Page 48 - The Hunt - Winter 2024

Painted Stave Distilling in Smyrna debuts its Campfire Cocoa on Black Friday.
Tidings of Good Taste
Local eggnog, Yule logs, and cider are seasonal favorites. BY PAM GEORGE
During the holidays, many Delaware-area residents put their weight-loss programs on hold. In large part that’s because so many restaurants, bakeries, and breweries offer limited-edition seasonal sensations that aren’t to be missed. Savoring a sip of Lewes Dairy’s eggnog, for instance, is a rich tradition that started in many locals’ childhoods. Consider the following treats to enjoy at home or on the town.
AN APPETITE FOR APPS
Back Burner to Go’s Better Cheddar Spread has been a decades- old party staple. The shop is an offshoot of the Back Burner Restaurant, which opened in 1980. While Better Cheddar is available all year, the demand soars during the holidays. The secret recipe for the smoky-flavored spread includes walnuts, scallions, and, of course, cheddar. Side note: Back Burner Restaurant’s famous shrimp Lejon is on the catering menu, and visiting guests will love the pumpkin mushroom soup, which is available all year. 425 Hockessin Corner, Hockessin; 239-2732; backburner.com.
SEASONAL SIPS
At the beach, the appearance of Lewes Dairy’s eggnog on supermarket shelves signals the start of the holiday season.
The silky beverage boasts a minimum fat content of 7% or more. (The average is 6%.) Although the Lewes farm merged with Hy-Point Dairy in Brandywine Hundred, Lewes Dairy eggnog remains a seasonal toast to the coast. Available at beach area stores and Janssen’s Market.
Drip Café in Hockessin and Newark will once again sell Sleigh Ride, a limited-edition coffee bean blend that changes each year. 144 Lantana Drive, Hockessin; 234-4430; 60 N. College Ave., Newark; 565-4685; dripcafede.com.
In Smyrna, Painted Stave Distilling is adding to its seasonal Campfire liqueur collections. Campfire Chai and Campfire Apple Ginger were released in early fall. Campfire Cocoa debuts on Black Friday. Up next: Campfire Spice Vanilla in January and February 2025. 106 W. Commerce St., Smyrna; 653-6834; paintedstave.com.
Seasonal beers include Wilmington Brew Works’ Harmonic Oscillation, a chocolate milkshake stout, and Mechanical Dissonance, an imperial stout. “We’ll also have some pastry stouts and pastry sours,” says John Fusco, vice president of creative
and brand marketing. “They will be fun and pair well with holiday treats and desserts.” Also available is Ciderosa Cranberry Sage, a winter cider. 3129 Miller Road, Wilmington; 722-4828; wilmingtonbrewworks.com.
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Vincenza & Margherita Bistro is known for inventive seasonal cocktails. Consider the white chocolate candy cane martini with vodka, crème de menthe, crème de cacao and grenadine with a candy cane rim, or the Jack Frost, made with Malibu Coconut Rum, blue Curaçao, coconut cream and pineapple with a
coconut rim. 1717 Marsh Road, Wilmington; 479-7999; vmbistro.com.
DEEP FREEZE
Come Thanksgiving, Fusco’s Water Ice will offer seasonal ice cream pies at its new Kirkwood Highway location. Consider pumpkin spice and apple cider doughnut. (The ice cream is organic and lactose-free, and the gluten-free pie crusts are made with graham crackers or chocolate.) Customers can also get an apple cider doughnut topped with vanilla soft serve ice cream. In December, peppermint ice cream might enter the mix.
“We will pull out a few new surprise flavors to celebrate the season,” owner Joseph Staffieri promises. “And, who knows, maybe a visit or two from Santa.” 3926 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington; 510-6003; fuscoswaterice.com.
A CULINARY IMMERSION
Once again, Klondike Kate’s is morphing into the Sleigh Bar at Klondike Kate’s, a holiday tradition since 2019. Previously, the
BECCA MATHIAS