the GREEN TURTLE, Delaware

It was a beautiful October day, perfect for walking the boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach. Lynn and I and my Uncle Ed were running errands (walking really) and decided to have lunch outside. One location of The Green Turtle Restaurant is located on the second floor on the boardwalk. There is a narrow balcony with outside seating so the three of us plopped down and enjoyed the food and the view. The sky was clear, the ocean was calm; we couldn't have been happier. In addition to great food and service, eating at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean made that lunch pretty special.

The Green Turtle
101 S. Boardwalk
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Ph: 302-226-2000

GREEN LEAF, Maryland

Tonight Bill suggested we try the Chinese restaurant in Hunt Valley and when we met there, it happened that the Green Leaf serves Japanese cuisine. We went inside and were graciously seated, not too close to other occupied tables. Don't you hate it when you go out to eat and there are several open tables and they seat you right next to an occupied one?? I was happy that we were able to sit and talk without being crowded. The menu offered lots of options including sushi direct from their sushi bar. It's also a BYOB restaurant with a minimal corking fee, which I think is a plus. Bill took the route of a soup and a healthy entree while I chose an appetizer, a soup, and some sushi. Everything was delicious! And even though we both loved everything we ordered, I still had enough room left for one of my favorite desserts - green tea ice cream. What a treat! I am always looking for this in my travels and found it when I wasn't looking. That's so typical, and in this case - good.

Green Leaf
Shawan Plaza
York Rd and Shaway Rd
11313 York Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21030
Ph: 410-771-0030

TAVERN ON JANE, New York

It was our friend Ron's choice for a dinner place and he suggested Tavern on Jane in the West Village. Steve had eaten there, but it was new to me and to our friend David. So, the four of us met there for dinner and were able to get a table in the back room where it is significantly more quiet for conversation. We each enjoyed our entrees but the highlight had to be the macaroni and cheese. This side dish seems to have made a comeback in today's restaurants, or is it a new offering and not just something you find on your mother's table? Either way, this mac 'n cheese was rich and delicious and filling. If you eat all of it, most likely you will have some of your main course left to take home. Not such a terrible thing since all the food got a thumbs up. And Ron, you get a thumbs up too for picking up the tab!!

Tavern on Jane
31 8th Avenue
at Jane Street
New York, NY 10014-5156
Ph: 212-675-2526

CRISPO, New York

Last weekend my brother Steve and I tempted fate in meeting for brunch in New York City without a reservation. Although we have our "favorites", neither of us had the time or energy to worry about definite plans for that Sunday. So, we met and walked and browsed one of our favorite neighborhoods, Chelsea. It was here we stumbled upon crispo. It's a cozy restaurant with optional outdoor seating. Because the weather is changing, we chose a table next to the open doors which turned out to be a perfect place to sit. The food was excellent with equally excellent service. My poached egg with spinach selection was amazing. And speaking of amazing, when you go there, you will love the potatoes. We each loved the croquette styled puffs that melted in our mouths and what seemed like truffle fried fries. A mimosa to start and a cup of hot tea at the end balanced out a very enjoyable brunch experience. A good find.

crispo
240 West 14th Street
between 7th and 8th Ave
New York, NY 10011
Ph: 212-229-1818

OCEAN CITY, Maryland

A few weeks ago, I drove my Mom and Uncle Ed all the way to the edge of the Ocean City Boardwalk. It was a cold, windy day so we didn't do much walking, but just being there flooded each of us with memories of years gone by. The stretch between Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach has changed immensely through the years leaving very few gaps of empty beachfront property. However, when you stand at the very beginning of this stretch in the heart of "Old" Ocean City, you remember it for how it started. Simple, fun, and filled with moments of breathing clean, salty air while strolling the boardwalk with all its amusements as you munch on your fries sprinkled with vinegar. Another time in life when "less was more".

Ocean City Boardwalk
Maryland

THE POINT, Delaware

One morning a few weeks ago, I had an hour to kill in Rehoboth, Delaware. Nearby I noticed a cafe called The Point. It is located where Route 1 and Route 1A meet. Inside I found lots of sweets and drink options, all of them tempting. I bought a croissant and hot tea and sat at one of the tables watching beach traffic, happy to have found this spot for a retreat - or should I say treat! Get the point?

The Point
Route 1 and 1A
Rehoboth, DE
Ph: 302-260-9734