Party like The Great Gatsby, 'rocktails' at Striper Bites, Eater.com dines in Wilmington

Patricia Talorico, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·5 min read

Happy day, Delaware food lovers.

The humidity is here so it must be prime summertime in our lovely First State. You know what? I'm eating outdoors whenever I can. It's been so rainy that I'm taking any opportunity to enjoy a snack or supper alfresco.

What I'm cooking

It's all about the [gas] grill for me. (Well, it will be again after I get a new propane tank. Isn't it the worst when the propane literally runs out of gas right in the middle of cooking? Things to remember to check before you start grilling .... )

It's prime backyard grilling season
It's prime backyard grilling season

I needed some inspiration for grilled chicken with peppers and onions and paged through one of my favorite summer cookbooks "License to Grill:  Achieve Greatness At The Grill With 200 Sizzling Recipes,", a 1997 award-winning cookbook by Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby.

The pair, who penned several grilling books, have a great recipe for an enhanced hoisin sauce that you cook on the stovetop (or in a pan on the grill) and use as a finishing sauce on the grilled chicken and peppers

Here's what you do: Put 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until hot, but not smoking. Add 2 tablespoons of minced ginger and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Saute, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Add ⅓ cup of jarred hoisin sauce and the juice of 2 limes (about ¼ cup). You can also use fresh orange juice if you want. Simmer for about 4 to 5 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in about ½ cup of chopped fresh basil, 1 teaspoon (more or less according to your spice level) of red pepper flakes or Sriracha sauce, and salt and pepper. Set aside.

You can thin the sauce with more citrus juice as needed (or even a splash of water or soy sauce.) Drizzle over the chicken and peppers before serving.

Where I'm eating

The Social Butterfly, $12, is a "rocktail" available at Striper Bites in Lewes. It's made with a lavender-hued tequila.
The Social Butterfly, $12, is a "rocktail" available at Striper Bites in Lewes. It's made with a lavender-hued tequila.

Eating? Not exactly. But some pals and I did belly up to the bar during an overcast day to sample some tasty adult beverages recently at Striper Bites in Lewes They have a happy hour special daily at the bar from 4 to 6 p.m.

The "rocktails" menu has a concoction known as the Social Butterfly, $12, a blend of Butterfly Cannon Blue Tequila (it gives the drink a lavender hue), simple syrup and lime.

Delaware foodstuff

The Nemours Estate and gardens were designed to look like Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
The Nemours Estate and gardens were designed to look like Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.

Speaking of tequila, Taco Grande on the Wilmington Riverfront is hosting a tequila dinner at 6 p.m. July 20 featuring three courses, each paired with a cocktail made with Casa del Sol Tequila. The cost is $65 per person. Email emily@tacogrande.com.

Here's a fun foodie event to do with your dog! Hagley Museum invites the public and their pooches to the museum grounds on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Bring a picnic or sample local food trucks. Dogfish Head craft beer and Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream are available for purchase. Admission is $5 per person, free for Hagley members and children under 6. Tickets are available this evening at the gate.

Want to party like a duPont? This is another cool event: On Thursday, July 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., Nemours Estate in Rockland has live music in its gardens along with beer, wine, food trucks, and half-price admission or $10. Nemours is the stunning former home of Alfred I. duPont. The vibe is very Great Gatsby. This walled-in estate off Delaware 141 (it's behind the wall covered with glass shards) features a 77-room mansion, a chauffeur's garage with vintage automobiles, and 200 acres of French-inspired formal gardens, grounds, and woodlands. If. You. Haven't. You. Must. Visit.

Check out Delaware Online's Food Establishment Inspection Database to see which restaurants and food businesses across the state have received violations. The database is updated every 24 hours.

Did you see this food news?

Things you can't unsee: Hugh Grant is an Oompa Loompa in the new "Wonka" movie coming this December? What the what? This could be really good or really bad ... Read more here.

Summer shortages: First birch beer and now sriracha? I might have to start rationing what I have! Check out this story in USA Today: Liquid gold? Sriracha bottles selling as high as $80 on ebay, Amazon amid ongoing shortage

Were/are you a fan of cookbook/food writer Alison Roman? She was a New York Times writer who was probably best known for The Stew, a recipe for a Spiced Chickpea Stew With Coconut and Turmeric. She has a website and shares some cool ideas. I'm making her recipe for grilled corn and scallion salad

OK, so this kind of story that begins with a condescending tone drives me crazy (like, wow, thanks so much for actually coming to Delaware), but I'll share this one anyway from Eater: Wilmington, Delaware’s Restaurants Are Worth the Trip From Philly

Southern Living usually has very good recipes. I also liked this recent story on visiting a place in Florida I really enjoy: Anna Maria Island. I ate a lot of shrimp, fish, and Key lime pie on my last visit. Here's the story.

If you want to read more stories from me, click here. You can find me on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook. Email me at ptalorico@delawareonline.com

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Party like The Great Gatsby, 'rocktails' at Striper Bites