A NOTE TO OUR READERS:
"Rediscover Wilmington, Delaware" is from the October 2007 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.

Top-Rated: 821 Market Street
I adore a booth or banquette at a restaurant; they're comfier and a tad more private. Luckily, 821 has plenty of both. This stylish eatery feels posh and luxurious. Crisp white linens, fresh-cut flowers, shimmering dark wood, and golden-hued walls offset what is otherwise a slightly dark space. The lunch menu on the day I was there brimmed with diverse choices, from Hawaiian prawns to prime rib carpaccio. Absolutely go for the gnocchi salad--it is the best salad I've ever tasted, hands down. Dense, soft gnocchi are pan-fried like little pot stickers. Salty shiitake mushrooms complement a tangy bed of baby spinach. I followed my salad with a braised short rib, which was nicely de-boned and came served atop a sweet potato puree. The dish was neither fatty nor greasy--just brimming with rich flavor. Only downside to 821: When I visited, the staff was slow and brusque. 821 North Market Street; (302) 652-8821. Lunch entrées: $12-$14.

Deep Blue
A grand oyster menu and impressive presentation make ordering bivalves here a real treat. The most succulent, plump oysters accompanied by slivers of fresh lemon--all on a bed of crushed ice--can become a real addiction. I found eight different varieties on the raw bar. Moist, crab-packed crab cakes atop creamy, lobster-infused potatoes made for seafood heaven. The gorgeous presentation of this dish was almost edible art. Lastly, don't skip the house-made ice cream. Flavors change daily. My favorite was cinnamon--its fiery flavor leapt from a super-creamy base that tasted as if it had been churned on someone's back porch. 111 West 11th Street; (302) 777-2040. Dinner entrées: $19-$26.

Harry's Seafood Grill
This visually stunning restaurant is relatively new to the riverfront area. A granite-covered raw bar greets visitors, and a huge starfish hangs over the main dining room. Oysters are shucked and immediately brought to the table, and while the sauces and presentation don't hold a fork to Deep Blue, the selection proved much broader. I was wowed by Harry's tuna sashimi: a gorgeous mini-steak of incredibly fresh bigeye tuna. One entrée really captured the restaurant's creative edge: fire-roasted tripletail. The light, flaky fish got a kick in the fins from a hot black bean chutney and a sweet pineapple finish. The menu changes often, so don't be afraid to try something different. 101 South Market Street; (302) 777-1500. Dinner entrées: $22.95-$28.95.

Local Favorite: Sweet Somethings
You can't get a whole meal here, but you can certainly order my favorite part--dessert. This traditional bakery whips up an unbelievable assortment of last courses for some of the best restaurants in the area. Do what other chefs do: Come here to get your cakes, pies, and pastries. A chocolate silk torte was as smooth as a Beltway politico. The mini cheesecake felt as if it weighed 30 pounds. Tartes and tortes will keep you dreaming of sugar for weeks to come. 1006 North Union Street; (302) 655-7211. Most whole pies and cakes: $26-$29.