In a bout of spontaneity, Mr. Rache booked a room at a seaside bed and breakfast, The Savannah Inn. While I can’t say enough good things about the Inn (from the location to the rooms to the common areas – this Inn oozes modern charm), I’m really here to talk about food.
The Savannah Inn, Lewes, Delaware
Charming. . .
. . .yet modern
While strolling through the town of Lewes, Mr. Rache and I spotted a deli and trattoria aptly named Touch of Italy. Everything about the place – the ambiance, the furnishings – made me feel nostalgic, even though this was my first visit. Maybe it’s because we were greeted by a young man in a paper hat and welcomed like regulars by the rest of the staff. We ordered a pizza to go and enjoyed a glass of house red at the bar while we waited.
I’ve never had a better house red.
Touch of Italy is more than charming. It’s the perfect juxtaposition of casual old-style deli and more refined eatery. Prosciutto di Parma hangs from the ceiling, pretty cookies sparkle on refrigerated shelves, and hunks of rich Parmesan Reggiano and other Italian cheeses decorate the deli case.
Walking into the front door is like stepping into a small, family-owned deli in 1950s New York
So much glorious cheese
Olives, artichokes, house-made mozzarella, olives, broccoli rabe. I. can’t. go. on.
After enjoying our late night glass of wine, we went to our room to savor every bite of freshly baked and perfectly seasoned pizza.
The pizza in question with house made mozzarella, sausage, roasted red peppers and onions
Impressed, we went back the next day for lunch, enjoying salad, soup, and another pizza.
Caprese Salad with house made mozzarella. No, tomatoes are not in season yet, but these tomatoes were tasty and this salad was worth the non-local splurge
Pasta figioli with sausage and white beans
Smoked mozzarella (house made, of course), broccoli rabe (perfectly cooked) and sausage. Simple goodness.
If you’re down at the beach this summer, visit Touch of Italy for take-out, desserts, or a leisurely dinner with good friends. And expect to want to go back before you even leave.
These pastries, cookies and desserts are made at their bakery location a few miles away
Macaroons dipped in chocolate
I’m smiling because there’s half a pizza, six macaroons, and eight chocolate cream cheese cookies in my to go bag
101 2nd Street
Lewes, DE 19958
Rachel's Table 
I think having this post be the first thing I’ve read today counts as ‘waking and baking,’ no?
I’m so glad you and Mr. Rache had a good time (go, Mr. Rache! Good man). The inn and pizza look AMAZING. Please leave the leftover half on my doorstep.
Totally counts! And you can still be productive after this version of waking and baking.
The other half is in my belly. But I really wish I could share these chocolate cream cheese cookies with you. And when I say cookies I really mean cookies.
Oh my god, that cheese. THAT CHEESE. That place looks like heaven. Please tell me they had ameretti cookies!
My parents live VERY close to Lewes. I rarely visit, but the next time I do, I might have to stop over here. Looks delicious.
They had amoretti and those pretty rainbow Italian cookies and wedding cookies and ricotta cookies – so much goodness. Going there could be the highlight of a trip to Lewes. Might even make it worth it!
That looks fantastic. We’ve got a getaway planned in a few months to our favorite place on the coast, but the food options are only pretty good. We’re trying to find a second getaway that’s sooner and tastier.
Whether it’s a short trip or a long vacation food makes all the difference. Sometimes I feel like I only go away to eat. I plan everything around dinner.
Do you live at all near Portland? I know they have some good eats there. (You’re in Oregon so I just assume you live near Portland. That’s pretty much like when people say to me, “Oh, you’re from Boston? Do you know my uncle?”)
Also, is Portland accurately portrayed on Portlandia?
Portlandia is not as much of an exaggeration as you’d like to hope it is. The city has definitely gotten way too in love with itself, which is too bad because that means the next step is being passé, and it’s a great town.
I’m about 3 hours from Portland, so near enough for a weekend, but not a day trip, usually. There are some great restaurants there, it’s true.
Now I am ridiculously hungry and craving Italian goods at 9:14am. . . And I know if I get pizza or pasta for lunch it won’t be as good as this!
I’m eating an Italian cookie right now. Don’t be jealous.
Everything about this post is awesome…well, everything except for the part where that deli is in Delaware. Where the hell is Delaware? I thought it was a fictitious place that only existed in name so that corporations across the country had a place to legally incorporate. No?
Seriously though, I was born on The Hill in St. Louis, the renowned Italian neighborhood of the city. I love places like this where you can get a great sandwich or pizza or soup and cheese and olives. So good! I can smell it right now.
Delaware is nowhere and everywhere all at the same time – close to Baltimore, the beaches, New York City, Philly. Proximity to OTHER places is about all it has going for it! That and no sales tax and all the incorporating stuff you are already privy to.
Cheese and olives – my two favorite things. Eaten together with a glass of red wine. I’m sure you enjoy yours with Bud Light Lime, but I’m not judging.
Oh, Rachel! This post had me weeping. I love Italy and anything related to it, the food, the country. Sigh. It’s been my lifelong dream to visit Italy. I have it all planned out- where I’ll go and what I’ll see and especially, what food and wine I’ll be drinking once I’m there. Maybe I can at least visit Delaware one day.
Go to the North End of Boston – it’s closer and way more authentic than Delaware. Although if you did want to come here, I would NOT stop you. You could stay at The Rachel’s Table Inn (breakfast is included).
Wow all that food looks amazing. Now I’m hungry!
Hi Rachel,
My name is Jane and I’m with Dwellable.
I was looking for blogs about Lewes to share on our site and I came across your post…If you’re open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Jane
Great shots!
The last one is my favorite, naturally…
You wouldn’t be you if it wasn’t.
I’m definitely me.
It’s the role I was born to play.
Great post… That red hails from the region of Italy that my grandmother is from–excellent choice.