yeah

Spent a few days based in North Beach and thought I'd give a few impressions of places in that area:

Locura Marina - Fun, casual Peruvian place.   Tried aji di gallena and steak from the dinner specials menu.  The steak was very flavorful and cooked perfectly. Aji di gallena's egg was a little overcooked but the creamy chicken sauce was very satisfying.  Also appreciate a kids menu that is not dumbed down in any way, just smaller portions

Nahuen - Small deli/grocery store with some good empanadas behind the counter, many with some variation of ham and or cheese, I also liked the spinach.  We went a couple of times. 

Cachito Coffee and Bakery - Very casual, neighborhood coffee joint with good espresso drinks, fresh orange juice (the boxes of oranges are visibly stacked behind the counter next to the juicer) and some enjoyable savory pastries.  Would recommend. 

Sazon Cubano - Some good renditions of milanesa, beans and rice, and a generous portion of some kind of grilled white fish.  The outdoor "cafe" part of the restaurant seemed like a good scene as well and would be perfect for catching the ocean breeze on a nice night.

Manolo - Sort of a cafeteria-styled Argentinian place, we only tried the churros behind the counter, which were big, cheap and a perfect walking dessert. Was pretty packed out on an early Thursday night.

Generally quieter, much less scene-y part of Miami Beach, but still lots of interesting things going on.  

At the Shirlington location we've always had excellent service and, last time, a tasty gratis serving of rice porridge.  Nothing food court about any of that--yes, lots of people were in and out picking up takeout/deliveries from the counter, but that's pretty much standard these days. 

The key may be eating it in rather than taking it out.  At a proper serving temperature the oils/fats are fully melted and less noticeable, I'd imagine cooler and more congealed it might not be pleasant.  It does sorta teeter on the precipice of "too oily," but the other textures and bright, tangy heat keep it in line.  

Checked in at the Shirlington location a couple weeks back; Cumin Lamb noodles are still meaty, spicy and fantastic.  The Spring Rolls and Brussels sprouts both greasy and indulgent and the sesame custard a very unique and refreshing dessert.  There are probably ways to "miss" with this menu, but the go-tos I've mentioned are some of the more interesting and risk-taking dishes in town.

Visited a few weeks back after a hiatus, everything is good as ever.  Favorites:

Chinese Style Fried Chicken Soup

Vegetarian Delight

Smoked Chicken

Pan Fried Pork Dumpling

The rare restaurant where you can say 1) If it sounds good it is, and 2) The cold dishes are, on average, better than hot

Yes! Anything that travels well and could be a workable, semi-splurgy office lunch would be huge. 

Two words: Porchetta Night

How does everyone think Cocchi Americano with seltzer would play with turkey?

Been to the Mosaic District location twice this summer. Both times the standout was the grilled octopus.  A single, long tentacle with char on the outside, moist tenderness on the outside and bright lemon throughout.  Also enjoyed the spanikopita and the whole branzino, but the octopus is essential.  

Five Roast Pork Banh Mi from the Annandale Rd location of Lee's Sandwiches all had soft, fresh bread.  They appear to have a bakery on site--it was dark at 5:30pm but I'd guess the bread came from there or some place like it that morning.  Something to keep in mind for those turned off by bread quality in other banh mi.  

Currently functioning as a walk-up window, Poffy sells highly customizable made-to-order pastries. They tout being allergy friendly, which means no eggs.  Despite this, both the "Poffy" and "Poffy Fish" were very light, fluffy, and satisfying.  Biscoff filling was a unique touch and played well with the batter and the berries we chose as a topping.  Yeahkids both got chocolate batter, a bite of which proved to be not overly sweet but quite rich.  A unique entry, and this end of Mosaic was surprisingly lively on a summer Friday night.  Have to hand it to Edens, they're keeping it interesting down there post(?)-Covid

Excellent texture and flavor on the bagels here. Whitefish sandwich with capers, onion and tomato is kind of a steal at $7.

