LOOKING GOOD

Fashionista alert
Owner Christy Hamer was full of interesting points to make about her boutique, Hula Sue, but it was impossible to surrender our attention when such cool clothes were hanging but feet away. Trendy and classic gear here includes heeled slinky summer shoes and sandals, linen walking shorts, wispy baby doll tops, belts, jewelry, bags, makeup—even knee-high, high-heeled cowboy boots (Hamer is from south Texas, y’all). Tricked out to suit the most indulgent fashionista, vintage chandeliers, baby pink walls, and a cushy boudoir chair set the scene to make this a trendsetter’s dream dressing room. 149 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 302-227-1012. —K.B.

Sweet & Lowe
Silver rings and necklaces inset with Tahitian white spiral shells, earrings crafted from Australian picture jasper, cufflinks made from torch-worked glass. These are just a few of the hand-crafted items made by jewelry-maker Heidi Lowe at her cottage gallery/studio. Also see exhibited works by international jewelry makers such as Ukiko Honda from Korea and Jamie Bennett from New York. (Gallery prices range from $50 to $2,500.) Interested in learning the craft? Sign up for Lowe’s bracelet making and metalsmithing class in July at the Rehoboth Art League. 328 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 302-227-9203 or http://www.thejewelrystudio.com. —K.B.

Cowboy chic
Urban cowboys and cowgirls will get a kick out of The Bootlegger, stocked with more than fifty styles of boots in lizard, alligator, suede, and even patent leather. Cowboy hats, ornate belt buckles, and leather bags trimmed with cowhide complete the au courant western look. 46 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 302-226-3007. —K.B.

No-fuss beachwear
Somewhat off Lewes’ beaten path—and well worth the visit—Tom Tom is a find for women who like no-fuss cotton and linen separates (a la Flax), from wide-legged pants to jumper dresses to vintage-inspired cropped jackets. Owners Susan and Michael Shockley personally design their own pieces, available in beach-bright solids, preppy seersuckers, and motif prints. They also carry more contemporary items (camis, sundresses, tunic tops, cotton swing coats) by White Rice, Young Essence, and Last Tango. 209 Monroe Ave., Lewes. 302-645-7401. (Be sure to check out brother Ed Shockley’s new shop next door, Mother Fletcher’s Antiques, for primitive, country, and Victorian furniture, smalls, and art. 209 Monroe St., Lewes. 302-645-5375.) —K.B.

Beach chic
Aqua Marine is one more upscale reason the fashion-savvy pay homage to Delaware’s beach boutiques. Owner Maureen Botti carries beach-chic gear from embroidered tunics by Andrea Becker to crinkled silk sun- dresses by Chaudry and cotton capris by Cut Loose. Comp-lementary accessories range from Donald Pliner bags, hand-painted silk shoes by Adele Yen, and handmade crochet jewelry by Elizabeth Gillett. 205 Second St., lower level, Lewes. 302-644-4550. —K.B.

LIVING WELL

Change of art
This summer, replace those tired old landscapes with some fun, funky, and oh-so-colorful art from Pop Rocks, Rehoboth’s newest gallery. Home to strictly pop art, the gallery exhibits works by some of the genre’s foremost artists: Jeffrey Schaller, John Stango, and Nelson De La Nuez. Themes range from collages of seventies cereal boxes to off-beat floral still-lifes and beach-theme cartoons. As one over-burdened house-guested heroine laments, “You never know how many friends you have until you have a house at the beach!"39 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 302-227-0502 or http://www.poprocksart.com. —K.B.

Divine DCOR
It didn’t look like much, but Ed will tell you that, in the design world, it’s all about vision. In February, interior designer Ed Albers and former marketing exec Michael Cusumano bought a dilapidated beach cottage and transformed it into the Design Center of Rehoboth (DCOR). Reminiscent of an intimate guesthouse where customers wind through themed rooms (sunroom, bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen), the center is both a full-service design firm (including landscape design) and a retail source for accessories and furniture. But fair warning: This is a pastel, wicker-free zone where clean, contemporary interior style rules. (We zeroed in on the three-foot-plus mirror with mahogany-hued, braided leather frame, and trophy arc bowl made from lacquered tiger wood). 112 Atlantic Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 302-227-9341 or http://www.rehobothinteriors.com. —K.B.

