No food at the Queen? No problem. 10 alternatives.
When World Cafe Live at the Queen announced last month that they would leave as operators of Wilmington's Queen Theater, something was left unspoken at the moment: the kitchen is now closed.
In the days following, management revealed that lunch and dinners were done.
Some music fans had become accustomed to dining at the two-stage music venue, eating everything from steak and salmon to burgers and wings as they watched performers strut their stuff on stage.
While alcohol still flows at the Queen, all signs of their grub are gone. And while World Cafe Live allows outside food now that their kitchen is dark, it has sent plenty of hungry concertgoers in search of new places to grab a pre-show bite.
"As we phase out our operations at the Queen, it just didn't make business sense to keep the kitchens open except for contracted private events," says World Cafe Live at the Queen programming manager Christianna LaBuz.
The identity of the next Queen operators has not been revealed by building owners Buccini/Pollin Group, so it's unknown if in-house food service will return when new management takes over in late May.
In the meantime, years of downtown revival and redevelopment has produced plenty of walkable spots to grab a quick meal along North Market Street corridor, ranging from a fairly new soul food restaurant to an off-the-beaten-path bar that encourages bring-your-own meals.
Just ask music fans who attend shows at The Grand -- there are more restaurants open at night downtown than in recent years with more coming soon. (The Grand is busy this weekend hosting bluegrass band Seldom Scene Friday and Bruce Hornsby & Ricky Skaggs Saturday.)
So if you're looking to eat before scurrying over to this weekend's Queen shows -- West Chester-based folk/rock act Mason Porter (Friday), the sold-out, all-star Shine a Light: A Tribute to 1977 (Saturday) or retro rocker JD McPherson (Sunday) -- or Wilmington's art loop, here are 10 alternatives to ensure that your stomach won't be growling louder than the band.
LESS THAN A BLOCK AWAY
Twisted Soul Restaurant & Bar
Address: 413 N. Market St.
On the web: twistedsoulofde.com
Vibe: After opening last summer, this soul food restaurant also became one of the newest stages to find live music on weekends on Market Street. Acts such as stand-out Wilmington jazz guitarist E Shawn Qaissaunee, jazz/soul band The Muzaholics and Newark singer/songwriter Duane Cobb have played there. Named "Best Restaurant/Caterer" at the Delaware Black Awards at the Queen in October, Southern food is the star of the show at Twisted Soul. Fried chicken and fried whiting fish can be paired with any number of sides from macaroni and cheese and grits to cornbread and orange soda-infused greens. And if you like wings, they have all kinds from the more traditional flavors such as buffalo, jerk and lemon pepper to outside-the-box varieties like caramel and Cap'n Crunch-encrusted.
Sample meal: Chicken and waffles with buttermilk cornbread and strawberry butter.
Cocina Lolo
Address: 405 N. King St.
On the web: cocinalolo.com.
Vibe: Tucked street-level in the Renaissance Building at the corner and Fifth and N. King streets next door to the Queen, you would never know that some of the city's best (and most adventurous) Mexican food lives in there somewhere. But once inside, the smell of melted cheeses in the chorizo and manchego fundido alongside paella and carne asada tell a different story. Since it's across the street from the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, you'll find attorneys chowing down at lunchtime. At night, in-the-know foodies and a few concertgoers help fill the 12-seat bar and surrounding dining room.
Sample meal: Mole poblano chicken enchiladas with avocado, queso fresco, toasted sesame and cilantro.
Merchant Bar
Address: 426 N. Market St.
On the web: merchantbarwilmington.com
Vibe: It's been nearly a year since Merchant Bar opened at Fifth and North Market streets, joining the Queen and La Fia Bistro at the busy intersection. Owned by husband/wife team Bryan and Andrea Sikora, who also own Cocina Lolo and La Fia, it was a much-needed addition to the area -- a tavern to grab a stiff drink and a better-than-normal bite of bar food before a show. At times, a DJ can be found in the back corner, transforming this trendy drink spot into a club bubbling with dancing party people. (Shine a Light's official after-party Saturday night is at Merchant Bar with DJ Zip in charge of keeping the '70s party going with a disco-filled set.) Whether you're looking for a quick nosh (spiced and smoked nuts, shrimp skewers, crispy pork belly, baked crab dip, friend mozzarella) or something a little more substantial (mussels and frites, hamburger, Moroccan chicken), you'll find it here.
Sample meal: Merchant Bar's smoked Chicago dog -- a house-made hot dog with pickles, cucumber, tomato, onion, peppers and mustard on an oversized split-top bun.
La Fia Bistro
Address: 421 N. Market St.
