Welcome to Rehoboth’s Cosmopolitan Grill
The Cosmopolitan Grill at 10 Wilmington in Rehoboth Beach is now open. Many eateries have held down the fort on this site before—Manos, Retro Café, a short-lived Confetti’s, as well as Dos Locos which made its mark there and then moved to Rehoboth Avenue.
But with Cosmopolitan Grill I think the address may have found a permanent resident. Covering all the bases, the place is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night. With a grand piano next to the bar and a completely renovated interior, the place blends sophistication with a hearty beach welcome.
My spouse and I enjoyed dinner there this past Tuesday night, with the Letters deadline breathing down our necks—but we didn’t want to wait another two weeks to tell you about this cool new venue.
We entered to Matt Kenworthy at the Grand, playing “The Best of Times is Now” from La Cage Aux Folles, and for the Rehoboth restaurant scene that seems to be very apropos.
The new paint job, window treatments and brown and beige (okay, I am sure there are other interior-decorator-approved names for the colors) sculptured checkerboard carpet give the place an urban feel, but the big picture windows say you are in the ocean block at the beach.
Simply put, dinner was terrific. We started out with the signature blackened shrimp cocktail (spicy!) and the salmon plate—smoked salmon, onions, capers, egg and tomato to be spread atop toasted French bread slices. I might have been at the Russian Tea Room.
Other choices included soups, Ahi tuna, crab dip and more.
Next, Bonnie and I split a Caesar Salad, featuring ultra crisp, wonderfully chilled romaine, lightly but not too lightly dressed, with large chunks of parmesan cheese.
For an entree I chose the single crab cake (you can get one or two) with asparagus and pomme frittes. First, it was mighty pretty. But the crab cake was spectacular. Bonnie who hails from Baltimore and is very, very, very particular (to the point of my exasperation) about her crab cakes, gave this one a big thumbs up. It was filled with lump crab, delicately breaded and seasoned perfectly. Likewise, the pomme frittes were authentically Francais.
The second entrée sampled was the pasta dish with bacon, mushrooms, pea pods and a creamy white parmesan sauce. It was rich, filling and delicious. Did I say rich? And yummy. Other entrees include ribs, Ahi tuna, steak au poive, seared chicken breast, and more.
Naturally we had to try at least one dessert, although we were mighty full by that time. The chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, strawberries and whipped cream was marvelously excessive. They also offered cheesecake of the day and Key Lime pie.
With an accompanying cup of decaf and Matt on the piano, I could have stayed there all evening, listening to the music and soaking up the atmosphere. But alas, deadline beckoned.
We had a lovely time at the Cosmopolitan Grill and made up our minds to return to try brunch and lunch—they offer eggs benedict with crab or salmon, lox and bagel, blueberry pancakes, homemade biscuits and gravy, and more for brunch, with lunch menu items ranging from a Salmon BLT, to burgers, steak and cheese, and salads.
But perhaps the very best news about the Cosmopolitan Grill is that it has a reasonable price point (entrees between $14 and $22) like the old Manos was famous for, but with a chef who is much more talented. That’s great news! If this welcome new restaurant can keep both the price and the quality where they are, it will be a winner indeed. Can’t wait to go back.
Oops, deadline looms, but I’ve included some pictures that will save me the time it takes for a couple thousand more words!
Cosmopolitan Grill, 10 Wilmington Avenue, is open for breakfast and lunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 4 p.m until 1 a.m. For reservations, call 302-227-9752.