Del Pez Comes to the Riverfront
Hakuna Hospitality Group’s Mexican gastropub Del Pez, with an original location on Main Street in Newark, is expanding to the Riverfront on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 400 Justison St. Hakuna founder Javier Acuna, who also piloted both Newark and Wilmington Santa Fe restaurants and the to-go La Taqueria at the Riverfront Market, among other endeavors, says relocating Del Pez from Newark was not an option because of loyal regulars. “So expanding to another location is the right thing to do for our development,” he says. Acuna says the Wilmington location will offer some of the “same beloved” modern Mexican dishes and award-winning cocktails, all in a vibrant, fun atmosphere. The new space is larger, too, and Acuna anticipates it becoming the community staple in Wilmington that it already is in Newark.
Help the Food Bank
The Food Bank of Delaware needs your help this holiday season. Help collect needed items to fill 2,500 Thanksgiving meal boxes for Delaware families. Food for the boxes is needed by Friday, Nov. 4. Food received after Nov. 4 will be distributed through the Food Bank of Delaware’s network of partner organizations. Needed items include canned peas, corn, pumpkin and gravy, evaporated milk, applesauce, coffee and tea, corn muffin mix, mashed potatoes, graham cracker crusts and turkey pans. Frozen turkeys are accepted at the Newark and Milford warehouses. Visit the website—fbd.org—for drop-off addresses and times, instructions and more.
Bourbon and Bacon Brunch at Stone Balloon
On Saturday, Nov. 5, Newark’s Stone Balloon’s next chef-inspired meal, Bourbon and Bacon Brunch, will offer brunch stations paired with some of the best bourbons around, plus a beer or two. The restaurant encourages guests to wear pajamas if they’re feeling daring, or just want to make sure their pants fit afterwards. Check out stoneballoon.com for more information.
Mrs. Snyder’s Cafe & Market
Mrs. Snyder’s Cafe and Market, which opened last month at 414 Delaware St. in historic New Castle, offers fresh treats made daily in the kitchen and bakery. With a full coffee and espresso bar—from Brandywine Coffee Roasters—warm house-baked breads, sweet and savory pies, muffins, scones and more, the café offers a cozy atmosphere. Fresh sandwiches and sides, salads and locally-sourced dairy are ready to grab and go for those in a hurry. For sit-down dining options, enjoy home-style meals such as cedar plank salmon, oven roasted chicken, grilled vegetables and daily pasta dishes available to eat in or take out. The cafe is also the new home for Mrs. Snyder’s award-winning, full-service catering, including custom cheese boards and made-to-order picnic baskets. For more information, visit facebook.com/mrssnyders.
Eateries & Chefs Win Top State Awards
The Delaware Restaurant Association (DRA) will host its 15th Annual Restaurant Industry Cornerstone Awards on Monday, Nov. 7, at World Cafe Live at The Queen in Wilmington from 6-9 p.m.
The Cornerstone Awards serve as Delaware’s restaurant industry’s biggest night of the year—a time to come together and celebrate industry camaraderie, as well as recognize the Restaurateur of the Year and Cornerstone Award winners. These awards honor restaurateurs that stand as benchmarks for innovation, creativity, excellence in service and commitment to the community.
This year’s Restaurateurs of the Year are Chris Baker and Joe Bisaha of Henlopen City Oyster House. Both Baker and Bisaha have worked many avenues of the restaurant trade since their teenage years, from bussing tables to washing dishes. They both envisioned a particular type of food destination they wanted to bring to the beach. They created Henlopen City Oyster House, which opened in 2010 on Wilmington Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach.
The pair plans to bring the same enthusiasm to a second culinary endeavor—The Blue Hen—scheduled to open this winter down the street from Henlopen City.
Meanwhile, the Cornerstone Award Winner is Scott Kammerer of SoDel Cares/SoDel Concepts, based in Rehoboth. Kammerer is President of SoDel Concepts, which owns 10 coastal restaurants including Catch 54 and Fish On. The group also runs a catering company and a food truck.
The Nov. 7 celebration will feature fine food and drink tastings from Delaware’s top restaurants, and live music from Joe Baione and The Blue Cats Blues Band.
Tickets for the event can be purchased online at delawarerestaurant.org/events or by contacting the DRA at 738-2545.