it works out.
sixsonnets at 12:07AM on 09/05/08
Looks like my message never posted...My computer was acting weird and I was off to class so, I'll post again...Here's what I recommend:
~Stay away from Main Street-It'll just annoy you since school is back in session.
~Mikimoto's in town (on Washington Street) has great Japanese food. But be careful-don't just show up thinking you are going to get in. Reservations are the way to go.
~Moro in town (on Scott Street) has AMAZING (American Fare) food. Dear God. It's my BF and I fave restaurant. But look at the website before going it may not be what you are looking for. http://www.mororestaurant.net. I'd also recommend making reservations
~Cafe Scalessa in town (on Greenhill Ave) has SUPERB Italian Food and atmosphere is incredible (they play Frank Sinatra, etc). Recommend dessert if you go-best cannoli's around. Make reservations if you go. http://www.cafescalessas.com/
~Harry's Seafood in town (on the Waterfront) has great food and great atmosphere. Another go to place for BF and I. We've always made reservations, but you may not need to. Choc Molten Cake is a great dessert there!!
~Harry's Savoy (brother to Seafood place) on Naaman's Rd has great Steaks but check out the website, may be a little high.
~The Melting Pot. Need I say more?? (in Independence Mall on Rte. 202) Reservations are necessary.
~Valle's Cucina (in Pike Creek Shopping Center) has DELISH food. Specializes in Italian but their Steaks and Crab Cakes are TO DIE FOR. (Voted best crab cakes 8 years in a row) No Reservations necessary.
~Kyoto (right across from Charcoal Pit in Pike Creek) has GREAT Japanese food. Local fave of ours too.
~Hibachi's (on Kirkwood Highway) has good food with a fun atmosphere.
~6 Paupers (in Hockessin) has a fun atmosphere, delish food, and great drink menu. We've been here numerous times.
Let me know if you need any other suggestions or you are looking for something else. Let us know where you go and how it went!! :)
Butrflygirly at 8:56AM on 09/05/08
Ok, having difficulties this morning...Here's some websites for above mentioned restaurants:
~http://www.mikimotos.com/
~http://www.harrys-savoy.com/ (if you look at the top you will notice you can get to Harry's Seafood from this link)
~http://www.meltingpot.com/locations.aspx?z=19808&n=409735
~http://www.vallecucina.com/ (ice cream place next door is incredible-Cake Batter Ice Cream is recommended)
~http://www.kyotojc.com/
~http://www.sixpaupers.com/
I couldn't get a website off hand for Hibachi's but I'm sure there's one out there.
Hope this helps!
Butrflygirly at 9:30AM on 09/05/08
@Butrflygirly ~ We are going to the Sugarloaf craft show at the Chase Center on the Riverfront the last weekend in September. Of the restos you noted, which if any, are near the riverfront?
izatryt at 10:37AM on 09/05/08
@izatryt: The closest one to you would be Harry's Seafood. It's on the Riverfront but not on the side you'll be on. It's a good restaurant. The Lobster Tempura and Spinach Dip are good apps. My BF has tried the Scallop dinner and fish dinners from there (and loved all). I've had Lobster dinners from there and loved them. Molten Cake is delish too. There's also an Iron Hill Brewery on the Riverfront if you are looking for something less expensive. They have good food as well. I like to go there for lunch. I would like to go there for dinner sometime-they just changed up their menu and added quite a bit. Outside of being right there, there's Moro, Mikimoto's, Cafe Scalessa: all are in town-Riverfront is right outside Wilmington. Go back on 95 and you can easily hit up Melting Pot by getting off at 202/Concord Pike and it's pretty much right there on your right. I am not sure if you are going to dinner or lunch. Harry's Seafood is a great place next to you if you are not looking to travel.
Let me know if you want/need anything else. :)
Butrflygirly at 11:48AM on 09/05/08
@Butrflygirly ~ Thanks you. We will eat a late lunch and love seafood. Harry's sounds like a winner. How do we get to it from the side we are on? I will have my car so driving anywhere is not an issue.
izatryt at 1:34PM on 09/05/08
Definitely try Cajun Kate's in the Booth's Corner Farmer's Market in Boothwyn, PA, mere minutes from Wilmington. It's a small stand, but they have the most fabulous gumbo and po boys! Here's the site: http://cajunkates.com/
I'm hitting the place myself next weekend!
theminx at 2:06PM on 09/05/08
Hope this isn't too late -- the arts festival has been postponed until next weekend because of Hanna.
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080905/NEWS/80905014
catew at 4:11PM on 09/05/08