The One Restaurant In Delaware That's Unlike Any Other In The World
By Kim Magaraci|Published November 09, 2016
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Kim Magaraci
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
If there’s one thing that Delawareans know, it’s that the DuPont family never cut corners in designing their homes, estates, and gardens. So, why should their Wilmington Hotel have been any different? The Rodney Square landmark “Hotel DuPont” is known for its elegant design, artwork, oak details such as paneling and beamed ceilings, gold chandeliers – everything you would expect from an extravagant Gilded Age building.
The unique atmosphere and stellar service are complementary to the incredible food served in the Hotel’s signature restaurant, The Green Room. The Green Room at the Hotel DuPont has received the AAA “Four-Diamond Award” annually for over 30 years. So, what makes it so amazing?
Historic Rodney Square is the backdrop to the elegant Hotel DuPont
Rodney Square, named after American Revolutionary leader Caesar Rodney, was created in the early 20th century by John Jacob Raskob, who worked for Pierre S. du Pont. The large statue of Rodney on horseback can be seen outside The Green Room.
The Hotel DuPont was also commissioned by Pierre S. du Pont, and was first opened in 1913.
It took over two years for this exceptionally crafted building to come to life - both French and Italian craftsmen carved, gilded and painted everything from the lobby to the Grand Ballroom. It was immediately spoken about worldwide, and became known as one of the finest hotels in the United States.
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However, The Hotel DuPont was not quite done in 1913.
Despite international recognition, the DuPonts were not fully satisfied with their elegant building. In 1918, renovations added expanded ballrooms and the DuPont Theatre, where you can still catch a show today. However, perhaps the most incredible feature of the building was the restaurant that began to stand out among the rest of the gourmet eateries on the East Coast - and that was the Green Room.
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Despite its name, the Green Room is draped in beautiful red curtains, and dotted with elegant gold accents.
In keeping with the spirit of the time period, even present day dining is accompanied by live music during dinner service on Friday and Saturday, and during Sunday Brunch. The beautiful sounds from the musician's gallery above round out the meal, and take it above the normal fine dining experience.
Starting the meal off with an appetizer or salad is my recommendation - personally, I love that many of the salads are mixed tableside. It really adds a personal touch to an already magical evening. Each night's menu is crafted with seasonal ingredients, many of which are sourced locally, so you'll be sure to find only the freshest food on your plate.
The chefs at The Green Room have won some of the industry's most prestigious awards, year after year.
When the restaurant earned its first AAA "Four-Diamond Restaurant" award in 1985, it was the first restaurant in Delaware to do so. It has been a recipent of the award annually since then, making it Delaware's most awarded restaurant for the past 30 years. It was the only Delawre restaurant on the list until 2014 - so this award is not one that is given lightly! Along with the AAA award, Forbes has labeled The Green Room as a Four Star rated restaurant, earning it a spot on another prestigious list.
It's not hard to see why the food has been so heavily rewarded, particularly in the dinner service.
If you're a steak lover, you'll taste one of the best on earth at the Green Room, I promise. The ribeye filet with au pouvre sauce is one of the best things you'll ever get to try. If you like seafood, you're in for a treat as well - the freshest, best catch is all they'll serve up. And even if you're a vegetarian, the locally sourced and in-season greens and veggies are cooked perfectly and seasoned in a way that'll have you craving another bite even after your plate is clear.
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If you've been paying attention, you know that I'm a HUGE brunch eater.
And as much as I love Lewinsky's in New Castle, my favorite brunch spread is at the Green Room - because of the waffle bar. The chocolate buttercream topping is to die for - I would probably be happy if that was all they put out!
I'll let you in on a little (poorly kept) secret, too - do NOT, whatever you do, pass up the macaroons.
The Hotel DuPont is famous for many things, yes, but one of the things they do best is make these little cookies. I'm not even kidding, when I attended a tasting for a Hotel DuPont wedding, my sister and I snuck out giant plate of the macaroons and ate them in the car when nobody was looking - and that was after having a full meal and dessert.
The Green Room at the Hotel DuPont is a seriously unqiue gourmet dining experience in Delaware – and if you have never been, you should treat yourself to a true night out. For over a hundred years, the Green Room has been an internationally acclaimed restuarant in a world-famous hotel, and it’s right here in our little Diamond State. You can step back in time to the gilded age of American history, when life was somehow simpler and more extravagant, at the same time. A meal at the Green Room is the perfect way to cap off a day of exploring the elegant DuPont gardens (such as Hagley or Winterthur) nearby.
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