Author: stlmaryland

Review: Oishii Sushi & Ramen (Newark, DE)

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

My kids and I had the pleasure of visiting Oishii Sushi & Ramen in Newark, DE, and it turned out to be a delightful experience from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was inviting, clean, and comfortable, making it a perfect spot for a casual family meal.

I decided to try the ramen, and I was genuinely impressed. The broth was mild yet packed with flavor, and the gluten-free rice noodles had a fantastic texture that made each bite satisfying. The portion size was generous, leaving me feeling full and content without being overwhelmed. Every component of the dish felt thoughtfully prepared, and the balance of flavors was excellent — the kind of meal that keeps you savoring every bite long after you’ve finished.

Meanwhile, my teenagers decided to try the sushi, and they were absolutely thrilled. They couldn’t stop talking about the wide variety of options available, from classic favorites to more creative rolls. Each piece they tried was fresh and bursting with flavor, and they remarked several times on how delicious everything was. Watching them enjoy their meal so much really added to the overall experience for me as a parent.

What I especially appreciated about Oishii Sushi & Ramen is how well they cater to different tastes. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting bowl of ramen or want to explore the art of sushi, there’s something for everyone. The quality of the food, the generous portions, and the inviting atmosphere all come together to create a dining experience that’s both satisfying and memorable.

Overall, our visit to Oishii Sushi & Ramen was a true pleasure. Between the hearty ramen and the fresh, flavorful sushi, it’s clear that this restaurant takes pride in its food and in providing a great experience for its guests. If you find yourself in Newark, DE, looking for a place that delivers both quality and variety, I highly recommend stopping by. You won’t leave hungry or disappointed.

Oishii Sushi & Ramen
129 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711
Website: https://www.oishiisushiramende.com
Phone: (302) 366-8882

The Maryland Italian Festival kicks off this Friday, September 26th, at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen and runs all weekend long!

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

🇮🇹 Thanks to the festival hosts for providing us with tickets — we’ll be there and can’t wait to share our experience. Hope to see everyone out there enjoying the food, music, rides, and family fun! 🎉

🎟️ When and Where

  • Dates: Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28
  • Times: Friday 5 PM – 10 PM, Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM
  • Location: Ripken Stadium Parking Lot, Aberdeen, Maryland
  • Admission: $12 for adults, children 12 and under are free with a parent
  • Parking: Free on-site and at satellite lots with shuttle service

Elkton Fall Fest 2025 – A First-Time Experience

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

This past Saturday, my daughter, her boyfriend, and I walked from my home to downtown Elkton to check out the annual Fall Fest. It was my first time attending, and while the event was smaller than I expected, it had a welcoming hometown feel.

We arrived around lunchtime, which turned out to be a quieter part of the day. The streets weren’t crowded, so it was easy to stroll along, visit the vendors, and take in the atmosphere. While it was hot outside, the lighter crowd made it more enjoyable to move around without feeling rushed.

The festival had a full lineup scheduled, including live music, a petting zoo, a rock wall, and more. Somehow, we completely missed a section of the event called Adventure Zone, which is where the animals and rock wall were located. I’ll definitely make a point to explore that area next year.

Even though we missed some activities, I still enjoyed browsing the vendor booths and came home with a couple of unique finds. My favorite purchase was a wooden and enamel crab sign that says “Maryland” across it, perfect for my dining room. Later, I also found out that chair massages were happening while we were there, which I unfortunately overlooked. Next time!

Overall, the Fall Fest was a nice community event with plenty to do. While timing (and maybe a better sense of direction) would have made our visit even better, I’m glad we went. Now that I know what to look for, I’m excited to experience even more of Elkton’s Fall Fest next year.

☕ Support the Journey

If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele

Review: Gluten Free Dining at Klondike Kate’s (Newark, Delaware)

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars for:

  • Food Quality: Excellent overall, with standout dishes like the Sweet Bourbon Salmon and the Margherita Pizza. Minor notes (slightly salty bisque, slightly overcooked broccoli) don’t detract from the overall experience.
  • Gluten Free Awareness: Outstanding – Jaime McCardell, the GM, ensures the kitchen takes every precaution for gluten free diners.
  • Service: Attentive, knowledgeable, and welcoming from start to finish.
  • Atmosphere & Value: Generous portions, inviting environment, and fair pricing.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit Klondike Kate’s, a Newark landmark located right on Main Street in Downtown Newark, Delaware. I was invited to review their gluten-free offerings, so I brought Alex and Evan along to join me for lunch. We were excited to see what this iconic spot had to offer – and we weren’t disappointed.

