‘Tis the season to wow your summer guests

Gadzooks! The traditional midpoint of our 2024 season is just around the corner! And, true to form, my email boxes are overflowing with notes from locals who want their summertime houseguests to taste the best of our Culinary Coast (thank you, Southern Delaware Tourism, for that great description of our resort eateries). So it only seems right to shout out to a few of my pick hits that help keep our Cape Region a favorite dining destination.

The first thing to remember is that chefs at the beach change their menus almost as often as the changing of the tides. So some of the dishes that follow might be on the menu, or they might be history. But I can promise you’ll find something at these places to make your palate smile.

Tom and Tammy’s 1776 Steakhouse in Midway combines quiet elegance with expertly prepared steaks. Do not miss the black ravioli stuffed with lobster, and drizzled with a shrimp & crab cream sherry sauce. Belly up to the bar and ask about the Trappist beers.

Just a few minutes south is one of SoDel Concepts’ shining stars in Rehoboth Beach, Bluecoast Seafood Grill. The chilled blue crab claws give you the energy to tuck into a plate of Bluecoast’s signature shrimp & grits – parmesan grits, yet, with chorizo.

If you’re looking to splurge a bit, get reservations at Michy’s Relaxed Dining out on The Highway across from Walgreens. I suggest the chardonnay-poached pear salad to start, and then chef/owner Richard Davis’ amazing Forever Braised Short Ribs with caramelized fennel.

Upscale dining in Lewes has really come into its own over the last few years. Next-door neighbors Meghan Lee, with her classically understated Heirloom, and Chef GG at Raas both provide very impressive culinary experiences on Savannah Road. The award-winning Lewes Oyster House on Second Street offers a wide variety of one-of-a-kind goodies like the LOH Tide charbroiled oysters and what partners Sean, Tommy and Tim like to call the Damn Good Burger. Yup, at a fishhouse. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it.

Though upscale rarely disappoints here at the beach, delightful dining is easy to find for the wallet-challenged. Longtime favorite Touch of Italy can be relied on to keep serving what I like to call straight-ahead, New York-style, red-sauce Italian. The chicken parm and the wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas are pick hits for sure. One of the best Sunday brunch deals in Delaware is at Bethany Blues in Lewes where BBQ meets breakfast, along with one of the best bourbon bars at the beach. And a fine burger can still be had in downtown Rehoboth at Blackwall at the Beach. Start with the Blackwall Shrimp. Trust me on this….

Three of Maryland’s Eastern Shore favorites took Rehoboth by storm a few years ago. Theo’s Steaks, Sides & Spirits and Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar on Baltimore Avenue are always busy, and the charbroiled burgers at Hammy’s are a lunchy favorite. Reservations are a must at Theo’s, especially on weekends.

Chef Kevin Reading’s newest venture in Milton is barely two weeks old. The new Abbott’s in the Paynter’s Mill community is just a few minutes north of Lewes. Longtime chef Paul Gallo and his team are putting out some tasty vittles with that Chef Kevin twist. Back in downtown Rehoboth (where Chef Kevin first opened Espuma), Second Block Hospitality is wowing palates at its upscale Bodhi and Drift. Small wonder – one of the partners is former Blue Moon chef/owner Lion Gardner. Just around the corner on The Avenue, Nalu boss Regan Derrickson has brought new life into the longtime beach staple Summer House. Don’t miss the well-designed outdoor dining area and the cozy Libation Room.

Like live music? There’s no shortage of great sounds in our local eateries. Bethany Blues Lewes (great BBQ & burgers), Conch Island (don’t miss the conch fritters or chowder) and the Starboard (crushes and more crushes!) are some of the biggest, but don’t miss some of our smaller venues like Zogg’s, Bushels Crab House and Bluecoast, just to name a few. Conch Island’s little sister Crushers is at the corner of Lake and Rehoboth avenues, and it’s one of only two downtown spots with hard crabs. Speaking of beach staples, if you haven’t been to Grotto Pizza lately, you owe yourself a visit – especially at the brand-new digs in Dewey Beach. New appetizers, sides and a variety of new pies are giving a fresh feel to this 60-plus-year-old pizza parlor.

I’m running out of real estate on this page, but I can’t stop without urging you to make reservations at Café Azafran for the 5 p.m. every-Wednesday-in-season paella feasts on the ocean block of Baltimore Avenue. Chef/owner Richard outdoes himself every time, and at 38 bucks it’s a definite bargain. Two blocks to the south, Yolanda Pineda’s Mariachi stands out for beautifully curated Mexican and Salvadorean treats, and just a few steps west on Wilmington Avenue is Confucius with that crispy whole fish, one-of-a-kind appetizers and a guaranteed friendly smile from the statuesque Danielle Xiong.

So many restaurants, so little ink! Before you or your guests go running off to big cities or expensive mega-concerts, take a look at what we have right here in the Cape Region for breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hours and music – and help support many of our local friends and neighbors in the process.