On the web: lafiawilmington.com
Vibe: The first in the downtown Sikora restaurant mini empire, La Fia offers the finest dining in the area surrounding the Queen. There's a reason why people travel from out of town to get a taste of what La Fia's cookin'. If you're on a date looking to impress, the menu is dotted with small bites like warm Medjool dates and beef tartare, along with full meals of grilled hanger steak, risotto or mushroom ravioli. And the small dining room offers views of the Queen's entrance for some Grade A people-watching.
Sample meal: Handmade cavatelli topped with spicy sausage bolognese, Parmesan cheese and broccoli rabe.
Dragon Cuisine
Address: 401 N. Market St.
On the web: facebook.com/Dragon-Cuisine-414911655232393
Vibe: If you're in a rush, this Chinese restaurant just might fit the bill. You can either dine in or take out from their expansive menu of more than 150 items. Just last weekend, we spotted a concertgoer at the Queen's Steal Your Peach show pull a Dragon Cuisine fried shrimp stick from her purse for a mid-set snack. Other grab-and-go food items for music fans include fried crab sticks, chicken on a stick, beef on a stick, chicken wings, dumplings, chicken fingers and all sorts of egg roll varieties including pork, cheesesteak, spring, pizza and shrimp.
Sample meal: Fried broccoli and cheese with pork fried rice.
THREE BLOCKS AWAY
Chelsea Tavern
Address: 821 N. Market St.
On the web: chelseatavern.com
Vibe: The staff at Chelsea Tavern is used to catering to customers stopping in before or after a show since the restaurant sits directly across the street from The Grand. Not only can you bump into a friend or two, but performers have been spotted dining or getting a late night drink at the 7-year-old spot. Following last year's death of former owner Scott Morrison, restaurateur Joe Van Horn purchased the beer-filled urban tavern from his estate. If you're looking to drink down some cold craft beer or nibble on nachos, soft pretzels and wood oven pizza, Chelsea has it all, along with hamburgers and bigger entrees such as pork belly macaroni and cheese and filet mignon.
Sample meal: The Dirty Burger: beer-battered beef patty topped with crispy scrapple, fried egg, American cheese and Sriracha mayonnaise on a fresh-baked brioche bun. Served with hand-cut French fried and chili horseradish aioli.
DiMeo's Pizza
Address: 831 N. Market St.
On the web: dimeospizza.com
Vibe: This pizza place is the best spot to get a New York-style slice of pizza downtown. While closed on Sundays, DiMeo's is open until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and until 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. If you don't want to grab a couple of slices on a paper plate for a walk-and-devour dining experience, there are plenty of tables to sit at. It is there where pizza can be joined by paninis, pasta, salads and antipasto.
Sample meal: Vulcano pizza topped with mozzarella, chicken, hot sauce, blue cheese and cilantro.
Zaikka Indian Grill
Address: 209 N. Market St.
On the web: zaikka.com
Vibe: A lunchtime favorite for quick Indian meals, it can also be a pre-show chow down site during the week, staying open until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. (They are generally closed on weekends.) This order-at-the-counter eatery offers something different than the usual American fare, ranging from rice bowls and burritos to naan bread sandwiches and gyros.
Sample meal: Mango lime tandoori chicken salad.
FOUR BLOCKS AWAY
Ernest & Scott
Address: 902 N. Market St.
On the web: ernestandscott.com
Vibe: With new ownership, Latin music nights and the adopted Wilmo Wednesdays variety show that recently vacated the Queen, things are changing fast at Ernest & Scott, which is housed in the expansive former Delaware Trust building. With a re-branding campaign coming in months, we'll have to wait to see what the new E&S has in store. Until then, they are open until last call every night except for Sunday with a full bar and a menu that ranges from chicken wings and Parmesan truffle fries to crab cakes and tacos.
Sample meal: Ancho-spiced chicken tacos with chili-spiced grilled chicken, bibb lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and a lime crema.
SIX BLOCKS AWAY
Nomad Bar
Address: 905 N. Orange St.
On the web:facebook.com/The-Nomad-Bar-Wilmington-Delaware-191743687542600
Vibe: Just like the Queen, Nomad has three things: alcohol, live music and an open door policy when it comes to bringing in outside food. Whether you want to bring something from home or have a meal delivered to this cozy, somewhat hidden jazz club, they're game. The same is true late night. That's when bands swing and crowds from Grand and Queen shows come in search of a nightcap and more music, ranging from jazz and reggae to folk and rock.
Sample meal: Everything from pizza and Chinese food to sandwiches and birthday cakes have been devoured at this 21-and-older, family-owned bar, which also has several tables in the back.
Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).