From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly by Alli, our server, and Jaime McCardell, the general manager. They were both attentive, knowledgeable, and went out of their way to make sure our experience was smooth, especially when it came to gluten-free dining. That extra care immediately set the tone for the afternoon.

Crab Bisque

Cream-based, minced vegetables & fresh lump crabmeat, dusted with Old Bay

We started with the Crab Bisque, and it was a pleasant surprise. So often, cream-based soups are thickened with wheat flour, making them off-limits for gluten-free guests, but not here. The presentation was lovely, with a gentle dusting of Old Bay on top. The flavor had definite hints of Old Bay, and while it leaned a little salty, the overall taste was very enjoyable—rich, creamy, and not overly “fishy.” It felt indulgent and comforting without being heavy.

Continue reading →

Review: Caffe Gelato Restaurant (Newark, DE)

/ stlmaryland / 2 Comments

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

I visited Caffe Gelato with my kids to try their Artisan Crafted Gelato, and we were not disappointed!

We were spoiled for choice with so many delicious gluten-free flavors, including:

  • Salted Caramel
  • Stracciatella (chocolate chip)
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Raspberry Sorbetto
  • Vanilla Bean
  • Mint Chocolate Chip
  • Bacio (chocolate hazelnut)
  • Peanut Butter
  • Pistachio
  • Caramel Cashew Crunch
  • Crème Brûlée Toffee

I had the Crème Brûlée Toffee, which was really tasty. Portions are on the smaller side, but the flavor is big.

My daughter chose Salted Caramel, and my son went with Mint Chocolate Chip. We all tried each other’s flavors and agreed everyone picked the right one—though, naturally, I still thought mine was the best! When I asked, I was told all flavors are gluten-free, which was perfect for us.

The gelato is served in cones or cups; since we are gluten-free, we opted for cups. While the service was fair but not excellent, the quality of the gelato more than made up for it.

Caffe Gelato Restaurant – Newark, DE
📍 90 E Main St, Newark, DE
📞 (302) 738-5811

DIY Cat Tree Makeover with Oiled Sisal Rope

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

After living with cats for almost three decades, one thing I’ve learned is that cat trees don’t last forever. With two cats for many years (and now four!), the wear and tear really starts to show. My oldest cat tree is easily 10 years old, if not older, and it was long overdue for a makeover.

Instead of buying a brand-new tree—which can be really expensive—I decided to try a DIY fix. After doing some research, I found out that sisal rope is the best choice for refurbishing scratching posts. Cats love it, and it holds up well to all the claw action.

I ordered 50 feet of ½-inch oiled all-natural sisal rope from Amazon. Looking back, I probably should have gone with 100 feet, since 50 feet turned out to be a little short. Still, I was really happy with how it came out overall.

For tools, I used:

  • Gardening loppers to cut the rope into pieces
  • #6 x 1-5/8″ screws to secure the rope
  • A Ryobi Cordless ¼ in. Impact Driver (which made the job so much easier)

My oldest son helped me, and together we gave the cat tree a fresh new life. We did run out of rope toward the end, so one section still has the original worn rope, but the rest looks great and is ready for all four cats to enjoy.

All in all, the cost of the rope was much more affordable than replacing the whole cat tree. And honestly, it felt good to refurbish something old instead of tossing it. The cats seem pretty pleased with their “new” scratching spots, which makes the project totally worth it.

☕ Support the Journey

If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele

Review: Del Pez Mexican Gastropub (Newark, DE)

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

I was recommended to try Del Pez Mexican Gastropub while craving Mexican food, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Having grown up in the Bay Area of California, I’m very particular about Mexican flavors, and I found their gluten-free options to be limited and lacking the authenticity I was hoping for.

