Despite scattered criticism about the cost of events that had a per-diner cost of up to $275, all but one of Wilmington’s celebrity chef dinners were sellouts.
Tickets are still available for the Jan. 30 event at Le Cavalier with visiting chef Niki Russ Federman joining Chef Dan Sheridan of Wilmington’s Stitch House Brewery.
Launched in December, the chef series included Wilmington restaurants – Bardea Food & Drink, La Fia Bistro, Le Cavalier at the Green Room, and Stitch House Brewery. Visiting celebrity chefs included Andrew Zimmern (Emmy and James Beard Foundation Award-winning TV personality); and Tom Colicchio (host of Bravo’s “Top Chef”).
In conjunction with the series, the Delaware Tourism Office produced an online guide to help attendees learn more about Wilmington’s hotels, galleries, nightspots, and shopping attractions. The special guide can be viewed at www.visitdelaware.com/wilmington-celebrity-chefs.
As the sponsor of the series, the IRC will use proceeds to bolster its Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The fund aids neighborhood eateries and bars nationwide.
Chesapeake City’s Prime 225 adds Bayard House to restaurant holdings
Ownership of the Prime 225 steakhouse in Chesapeake City, MD has purchased rival Bayard House.
The Bayard House, with views of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, is well known in the region and has seen its share of owners.
In a brief statement on social media, Bayard House will operate under Prime 225 management.
Prime 225 has gained a following with steak and other offerings that have made it a fine-dining destination.
Jamestown buys Kitty Knight House.
To the south, Jamestown Hospitality has purchased the Kitty Knight House inn and restaurant near the Sassafras River in Georgetown, MD.
Jamestown operates Tonic Seafood and Steaks in downtown Wilmington as well as the Park Cafe, also in the city. Additionally, Jamestown runs the food side of a Kennett Square brewery and operates a catering company.
New steak place at Bally’s
The former Dover Downs, now Bally’s has a new name and a new steakhouse.
Bally’s high-end dining spot is now known as Royal Prime Steakhouse. It replaces Michele’s, named after the widow of Dover Downs founder John Rollins.
Rollins family interests sold the casino and track to Twin River, now Bally’s, after the state tweaked a revenue sharing program that had kept the venue on a break-even basis.
Royal Prime is open Thursday through Saturday.
Bally’s is following the gaming industry’s formula of having a steakhouse for those who do well at the tables or console themselves after a bad night.
Revenues have been on the increase as casino-goers returned to the slots and table games. Sports betting has also provided a boost.
Nicola Pizza gets one more summer in downtown Rehoboth
Nicola Pizza will spend another summer near the beach.
Construction delays at the Coastal Highway location will keep the Rehoboth Beach mainstay at its current location.
Nicola is part of a trend toward restaurants moving out to the highway due to parking issues and more of their year-round customer base living outside town.
