Owner Kevin Dula opened the doors to Chef’s Riddle restaurant and lounge during Springfest in early May, bringing fresh breakfast and lunch dishes downtown.
“The Riddle is all about exploring new things with a basic menu to make sure everything is fresh,” Dula said. “There are not too many places in town where the owner and chef touches every plate served. There are no freezers, microwaves or shortcuts here. I have one employee in the kitchen with me and it’s all about making the customers happy and comfortable.”
Chef’s Riddle, on Baltimore Avenue and Second Street, can seat about 40 inside and another 30 outside.
During breakfast, which is served from 7 a.m. to around 11:30 a.m., patrons have a range of platters to choose from including eggs, meats, potatoes, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes and French toast.
“We are a great place for breakfast,” Dula said. “It’s simple and easily prepared. Most importantly, the quality — it’s fresh.”
Paris Toast is the signature and most popular breakfast at Chef’s Riddle, which is topped with powdered sugar and is crispy on the outside and has a gooey bread pudding and custard mix inside.
“All of the potatoes are fresh and homemade,” Dula said. “It is a recipe I perfected in Holland.”
The lunch menu has a selection of burgers and chicken sandwiches in addition to salads, hot dogs and sides including homemade mozzarella sticks and cole slaw.
“The burgers are hand patted and everything is served on a locally-baked Kaiser roll,” Dula said. “The cole slaw is homemade and we have the best French fries. I learned how to cook them in Amsterdam.”
Chef’s Riddle always features a daily special that is not on the regular menu and this weekend’s showcase dish is a poached-egg and crab bruschetta.
There is also a kid’s menu.
By the end of June toward the beginning of July, Chef’s Riddle will open one night a week for reservations only fine dining. The five-course meal will include a soup, salad, appetizer, entrée and dessert.
“They will fill out a questionnaire about food preferences online and the five-course meal will be a complete surprise,” Dula said. “This is not for the picky eater. We will only seat 40 to 50 people per night. Bring your own wine or beer and we will supply the ice.”
Dula has lived in the Ocean City area for eight years and has spent at least 20 years working in the restaurant industry.
He signed the lease to Chef’s Riddle in March, before starting 45 days of remodeling. He fixed the floors, painted the walls, ordered new cooking equipment and replaced the chairs and tables.
Chef’s Riddle is open every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. To order carry-out, call 443-373-2012.
For more information, visit www.chefsriddle.com or search “Chef’s Riddle Restaurant & Lounge” on Facebook and Instagram.
From oceancitytoday.net By Kara Hallissey