The ever-hip women’s shop, Sole, has opened its equally chic junior store right next door, Sole Kids. Owned by Dan Russell, a former Merrill Lynch broker-and husband of Sole owner, Shera Russell-the shop stocks top-notch kids’ clothing labels, like Tea, Juicy, Robeez, Icky Baby, and Munki Munki, in sizes from infant to twelve. Accessories include preppy grosgrain belts and headbands, Kaloo stuffed animals, and wall prints in brightly colored animal and carnival themes. Best of all, after the little one is fully outfitted, Mom can stop next door and get a little something for herself. Open daily, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 110 Rehoboth Ave., Ste. 3, Rehoboth Beach, Del. 302-227-6622 or http://www.sole-kids.com.-K.B.
Big Fish Market is the newest addition to the Big Fish Grill, one of the beach’s most celebrated seafood restaurants. This is more than a place to buy gorgeous tuna, salmon, rockfish, and beef steaks; it’s also a gourmet shop with homemade salad dressings and sauces as well as cheeses and individually wrapped slices of chocolate cake, Key lime pie, and apple cobbler, all in ready-to-go containers. The lunch hour brings field greens topped with chilled shrimp, scallops, or honey-whiskey smoked salmon; seared rare tuna with teriyaki noodles; and homemade tuna salad-even meatloaf for those who won’t let summer’s heat come between them and their beloved comfort food. Open daily, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. 4117 Hwy. One, Rehoboth Beach, Del. 302-227-3665 or http://www.bigfishgrill.com.-K.B.
Located in a sliver of a store measuring six-and-a-half-feet wide by thirty-five-feet long, Piccolino is the spot for those who have a sweet tooth for hip-and affordable-accessories. The shop’s boudoir-esque decor, with soft pink walls and a canopy-like ceiling draped in white cotton muslin, sets the mood for this honest-to-goodness girlie-girl shop. Browse the Chanel-like flower pins, purses from bucket bags to wee evening bags in the shape of a bustier, wide-banded watches, beaded jewelry, and scarves. For the bottom half, there are fishnet stockings, flip-flops, heeled thongs, and polka-dot ballet slippers. 130 Second St., Lewes, Del. 302-644-7611.-K.B.
While driving along Rt. 26 East, keep your eyes peeled for La Dolce Vita. Located just after Lord’s Landscaping in a darling three-room brick building, the store is owned by sisters Nancy Rhodes, Jane Tribbitt, and artist Laura Hickman, whose pastel and oil scenes of Bethany and Italy are for sale throughout the store. The shop is chock-full of Mediterranean-inspired home decor items like woven cotton rugs, candle-holding chandeliers, Romanian hand-painted furniture, Italian pottery and hand-blown glass, pendulum clocks, and floral linens. Lotions and bath products from L’Erbolario make ideal hostess gifts, as do beaded jewelry and picture frames. 337 Atlantic Ave., Millville, Del. 302-541-4135. -K.B.
It may be a small place, but the Kool Bean Cafe & Espresso has a big future ahead of itself with Starbucks-like offerings such as cafe mocha, caramel macchiato, cafe au lait, frozen coffee drinks, chai, bags of beans-even fruit smoothies. Breakfast, while tasty, is not what you’d call carb-conscious, with dishes like creamed chipped beef, homemade pancakes, and sides of sausage and home fries. Pastries, from scones to coffeecake to its signature cinnamon rolls, are all made in-house. For lunch, choose from soups, salads, panini sandwiches, wraps, and quesadillas (try the crab). Seating inside is limited, with just five tables. Opt instead for one of the ten tables on the screened-in porch, where white tablecloths and fresh flowers add a touch of charm. Open Mon.-Sat. 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 111 Atlantic Ave., Millville, Del. 302-541-5377.-K.B.
