Readers talk restaurant closings, lobster rolls and Chinese food
Hello, food lovers. It’s good to be back after a three-week hiatus.
I’m playing catchup with email and voicemails, and it seems, in my absence, some local restaurants have closed. Here’s what’s happening:
Is Cafe Palermo relocating?
For several years, we have been enjoying Cafe Palermo in the Miller Road Shopping Center next to Home Depot. We haven’t been in a couple of months and decided to go on July 22.
When we arrived there was a “For Rent” sign in the window and no sign indicating that they may have relocated. Would love to know if they are in a new location so that we can have their delicious food again.
Thank you,
Chris Bader
Wilmington
What are future plans for Wilmington area eatery?
I heard Cafe Palermo in the Miller Road shopping center is now closed. It’s a long-time favorite. Just an FYI, but it would be interesting to learn any details as to why it closed, or its future plans.
Phil Lavelle
On June 19, the owners of Cafe Palermo at 3612 Miller Road, posted a message to its longtime customers on its Facebook page:
“We wanted to thank you all for an amazing nine years with Cafe Palermo. We enjoyed making wonderful Italian cuisine for you and your families. As of today, we will be closed due to opening up a pizza shop in Bethany Beach Delaware.
We are so excited for our new venture, although we will miss all the friendships we have made with you. Everyone was truly like family. Please come visit us at Pomodoro Pizzeria Bethany Beach if you are in the area this summer. The new pizza shop is hopefully slated to open in the next few weeks!
We will keep you posted. Again, thank you for the wonderful nine years. With love, Rose, Brian and Sara.”
According to the Facebook page, the new Bethany pizzeria is on Garfield Parkway, next door to Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard.
Soffritto Italian Grill apparently says ‘arrivederci’
I hear Soffrito Italian Grill closed. I’m really disappointed. I have a $50 gift I can’t use now. I was going to use it on my birthday, July 6, but I was sick.
Lynn Allen
Soffritto Italian Grill at 1130 Capitol Trail in Newark had been in operation since 2005. In June, it was touting live music at the restaurant. This week, I’ve tried calling the restaurant, but no one is answering the phone. I also emailed asking about the status of the eatery, but I haven’t received a reply.
The 6,600-square-foot restaurant, with seating for 235 people as well as a banquet facility, is listed for sale for $2.8 million on a commercial real estate website.
Lynn, I usually start getting sad letters about restaurant gift cards in January or February. Every year after Christmas, without fail, someone always asks how they can redeem a gift card after a restaurant suddenly closes.
Long story short: You can’t. You or your gift recipient are left with what is most likely a worthless piece of paper or plastic. The holder of a restaurant gift certificate is considered an unsecured creditor, who is pretty much at the bottom of the list of people looking to get paid after a business closes.
If you have a restaurant gift card, use it as soon as possible. Please. Don’t hold onto it. You just never know when an establishment might suddenly close.
Bugaboo bows out
I have a gift card for Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse. I tried using it about one week ago, but found out the restaurant was closed. The website also is shut down.
Is there anything we can do with the gift card?
Thank you,
Pat Bobb
Pat, the Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse at 1323 Churchmans Road in Newark’s Center Pointe Plaza II is permanently closed. The eatery near Christiana Hospital, which featured a talking mechanical moose, celebrated the “flavor of the Canadian Rockies.” (Every time I would see that moose, I wanted to imitate Rocky and Bullwinkle baddie Boris Badenov: “Kill moose and squirrel.” Sorry, I digress.)
On July 13, Capitol BC Restaurants, LLC, which does business as Bugaboo Creek Steak House, filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts.
The chain has closed other Bugaboos in Maine, Massachusetts and New York.
So, can you do anything about redeeming the gift card? I’m afraid not. See the response to the letter above.
Cooking classes for kids
Do you know of any local camps/classes for children between 11 and 14 to learn cooking?
Thank you,
Joann Stevens
I’m not sure if there’s any space left in this camp, but you can try The Advanced Farmers Kitchen Camp at Coverdale Farm Preserve at 543 Way Road in Greenville. It is for kids ages 11 to 15 and explores the “science of good cooking” and campers learn kitchen skills through hands-on cooking adventures. It’s held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 15-19. The cost is $400 and $350 for Ashland Nature Center members. Call (302) 239-2334.
Good lobster rolls in Fenwick Island
One reader felt my July 13 story on lobster rolls was missing one very well-loved eatery.
We love Henlopen City Oyster House in Rehoboth Beach for everything. And, Fishkillers Lobster Shake in Dagboro cannot be beat! But how can you possibly leave out Lobster Shanty on Del. 54 in Fenwick Island, the little sister restaurant of the fabulous Nantuckets on Del. 1?
It’s always a winner – casual and great bar atmosphere!Please mention them in future. Their chef Mike Priola is just the best! Here’s to wonderful summer eating.
Love your columns,
Maria Brittingham
Thanks, Maria. I’ll add it to the list. At a recent lunch, I had excellent $19 lobster rolls (two per order) at Striper Bites in Lewes. (You can also get a side of fries, cole slaw or pasta salad.) The lobster roll really seems to be the 2016 sandwich of the summer.
And one more favorite place for Chinese food
I read your June 23 column about Chinese restaurants and would like to say I’ve been a customer of The Crownery in Hockessin’s Lantana Square Shopping Center ever since it opened. It’s been there a long time. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.
They’re always friendly and fast. I’ve never had a problem getting seated no matter what day of the week. They do a lot of takeout. They also have buffets during the Chinese New Year, which are excellent, and give it folks a chance to try dishes they might not otherwise try.
If someone’s specifically looking for spicy dishes, they have quite a few and they’re marked accordingly on the menu.
J. Richard Creekmore
The News Journal/delawareonline.com reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and accuracy. Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 orptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter@pattytalorico