Face time
Ocean City pamper-seekers know A Perfect Face, one of the town’s longest-standing purveyors of luxurious massages, facials, and nail services. After two decades and two previous locations, the spa has a new home yet again—this time in booming West Ocean City. They’ve kept the low-light, luxurious feel, but this time, owner Carol Wither (and her husband, who designed the look) took into account her changing clientele, now almost 25 percent male. The placid chocolate brown walls and white columns, evocative of British West Indies décor, has a distinctly masculine tone, but all sexes find the Vichy shower a real treat, with its undulating water massage, not to mention the private pedicure whirlpool chairs. 12638 Ocean Gateway Village, Ocean City. 410-213-9883 or http://www.aperfectface.com. —K.H.E.

Antiques and more
Rainy days and Sundays were made for poking around Coastal Classics, ripe with antiques, gift items (note cards, scented soaps, beaded jewelry) and decorative pieces such as seashell lights, watercolors by local painters, and toile throw pillows. 41 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View. 302-537-2902. —K.B.

BEACH EATS

Pig Out
Curley’s has captured the attention—and stomachs—of beach-going barbecue lovers with its Carolina- style eats, from ribs to beef brisket and half-chicken platters. (If you’re fretting over calories, note the menu, extolling the nutritional virtues of the “other white meat.")

Vegetarians can even tuck into a jumbo stuffed potato or skip the entrée and opt for a slice of one of the five varieties of homemade pies. No trip to Curley’s would be complete without sampling its fried mac ‘n’ cheese (basically the Kraft version encased in a fried coating). 16723 Coastal Hwy., Lewes. 302-644-9949. —K.B.

Get up and go-go
Since everyone loves a happy ending—and a great latte—read on: Maria and Jesus Ramirez came to Rehoboth Beach sixteen years ago from their native Tampico, Mexico. After fifteen years at LaLa Land (where she worked her way up from dishwasher to manager and he from dishwasher to line cook), they’ve opened their own spot, Café a Go-Go. Specialties of the casa are Mexican coffee drinks such as Café con Leche (coffee steamed with milk, cinnamon, and brown sugar) and Café & Chocolate (coffee combined with Mexican spiced hot chocolate and topped with whipped cream). Though the queue for coffee often flows out the door, Maria insists on keeping her offerings homemade, from the breakfast burrito to the Mexican wrap (avocado, cream cheese, turkey, jalapeno cheese, lettuce, and Maria’s salsa) to the flan. Feel free to sit a spell on the over-stuffed couch and lounge chairs while chilling out to jazz by day and Mexican music by night. After all, like the sign says on the wall, Mi casa es su casa. 102 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 302-227-1099. —K.B.

Slice of heaven
Who can say no to a pie? Especially if it’s one from Dangerously Delicious Pies, an offshoot of the Baltimore-based company owned by Rodney “The Pie Man"Henry, who began making pies while on the road with his post-punk rock band, the Glenmont Popes. Henry’s mom, Gail, runs the Bethany shop, where she sells organic and sugar-free savory pies. (Try the sausage, onion, and fennel.) But when hot weather hits, you’ll probably want to slice into one of twenty-one varieties of fruit pies. (Food Network cutie Rachael Ray gave the Lemon Chess the thumbs up, while we dug the White Trash crème brulee.) 100 Garfield Pkwy., 901 Bethany Town Center, Bethany Beach. 302-537-PIES or http://www.dangerouspies.com. —K.B.

Sub Love
No need to drive all the way to South Philly for a decent cheesesteak when there’s Philly’s Best in Fenwick Island. Philadelphia native Brian DeLuca imports authentic rolls from the City of Brotherly Love and delivers a fine facsimile of the traditional delicacy, with its marinated chopped beef, complete with grilled onions. 5799 Lighthouse Cove, Rt. 54. Fenwick Island. 302-537-6971. —K.H.E.

All Aboard!
If you blinked twice when you passed the 1930s train cars abutting the new building on Rt. 26 in Ocean View, relax—you weren’t dreaming. Anthony Christopher, general manager/executive chef (formerly of Bethany’s upscale Park Way restaurant) and partners have long been dreaming of this unusual venture. Now the Royal Zephyr is ready for boarding. In a nod to both vacationers and locals, gourmands and families, the Zephyr features two distinct menus and eating spaces: The First Class car, with its fancy crimson embroidered chairs, serves high-end cuisine, from veal to filet mignon to fresh fish, while the entertaining Coach car caters to the kids-in-tow with fried chicken, pork chops—and even running model trains. It’s like the Orient Express has come to town, without the rockin’ and rolling and spilling of the wine. Rt. 26, Ocean View. 302-541-9555. —K.H.E

High steaks
Ruth’s Chris Steak House has finally set up shop on the Shore. It’s located within the Glen Riddle residential community (complete with marina and two golf courses), formerly the site of the thoroughbred farm where Man O’ War and War Admiral were raised and trained. The high-end restaurant will serve the same fare as its big-city counterparts—but with a twist: It’s housed in the old stable where the two super-hero horses once called home. 11501 Maid at Arms Ln., Berlin. 410-213-9444 or http://www.ruthschris.com. —K.H.E.