However, I ordered the Street Taco Flight (pick & choose 3) and went with Grilled Steak, Carnitas with salsa verde crudo, and Shrimp with chipotle aioli. Out of the three, the Shrimp taco stood out — absolutely delicious, full of flavor, and perfectly balanced. I honestly wish I had ordered all three as shrimp because the Steak and Carnitas just didn’t hit the mark.

The staff was absolutely attentive and very accommodating with us being gluten intolerant, which made the visit much more pleasant.

Del Pez Mexican Gastropub
501 Grove Ln
Newark, DE 19711
📞 (302) 273-3788

Note: This review was written before my diverticulitis diagnosis — which now means avoiding corn, so sadly most Mexican food is off my plate (literally). Whaaa!

Review: Pat’s Select Pizza | Grill – Elkton, MD

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Food & Staff)

We ordered gluten-free pizzas from Pat’s Select Pizza | Grill, and I’m so glad we did! They use a cauliflower crust as their gluten-free option, and it was cooked perfectly — not overdone or burnt, which can sometimes happen at other places. The pizzas came out in a timely manner, and they were delicious. My kids really enjoyed their orders, and I was happy to finally find a spot where we can all enjoy a good pizza together. Definitely a great option for families who need gluten-free!

Pat’s Select Pizza | Grill
224 S Bridge St
Elkton, MD 21921
Website

My Take on a Delicious Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

The other day, I had the absolute pleasure of tasting my cousin’s grilled butterflied leg of lamb, and I have to say I was completely blown away. The flavor, the tenderness, the perfect garlic and herb notes, it was incredible, and I knew I had to try making it myself.

She told me she originally purchased her lamb at Whole Foods, but the closest one to me is about an hour away in Glen Mills, PA. Luckily, she mentioned that Aldi’s also carries great butterflied legs of lamb, so I headed over, grabbed a package, and got started.

I marinated my lamb with pressed garlic, cumin, Dulse granules, Celtic Fine Salt, and Ken’s balsamic dressing, letting it soak in all those flavors overnight. The next day, I fired up my Traeger at 450°F and grilled it to perfection. The result? Juicy, flavorful, and savory goodness that made me feel like I was sitting right there at my cousin’s table all over again.

If you’ve ever had a moment where you taste something so good you just have to make it yourself, you know exactly what I’m talking about. This lamb recipe is easy to make at home and delivers that same restaurant-quality flavor without the hassle.

Check out the full recipe below, and get ready to wow your friends and family with this unforgettable grilled butterflied leg of lamb!

Continue reading →

🇮🇹 Maryland’s Largest Italian Festival: A Weekend of Fun for Gluten-Free Families

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

My three kids (ages 14–18) and I are excited to check out the Maryland Italian Festival this year, happening for the first time at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28. We were given passes by the hosts to review the festival and share our honest thoughts, especially for families like ours who are gluten-intolerant.

🎟️ When and Where

  • Dates: Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28
  • Times: Friday 5 PM – 10 PM, Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM
  • Location: Ripken Stadium Parking Lot, Aberdeen, Maryland
  • Admission: $12 for adults, children 12 and under are free with a parent
  • Parking: Free on-site and at satellite lots with shuttle service

🍝 Gluten-Free Options

Finding gluten-free options at festivals can be tricky, but some vendors are making it easier:

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Crunchy Almond Cookies – Perfect for dessert.
  • Sausage and Peppers – Skip the bun and enjoy classic flavor.

Cross-contamination is always a risk, so planning ahead or bringing your own gluten-free snacks is smart.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Fun for Teens

The festival isn’t just for little kids, there’s plenty for teens too:

  • Bocce Tournament – Fun to play or watch.
  • Carnival Rides and Midway Games – Classic fair attractions that teens will enjoy.
  • Live Entertainment – Music, performances, and a lively atmosphere.

✅ Our Take

The Maryland Italian Festival at Ripken Stadium promises a weekend full of food, fun, and Italian culture. While gluten-free options are limited, with a little planning, families managing gluten intolerance can still enjoy everything the festival has to offer. I’m Italian, so I’m really looking forward to getting out and seeing the festival with my kids. I’ll be there that weekend, and I hope those in the area will be able to make it out as well to support this great cause.