New Digs - 1717 Delaware Avenue

Local hot-shit chef Dan Robinson has a new kitchen. Starting Tuesday, July 29, Dan will be cooking at 1717 Delaware Avenue, at the eponymous martini bar in Trolley Square. The menu features a broad array of modernist fare, with tapas like sauteed edamame, house-made hummus, and crab spring rolls. Light fare featuring wild boar sausage with a pickled cabbage slaw, white wine plumped golden raisins and sweet potato fries, everybody's favorite - fish tacos with a delicious pineapple-habanero sauce, and Dan's specialty - the Chef's Burger with bacon and cheddar. Finally, entrees such as a sesame-crusted tuna steak, served atop sesame noodle salad with wasabi crema and a soy glaze, or house-made whole wheat pasta with sauteed shrimp and scallops in a white wine lemon butter sauce. All meant to compliment the endless designer martinis offered and mixed to perfection by bartender Jen, not to mention the plethora of fine wines and beers. You can check out all the full menus online. (http://www.1717delave.com/)

And never fear - chef Dan and bartender extraordinaire Karl Dettbarn will reunite professionally every Sunday night in August at their home away from home - Dead Presidents Pub - 618 North Union Street in the West Side. (http://www.deadpresidentspub.com) Karl recently handed in his resignation at Iron Hill on the Riverfront, ending a near fourteen year relationship, as far as he can tell. Dan employs gonzo-southern soul style cooking at Dead Prez, where there are personal nightly specials and nothing is taboo! Come into DP for Sunday night baseball, HBO, Chicken Nixons, and two very good-looking boys. You know what yer gettin'!

Last but not least local punk rock legend Billy Frolic is in control of the bar at Chef Luigi Vitone's amazin' Pastabilities at 415 N. Lincoln Street in Little Italy. (http://www.ljv-pastabilities.com) Not only is this, in my opinion, the best Italian food in Wilmington, but every Friday night features live music a la Billy and friends and a special shortened rock and roll menu. This is the most intimate of these three hip establishments, with nice low lighting and Frolic's bedroom eyes, an unforgettable experience!