Chalk it up
The New Orleans’ themed Big Easy restaurant is gone from Sea Colony Market Square, but local developer/owner Ken Heaps has replaced it with an updated menu and new, more open interior in his months-old restaurant, The Chalkboard Tavern and Grill. In addition to fine dining selections from chef Kevin Dougherty from Bluecoast, he’s continuing the weekly music sessions; now regular jazz combo Lowercase Blues plays each Thursday. 111 Marketplace at Sea Colony, Bethany Beach. 302-539-7482. —K.H.E.

Mighty oak
Another new addition to Ocean View is the Oak Arbor Inn Restaurant, housed in a cottage-style house on Route 26, where menu memorables include the baby arugula and fennel salad and the Seared Sea Scallop Bliss, caramelized scallops atop a bed of baby spinach and covered in a shiitake demi glaze. Hungry yet? 84 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, 302-539- 4446. —K.B.

FUN ON THE WATER

Fish story
If it’s deep-sea fishing you’ve been craving, Capt. Charlie Helmer is happy to oblige. He launched his charter sport fishing service on the Tranquila in Lewes last summer. His custom-built, 53-foot Ricky Scarborough sport fisherman is loaded with the latest fish-finding technology to hunt down off-shore prize fish: tuna, marlin, wahoo and more. And when the fish ain’t bitin’, enjoy the amenities of the heated/air-conditioned teak cockpit: TV, VCR and MP3 players. You’ll be hooked before the day is done. $1,700/day for up to six passengers. 302-745-1503, http://www.tranquilasportfishing.com.

Sail away
After 30 years in corporate America, Capt. Barry Askew is now living his dream, taking his 34-foot Gemini catamaran Love Knots II out of Anglers’ Marina in Lewes for day sails and sunset cruises. Go for a two- to five-hour tour to catch sight of dolphins, historic lighthouses and osprey on Delaware Bay. Capt. Barry will let you help rig the sails or even take the helm— that is, if you’re not too busy sipping your complimentary mimosa. ($25/hour per person; trips must include four to six passengers; two-hour minimum.) 302-249-3538 or http://www.loveknots2.com.

Nature friendly
A more low-key offering awaits at the serene James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View. This summer, Lisa Daisey, certified boat captain and owner of ECOBay Kayaking Adventures, offers nature kayak tours on the calm Indian River Bay. The three-hour morning tours, starting at 9 a.m., include two hours of paddling plus instruction and a gourmet lunch from Luna Tuna caterers. $50; kids $45. 302-245-9332; info on James Farm at http://www.inlandbays.org/cib_pm/james_farm.php. —K.H.E.

TO MARKET, TO MARKET

Gourmet shopping is no longer impossible at the beach, thanks to a flurry of openings in several beach towns.

Foodies exulted when the Avalon Market opened last summer along Route 50 in West Ocean City. The handsome, spacious market, with its assorted racks of gourmet packaged goods and snacks backed by rows of international wine choices, also includes a fresh food section (fine meats, seafood, produce) and New York-style deli. But owner (and local) Rick Vach and executive chef Tyler Galloway realize that we’re all really too busy— or lazy— to cook, so they also offer small- and large-scale catering, prepared foods, even hospitality gift baskets. The concierge service will plan your party, literally from soup to nuts to table settings. The assorted linens, gifts and serving dishes, from names like Vera Wang and Vietri, might inspire you— we couldn’t resist the colorful fun platter with the flip-flops. 12510 Ocean Gateway. Ocean City, 410-213-0212, http://www.avalonmarket.com.

Bear Essentials Market is the latest entry to the Ocean View/Bear Trap community. Besides a selection of snacks, fancy drink fixings and bare essentials (think 7-Eleven with style), this cute shop features a full deli and seafood market. But the real draw is the mini soda fountain, serving up ice cream sodas and sundaes, along with fancy espresso drinks, under a charming awning. Central Avenue, Ocean View, 302-436-3075, http://www.beartrapdunes.com.

