Hockessin Wine & Spirits is just outside of Avondale & Kennett Square, PA - probably about 25-30 min. from WC (there's a map and info on their Web site, www.hockessinwine.com). There's also a Total Wine & More on Naaman's Rd in Claymont (from WC, take RT 202S to RT 92/Naaman's Rd and make a L onto 92). For restaurants, check out Domaine Hudson wine bar & eatery in downtown Wilmington, DE (www.domainehudson.com); they just introduced a 20+ craft beer menu.

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Domaine Hudson - New American Fare, Wine Bar & Spirits
1314 N Washington Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Domaine Hudson, if you venture into Wilmington, about 30 min south of Philly. Choice of 3 cheeses for $15 or 5 for $25. Cheeses are from Murray's in NYC. Www.DomaineHudson.com/menu.html

"yankee_fan_0" doesn't get out much! If Zagat ratings mean anything to you, then The Green Room at Hotel du Pont and Domaine Hudson in Wilmington, and Krazy Kat's in Montchanin (between Wilm. & Greenville) are upscale restaurants not to be missed. Eclipse, Moro, Toscana and Mikimoto's are also good choices. (Sadly, Restaurant 821 closed earlier this year.) In north Wilm., you've got to try Corner Bistro at RT 202 and Silverside Rd. Right around the corner from it and facing RT 202 is a promising new diner, Lucky's. Sorry, I'm not a fan of Charcoal Pit (I have better memories of it as a kid); I'm surprised it's still around.

This is 1.5 yrs after your request, but I had to reply since I saw Golden Castle mentioned: avoid it like the plague. The new diner, Lucky's, on RT 202 (Concord Pike) is worth checking out. You can order B/L/D any time of day. Food is satisfying, service is very good, and the retro-mod decor is fun.

Not sure when your event is, or if it already happened, but Domaine Hudson wine bar & eatery in downtown Wilmington is worth a try. It's within walking distance of the Hotel du Pont, and it's about a 20 min. drive down RT 52 from Winterthur. www.domainehudson.com

I'm staying in Margate this weekend. I've been to Manna recently, which was good. Any other suggestions for a good meal? BYOB is fine.

The Union League of Phila., near City Hall - if you are a member or know someone who is: www.unionleague.org. Or, if you venture down into Wilmington, DE (30 min. south of Philly), check out the University & Whist Club; no need to be a member to book it for events: www.universityandwhistclub.com. (There's Amtrak and SEPTA service into WIL.)

If you're willing to drive about 30 min. south of Philly, might I suggest Domaine Hudson wine bar & eatery in Wilmington? No sales tax or big-city prices. It's a small place with very good reviews. They have a private dining room to accommodate up to 12. I'm sure the owner would be willing to work with you on putting together a menu, and would be more than happy to help select bottles of wine, but the menu is on their Web site, too: domainehudson.com Best of luck, and happy birthday! I just celebrated my own "-0" birthday this spring!

OMG, I just found the Web site for the documentary "This is My Cheesesteak", complete with movie trailer. Maybe this will answer some questions! http://www.thisismycheesesteak.com/ch...

Hallelujah! Traditionalists: no Whiz. That's the way it oughtta be. Not knocking the Whiz joints as "tourist traps"; no opinion there. Just think a real (read: "authentic") cheesesteak should be served with real cheese. But it's a matter of preference, I guess. I'm just dumbfounded at the popularity of Whiz. (What the heck is it made of, anyway??)

Pertinent to the subject at hand (and what a great topic this has been!)...
The NYC Film & Food Festival features Philly cheesesteaks: "Opening night [6/14/08] of the festival brings Ben Daniel's THIS IS MY CHEESESTEAK to the big screen with a cheesesteak party to match. Come to the beach [Water Taxi Beach, Long Island] to watch this new documentary about Philadelphia's signature food and enjoy authentic TONY LUKE'S Philly Cheesesteaks under the stars with a stunning view of midtown Manhattan..." (quoted from: http://www.nycfoodfilmfestival.com)

Domaine Hudson is now serving lunch (Jan.'08) in addition to dinner. Had lunch with a friend this week and enjoyed a bowl of white bean soup and small dish of gnocchi. It was delicious.

Owner definitely encourages feedback. If you don't voice your displeasure at time of service, there's always e-mail -- contact info with email link on their Web site: http://www.domainehudson.com/contact....

Good service is so appreciated. Tough job waiting tables, but even tougher when business slows down in the summer as people head to the shore, including some of the better servers (I know of a few who are seasonally transient and simply go where the $ is). Maybe I'm sympathetic because I waited tables once...ONCE. ;-)

Domaine Hudson in Wilmington, DE (Washington St. between 13th and 14th Sts., across from Wilmington Hospital.)

Re: parking at Domaine Hudson, make a right onto 13th St. just after Mikimoto's, then a quick left to park in the Colonial Parking lot (after 5pm). If you continue down the alley past the first lot, there's a second Colonial Parking lot, too. The two lots flank the restaurant and allow free public parking after 5 pm.

Harry's Seafood has been hit-or-miss with me (food and service). Sounds like at Domaine Hudson it was mostly the service that disapponted you, which is not the norm. I've eaten there several times. It's always been very good and have been pleased with the attention we were given. The servers taste the wines, too, so they have pretty good knowledge of what's on the menu. However, the owner is usually on-hand to talk with if there's any doubt, and he's the one who hand-selects every bottle on the menu. Hope you have a better experience next time. It's well worth another visit.

Skip the cheesesteak, unless you can find one that's served with REAL cheese and not that gunky Cheese Whiz stuff. The very touristy Geno's and Pat's in South Philly don't do a cheesesteak justice. (Sorry, fans of Geno's/Pat's!)

Correction re: beer, Dogfish Head brewery is in lower Delaware (about 3 hrs from Philly).

Has anyone tasted Le Cadeau pinot noir? I attended a wine dinner last fall ('06) in Delaware at Domaine Hudson wine bar and eatery, and I seem to recall that it was very good. I've heard they're now releasing their 2005.

If you go north from VA, don't miss Domaine Hudson wine bar and eatery in Wilmington, DE (I-95, RT 52S exit). Google them to see their online menu and wine list. It's one of the best restaurants on the East Coast.

Five Guys is a treat, once in awhile, if you're not concerned about heart health or calories. They're dripping with grease and SOOO good. As good as Jake's, if not better (haven't been there in awhile). The fries are very good. Last summer (Aug. '06) it was my last meal before going into labor with my first child, which makes it unforgettable and always brings a smile to my face.

If you haven't been back to Domaine Hudson recently, they've expanded their cheese offerings with a new menu of cheeses from NYC's Artisanal Cheeses (see www.domainehudson.com/menu.html). It's a great way to start or finish a meal (in lieu of a sweeter "dessert"). It's also a fun way to grab a small bite to eat with a glass of wine at the bar after work.

You might try DuPont Zodiaq quartz surfaces for durability and strength. It's also quite beautiful. (I have it in my kitchen at home.) Similar to Silestone, but the color/texture choices are superior. Here's a link to look up where to buy: http://www.zodiaq.com/zodiaq/a/en/c/I...

We just celebrated our wedding anniversary at Domaine Hudson, then went back week later with friends. The ahi tuna and filet mignon are delicious. The extended cheese menu is new -- very tasty cheeses from Artisanal Cheeses in NYC. They make a great starter or dessert. Owner Tom Hudson said that chef Jason Barrowcliff is introducing new menu items for the spring, so it's definitely worth revisiting soon. Tip: Reservations are a must, as the place fills up quickly.