Chesapeake and Maine

Another legend of Rehoboth Beach was put in the books this weekend. I finally had the pleasure of visiting Chesapeake and Maine, sister restaurant to Dogfish Head’s brew pub right next store. I salivated at the thought of this place for months, but for one reason or another, I never made it in until my in-laws visited the first weekend of June.

Like its sister restaurant, it's beautiful on the inside. Lots of lovely wooden decor with nautical themes to match the concept of the restaurant, which I love. Everything comes from the bay or from Mane. Every last oyster and crab can be traced back to the source. This is something I value a lot in food, knowing that what I eat is going back into the community.

Their oyster raw bar tells you the origin of each variety. They even have this cute board nearby with the name of the oyster hanging from a wooden pallet in the shape of heir origins. I did not partake on this date, but I look forward to it in the future.

I did try a crab cake sandwich, however. The good thing about crab cakes in the region is that they are more crab than cake. They put it on this amazing bun with tartar sauce. My god, was it delicious. The cake itself was nice and moist, served with fries dusted with Old Bay. It was a perfect match that felt like it truly belonged to the region.

Given this is the restaurant of a brewery/distillery, the drink selection is just fantastic. They focus on cocktails rather than brews at this location, so it’s the best place to try their distilled spirits that are often hard to find in stores. If you’re looking for a wider beer selection, cross the complex to the brew pub not far away.

Still, I recommend you check it out. They were a James Beard Award semi-finalist for their bar program. This is a rare distinction anywhere you go, not just on Rehoboth Beach.

Their hours and menu are available on the Dogfish Head Brewery website. Take a look and plan your trip today!

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