It’s not that often that the opening of a Giant Food store generates this much excitement, but the Super Giant in Millville is setting a new standard for grocery shopping at the beach. With expansive aisles and a produce section that goes on for days, this gourmet Giant caters to the epicure with an extensive selection of fine meats, seafood and specialty items (two full aisles of organic products). But it also recognizes our relaxed weekend selves, with a large prepared food selection, including freshly made sushi. Open 24 hours a day. 220 Town Center Drive, Route 26, Millville, 302-537-8200.

Speaking of relaxed, sit back and let FOOD2GOtake care of dinner. This new incarnation of Takeout Taxi delivers from a slew of restaurants (from Crabby Dick’s to Taste of India) in and around Lewes, Rehoboth, Dewey Beach and surrounding areas. 302-945-5617 or order online at http://www.Food2GoDE.com. —K.H.E.

NEW AND NOTABLE

OCEAN CITY
Restaurant impresario John Trader’s legacies keep evolving: His small bistro/wine and martini bar, Liquid Assets on 94th Street, has now swallowed up the perhaps too swanky Nebula restaurant next store. 410-524-7037.

And Trader’s original spot, Galaxy, which he sold some time back, has now been sold again, to locals Tammy Patrick-Cebula and Roger Cebula. It looks much the same from the road and has the same chef and a similar menu, but it now boasts a new rooftop bar and new name, Galaxy 66. 6601 Coastal Hwy. 410-723-6762.

The Francis Scott Key Family Resort, the long-running family spot in West Ocean City, keeps updating, and has added an indoor water park for guests, geared to the younger set with slides, waterfalls, and fun water toys. (It may not be Jungle Jim’s, but you’ll thank your forward-thinking spouse on the third rainy day). 410-213-0088.

BERLIN
New owners took over the restaurant/arts venue The Globe, adding a bar and a brand new chef, Brook Lamar, with his sushi skills and creative menu-planning talents. They will continue the theater/arthouse offerings on weekends. 410-641-0784 or http://www.globetheater.com.

FENWICK ISLAND
The Hula Hut caters to those who insist on ice cream without toppings. “It’s all about the ice cream,"says owner Jeff Goldberg. The range of flavors, made locally at the rural Delaware Woodside Creamery of Hockesin, are geared to adults— Black Russian, Wedding Cake, Peach Butter Brickle, and a range of sugar-free choices—but everyone likes a good cotton candy. 4 Village of Fenwick, Fenwick Island. 888-HULA-HUT or http://www.the-hula-hut.com.

BETHANY BEACH
Bethany’s new bandstand (hopefully) opens to music lovers this Fourth of July. The new design opens up the gathering spot to Garfield Parkway for a freer flow of revelers and new seating for assorted weekly concerts. Schedules available at townofbethanybeach.com.

The beloved basic Bethany mini-golf is gone, razed for two new food emporia, Maui Wowie (with its special Hawaiian coffees and natural fruit smoothies, like Passion Papaya and Mango Orange) and Hot Dogs and So Much More, which are slated to open in July.

REHOBOTH BEACH
Sushi and more has arrived in the cozy contemporary space, Japonica, on Rehoboth Avenue (they deliver!) 23 Rehoboth Ave. 302-227-3116. The owners of the popular Adriatico are branching out with a raw bar and seafood restaurant named Wahoo where the Crab Barn once was. (4345 Coastal Highway, 302-227-6700) ... Bethany’s loss is Rehoboth’s gain— the popular upscale home furnishings shop Tulip has relocated north, to a bigger and better location. 3302 Coastal Highway, 302-226-2696. ...The mix-your-own-ice creamflavors of Cold Stone Creamery has landed in Rehoboth and Ocean City. 13115 Coastal Highway in O.C. 410-250-2929; 43B Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 302-226-2750. ... Hilarity has hit the beach courtesy of the Delaware Comedy Theatre. Started by David Warick, a former L.A.-based comedy writer and performer, and his wife, Rehoboth native Amy DeBartolomeis, the 15-member troupe performs all-improvised skits (think “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?"). Don’t miss its one-year anniversary show on July 15 at the Milton Theatre. For a performance schedule, visit http://www.delawarecomedytheatre.com. or call 302-258-5443.

LEWES
Rehoboth’s full service Ocean Retreat Day Spa & Hair Studio has opened a Lewes location, in a stately downtown Victorian, offering the same impressive spa menu, including tanning, hair care, and laser hair removal. 210 Savannah Rd. 302-645-6868 or http://www.oceanretreatdayspa.com. ... A farmers’ market has come to town, featuring local produce, herbs and flowers. Open Saturdays through October. 110 Shipcarpenter St.,302-644-2505.