Sure, you could go to dinner and just, you know, eat. Or you could experience a little entertainment with your entrée. Here are some places in Delaware where you can get supper and a show.
The entertainment venue offers an impressive list of concerts featuring bands, solo artists and up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Many events include a wine dinner, or you can buy food and beverages. The proceeds benefit Paul Kares, which supports aspiring chefs and musicians.
If you prefer music and food in your home, try Cullen’s in-home dinner service featuring Italian cuisine. He cooks, serves and cleans. And after the meal, he gives guests a private concert.
The fine-dining restaurant in north Wilmington hosts DJs after hours on the first of the month.
Known as Burgers & Beats, the after-hours event also includes the restaurant’s famous burger with bacon, sautéed Vidalia onions, pickled red onions, American cheese, dill pickles and a “special sauce.”
On a recent evening, the place was packed at 10 p.m., and there was a wait for tables. That night, chef and co-owner Robert Lhulier controlled the tunes from his station above the meat case.
On regular evenings, the fun factor comes from foie gras delivered to the table in a smoke box. All eyes follow the elegant glass case as co-owner Bill Irvin makes his way through the dining room.
Bardea Steak
(Bardea Steak/Pam George)
Bardea Steak, downtown Wilmington’s new restaurant, spotlights steak of all kinds, prepared in many different ways.
During my visit, a server came to our table to cook the meat on a portable hibachi-style grill with Japanese characters.
Candlelight Dinner Theater
(The Candlelight Theatre)
Nestled in Arden, founded as an artists’ community, Candlelight truly is dinner and a show. Tickets to mainstage productions include a meal.
Vincente’s Restaurant
(Vincente’s Restaurant)
Vincente’s has moved a few times since opening in Wilmington’s Little Italy, but the tableside caesar salad has been a staple.
The founder, the late Vincent Mancari, was known as the “Walking Menu.” His theatrical tableside salad put Vincente’s on the Delaware map.
By design, any Japanese steakhouse offers a lively experience. Guests sit around the tabletop grill and watch the master teppan-yaki chefs make their meals.
Flourishes, exclamations and knife skills typically accompany the preparation, and they toss more than a few shrimp into willing guests’ mouths.
This popular restaurant in Independence Mall might be a stretch. Some people don’t understand the concept of paying to cook your own food. However, fondue requires guest participation, which can make it entertaining.
Bethany Blues
(Bethany Blues of Lewes/Facebook)
While many restaurants offer live music, the Lewes location of the barbecue restaurant takes it up a notch. The bar area has a dedicated raised stage and a professional sound system.
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats
(Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats)
Like Bethany Blues, Dogfish Head has carved out a particular spot for live entertainment in its built-from-scratch restaurant in downtown Rehoboth. The architects incorporated a big stage and high-tech sound and light systems.
Performances are typically held after the dinner rush.