Tucked directly behind The Figurehead (Lewes’s most fab she-boutique) is the recently relocated and expanded Books by the Bay Cafe, where you can grab a good bite-and a good book. Browsers can peruse newspapers as well as books in comfy chairs in the reading nook, or move to a table in the indoor cafe or outdoor patio area where the focus is food-homemade, that is. Choose from quiche, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and myriad breakfast dishes, like the signature Traditional Irish-two eggs any style, imported Irish bacon and sausage, sauteed mushrooms, and grilled tomatoes. All baked goods, from pies and cakes to muffins and scones, are made in-house. And they love kids here-little ones’ meals are served on Frisbees (that they can keep), giving tots a fresh incentive to clean their plates! Open daily, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. 111 Bank St., Lewes, Del. Cafe: 302-644-6571. Bookstore: 302-645-2304.-K.B.
Here’s a new concept: A nightspot for the over-forty crowd in Dewey. Venus on the Half Shell, captures the “mature” Dewey beach visitor with a fantastic beach-on-the-bay setting and a very funky Morocco-meets-the-Far-East theme. Picture hundreds of colorful pillows, candles, and muslin curtains throughout. The Asian-influenced menu appeals to polished palates as well: Thai-style sea bass with toasted coconut, tandoori-roasted chicken, and lobster tail with shrimp-truffle risotto. All this courtesy of the folks who run funky beach favorite Planet X. Undoubtedly, Venus will be one of the brightest spots at the shore this summer. 136 Dagsworthy St., Dewey, Del. 302-227-9292. -J.S.
You come off the beach in the mood for a huge fruit salad. Or maybe it’s a Mediterranean salad with feta, olives, and fresh tomatoes. Or maybe a scoop of shrimp salad fits the bill. At Village Rotisserie Cafe, you don’t have to decide. The eat-in cafe/carry out offers twenty fresh salads that can be mixed and matched for $6.95 a pound. If it’s comfort food you’re seeking, the rotisserie chicken comes with hearty side dishes like mac ‘n’ cheese, creamed spinach, and corn bread. Village Rotisserie also serves freshly made sandwiches and bagels, muffins, and coffee drinks for breakfast. 29 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, Del. 302-537-6157.-J.S.
Gals in search of mod gear have been blessed with The Angel Shack, opened in March by Tucson native Tia Diamontopoulos. From suits to weekend wear, you’ll find names you know: Von Dutch, Wayne Rodgers, Hankey Pankey, and Sue Wong. Sun goddesses can find Brazilian bathing suits, with mix-and-match bottoms and tops, by BellaBrazil. Accessory-lovers will dig handmade patent leather and raw silk purses by Mandonia. Now that you look like an angel, smell like one, too, with bath products and perfume by Kai, a California company that has found a way to bottle the scents of exotic Hawaiian tropical flowers. Open daily, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 170 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del. 302-226-8630 or http://www.theangelshack.com.-K.B.
Beach Cottage offers handcrafted furniture for every room of your beach house. The goods come from furniture makers in Pennsylvania, New England, and Canada, in materials from pine to mahogany to walnut. All pieces can be custom-finished to match whatever decorating theme you prefer. The furniture looks smart, but our favorite item is the wall-mounted set of shell measuring cups, perfect for any beach kitchen. 83 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, Del. 302-537-4777. -J.S.
“It’s called Divine Finds because we feel that everything we sell is a divine find,” says Kelly Pascoe of the new eclectic gift shop/ furniture store tucked off of Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Mews. The shop does boast a divine mix of items from feathered boas to handcrafted jewelry to Indonesian teak furniture. Nine out of ten items are imports, according to Kelly. Check out Andrea Jennings’ velum lamps; the shades are moody black and white photographs of familiar locales-dunes, Brooklyn brownstones, the Coney Island promenade. Soon to come: Rehoboth Beach. 127D Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del. 302-226-3600. -J.S.
Bethany Blues takes its barbecue seriously. Chefs cook meats up to sixteen hours in a smoker over Hickory and Jack Daniels barrel wood. They serve pulled pork, beef brisket, fresh Delaware chicken, and ribs two ways: baby back and St. Louis cut, a thicker and meatier style with a dry rub. All the pig pickings come with choice of red beans and rice, mac ‘n’ cheese, braised greens or slaw. The atmosphere-with its dark woods and handsome oval bar-is decidedly more downtown Memphis than Deep South, but the proof is in the ‘cue. 6 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach, Del. 302-537-1500 or http://www.bethanyblues.com. -J.S.
