Eden

What visions does "Eden" conjure up for you?  The Eden to which I'm referring can be found in Rehoboth, Delaware.  If you think of "Eden" as a beautiful place serving as a respite from the hustle and bustle, that would relate to this Eden.

Eden is a restaurant that touts "bold American food." It offers great variety in the menu, which includes scallops, tuna, salmon, filet mignon, chicken breast, and wood fired flatbreads, to name a few.  The entree that won my attention was the grilled antelope.  I would say that is certainly bold; wouldn't you?

I have never seen antelope on the menu before. The waiter responded to my question about whether the meat was "gamey" with a resounding "no."  He explained that fear just before death creates that "gamey" taste in animals but that these animals were quickly killed.  He went on to say how but, frankly, it was TMI (too much information).  I think that was the waiter's only miscue.

The antelope come from the Broken Arrow Ranch  in Texas Hill Country.  The ranch sells "truly wild" (roaming, pen-free) animals including - in addition to the antelope - wild boar, venison, and quail.  (An online store is available.)  A quick Google search for the ranch had me thinking it was owned by music legend Neil Young.  Turns out Young owns a ranch with the same name in California.  (Besides, if you know his music, you know he didn't have a lot of respect for "southern men" anyway so I guess I should have been immediately doubtful that he owned a ranch in Texas.)

But back to the antelope...it was delicious.  Not a hint of an unpleasant wild taste, tender, and very much like filet mignon.  It was served with toasted barley/mushroom confit salad, braised local greens, and a cherry chutney.  I strongly recommend it.

There were six of us for dinner and each person was pleased with the food.  We were also pleased with the charming atmosphere.  We had the big round table in the corner at the front window.  The booths have curtain sheers that can be drawn.  Of course, we pulled ours together - well - just because we could.  It helped create a "fog" between ourselves and the rest of the restaurant on this Memorial Day weekend Saturday.  With the muted colors and candlelight, we lingered in this comfort for quite some time.  Although, when the check came, there was some discomfort.

The dining partner who recommended the restaurant told us her two favorite wines were specials that evening and not normally available.  They were not on the menu - mind you - but the waiter confirmed she had read correctly (online, I believe).  We got a bottle of Silver Oaks red (Cabernet, I think) and Cakebread Cellars white (Chardonnay, as I recall).  (Memorial Day weekend feels like a lifetime ago, unfortunately.)  Each wine was very good and I would certainly enjoy drinking them again.  We learned that the white was $70 and the red was $100.  Oops!  Forgot to ask about the price! 

I suppose we should have known that the wine could be pricey as the entrees at Eden average in the high $20's/low $30's.  (My antelope was $29.)  But we were apparently seduced by the atmosphere, interesting menu, and excellent server.  Also, we wanted some wine with our artisinal cheese board appetizer and meals.  The bottom line - with no desserts and tip (not automatically included, surprisingly) - turned out to be $150 per couple.

Eden cost Adam and Eve so don't be surprised if it costs you, too.  If you are willing to pay a little extra for excellent food and service with a special ambiance, you won't go wrong with Eden on Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, DE.