Happy Valentine’s Day

We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrating with the ones you love!

Judge Morris Estate: Tour the Past

You don’t have to go far to see an example of colonial living in Newark, not when there’s the Judge Morris Estate. Located on the grounds of White Clay Creek State park, the Judge Morris Estate was built in 1790 for a native Delawarean and federal judge, and is now open for tours and other functions. Reserve a private tour for up to 15 people, and your group can learn firsthand about colonial life. Explore the furnishings and history of this great old mansion. You can even add a private tea at the end of the tour. What a great idea for a day out with friends! And if you’re having a special event, what better place to have it?

Judge Morris Estate
76 Polly Drummond Hill Road
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 368-6900

UDairy Creamery: For the Freshest Ice Cream

Located right on the campus of the University of Delaware, the slogan of the UDairy Creamery is “from the cow to the cone,” and that means it's fresh! All of the delicious ice cream made at UDairy begins with milk from the cows that graze on the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ nearby farm. What that means for you is the freshest ice cream you can get. But be ready to take your time – the menu gives you an amazing array of great choices. Vanilla, chocolate, and other traditional flavors are offset with seasonal choices like Key Lime Pie, Mango Madness, and Twice Twisted, with ice cream, brownies, and cookie dough. And if you'd like to take some home, the UDairy Creamery also offers ice cream to go.

UDairy Creamery
535 S. College Avenue
Newark, DE 19716
(302) 831-2486
http://www.yelp.com/biz/udairy-creamery-newark

Taverna: Fine Italian Fare

Italian fare served in a warm, inviting setting is what’s up at Taverna. Favorite dishes at this Newark Italian restaurant include a variety coal-fired pizzas, such as the Neapolitan with crushed tomato, asiago, provolone, and mozzarella and the San Danielle with prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula.

Taverna also offers a wide selection of sandwiches, including an Italian sandwich with mortadella, capicolla, and salami and the Taverna burger with provolone; and the chicken cutlet with parmigiano reggiano cheese.

Frequent guests also enjoy entrees such as gnocchi, baked salmon, chicken ravioli, spinach mushroom agnolotti, and chicken taverna with cappellini. If you visit for Taverna's popular weekend brunch, you'll choose from delightful choices like eggs benedict, breakfast pizza, and cast iron omelets.

Taverna is open daily in Newark, Delaware.

Taverna
121 E. Main Street
Newark, DE 19702
(302) 444-4334
platinumdininggroup.com/taverna

Read the reviews on Yelp.

Must-Know Tips When Serving Wine

You may enjoy drinking wine at home, but how much do you really know about serving it to your guests? If you want to learn how to properly serve reds, whites, and even dessert wines at your next dinner party at Christina Mill, check out these simple tips.

  • Invest in a good set of wine glasses. They don’t have to be expensive (many closet less than $5 a piece), but having the proper wine glasses is the first step toward serving great tasting wine. Choose tulip-shaped glasses with stems or without, and make sure that they’re made of real glass to avoid that plastic taste.
  • Clean the glasses. Before serving wine, clean your glasses thoroughly by hand using simple dish soap and hot water. Rinse thoroughly before using.
  • Serve at the proper temperature. If you’re serving light white wines or sparkling wines, keep them at a cool 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Full-bodied whites, such as chardonnays, and lighter reds should be served at 50 to 60 degrees, while red wines and ports should be served at 60 to 65 degrees.
  • Keep it at the proper temperature. Keep your wine tasting great all night by using an ice bucket for white wines. Red wines can simply sit on the counter to stay at room temperature.

25 Tips on How to Serve Wine [Bauduc Blog]
Organic Wine Serving Tips [Frey Vineyards]
How to Serve Wine 101: Tips on the Perfect Serving Temperature [Wine Spectator]

Newark Arts Alliance: Promoting the Arts

Located in the center of downtown Newark, the Newark Arts Alliance sponsors a number of shows and programs that promotes the arts in the community. Take a garden tour through the town and enjoy the music and gardening tips. If it’s the first Sunday of the month, then it’s time for Music Jams, where everybody is invited to join in. Check out the drum circle on every fourth Sunday. Come to the gallery to sample the work of talented artists, or join the NAA and enter your own works of art! You don’t have to look far to see some of the great public murals, because they surround the NAA’s center. Check the Newark Art Alliance's website for more information.

Newark Art Alliance
276 E. Main Street
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 266-7266
http://www.yelp.com/biz/newark-arts-alliance-inc-newark

Sweet Lucy’s Ice Cream: Tasty Treats

Go back in time at Sweet Lucy’s Ice Cream, back to a time when the local ice cream parlor was a place to meet and enjoy a sweet treat. It’s still that way at Sweet Lucy’s. Whether you like a traditional scoop of ice cream or soft serve, there’s something for everyone. If you’re with a group, why not start off with tabletop s’mores? Then take your time to pick your frozen treat. There’s enough flavors to suit every sweet tooth, but locals really like the PB Caramel Cookie Dough and the classic strawberry. Get a triple-scoop sundae, or try a couple of scoops on a cone of your choosing. The banana splits are huge and the shakes and root beer floats are thick and rich. Eat in, take out, and you can also book a party at Sweet Lucy’s.

Sweet Lucy’s Ice Cream
3201 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 477-0777
www.sweetlucysicecream.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-lucys-wilmington

Horace Shellhammer’s: Seafood in Delaware

If you’re in the market for a friendly neighborhood spot to unwind with a refreshing cocktail and a bite to eat, head to Horace Shellhammer’s. Sit at the bar and you can watch your favorite sports events while you kick back with a beer. Order yourself a martini or glass of wine and something tasty from the appetizer menu like Chips & Salsa, Nachos, Spicy Crab Chowder, or Chicken Fingers, and let the cares of the day become a distant memory.

Big, juicy burgers are a favorite here and they're available in creations like the Black & Bleu Burger with bleu cheese, and the Baja Turkey Burger with avocado. Other options include Sizzling Fajitas, Jambalaya, French Dip Sandwich, Philly Cheesesteak and Crab Cake Sandwich.

Horace Shellhammers is open every day in Newark, Delaware.

Horace Shellhammer's
9C University Plaza
Newark, DE 19702
(302) 738-0758
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shellhammers/330362148894
http://www.yelp.com/biz/horace-shellhammers-newark

Where to Shop Holiday Hostess Gifts

So, you were invited to a holiday party, but now you’re unsure about what to purchase for the party’s hostess. Although you’re certainly not required to give a pricey present, it is polite to give a small token of your gratitude for the fun gathering. Here are a few great sites filled with gift ideas for the holiday hostess.

Mark and Graham
Mark and Graham’s hostess gift selection includes a number of seasonal goodies that can all be completely personalized. From leather-wrapped cocktail shakers to rustic coasters and linen dinner napkins, these monogrammed gifts will be a hit at any holiday party.

Jonathan Adler
The popular interior designer is beloved for his modern, stylish home décor collections, and his website includes a number of gift suggestions at any price range. Browse candles scented like your favorite cocktails, plush throw blankets and much more.

Terrain
If your hostess has more of a rustic, vintage-inspired style, Terrain is the perfect place to shop for a thoughtful thank-you gift. The site features trendy plants and topiaries to brighten up any home, as well as soaps, candles and cheese boards ideal for future get-togethers. Whether your budget is large or small, Topiary’s gifts also come at price ranges that just about anyone can afford.

Happy Winter!

As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

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