Thought I'd check in a couple weeks after a brief trip to Dewey:

Dewey Beer

Had a quick lunch here after arriving in town.  Food was fine as fried beach fare, service was very friendly and I loved my 4oz taster of Swishy Pants.  Later returned for cans of Great View No Wifi.  Both very good examples of the hazy/NE IPA style.  They have many others if that isn't your thing.  

Lupo

Extensively reviewed on this site--ended up having to do carry out for reasons beyond my control.  All enjoyable examples of Eggplant Parm, Caccio E Pepe, etc.

Go Fish

Solid fish and chips, survived a 10 minute car ride admirably.

Nicola Pizza

I read it's on its way out, or at least down the road and out of the main Rehoboth drag.  Too bad, because I thought the personal pizza I shared with 9-yeah old on the sidewalk was greasy, cheesy heaven.   Cannolis were a little too sweet. 

Kaisy's Delight

Worth it for a well-made espresso with La Colombe beans alone.  Kaisy itself was interesting, maybe a tad sweet for my taste, but kids and yeahwife loved them.   Whole experience reminded me of getting aebleskiver in Solvang, CA. 

The Ice Cream Store

Should you wait in line in April for ice cream at the beach? If it's the place, yes.  

Vanderwende's Creamery

Pleasant stop on the way home, near the MD border.  

General impression of Dewey is that it remains very "quiet" in April, with very little in Dewey itself open, so be prepared for many quick trips up to Rehoboth.  

Cape Henlopen State Park

Large, lots of things going on, from some forest that I imagine would be rough in the summer, to military history including some sizable guns. Don't miss the point overlook.  

With Carpano, having tried it in an Americano and a Negroni, I decided it was best just straight on the rocks.  It was too aggressive in those cocktails but excellent on its own.  

How does Oscar sweet vermouth compare with Carpano Antica Formula?  

Bit of persistence paid off here, though I do see they now have a site: https://www.robertosva.com/  Thanks for the encouragement, Keithstg! Heading there on Saturday.

Seem to still kinda be in soft open mode.  Let's say I needed a table for two this Saturday, any tips on getting a reservation? 

Strongly recommend letting someone behind the counter guide you through a tasting. Yes, you want to feel good about something you're paying $25+ /lb for.  Chances are you will, and your palette and exposure to cheeses of the world will get a good workout in the process. 

Turkey legs are excellent, not shy with the seasonings.  Dirty Rice stuffed leg is tasty as well, though at some point the salt got a bit overwhelming.  Creamed corn somewhat counteracted it until it didn't. I wouldn't eat this every day, but I'd say go early for takeout (lines get crazy long from what I understand) and feast.  

https://theturkeyleghut.com/

Last time I was at Rosenfeld's (OC location), I was given par-boiled bagels with some instructions for finishing in the oven the next morning.   That was the way to go.  Rosenfeld's is just generally awesome, sorta can't go wrong there.  

Highly recommend the Chicken and Rice bowl from Balo.  Get it spicy, the coconut milk rice will even it out.  Also, get the large and you've got at least two substantial meals on your hands. 

The whole shopping strip, with the former K-Mart now subdivided into a grocery store and several restaurant sites, appears to be on the cusp of transforming into something interesting.  Worth keeping an eye on it. 

Gran Marnier hot toddy--Gran Marnier, squeeze of lemon, hot water.  Proportions to taste. 

Off season, Rosenfeld's in OC doesn't open until 11am.  I came by in the afternoon and mentioned we'd be eating the bagels I was ordering the next day for breakfast.  The wonderful person behind the counter asked if I wanted the bagels "unbaked," which I guess meant they were parboiled but not finished in the oven.  We popped four in the oven this morning at 350 for 10 minutes and were duly rewarded--just incredible.   Excellent smoked salmon too.  

Apple hand pies--a vastly superior version of the only thing I can eat from McDonald's.  That's almost certainly underselling it, but eating the two side by side would be an excellent reminder of why you should pay up for quality.